MmePerdu

I need to reserve a couple of airport hotels (Sacramento & Charleston SC) in November, and since it hardly matters which ones, for just a night each, I thought I might try bidding for them to keep costs down. I've used Priceline a couple of times several years ago but I suspect there are more out there now. Does anyone have an experience they'd like to relate, good or bad, to give me some ideas?

DebitNM

I use betterbidding.com to help ID hotels and then use their links to Hotwire. I like it much better than Priceline. I have been 100% correct in which hotel I was going to get in the last 8 reservations.

DebitNM

This explains it in pretty good detail-

http://www.rolllikeboss.com/2013/06/...at-half_5.html

There is a relatively new feature on Hotwire - if you click on a "secret hotel) it sometimes says, "last person to book this got XZY Hotel." While it's not a guarantee, ever time I have seen that and bught the room, it was in fact, the hotel I got.

And do be sure to use the link in betterbidding to get to Hotwire as they get $ for it, which helps support website. And be sure to post wins to help others .

MmePerdu

Thanks DebitNM, I'll have a look. Having an idea of what I'll get would be encouraging.

Southam

Also www.biddingfortravel.com However like betterbidding it only can supply very approximate guesses from skimpy, voluntary results in the past.
Both Priceline and Hotwire bargain bidding is "blind" for the low prices so you have to accept buying with your eyes closed.

DebitNM

It is of course blind bidding and no refunds. Buyer beware and all that, but I have been very successful and pleased with my wins on Hotwire [which I think is easier to try and figure out which hotel you are bidding on] and betterbidding is part of the reason. IMHO biddingfortravel is far less helpful and the monitor there is not a nice person.

MmePerdu

"...the monitor there is not a nice person."

That's an interesting piece of information. How is the monitor not nice?

MmePerdu

Remarkable, an interesting business model. Think I'll stick with the first suggestions. Thanks again.

MmePerdu

Interesting you should mention prices going down. Although I didn't use the site you mentioned, nor did I have any success with the bidding sites, I did monitor the prices at the hotel I booked and was able to get a lower rate closer to trip time. I booked my rental car though the AA site and was later offered a better deal from Southwest, one that was located at the airport, instead of off. So in both cases I was pleased with what I ended up paying for both. Not rock bottom but I preferred them to not knowing what I'd be getting for the less than great discounts I was finding bidding.