Priceline bids

[prgirl]

Is it safe to bid in priceline for a 2 or 3 star hotel? How do I know I will not stay in a dingy? What kind of hotels you get for those prices? Some info could let me take a desicion because I bid 45.00 for a 3 star and will pay around 800.00 for 14 days which is a great deal, but sounds too good to be true. Have somebody done this? I'm worried because I will stay 14 days not 1 or 2, and I wouldn't want to be stucked in a dingy . Thank you!!

 

[Mom of Sleepy Bashful and BabyDoc]

When are you going? Skyauction has some great deals for one bedroom condos at some nice resorts. I have gotten two bedrooms for $260 for seven nights. That way, you would have a frig. for cold drinks and maybe bagels or something. You don't have to cook just because you have a kitchen.

Just a thought.

 

[prgirl]

Thank you for asking, I forgot to point out that I will be going late december until first week of january and it only be me and a friend. I would like to have a fridge in the room though and if it's not too much to ask, complimentary breakfast.

 

[Mom of Sleepy Bashful and BabyDoc]

sorry. nothing coming up for SA for that date.

I would spend some time on www.biddingfortravel.com

 

[kilee]

That would actually be a good rate for a 3*, but not a 2 or 2 1/2 star. I would just be sure you're willing to accept any hotel. The good thing is you can get an idea of what you'd be looking at via the biddingfortravel website.

 

[spiceycat]

Thank you for asking, I forgot to point out that I will be going late december until first week of january and it only be me and a friend. I would like to have a fridge in the room though and if it's not too much to ask, complimentary breakfast.

you are going Christmas week and staying offsite - you aren't going to WDW that week right.

that high peak season.

one of the few times that WDW can and will close it gates to offsiters.

UL/IOA will do the same.

you can generally get a 2 1/2 star - AmericSuites for $35 to $40 - but I think during that week even it wants more.

can you change your time - either after Jan 1 - or before Christmas week.

now if you are going to party - it is a great time - but if you want to enjoy the theme parks it is a horrible time.

 

[spiceycat]

I looked on a couple of sites - even the bottom hotels want $59 during that last week of Dec.

these hotels would generally rent for $28. (on their sites).

so if you want a deal on priceline you are going to need patience and nerve.

you may have to wait until a couple of weeks before you leave. If you can.

if you can't then expect to pay more. Or go during a non-peak time.

 

[wdwluver]

I wouldn't bid 2 star on priceline (or hotwire) for a hotel at christmastime.

I made that mistake two years ago. I thought I could live with a two-star, but ended up with the days inn. I would rather sleep in my car than stay there again.

You should at least bid 2.5 to 3 star. I bid 2.5 star for wdw vicinity this year and had to go as high at 76 to get something. It was a courtyard. looking forward to it for the one night before our on-site stay.

You could also try hotwire. They don't allow you to bid. They just show you what star levels are availabe for what price in what area and you take a chance and make a purchase. I think hotwire gives higher starts to hotels than priceline does, so be careful.

 

[tasha99]

I think you would be okay so long as you stick to at least 3 stars. That's probably a pretty expensive time to go though.

I got Sheraton Safari for $35/night for 4 nights in September. Then I'm moving onsite for another 4 nights. I couldn't have afforded to stay the whole time at Disney--I feel pretty good about my bid at priceline because staying so cheaply for part of my trip helped me afford the rest. Of course, I haven't been to Sheraton Safari yet, but it looked okay online . . .

I second the recommendation of the biddingfortravel website. There's a lot of info there, not only on bidding for hotels, but also bidding for rental cars.

 

[kilee]

3* and up is usually safe w/ priceline. Under that and you are definetly taking a chance. If you do bid let us know how it goes.

 

[NHLFAN]

prgirl,

Priceline can be a great deal by doing a little homework (as you are for asking for info here). A great site, like others have mentioned, is biddingfortravel.com . I would look there for the 3* hotels and then do an availability check on the date range you need at each hotel's website as this might give you a little insite to which hotel might come up.

You might have to break up your stay if you want better chances of getting a lower price.

Skyauction could be your best bet, but make sure you read all the details for their charges/fees so you know how much upfront those will cost.

Good luck....

 

[spiceycat]

prgirl,

You might have to break up your stay if you want better chances of getting a lower price.

Skyauction could be your best bet, but make sure you read all the details for their charges/fees so you know how much upfront those will cost.

Good luck....

agree with your first statement!!!

Skyauction this year have added extra charges for holiday time. She is going during peak holiday time. So there will be extra charges even on skyauction.

so the week for $216 is not likely to happen.

plus looking at extra vacation for Orlando in RCI - it looks like most stop around 12/17 and don't start until 1/6 or 1/7/2007 again.

 

[riu girl]

I have been watching Skyauction VERY closely for Dec 23 - Dec 31 checkins in the Orlando area and NOTHING is showing up. I wouldn't count on skyauction for anything during that time frame.

Have you checked hotelkingdom.com? Some good prices are coming up for Christmas and New Years week in the Kissimmee/Orlando area.

 

[ohiomom28]

I got the Amerisuites Convention Center for $40/night. It is listed as a 2.5 star. It was really nice.