Tell me about Priceline

[Claire&TheBoys]

I've never used Priceline before and am not sure where to start. I want to stay one night on my way to Disney World in just over 2 weeks. My target city is Lake City, about mid-way between our home and WDW. There is a Country Inn & Suites (Expedia price $75), Hampton (Expedia $99). I was hoping for the $60 range. How much can you go below advertised price and have a reasonable shot of getting it? How far in advance should I bid? What is that website where I can figure out what hotels are meeting my bid?

Thanks for any help and advice you can give me!

 

[azdizzymom]

Remember Priceline guarantees ONE bed...you can call and ask for 2 beds BUT they don't have to give you one. Some people have luck and others don't.

 

[brymolmom]

I agree on the one bed thing - although the chances are slim in most areas that you wouldn't be able to get 2 beds.

Just remember that you get what you get - you have to pay BEFORE you know what hotel you are getting and there is no garuantee that you'd get either of those you listed. I suggest going to betterbidding dot com to look at the information there. They have sample hotel listings and some people post their 'wins' so you know estimates. Not sure how big Lake City is and/or whether there are a lot of priceline hotels in that city.

If you have your heart set on a certain hotel(s) - then it probably is worth it to pay the extra $30. If you will be happy with anything at a certain star rating....then priceline might be right for you.

 

[mrsklamc]

I have a friend in the hotel business who swears you can get a better deal by calling the hotel directly. I've never done it personally, but since you have a particular hotel in mind, I would call them up, ask to speak with a manager, say, "You're listed on Expedia for $75 a night, I was wondering if you would be open to eliminating the middleman? I can offer you $60." Worst they can say is no!

 

[Green Tea]

If the hotels are that price booking traditionally, they would likely be won on Priceline for about $25-30. If you open with $60, you are giving PL a LOT of money. It varies, but a 2* is not expensive in most areas.

 

[wnissen]

A good way to get a sense for a Priceline bid is to check Hotwire and public rates, and then go below the lowest rate. It's easy to do on http://Kayak.com (Just check the box that says "Compare with: Hotwire" underneath your location and dates). Hotwire is a good budget alternative if you care about quality, bed choice, or smoking, because some of that information is visible. Priceline is typically cheaper (sometimes much cheaper) but you tend to get pot luck.

 

[bpesch]

I have used Priceline successfully many times. But I only use it when it's not important that I have more than one bed. Because I've found a lot of hotels are not at all flexible when it comes to giving you two beds if you've gotten a good deal on Priceline.

That being said, I've also gotten some very good deals on hotel rooms using them.

 

[QVCshopper]

I have bid many many times and have never had a problem with the bed situation. I've always gotten what I've wanted, but I usually only bid 4 stars in Baltimore; I've also gotten the Swan and Dolphin a long time ago for $75/night, as well as nice hotels in DC. I just got the Baltimore Marriott Waterfront for $80/night plus taxes and fees.

That said, check www.biddingfortravel.com before you do anything. People list their recent "wins" and you can try to copy them. Also, the lady over there gives strategies.

 

[Claire&TheBoys]

Thanks for the advice. I am not sure what I'm going to do. I would hate to be stuck with only 1 bed since there are 4 of us. Lake City is a small town right on the interstate and there are quite a few Days-Inn-type motels, no really nice hotels, just the Hampton-type hotels.

 

[nilseks]

I agree with PP; bidding $60 is way too high. I travel a lot to go to concerts and my friends and I pretty much just need a decent place to flop for the night. I routinely get rooms with an 'advertised rate' of $70-90 per night for anywhere between $20 and 30. I have gotten rooms at Hyatts or Hiltons for $40-42. Then you have to pay the $12 Priceline fee on top of that. Still comes out much cheaper. If you are going during an off-peak time, you will be more successful with the low bids. I usually bid about 2-4 weeks in advance.

I've never had a problem getting 2 beds if I call in advance. And FYI even though Priceline says they don't do refunds--they do! Had to do it once when my child was sick and I couldn't go on a trip. They very nicely told me that as long as the hotel agreed, they would reverse the fees. Hotel had no problem with it, and it was credited quickly. Love, love, love Priceline!

 

[Claire&TheBoys]

Well, after all my research and web-surfing, I talked to my husband and asked if he wanted me to bid on a 3* hotel or do one of Expedia's "secret deals" or just book it outright to get what we wanted. He was less than enthused about the idea of bidding or booking blind, and said, "it's worth the $20 to me to know what we're getting." We got a military rate at the Country Inn & Suites. Oh well, I'll file the information away for another time! Thanks for the advice!

 

[DisneyMomma81]

I've pricelined 3 times *twice in Anaheim near Disneyland early 2009* both times got the Crowne Plaza in Garden Grove for a great price, right after the winning bid I contacted the hotel directly and requested 2 beds - both times we got 2 beds.

Most recently was just last month in Kanab UT again I got a fine price *we stayed at the Holiday Inn Express ~ however when I called to request 2 beds *1 would've been ok - kids could've slept on air mattresses on the floor, but my mom joined us so we needed 2 beds ~ well they would but only for $15 more per night, which we paid.

 

[kt_mom]

We travel to Northern VA frequently to visit family and I always book our room through priceline. The most I've ever had to pay was $60 but I usually get it for around $40 - $45. Its a Hilton that is usually around $100 or so booking outright. I am very familiar with the area and looked to see which hotels in that city are considered which star level so I knew what I could end up with and we'd be happy at any of the ones in that star level. But we usually end up at the Hilton. The first couple of times I did it I got the Courtyard Marriott.

I also bid on our room for the night before our flight last year and got it for $39 in Richmond. I think it was a Holiday Inn or something. It was actually not a hotel that I would have stayed at for more than one night but it worked for our purpose. And we got to park the car there for the week for free. So it was a win win.

I love priceline! I find it almost addicting trying to get the best deal. They almost got me last time. Sometimes when you place a bid they will come back and say that you if you will up your bid by $XX then they will let you bid again right away. But I had set mine up so I could bid twice anyway by bidding the first time on 2 nights and then I was able to take off the second night and by changing that I was allowed to bid again. So I declined their offer of upping my bid by $15 and bid again at only $5 higher and got it. Then I just extended the nights to two.