Priceline vs Hotwire

[JanetRose]

Is there a difference between the two? Thanks.

 

[LukenDC]

With Priceline, you must enter a quality level and a bid for a hotel. If Priceline accepts your bid, it then reveals the hotel to which you are assigned.

Hotwire reveals the hotel prices from the outset. It does not reveal the name of the hotel until after you have paid for the room, but it does give some details regarding quality, amenities, and location.

 

[kbkids]

And Priceline just scares me!! I'm such a cheapskate that I want to get the cheapest price as possible. I'm scared I'd enter something so low that they would assign me to a roach motel!


I have used Hotwire before and ended up with the Dolphin at an awesome price!

 

[LukenDC]

And Priceline just scares me!! I'm such a cheapskate that I want to get the cheapest price as possible. I'm scared I'd enter something so low that they would assign me to a roach motel!


I have used Hotwire before and ended up with the Dolphin at an awesome price!

Before you enter your bid on Priceline, you must select the minimum star level you will accept. I never go below 4 stars. I used Priceline a few weeks ago and got the InterContinental in NYC for $175 a night.

 

[marybet]

There is a site, www.betterbidding.com, that will help with bidding on priceline and hotwire. By using this site I was able to get a great price on a hotel on hotwire and was 99% sure what hotel it was before I made the reservation. It is not as sure a thing with priceline so I have never bid on anything there.

 

[LuvTigger]

There is a similar site, www.biddingfortravel.com that can help with Priceline bids. I have bid on Priceline several times (Anaheim, Newport Beach, and San Diego) and have been happy with my stays. The bidding for travel site helped me to figure out what I should bid.

I'm not familiar with Hotwire, but Priceline will offer certain amenities in the different star levels. And you will at least know a general area of where the hotel is located.

If you need to stay in a certain location, I wouldn't chance it with Priceline, but if you're going to a city and don't really have a specific location or hotel chain preference, I would give it a shot. If you bid on a 4-star, they won't put you in a 1-star.

And definitely check out the website above, but be warned, the administrators are pretty strict there, and they want you to read their FAQ before posting. While it is extremely helpful, it's not quite as "friendly" as the DIS!

 

[powellrj]

We use both. With priceline, its more of a gamble because you only know the area and the stars you are bidding for, but it tends to be cheaper than hotwire. With hotwire, you know ahead of time if the hotel has a pool and the "extras".

 

[aunt kelly]

I love Priceline and have gotten some wonderful deals on Priceline. I always visit biddingfortravel.com and betterbidding.com before I bid. Both sites have lists of the hotels that have been won in specific zones. I always study those lists and know what hotels I might get in a particular zone. If there is a hotel at the star level I want in a specific zone that is unacceptable, I don't bid on that zone. There is a lot of strategy involved. Read the FAQ on both sitesand look at the posts regarding recent bids. I used to be scared to death of Priceline, but I finally got the nerve to submit a bid and stayed at a fabulous resort for $65 per night. The rack rate was over $350 per night. (I still think this is the nicest resort I have ever stayed at). I have gotten some great deals at hotels all over the country. Do your research at the two websites mentioned, and you will get hooked on Priceline!

 

[Mercy]

I love Priceline and have gotten some wonderful deals on Priceline. I always visit biddingfortravel.com and betterbidding.com before I bid. Both sites have lists of the hotels that have been won in specific zones. I always study those lists and know what hotels I might get in a particular zone. If there is a hotel at the star level I want in a specific zone that is unacceptable, I don't bid on that zone. There is a lot of strategy involved. Read the FAQ on both sitesand look at the posts regarding recent bids. I used to be scared to death of Priceline, but I finally got the nerve to submit a bid and stayed at a fabulous resort for $65 per night. The rack rate was over $350 per night. (I still think this is the nicest resort I have ever stayed at). I have gotten some great deals at hotels all over the country. Do your research at the two websites mentioned, and you will get hooked on Priceline!

Ditto what aunt kelly said. I've used Priceline many times, and have always gotten good deals. I also use the biddingfortravel.com website for research before placing bids. Once you understand how Priceline works, and the strategies for bidding it can be addicting.