Using Priceline, etc
 

When using one of the sites for discount hotel pkgs , is it better to book them far in advance or last
minute. Have never used them before, and a bit skeptical about the whole thing. What happens if one of us breaks a leg two days before we go, then we're out, right?
Sherri

Sherri
I have used Priceline once, for a hotel in NYC for a gal pal shopping week-end. We really lucked out! Got a decent suite in the financial district for $109/night!!
You are correct, if you have to cancel last minute, you are out of luck. But that is the way with most airlines/tour companies & some hotels.

I was also very skeptical, hated giving my credit card info. & knew I would be charged, irregardless if I liked the hotel or not. But I got to choose the area of the city we wanted to be in, and the # of stars, so it wasn't as blind as you would think.

Oh yeah, one last thing....last minute can get you some amazing deals, since the hotels do not want any vacant rooms.

"Last minute" is the answer. The longer you wait, the better the deal, as the whole point of Priceline (assuming you mean the bidding part of Priceline) is for hotels to sell rooms that they don't think they can otherwise offload. You run the risk, of course, that you won't be able to find anything at all, or that you'll have to pay last minute rack rate at a hotel when Priceline comes up empty.

And yes, if you cancel you are out of luck entirely. If it's a big deal you might want to consider trip insurance.

W/ PL - I start out as soon as my dates are firm. But I start w/ LOW bids. If I'm not having any luck, I gradually increase the $ amount as the date gets closer.

You can't make a flat statement whether early or last minute is better . . . .

I have never used them before, so I am totally not sure what to do.
It appears hotwire gives you a price
for a certain star hotel and priceline allows you to bid (I really should read the instructions
given for 'first time user' on the site )
I have a room booked for the four
nights I need through just the normal reservation department of the property. I can always keep that until the last minute and then
see how the pricing gets as the
days get closer to my departure.
Thanks for the comments/tips so far and welcome any more thoughts and ideas. If I use one of the
discount booking companies, it will
probably end up saving me almost
500.00 over a four day stay in Toronto.
Sherri

Visit the following sites, and take advantage of the abundant information there regarding Hotwire and Priceline:

http://biddingfortravel.yuku.com/

http://www.betterbidding.com/

As janisj points out upthread there's no harm in looking for rooms earlier as long as you can keep yourself for escalating your bid too quickly (along with changing your search parameters to include less desirable properties and locations). Priceline is designed to make you do exactly that, though, so do be careful.

I've gotten lots of great deals at Priceline, and have found the advice at the two web sites above to be extremely helpful.

I have used Hotwire and Priceline for many years.

I also start looking at Hotwire and bidding on Priceline (after checking BFT and BB) as soon as I know I'm going. I've gotten great deals far, far, in advance. I have never seen significantly better rates after I've booked. More often, there are no deals.

With Hotwire, rates fluctuate for the same dates/hotels constantly and tend to rise considerably as your dates approach. And, often some offerings disappear altogether.

With Priceline, there's always the possibility that there will be no inventory or favorable rates by the time you bid.

Both Priceline and Hotwire offer travel insurance for a nominal fee that is more than offset by the savings. I don't usually bother with it, but if I ever had to cancel a trip without it, enormous savings over the years would more than compensate.

You do have to do your homework and know what you're doing. But, you really can stay at 4* properties for 3* or even 2* prices.

Everything turns on your dates and destination.

How often have either of you broken a leg?

Good news then about others' success booking far in advance of your travel. Not my usual experience, but YMMV.

But how would you know that Priceline wouldn't have given you a better deal booking closer in? The rack rate may well go up, but that doesn't mean the Priceline rate necessarily goes up.

&quot;<i>But how would you know that Priceline wouldn't have given you a better deal booking closer in? </i>&quot;

And just as easily, there could be nothing left later on.

Bidding early and bidding low is the way to go IMO. That gives you MUCH more flexibility than waiting until the last minute.

I usually bid early and have always been pleased. Be sure and check out biddingfortravel and betterbidding, so you don`t overbid. You might want to check out the many posts on this very subject.

janisj

I am with you...bid EARLY and bid LOW, as a matter of fact, really low, you may be pleasantly surprised. You can always increase your bid, dollar by dollar, if you have the patience and really want the best deals.

Last minute is also a good way to go if you have alternatives. But you may be left without a place to stay &amp; have to pay top dollar. I bid last minute only if my trip depends upon getting a great deal on a hotel room.
Otherwise, I won't travel.

You have to figure out the best way to do it in regards to the type of trip you have planned.

In order to avoid being without lodging entirely if you're waiting until the last minute, just book another room at a hotel that's acceptable and cancel it once your Priceline bid comes through. or stay there if your bid doesn't come through. Cancellation policies at large chains are very flexible, and generally carry no penalty.

&quot;But how would you know that Priceline wouldn't have given you a better deal booking closer in? &quot;

I check on BetterBidding and BiddingforTravel. I've never regretted booking early, and have been very pleased that I did.

For example, I was able to book the Hyatt Jersey City last summer (a hotel we really enjoy) for a ridiculously low rate with Priceline. Later on, the Doubletree (not at nice or as conveniently located, but same rate or higher) was coming up for winning Priceline bids, but not the Hyatt. After that, folks were unsuccessful for similar dates.