Andrew

Well, first of all, you aren't flying completely blind with Priceline if you use a companion site like BiddingForTravel. In most cases, you can tell which hotels you are likely to get in what zone and quality level. There's only a tiny chance you will be the first person to get a "new" hotel that no one else on BFT has seen yet, but that's part of the fun! It's still likely to be a great hotel.

For example, in Portland if you bid for a 3-star you are most likely to get the Hilton right downtown or a couple on the east side of the river, the Holiday Inn or the Doubletree. If you decide that ANY of these three hotels will work for you on your trip, then your risk is very low - far from the completely blind "I could get any hotel anywhere" fear some people have with Priceline.

As far as the fear of changing plans (because you can't change or cancel a Priceline reservation): the best strategy is first to book a hotel on your own that is acceptable (if not dirt cheap or extra nice) but that you can still cancel up until a few days before your trip. Then, try Priceline closer to your departure date. I am one of those who uses Priceline usually at the last minute (literally, a few times, like 5:55PM day of check-in!) and still gets great deals then. You're usually not going to miss out on great deals by waiting until the last minute with Priceline. By a week before you leave on your trip, you should know how firm your trip plans are so then you can try a Priceline bid. If you fail, you stick with your backup; if you succeed, you've either saved a lot of money and/or upgraded to a much nicer hotel.

As for Hotwire: only used it once and in my experience Priceline almost always beats it. Or rather, I usually check Hotwire before doing a Priceline bid and have never failed at a lower price than Hotwire was offering for the same type of hotel. If I bid and failed at $60 on Priceline and Hotwire has something for $65, I'd go with Hotwire, but that has never happened. You do need to watch when comparing the two because Hotwire rates the same types of hotels higher than Priceline does (so sometimes what Hotwire says is a 3-star hotel is only 2.5 star on Priceline). So don't take a 3-star Hotwire hotel and be disappointed because it was list of 2.5 Star hotels for Priceline on BFT.

Andrew

JJ5

Tiff, I feel like I'm been "stretched" by Priceline. I never get in a rut, staying in the same place. One time I lost the money because of an emergency, but it was $59. I've save more than $1000 the last 2 years alone. That was a cipher, IMHO. I figure for Toronto I will be paying at minimum $600 less just for the room on that one short trip.

But I have to disagree with Andrew about last minute. It all depends upon the city of interest. In Chicago extremely good deals were just not there within the week anytime I have tried (about 6 times in 3 years). St. Louis, yes, but those prices were less across the board regardless.

In SF(trying months ahead, or within 3 weeks) I had little luck with my Priceline dates and ended up with a Hotwire location terrific for what I wanted to do and it had a kitchenette and free parking. So it is not just the money charged but also the availability that may change that close to the date.

Andrew

Well, last minute isn't going to work for Priceline 100% of the time, just like anything else, but I have had extremely good luck with last-minute Priceline deals, and I swear by it. Maybe 1/10 times hotels in a city unexpectedly fill up toward the last minute but for me 9/10 times last minute works great.

And sometimes hotels do not release inventory to Priceline until 30 days before check-in date. Case in point: Lake Union zone in Seattle. People have failed repeatedly to win longer-term 2.5 star bids there (Residence Inn, Courtyard by Marriott) but are almost always denied. But two of us in just the last month have succeeded within 30 days.

I have a feel for how Priceline works and how I travel so I know the right balance; I'd rather not lock myself into plans way in advance if I can help it and I do beautifully with last-minute bids so that's how I do it.

Andrew

hilda

I've saved tons of money with Priceline hotels. You must check bidding for travel and understand thoroughly before you bid. Generally you will get chain hotels and I agree with the poster who said bid for at least 3 star properties. Just understand Priceline is nonrefundable, nonchangeable.