Hi everyone,

I know that this isn't really an Asia question, but I posted my question in 'Other Topics' with no response.

I'd like to book a room at Akasaka Prince in Tokyo for one night using Priceline (not bidding). I've never used Priceline before so I'm not sure exactly how it works and I can't seem to figure out the answer to my question reading their FAQs.

When I book a room, am I charged for the room right away on my credit card? If not, is the rate shown locked in even if the exchange rate changes? The room rate showing right now is $119/night. When I choose it, it shows the total charges in yen (14000) with a statement in parentheses next to it saying "($119.98 US - based on current exchange rate)". I just want to make sure that I won't be locked into a reservation where the room rate might be more if the exchange rate changes.

Thanks,
Judy

Oh, another question!

If I'm charged right away on my credit card for the room, am I charged in dollars or yen? Will I be paying a currency exchange fee on my credit card if they charge in yen?

Thanks.

I used Priceline quite a lot for our holiday in California last year & made great savings using the "name your own price" deal. Before I started I checked out a site that helps you with your bidding & it was enourmous help. They'll also be able to answer whatever question you have regarding credit card billing. The site is:
www.betterbidding.com
Remember with Priceline when you've booked you can't cancel.

But if you read her post closely, she is not bidding, just straight booking.

jlaughs, I am interested in the answer to this.

(You know about the discount on hotels w/the JR pass, right? Just checking. I used that discount at an ANA hotel on the last trip).

If you look at the "Important Information" that's displayed at the bottom of the page after you chose the hotel and before entering your info, you should find the answer.

I tried your hotel for a date next month, and from what I read, they'll charge you in Yen. Your credit card is only used for holding, and will only be charged if you don't show up or cancel.

It's no different from other regular booking service. It's not pre-paid.

Oh, I read more carefully, and saw that the rate is called "Early Advantage-No Refund". So, I don't know. Please disregard my last post.

rkkwan, your posts show exactly why I'm confused. In one statement it talks about cancellation, which would seem to imply that I am only making a reservation with a possible deposit on my credit card. But, then in another statement, it talks about no refunds. Is this no refund of a deposit? Or is the entire amount charged to my credit card? If it's just a deposit, is my rate in $ locked in, regardless of change in currency exchange rate (I think probably not if I'm charged in yen rather than $)?

Clark55, thank you for your suggestion. I've already been to betterbidding.com, but I couldn't find the answer to my question. Maybe because I'm not actually bidding?

emd, I know that the Granvia offers a JR Pass rate, but I wasn't aware of others. Did you book directly on the ANA hotel's website? Do you know, off-hand, which hotels offer the JR Pass discount?

So, it seems to me that whether it's the full amount for one night or just a deposit, I'll be charged in yen. If that's the case, then I assume that I will be charged a conversion fee on my credit card. This point is important to me because it will determine which card I use (United Visa for miles or JCB for lower fee).

I'm still hoping that someone knows the answers to my questions!!

Thanks,
Judy

there are two levels to priceline...at least two levels...one is the one for which they are most known when you name a price and they assisgn you a hotel that will accept that price (in the area of the city you have choosen and at the star level you have choosen....the other level, and the level you reach first when you sign on to priceline, is just a regular travel site like travelocity or expedia, although they claim it to be discounted...

for the "name your own price option" you should very carefully read all of the site at : www.biddingfortravel.com which is a companion site to priceline but not related to or owned by it...

one comment....for the last two weeks "biddinng for travel" does not seem to have been operative with a moderator or facilitator...that may have changed....but by reviewing the state and city you are interested in you can see some history (not complete history, but some that has been reported) of winning priceline bids...

on the lower cost option you can never bid for a specific hotel but rather you bid for a star category (some of which are not accurate reflections of what the hotel is)and for a location within a city (most cities have more than one location---for instance boston has about 5 locations)...hope this helps in addition to what is written above...

if when reviewing your city on bidding for travel you do not see your hotel i would not chance bidding for it....

have you also called the hotel direct to see what they offer??

priceline is a usa company (located in CT) and you will be charged in dollars

there is also a priceline function in hong kong that specializes in asia....that is not related to or reported on on bidding for travel...do a google and you will find it...

Anytime I've checked out the price for hotels without the "Name your own price" deal they've always been more expensive than other reservation sites & the hotels own site.

Hi,

Well, this may just be a fluke, but the rate for one night on Priceline at the Akasaka Prince is 14000 yen, twin/double occupancy (16000 yen for a Panoramic view room on a higher floor). On the hotel's website, the room is 38200 yen. The only discount that I could find being offered on the hotel's website is if you reserve online the same day as check-in. I'm not brave enough to take that chance and the discount would still put the rate higher than Priceline anyway.

I've checked out the hotel and would like to stay there, but I am concerned about whether we would be able to get a non-smoking room if we reserve on Priceline. Is this ever a problem?

Thanks,
Judy

Which night? The English language rates are much higher than the Japanese I found the other day when I was looking, but I couldn't remember your dates. They have many, many, many discount plans, but not in English.

It's for the 29th? I think I remember it's the fireworks night. Though the hotel has many special plans that offer good value, they are not available on the 29th...they are sold out it says. Since the rate shows on a calendar, I'm only assuming the plans were available at some time in the past for booking. There is a message that says rooms are unavailable but you can call during business hours to the reservations office and they might be able to help you.

I don't think that reserving on Priceline would make a difference as to whether you could get a non-smoking room or not.

Hi KimJapan,

Actually, we need the room for August 8. It's our last night in Japan.

Thanks,
Judy

Lots of availability on the 8th.
e-Basic plan includes rooom charge, tax and service. No breakfast.
Twin ¥15,500
Double ¥17,000
You do not need to prepay or provide a credit card.

Suite Time - Suite Room, tax, service, 1/2 bottle champagne, turndown service, room service breakfast ¥50,000

Couple Plan/Love Story - Double Room, service, tax - ¥17,000 or ¥19,000 on the 20th floor or higher/Suite Room, service, tax - ¥20,000 or ¥22,000 on the 20th floor or higher.

Then there are plans that include meals, massages, pool entrance....

I meant to include that everything is available on the 8th and it doesn't seem that a credit card is required for booking. Booking only in Japanese. If you want, I could book it for you.

for the NS part, once i had the res i would send the hotel directly an e mail and request the type of bed i wanted and non-smoking....i would then say it again upon arrival..

unfortunately we have found in asia that sometimes non-smoking means they have removed the ashtray from the room...maybe not in japan however...

Hi everyone,

I finally found a phone number for Priceline and after spending several minutes on hold, I finally was able to speak with someone who answered my questions. For anyone else curious about the answers to my questions --
You are not charged anything when you make your reservation. You pay when you're at the hotel and you're charged in dollars. The rate (in $) is locked in regardless of changes in exchange rate. Am I absolutely confident that this information is correct? Not really, but it is what I was told.

So, after getting my answers, I proceeded to try to make my reservation. After going through the entire process, I was told that the hotel is fully booked for the night we want. I've checked Priceline's website and the hotel still comes up when I input the same date information. I went ahead and tried to book it online and got the same message that there are no rooms available. We still don't have a room booked for that last night, but are now considering a different area.


KimJapan - Thank you so much for your offer. Do you think that the difference in price that you find compared to what I found on the English site is because you're looking on the Japanese site? Do you think this is also why you find rooms available while I'm being told that the hotel is fully booked? Or maybe Priceline just doesn't have any more rooms available?

At any rate, since we weren't able to book a room at the Akasaka Price, we've been thinking about staying in an entirely different area. Does anyone have any thoughts about the Takanawa Prince or the New Takanawa Prince in Shinagawa? I wanted to visit Shinagawa and see Sengakuji Temple if we had a chance, so I thought we could go there on our last morning if we stay in that area. We'll be taking all our luggage with us to the airport (26" & 21" suitcases each), so I thought staying near a train station might be good. The thought of taking all our suitcases on the subway (especially if it's crowded) didn't sound appealing. If we still have time before we need to leave for the airport and want to get out of the Shinagawa area, I thought we could maybe leave our luggage in lockers at Tokyo Station before going elsewhere. I still like what I've read about the Akasaka Prince, so if we decided to still try to book there, how much might a taxi cost from the hotel to Tokyo Station?

Thanks!
Judy

Only 6 more days!!

The Akasaka Prince is not fully booked on August 8. There are rooms available in just about every category and plan. Most of the plans are NOT available in English, which is the case for most hotels in Japan outside the large international chains. I would guess Priceline had a block of rooms they could sell at that rate and they sold them all. If you want a room here, it would take me 5 minutes to book then I would send you the e-mail confirmation and you'd be all set.