Priceline has incredible deals for hotels!
 

First off I do not work for Priceline or do I have any financial interest in the company. <BR> <BR>Though I can't get over the incredible deals I have got using Priceline for hotels, especially in big cities. Traditionally I pay no more than $40.00 for three star hotels that cost over $100.00 using the hotels web page or Travelocity. In the case of four star hotels, I have got them for an average of $60.00, and they cost over $200.00 for the same room and date on the hotel internet site or 800 number. <BR> <BR>Do other people on this site have as good of luck using Priceline?

I've never used it. I guess I'm too picky. I can't be happy at a hotel just because of a general location and a number of stars. I usually pick my hotel very specifically for its exact location or certain amenities. The savings might be nice, but I'm afraid I'd often be disappointed with their selection of hotel. Oh, not to be so picky!

In my experience the hotels Priceline uses are the top places in a City, usually the major chains. I think it is a great deal. <BR> <BR>You can pick the part of town you want to stay in.

We use it all the time when we're going to travel. We haven't paid more than $32/night for a 3* hotel yet (not including taxes and Priceline fee). We haven't needed to go for a 4*, but if/when we do we'll definitely use Priceline. <BR> <BR>I'm not really picky--typically, if a hotel is rated 3*, it's better than the hotels we used to stay in before Priceline came along. <BR> <BR>Compared to the prices for similarly rated hotels on Orbitz, Expedia, Travelocity, and the hotel Web sites, we've probably saved close to $1,000 on a total of 11 hotel nights. <BR> <BR>I'm enthusiastic about Priceline, but I don't work for the company nor do I have any vested interest in the company. I just like saving money on hotels, and Priceline helps me do that.

I have also had great experiences with Priceline including beautiful 3 star hotels for less than $40.00 a night. I have stayed at the Royal Plaza Hotel near Walt Disney World for $36.00 a night when the least expensive rate on Disney property was over a hundred. There is a new board starting up at http://MouseCodes.com called the Success Forum where you can post your winning bids for Disney property. There is now a contest to win a guidebook if you are one of the first people to register. I think this is a great idea for all Disney fans.

I was hesitant to use Priceline because we are a family of 4 and I need 2 beds, which I understand they do not guarantee. Any experience with this problem/solution??

Because of a recent superlative stay, I agreed with Guy completely. In fact, I will probably use them again very soon. The only downside that I can see is that you really have to know what exact location area that you are bidding in. A very good map and lots of location pre-knowledge is the homework you need to do first, and then you will make out very well. I am not a person who cares about labels and I have found that having the same "name" does not always effect the same levels of lodging, regardless. Plus there is a side of me that seeks adventure and likes to back the places that may be second place and therefore "trying harder." This certainly was the case the last two times I used Priceline.

The Priceline deals sound great but when I tried to bid it is impossible for someone with a non-US address to register. Does anyone know how I can bid on Priceline or if there are any other travel-bidding sites Canadians can use?? Thanks

Just a little comment about using any discount service for Disney hotels - they are super low right now anyway; you might do just as well calling Disney!

I got a room at the Marriott East Side in NYC for $80 in November. I'm sure I could have gotten it lower, but it was the first time I used it and that message kinda intimidated me. It stated that I probably wouldn't get a hotel for the price I originally put in. But, hey, $80 is still better than the internet rate or the rack rate the hotel quoted me. Go Priceline!!!!

Didn't see it mentioned on this thread yet, but the website www.biddingfortravel.com is GREAT. It's a message board where people post sucessful bids from priceline so that you have an idea of what to bid, as well as what hotels are available in a given area.

Priceline does NOT guarantee that you will have two beds in the room. That said... outside of major city markets where single beds are common you could take a chance. I have spoken with folks who've consistently had success in simply asking the hotel for a room with two beds when they arrived with their prepaid Priceline reservation. My success in getting great rates has been simlar to those listed above - I got the Seattle Crowne Plaza for $60 when walk-in's were paying $169. Also got the ^th St / I35 Sheraton in Austin for $25 per night. Keep in mind that it's non-transferable, can't be changed and can't be refunded. I had two nights prepaid at the Tremont in Chicago this past weekend and was unable to travel due to illness. Despite losing the two nights... I'll use the service again - IMHO the $ saved more than justifies the minor inconveniences.

To AJ: re needing two beds. Our family of four has had two successes with this. First the Wyndham Bel Age in LA -- they upgraded us to a suite with pullout couch and separate bedroom for ma & pa. Loved that. Second, a Hampton Inn in Tallahasse, Fla. After we were booked, I called and requested two double beds, and was told no way, they were fully booked. (We figured we'd spring for another room if we had to - we have two tall teenagers!). Upon arrival, I was asked my preference, king or 2 doubles, and was immediately given 2 doubles...the front desk couldn't have been nicer. I think it all depends on who is waiting on you (and the big smiles and compliments I've come to bestow don't hurt either). <BR> <BR>To CM re the scary message on the priceline website ("you've bid too low...") IGNORE it! If you read www.biddingfortravel.com, you will go in much better informed, they list winning bids for each city, as thereuare has already pointed out. This website is priceless (couldn't resist the pun) when preparing to bid.

In major cities we always put in for a 4* for less than half the regular price. I almost always get a marriott, once an Omni. I also need at least 2 double beds (2 adults & 2 children) and usually request a rollaway (my kids don't like to share a bed). We've had no problems. Now I always check the Marriott website to see what prices they have posted and I bid for a little less than half that.

Have just discovered the biddingfortravel.com site and think it's great. Have booked 2 rooms at Seattle Doubletree before a flight -- for $20 per room! Website shows $149+ same rooms. <BR> <BR>My question is this: I've read on BFT board and other travel-related boards that PL works best (in some folks' opinions) if you wait until 2 months or so before you need a room. Do others agree? We need rooms pre-cruise in Miami during Pres. Week. Should I be attempting to get something now? (We do have reservations by MIA airport at Holiday Inn at this time, but I'd love to save $$ and stay down by the port or perhaps a nice airport hotel). Thanks.

As to timing, PL's inventory varies from day to day and location to location, so sometimes you'll have luck far in advance and other times at the last minute. <BR> <BR>If you know you are going on the trip to MIA no matter what and are willing to risk the no refund/no change policy (or purchase the insurance), then there is no penalty for setting a max price you want to pay and bidding early, then bidding again later if you aren't successful.

I haven't used it for any U.S. hotels, but I have used priceline.co.uk, with excellent results. The first time, I was able to get a room at the Liverpool Marriott (beautiful hotel) for 60 pounds (normally about 120+) for the night. The next time, I got the same hotel for 55 pounds. Also used it successfully in Glasgow. <BR> <BR>Seems like the smaller the city center, the better chance you have a getting a good deal, since the area is so limited. <BR> <BR>One problem, though, is that regardless of whether your plans change, you still pay for the room. Most hotels allows you to cancel up to 24 hours beforehand without penalty, but with priceline, you're stuck.

I used Priceline for NY and got the Marriott Marquis for $100. I thought that was a great price considering other comparable hotels were going for $200 - $300. Didn't actually make the trip to NY at that time (due to planes being grounded) and they were nice enough to refund my money. I will definitely use them again.

Thanks Kay. Well of course, I got impatient like I always do, and since I like to know that I have something booked, I took a chance and got 3* Marriott Miami Airport for $45 per room for busy Pres. Week holiday. Rates quoted on various websites show those rooms at $189 so I'm happy and know where I'm staying.

I am a slave to PL and I choked 2 weeks ago when after trying on and off for 5 weeks to get a PL hotel in NY or ME, I had to call a travel agent. <BR> <BR>This is truly the first time I have failed. I know it was leafpeeper season but I really thought that if I persisted I would get something. <BR> <BR>The last 5 times (in 12 months) I have bid in the Disney area, I have gotten the Wyndham Palace Resort & Spa (4*) in Downtown Disney for $40 to $50. They obviously put a big inventory on PL. The Wyndham has always been responsive to our requests and it is a very nice hotel, convenient to Disney.