Need advice on using Priceline for hotels

[travelbug]

I have never used Priceline before, so I'll warn you that I'm pretty clueless. I've just heard others talking about Priceline, but usually only for flights. I'm thinking about trying it to book hotels for our car trip to and from WDW. Have some questions for any Priceline veterans out there:

1. Can I bid on absolutely any hotel/motel in existence, or is the selection limited somehow?

2. Is an accepted bid a bottom-line amount, or do taxes and fees get added in afterwards?

3. Would I pay in full up front? Is there any possibility for a refund in case of cancellation?

If you can think of anything else I should have asked, please fill me in on that too! Thanks in advance for any help you can give me!

 

[EmptyNester]

I have successfully used Priceline numerous times. There are limitations to bidding: You can't "pick" a particular hotel; you have to pay in advance and there are no refunds. That said, you can get some great deals, if you do your research.

Check out: www.biddingfortravel.com It's the best resource I've found for Priceline info, tips and help.

Best of luck!

Sharon

 

[travelbug]

Thanks very much, EmptyNester! I looked briefly at that website, and found exactly the kind of information I need. I'll explore it in more detail later.

Again, thank you for your reply!

 

[Lewisc]

Originally posted by travelbug
I have never used Priceline before, so I'll warn you that I'm pretty clueless. I've just heard others talking about Priceline, but usually only for flights. I'm thinking about trying it to book hotels for our car trip to and from WDW. Have some questions for any Priceline veterans out there:

1. Can I bid on absolutely any hotel/motel in existence, or is the selection limited somehow?

2. Is an accepted bid a bottom-line amount, or do taxes and fees get added in afterwards?

3. Would I pay in full up front? Is there any possibility for a refund in case of cancellation?

If you can think of anything else I should have asked, please fill me in on that too! Thanks in advance for any help you can give me!

1. You specifiy a location and a star level. If you check biddingfortravel you'll get a good idea of what hotels participate.

2. Actual taxes, PL fee and any resort fees/energy surcharges are added to your bid amount.

3. You give cc when you bid. Full amount is charged if your bid is accepted. Refund for cancellation is next to impossible.

 

[leslieh]

We just talked about this somewhere else on this site? The only thing about bidding for road trips, is you may or may not drive as far as the hotel reserved. We have let a reservation go, because we were too tired to drive any further, etc. We are taking the road trip down 95 from MD on friday, and will drive until we cant any longer, look for a room about 1 hour away. The deals are on the road, stop at the rest stops and p/u a travlers book for hotel discounts, with PL your only going to save 15-20$ on the hotel after the fees, and cant cancel. I have used pl for hotels plenty of times but only for the exact place we are staying.

 

[Rpsemont]

travelbug,
the biddingfortravel site is truly a homerun and it will answer many - probably ALL - of your questions. I have used priceline many times and have felt I got great value for my money. Some personal observations:
Be aware that they only guarantee occupancy for 2. If you're travelling with more than two adults sharing a room, you may want to rethink it or be extra dilligent in your research of what hotels have come up before.

I never bid less than a three star. (personal choice)

Don't bid until you plans are firm. There are no refunds.

In Orlando, we have stayed at the Hyatt Orlando, Renaissance World Gate, Grovenor, and Sheraton Safari, and MArriot Airport and for $40/night +/-. (THese were all 3 *)

 

[travelbug]

Thank you, everyone, for your excellent advice and tips! I definitely came to the right place to get the real scoop.