Priceline and The Wyndham Palace

[kwinkle]

After seeing everyone's posts about Priceline and The Wyndham Palace at Downtown Disney - I took the plunge and gave it a try. I got a great rate for The Wyndham Palace - 65.00 a night but....I registered for the Wyndham by Request like everyone had suggested and got a very short reply from the Manager of the Wyndham by Request at the Resort that Priceline and Hotwire customers ARE NOT eligible for the Wyndham by Request benefits! How disappointing. This must be a recent change in policy because several posters here have related stories of using the service when they were Priceline customers - I hope we have a good room but to tell you the truth I am regretting canceling my reservation at the Hotel Royal Plaza where at least I knew what room I was getting. Oh well, too late now. I really hate that you can not cancel reservations made through Priceline. Does Hotwire let you cancel?

 

[jtopicz1]

I'm sure your room will be fine. Just because you can't take advantage of the by-request benefits, doesn't mean you can't REQUEST a specific room. Just call or email your room requests a couple days before you arrive and I'm sure they'll accomodate you.

And at check-in, it never hurts to be polite and ask for an upgrade. Sometimes you'd be suprised......

Jim

 

[bunnyfoo]

Don't worry about the WBR ... I booked at the Wyndham last year through their website signed up for the program and they still messed it up. I didn't get anything in my room when I arrived. About Priceline... I thought I remembered reading somewhere that if you call the hotel directly they *might* let you cancel the reservation ... then again, I've never booked with Priceline so I'm not too sure. The Wyndham is a really nice hotel... I think you'll like it

 

[thereuare]

You won't get anywhere calling the hotel to cancel your priceline reservation...

your credit card is billed by Priceline (and Priceline pays the hotel with their own credit card/fee arrangement), so even if they were willing, the hotel would have no way to issue you a credit.

 

[jeffreyml]

I also tried to add our Priceline reservation to the Wyhdham By Request program. We received an e-mail response form the By Request manger saying they no longer honored Priceline / Hotwire requests for the program.

Regardless, we received a great rate for this hotel and will enjoy the time we spend at Disney.............

We also have a 7 night stay at the Hilton in WDW and suceesfully signed up for the Hilton Honors card and were able to add that to our reservation by calling the hotel directly !!!!!!!!!

 

[CarolA]

On the Hilton Honors you will only get credit for incidentals charged to the room. I can see why the Wyndam does not want to give you the freebies that come with by request. After all the room normally goes for around $150. However, I have stayed at that Wyndam on Priceline several times and all of my rooms have been great. For the savings, just buy your own bottled water!

 

[hgmom]

The reason Priceline and Hotwire reservations are not eligible for ByRequest amenities is that it is considered a "blind" booking and you didn't actually "choose" Wyndham, Priceline and Hotwire chose it for you. Your room will be no different than if you booked any other way. They do not assign rooms according to how you booked your reservation or what rate you paid. You just will not be eligible for the upgrade based upon availability.
If you are looking for a low rate at the Palace that is still eligible for ByRequest amenities, I recommend going with a Wyndham Webrate, available through the Wyndham website or the 800 number. It is the lowest rate you will find anywhere (besides Priceline or Hotwire). However, be sure you want it, because they are non-refunable and you cannot cancel or change. Also, if you are a FL resident, ask about a discount because there are some awesome resident rates out there for the Palace! I just booked a family for a weekend in March and the resident rate on the regular room was $89/night and the suites were only $129. The regular rate on the rooms were like $199 and $259 on the suites, so you can see how living in FL can pay off!!

 

[DeeCeeSW]

I have received points for my stays at Hilton hotels through Priceline--and not just for incidentals. Most recently I stayed at the Hilton Montreal Bonaventure and received points. Perhaps Hilton in WDW has their own special policy?

 

[CarolA]

Actually that is the Hilton policy that you won't receive points. I have read on flyertalk.com that lots of times both Hilton and Hyatt's mess up and give you credit so you did good!

 

[DeeCeeSW]

guess I am lucky--also got full points at the Caribe Hilton and was given access to the lounge. Maybe it's my sparkling personality, LOL.........

 

[kwinkle]

Well we just got back last night from our stay at the Wyndham. First let me say that the Wyndham was great. Because i had contacted the Wyndham By Request manager about the mix-up and misunderstranding that I could get the benefits with a Priceline reservation, I was given some of the Wyndham by Request benefits. We were given a very nice room and the Wyndham by Request manager even called me personally in my room to see if I was satisfied and having a good time! What a nice touch! The hotel was very nice and all were pleasant and accomodating. Now, on a personal note. I hated staying offsite. Even though Downtown Disney is very close it was just not the same for me. I will not do it again. Part of the Magic for me is the feeling of being away from it all. When you stay on site and walk out of your room or out on the balcony there is no highway, no city sounds, just the theme surroundings of whichever resort you happen to be staying in. Nope, offsite is not for me - I gave it a try but I guess I am Disney spoiled. but like I said, this in no way reflects the Wyndham Palace - they were great and the hotel was nice!

 

[kwinkle]

How do I get back to the site to change my Disney vacation info? thanks