Priceline, scared to use it!
Jun 27th, 2005, 07:52 PM
#21
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we just returned from the Bay Area. We prefer to stay in Foster City (about 15- minutes from SF airport). We stayed at the Courtyard by Marriott in Foster City. Nice, refurbished rooms with free internet for 65.00 a night. Indoor pool, jacuzzi, free workout room. Its right near Costco, and other small restaurants convenient for a quick bite. I know its probably not what you were looking for, but I just thought I would throw it out for good measure!
And by the way, ask for a room facing the courtyard - much nicer. And request a fridge in your room!
And by the way, ask for a room facing the courtyard - much nicer. And request a fridge in your room!
Jun 28th, 2005, 01:30 PM
#22
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Some might argue that a one-night stay in an easy zone like San Fran airport is a perfect first time use of priceline. 
Get's you used to how it works, and lets you acclimate slowly to the process. If by some chance you over-bid or don't specify the right star level, it's only for one night, so likely to be a not-too-costly mistake.
Get's you used to how it works, and lets you acclimate slowly to the process. If by some chance you over-bid or don't specify the right star level, it's only for one night, so likely to be a not-too-costly mistake.
Jun 28th, 2005, 07:18 PM
#23
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OTOH... Those of us who use/love Priceline - (I think it might be fair to say) - relish the "discovery" factor as much as the bargain. Yes, there's a tad of risk - tho spouse and I have never been disappointed by keeping our level at 2.5* or above. I thin that anyone who enters the fray "scared stiff" as Allmoo notes, is probably never going to be comfortable with the whole Pline experience, period.
(And yes, we've used it, only a couple of times, for car rentals with good -and cheaper - results).
(And yes, we've used it, only a couple of times, for car rentals with good -and cheaper - results).
Jun 28th, 2005, 08:12 PM
#24
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There's no "extra" risk when you book with Priceline over some other options, if you do your homework on biddingfortravel and tripadvisor, and are bidding in popular zones of major cities.
You can see the list of hotels. You know ahead that you cannot cancel (which is also true with some "internet special" rates on certain hotels' own website). And hotels usually don't guarantee the room-type, regardless you book it on Priceline or otherwise.
I don't see what else should one be afraid of.
You can see the list of hotels. You know ahead that you cannot cancel (which is also true with some "internet special" rates on certain hotels' own website). And hotels usually don't guarantee the room-type, regardless you book it on Priceline or otherwise.
I don't see what else should one be afraid of.
Jun 28th, 2005, 10:05 PM
#25
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Or you can use Hotwire w/ a better guessing. As of today, for your Sept 8th day, Hotwire has 4* hotel in SF airport $54 (~$70 w/ fee + tax) and $47 ( ~$60 w/ fee + tax) for a 3* hotel. My guess based on its amenities is that it may be the Hyatt Regency for the 4* and Doubletree for the 3*. The nice thing is that both of these hotels provide airport shuttle.
You probaly save only ~30% for just one night. Besides, keep in mind it's not refundable to use either PL or Hotwire.
gt;)It is $$ saving if you are sure that your plan is unlikely to change.
Good luck!
K.
You probaly save only ~30% for just one night. Besides, keep in mind it's not refundable to use either PL or Hotwire.
gt;)It is $$ saving if you are sure that your plan is unlikely to change.Good luck!
K.
Jun 28th, 2005, 10:36 PM
#26
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rkkwan, I would probably phrase it to say that with BiddingForTravel you can MANAGE your risk. Sometimes there is one hotel you do NOT want to get in a particular zone. So you can adjust for that.
Yes, hotels don't guarantee room type even if you don't use Priceline, but when you book on your own you at least have the option to go across the street if they don't have the room type you want. The hotel managers know that - they are more likely to give you a room type (e.g. non-smoking) you want because you still have the power to stay elsewhere. With Priceline (or Hotwire) you can't walk if you don't get a room you like. You have to be willing to accept whatever you get, and I consider that one of the minor drawbacks I accept in exchange for saving big bucks with Priceline. Granted, you can manage this a little by checking in early and by calling in advance to set your room type preference on a Priceline reservation.
I too kind of enjoy the sense of adventure I get when doing a Priceline room. Which hotel will I get? Will I get upgraded? It's kind of a game.
The most fun I've had booking a Priceline room was in San Francisco last fall. I didn't have a room for the night, it was 5:30PM, and I was at the city/GG Bridge viewpoint north of the city. So I turned on my laptop and got it on the internet with my cell phone, with a really slow connection. I won my Priceline bid less than 15 minutes before the 6PM same-day deadline! Otherwise I would have been at a Motel 6 for probably more money.
Andrew
Yes, hotels don't guarantee room type even if you don't use Priceline, but when you book on your own you at least have the option to go across the street if they don't have the room type you want. The hotel managers know that - they are more likely to give you a room type (e.g. non-smoking) you want because you still have the power to stay elsewhere. With Priceline (or Hotwire) you can't walk if you don't get a room you like. You have to be willing to accept whatever you get, and I consider that one of the minor drawbacks I accept in exchange for saving big bucks with Priceline. Granted, you can manage this a little by checking in early and by calling in advance to set your room type preference on a Priceline reservation.
I too kind of enjoy the sense of adventure I get when doing a Priceline room. Which hotel will I get? Will I get upgraded? It's kind of a game.
The most fun I've had booking a Priceline room was in San Francisco last fall. I didn't have a room for the night, it was 5:30PM, and I was at the city/GG Bridge viewpoint north of the city. So I turned on my laptop and got it on the internet with my cell phone, with a really slow connection. I won my Priceline bid less than 15 minutes before the 6PM same-day deadline! Otherwise I would have been at a Motel 6 for probably more money.
Andrew
Jun 28th, 2005, 11:53 PM
#27
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Yeah, what Andrew said is true, but consider that when a hotel releases its inventory to Priceline or Hotwire (especially close to the date), that usually means it's pretty empty, so room type really shouldn't be a problem. This is especially true for business hotels on weekends - that's usually what I book at great discount.
And as Andrew said, one can still call the hotel to put in a request for room-type. I have done that too with both Priceline and Hotwire bids.
Bottomline is that I've booked PL or HW at least a dozen times, for myself or for relatives. Not once have room-type been a problem. And I've always been moved to SPG-level rooms in Westins or Sheratons when I show my entry-level SPG card at check-ins. Similar experience with Marriott.
In fact, I just "won" two bids for the upcoming weekend in Canada. $55 for Westin Edmonton and $45 for Marriott Calgary. Savings of about 30% for the Westin and 50% for the Marriott.
And as Andrew said, one can still call the hotel to put in a request for room-type. I have done that too with both Priceline and Hotwire bids.
Bottomline is that I've booked PL or HW at least a dozen times, for myself or for relatives. Not once have room-type been a problem. And I've always been moved to SPG-level rooms in Westins or Sheratons when I show my entry-level SPG card at check-ins. Similar experience with Marriott.
In fact, I just "won" two bids for the upcoming weekend in Canada. $55 for Westin Edmonton and $45 for Marriott Calgary. Savings of about 30% for the Westin and 50% for the Marriott.
Jun 29th, 2005, 07:06 AM
#28
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rkkwan, my experience has been a bit difference than yours in regards to booking Priceline hotels late and room selection. Just last fall I got on Priceline a Residence Inn less than 24 hours in advance, and when I checked in later than I had hoped (probably 9PM), I found the place was almost booked. There were only three rooms left, all smoking rooms. If you read BFT, you will find many cases of hotels selling rooms via Priceline even late in the game and still being full, even overbooked. Sometimes they simply don't realize how full they are getting.
As I said, checking in early in the day is your best strategy to get a decent room type. Calling ahead of time to set your room type in your reservation is a good idea, but whether this guarantees your room type depends on the hotel's policy. A tip I read on BFT that I will try in the future is to checkin over the phone if I can't physically check in early. Because your Priceline room is pre-paid, you have little to lose by checking in over the phone vs. checking in very late, if you care about things like smoking preference and bed size/type. All you have to do I think is give them a credit card over the phone for incidentals.
Andrew
As I said, checking in early in the day is your best strategy to get a decent room type. Calling ahead of time to set your room type in your reservation is a good idea, but whether this guarantees your room type depends on the hotel's policy. A tip I read on BFT that I will try in the future is to checkin over the phone if I can't physically check in early. Because your Priceline room is pre-paid, you have little to lose by checking in over the phone vs. checking in very late, if you care about things like smoking preference and bed size/type. All you have to do I think is give them a credit card over the phone for incidentals.
Andrew
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