need priceline experts........

[pal2pluto]

Sadly, our next vacation will not be to DCL , but we are trying a dude ranch in Wyoming.

I know this is off topic, but I know there are experts on this board re: priceline. In driving there, we will need hotels on the way, and I hope to get inexpensive lodging through priceline. Any recommendations on bidding? Any places where there is a board discussing priceline tips, strategies? If you've used priceline, were you happy with the hotels you got? What recourse is there if I'm not happy?

Any info, of course will be helpful! Thanks!!!

 

[polkadotladybug]

Hi,
I have not used this - but have it bookmarked - hope it helps!
Carol


http://www.biddingfortravel.com/

 

[BriarfoxinWA]

I've used PriceLine and biddingfortravel quite a bit. Biddingfortravel is one of the better places to go for advice on bidding and to find out what hotels are available.

 

[my3kids]

I use Priceline all the time. I LOVE it! I am driving from coast to coast this summer for $52 one way!(combination of Priceline and a free night on points) Read biddingfortravel.com FAQ on hotel bidding. Most important thing to do is find your "free rebids" first. In larger cities, there will be zones. Look at each zone individually and write down how many stars are available in each zone. Say airpot zone has 1*, 2* an 3* properties. College zone has 1 and 2 *, East has 1* and West has 1,2, 21/2*, and North has 1,2,3 and 4*. Say you are looking for a 3* in the North area. First bid for a 4*, then if not accepted you can rebid immediately for 3* in that zone. If still not successful, you can raise the bid by a couple of dollars and and add the college zone(remember, no 3*'s there, so you know you won't get it) You can freely rebid until all those opportunities are gone. Then if you decide maybe a 2* would be okay, start all over. You wouldn't continue with the rebidding because you could win a 2* in a zone you didn't want. Read the biddingfor travel website. It explains it better than I do. Also read the area sections for the cities you want to stay in. That will tell what people are getting rooms for in those cities, and also which hotels come up as winning bids.

 

[newhampshire4]

I am also a fan of bidding for travel and priceline.... booked one night pre-cruise and one night post-cruise. Staying at the Marriott airport for $28 bid (doesn't include tax, etc) and the Grosvenor for $35. Have also used Priceline for Hollywood, LA, Palm Springs... great results

 

[pal2pluto]

Great info........thanks!

I'm especially interested in whether bidding is a possibility in areas that may not be huge travel centers...like S. Dakota, or if we will need to look for cheap bids only in major cities.

My3kids: were you able to use it in "out of the way" places? Were your savings good there?

 

[woody64]

You may find possibilities for Priceline in Rapid City and Souix Falls in SD. Everywhere else probably not. I grew up in Rapid City and it is beautiful with the Black Hills, Mt. Rushmore, Crazy Horse Mtn., etc. and gets tons of tourists during the summer.

woody64

 

[my3kids]

pal2 It is definately easier(and usually cheaper) to get a room in a larger city, but its possible in small towns also. If you are staying along the interstates, it will be easier than hi-ways, I found. Look at your route, figure where you want to stay and just ener the city name on the Priceline website. It will either come up the star ratings, a message that they don't have rooms in that city and offer a possible alternative(along with miles from your origional request) or just a flat out, we don't have rooms in that city with no alternative listed. On the website I mentioned above, each state(or city) has a link just for that information. At the very top will be a hotel listing...ones that HAVE come up and been posted before. You could get something that isn't listed, or one that has come up a lot. You just never know, and to me...that's fun! Wyndam, Marriott, Radisson tend to pop up often as 3*. You'll learn which chains participate, but again.....always subject to change. Small cities, I think, tend to require higher bids than large cities, and generally only have 1 and 2 star properties. Always exceptions, but that seems to be what I have found in my dealings with Priceline.

 

[pal2pluto]

Wow.......you all are great! Thanks so much for the info. Guess I've got a lot more surfing to do! Aint research fun !