Priceline good or bad decision to use?
 

Hi, I've been looking around this site and have been seeing the idea of priceline.com as a good money saver being thrown around. I was wondering if anyone has actually used this site and would they recommend it. Just some background information, We are planning a trip for 2 in late summer to New York City and would like to stay in the Midtown West area. I have checked out the biddingfortravel website great information, but, am interested in "real peoples" insite. Thank-you

Loriana:<BR>I am one of those Priceline advocates, and wonder why you feel the information posted on biddingfortravel.com is not from 'real peoples'.When Priceline 1st came out, I too was very hesitant to use it, even though I am what you call a 'value seeking traveler'. I instead used programs like the Entertainment book and/or other coupons to get the best value in discouted airfare, hotels and car rentals. what didn't appeal to me was the uncertainty factor of Priceline and not knowing exactly what to bid, and fearing I might overbid and pay more thanI have to.<BR><BR>then I discovered www.biddingfortravel.com.<BR>I don't think anyone should use Priceline without at least reading through CAREFULLY all of the information on that bulletin board. This site reduces most of the anxiety of using a service like Priceline, since everyone SHARES information about their Priceline succeses and failures; therefore, you go into the process less blindly.<BR>Having said that, you STILL have to to be VERY flexible, and be willing to accept whatever is given toyou, since there are no refunds. If staying at a specific hotel, or getting a specific flight itinery is VERY important to you, then Priceline is not the service for you.<BR>Ilast used Priceline for airfares for 8 people to fly from NYC to Las Vegas, and I was able to get airfare for everyone at $150/rt/person, before taxes ($179 including all txes and fees), which was a 50% dicount over ANY airfare ANYWHERE, including airline consolidtors and online travel companies.<BR>We also used Priceline for hotel styes, and was able to get both on Strip and off Strip hotels in Vegas.<BR>Using Priceline, my mom is getting hotels for a New Mexico trip , again at a 50% discount over the lowest available price, anywhere.<BR>I have gotten my sister and her family roudtrip plane tkts for nyc to Orlando for an AMAZING $75/rt/person!!!!!<BR>and to boot, it was non-stops both ways!<BR>My family and I are sold on Priceline, and they have saved use literally THOUSANDS of $ every yr on travel.<BR>

Loriana,<BR>Looks like Anthony beat me to it. Biddingfortravel.com saved me a ton for my upcoming trip to Miami Beach, using the strategies it gives for how to minimize your bids on PL. It will take you about half hour to fully understand the strategies and to read how other users have fared, and once you've done that you're ready to go. My only regret is that I didn't find it sooner.

I thank-you for your advice. I do apologize for my "real peoples" insite, I meant to say, that I am just a little hesitant, but, am very interested in booking through this program, and would just appreciate other peoples advice.<BR>Thank-you

I have used Priceline twice in the past year, both for trips to NYC, both when I wanted to stay in either Midtown West or East. Yesterday I got the Millenium Broadway (a four star hotel)for four days in March for $90 per night by following the assistance Bidding for Travel gave me. I had not been able to find a 4 star hotel in Midtown East or West for under $259.<BR><BR>Almost two years ago, I got the Marriott Marquis for $100 per night for three nights, when their quoted price was $239 per night.<BR><BR>Priceline works! It's a great site as long as you read everything carefully and understand the process.

I've had incredible deals on both airfare and hotels on priceline. It's all I use anymore.

I used Priceline for a NYC hotel over the Thanksgiving weekend. We ended up staying at the Hilton at Rockerfeller Center for $90/night, a four-star hotel. The location was great, but just be aware the hotel will give you a Priceline room, that is, the smallest room, the one next the ice machine, or next to the elevator. <BR>Still, in NYC I think the location is the best part, and you can't beat $90 a night on a holiday weekend. well, maybe you can, but I was really happy with the price.

We have used Priceline for many hotel rooms in many cities and have been very satisfied. Not every room has been the same but all have been more than acceptable for the money paid. Other family members and friends have used them too and have been very satisfied.

What if you need two rooms, or one room for three people?

The secret to Priceline bidding which no one has brought up yet, I think is to keep your *'s high--bid on 3 or 4* hotels only. We also got a good price at the Millenium Broadway in June. Just be sure to read and understand everything before you hit the button--particularly dates!!

I use it for hotels only because I always need to control the time of day for my departure and return (due to limited amounts of vacation time. I've had fantastic experiences with hotels including $25 per night at the downtown Sheraton in Austin TX and $60 per night at the Crowne Plaza in downtown Seattle (these are HUGE savings!). If you skim the www.biddingfortravel FAQ too quickly as I did you may make the same bidding mistakes. Do read it carefully but in a nutshell, here's the most pertinent issue: Priceline requires that you change one parameter of your bid each time you rebid. If I recall correctly you can only bid once at an increased $$ amount. After that you must change either the number of zones or the * quality range of the hotels. Before bidding, you can check which zones have 3*, 4* etc - e.g. if an outer zone (one you don't plan to stay in) has NO 4* hotels you can add that zone and keep bidding only for 4*. This effectively allows you to increase your $$ bid and since there are no 4* hotels in the added zone, you don't risk winning a bid for a hotel in a location you aren't interested in. Many people who use Priceline regularly post the results of their winning and losing bids on the referenced website. It's important to use the experience of others as a guideline for starting bids in addition to knowing what regular rates are in the area for given properties. I have been unsuccessful on at least one occasion because I was bidding at an unrealistically low level.

Reply to Gretchen:<BR>Your advice about keeping the * level at 3 or above does not always apply; it 1st depends on what's levels are available in a particular area, and second, it also depends on what type of lodging you are looking for. For example, the 2 1/2 * levels include some very nice 'extended stay - type ' properties, such as Residence Inn by Marriott and Amerisuites. These lodgings include continential breakfast, and have mini-kitchen facilities. To many people, those amenities are worth alot more than a fancy lobby. A free continental breakfast for 2 can be worth over $15 a day, depending on the area. <BR>In many smaller towns, the star level does not go beyond 2 1/2 * . So, once again, you have to do your homework, and research out what hotels are available and at what price before making any bids on Priceline.

To "But"--you can bid for up to four rooms. I have a post on another topic concerning our winning bid at the Millennium Broadway in New York City. Our family of five has two rooms, but this hotel's rooms are small and their rooms with two beds are TWIN beds. So you need to do your research and realize that if you want to put three people in a room, someone might end up on the floor (or in our situation, sharing a very small bed!)

I'm another big fan of BiddingForTravel.com and Priceline. Last year I used Priceline to get nine hotel nights, seven nights at 3* hotels and two nights at 2.5* hotels. My winning bids ranged from $10-$32/night (plus some bonus money), which represents a large savings over anything I found via Expedia, Travelocity, the various hotel Web sites, etc.<BR><BR>The Hotel FAQs at BiddingForTravel.com make it easy to understand how to structure your initial bid and how to use free rebids to maximize your chances of success. The hotel threads for specific cities enable you to read "real people's" successes and failures. The bonus money links help you save money on your winning bids.<BR><BR>I haven't been disappointed with any of the hotels I've gotten via Priceline although some other people have--and they tell you about them on BiddingForTravel.com, so you have more information to help you determine whether to bid in a particular Priceline zone or star-level in a city.<BR><BR>In short, I used to pay a lot more for lesser hotels and was often disappointed in what I received for my money. Not anymore.

We've also had some great luck with Priceline. We are a family of 4 and know we take a chance when we bid on 1 room but it has always worked out. NYC for more than 2 in a room could be trickier, rooms tend to be tighter. I live in NYC but recently did priceline for some visitors. We got a suite at the Avalon Hotel (32nd and 5th av), considered Midtown South, 4* on priceline. The visitors (3 of them) loved it. It had 2 double beds and a pull out sofa in a separate living room area. I can't say that all NYC rooms are so ample. I think we really lucked out. I personally have booked rooms for myself (and family) in Phila., Boston, Tucson, Pheonix and DC. So far so good.

Another fan here. Used priceline in November to book the 4* Westin in San Diego over Thanksgiving weekend. Biddingfortravel.com was a big help to understanding the process, although I still found it a bit confusing. It was great to be able to read other peoples winning/failing bids. We ended up paying $55.00 per night - a huge savings for us since we are from Canada.<BR>I will definately use them again.