Question for the Priceline Pro's..

[mudnuri]

Researching using priceline..I'm a chicken still, but might just get there closer to time for our trip. I already have reservations at Tropical Palms, but am thinking I may try it and then cancel these.

I've been on biddingfortravel, and am reading the FAQ's for hotels. It states that the only guarantee is that you get a room based on double occupancy, meaning- 1 bed. Has anyone gotten a room with only 1 bed?

A Hotel that is basically an "all suite" hotel (is there any? still checking)....it says they can't guarantee suites- but if it was an all-suite, I'd think you get it???

Does anyone book 1 night, see what they get, then try to book the rest of the vacation? I can stand to loose 1 night worth of $$ if it means going from a dive to a good place.

Im thinking of trying to get into the Dolphin or Swan, researching now on whats listed for those, but people recently have gotten the dolphin for 70 bucks a night in June and July.. We're probably going in May...though countdown says April.

Any tips you have, please pass them on!

Thanks

Brandy

 

[CPM]

I'm pretty sure that in Orlando you get two beds. I have always gotten two beds.
If you bid in the resort category I wouldn't worry about getting a lousy hotel, they are all nice. I have been seeing Gaylord Palms coming up a lot lately, which is more luxurious then the Swan or Dolphin!
I wouldn't chance doing one night then trying to do the other nights you need. There doesn't seem to be any rhyme or reason to how they come up. You will also have to py another $5.95 Priceline fee!
I think once you try it you will find it's a great thing, especially if you try it using the resort category first!

 

[ncbyrne]

DH and I are also going in May (2-12) and are splitting it between three hotels. Have Dolphin booked for middle 4 nights (thru Dreams with Gov. rate), but am thinking of trying Priceline for our other nights. Betterbidding.com and biddingfortravel.com are both very informative sites. I'm tempted to try for a 3* since I wouldn't mind any of the properties listed, but have noticed Best Western LBV coming up, and that used to be a 2.5*. I need some convincing as I still don't have the nerve.

 

[tinaluis]

You definitely don't want to split your stay because you might end up at 2 different places. In Orlando we've always gotten a room with 2 beds but I have heard of some who've gotten a room with 1 King size bed only. There is no way to gurarantee an "all suite" hotel through Priceline so you should look elsewhere if that is important to you. This past weekend we booked a room through Priceline near our home (Chicago) so our daughters could go swimming before returning to school from Winter Break. When we got there, the clerk told me we'd been assigned a room with a King size bed and asked if that was ok. I told her we'd prefer a room with 2 doubles but would "make do" with the King if that was all they had. She happily switched the room but we were prepared to deal with the King room if we had to. If you are not flexible and have to have certain things (like a suite) then you may be disappointed with Priceline.

 

[SB in KY]

I would NOT hold out much hope for the Dolphin or Swan in May either. Both are big convention hotels and May is a very big month for conventions (especially early to mid May)...you might have a chance at the very end of the month but I'd think it was pretty risky if you are going early to mid May. Be sure and post what you got on Biddingfortravel....the more info the better.

 

[sln88]

will show an icon showing you if you are picking a suite before you buy. I thought that was a bit nicer than Priceline since I really want a suite. I don't think their prices are as good as Priceline, tho

 

[jdm]

I've used Priceline for Orlando, Anehiem, NYC, Boston and San Fran. I have always requested 2 beds and have always gotten them. Having said that, you do have to be flexible in the event you don't get 2 beds. On ocassions when we've had 4 traveling, I'll bid on 2 rooms which is still usually less than 1 room rack rate.

Jenn

 

[Lewisc]

DON'T USE PL. Your requests are too specific. Most people in Orlando can get 2 beds BUT some people got stuck with 1 bed. There is no way with PL to guarantee a suite hotel and Swan/Dolphin don't come up that often when you're going..

You might be better off using skyauction for a condo.