wyatt

Well if you don't understand the concept it's better that you don't use it. Now is that something a stockholder would say?

xxx

How about leaving it at "Priceline:
good for some people, sometimes, not appropriate for others"???

I too believe that people are quick to tell of their successes (ask people about the killings they've made on the stock market) but conveniently 'forget' about the failures (ditto).
Pricleine can be good IF you're comfortable with some uncertainty and risk (no refunds or changes) in exchange for low prices.
Biddingfortravel.com can be helpful IF you understand what it is--some people's experiences, some of the time.
If it doesn't cover an area you're interested in, take what you can of useful info from the site and decide if you're willing to take the chance.

Sometimes I am, sometimes I'm not. I think many travelers are like that...

Shelly

So Well Said! I've used priceline.com several times without problems. I've also used hotwire.com several times without problems. It's not the bidding part on priceline.com that gets to me, it's just that sometimes you just don't get a bid accepted. I've used expedia and travelocity as well with no problems. There is no one company that is right for all flights, hotels, car rentals....some times things work out better than others. For hotels I've actually had the best luck with hotwire.com because I do prefer Embassy Suites and Marriott Residence Inns and I've received both of these through hotwire.com within the past 5 months. I've had my best luck with priceline.com with rental cars...several great deals. With airlines, sometimes I really need to have exact times and can't leave anything to chance. On the other hand, I got a good flight fare once from LAX to Las Vegas on priceline.com and most recently I got a non-stop from LAX to O'Hare on hotwire.com. I think both priceline.com and hotwire.com offer fabulous prices sometimes....other times there seems to be nothing! You can't use one company all the time. I think the truth should be known that priceline.com isn't always going to work for you, me or anyone! Shelly

Jill

Why is it that sometimes a price listed as the "sure thing" on hotwire.com comes back rejected on priceline.com? I had this happen to me on a rental car in Honolulu. I wanted to use priceline.com just because I had previously had a good experience with them. I bid exactly the rock bottom price quoted by hotwire.com and was rejected!! There are not that many rental car companies so can't understand that. I believe they both work with the same rental car companies. Anyway, I used hotwire.com for our rental car with no problems. I just didn't get it? Jill

paysless

No Wyatt, not the sf Hyatt. i like the Wharf area better. She got me that Hyatt for 69.00 per night. And, I didn't have to spend my time messing with it. That's okay isn't it?

wyatt

If you're happy with it, that's great! Whenever there's a certain hotel that I prefer to stay at, I won't mess with Priceline. But I will check other reservation services, such as hotelres.com.

Marla

Sure, go ahead and give up and use a travel agent. In the alternative, you could shop lik the dickens among the plethora of websites available or doing do, THEN check Hotwire, AFTER you've given www.hoteldiscounts.com a look, and use THAT information to place a bid (after looking at www.biddingfortravel.com) to place your "bid". You're gonna have to put in some effort here. You haven't mentioned WHEN or WHERE you're going. And, since you obviously wish to remain ANONYMOUS, no one's likely to assist you privately. If you desire any truly useful assistance, you're gonna have to apply yourself!And, it's not true that rejections aren't posted on biddingfortravel. If you're disappointed, it's because you are expending NO EFFORT. Get lost.

Annie

Lara: Go ahead and use a travel agent. You're sure to get ripped off. For heavens sake, you need to put some effort into this endeavor. If you want a really good deal, you're going to have to expend enormous effort. Otherwise, you can just go with the travel agent. Be advised, though, that others will be paying much less for far better accomdations. Go for IT!

Mark

Well, if you're so "confused" (and I'm guessing you're just totally lazy), go to a travel agency - where you can be assured of the highest rates for the least desirable places. You haven't mentioned WHERE or WHEN you're going, so you can't possibly expect any truly realistic recommendations here. Either you're a huge Troll or just plain stupid.

Honey

I'm with the others. If you can't figure out how to shop, go for the travel agent. You're not "confused" you're just darned lazy.

Lara

I've never heard such rude comments in my life. I clearly stated the following:
1. I've never used priceline.com or hotwire.com
2. Biddingfortravel.com was not useful for MY NEEDS (get it, MY NEEDS)
3. I would try them again when I'm going to a larger city.
I never put either one of these companies down, how could I...I clearly stated that I'd never used them before so I have no opinion...yet.
I am trying to make a reservation for a town in California called Los Gatos. I have been there several times and there are many hotels, just none that are listed on either hotwire.com or priceline.com. and I don't want to be 20 miles away.
I made a reservation at The Tollhouse Inn. It's a very nice hotel with a complimentary shuttle to and from SJC airport and complimentary breakfast.I've stayed there before and I'm very satisfied. Like I said, I will try priceline.com or hotwire.com again when I am going to a larger city. There is no reason to accuse me of being lazy...if it doesn't exist, it doesn't exist! Some of you sound like you're in a "cult" . Thank you again to the posters that were helpful and courteous. Lara
P.S.Unlike some postings, I've checked back each day to give thanks where thanks is due!!

Candee

Lara,
I for one offer apologies for all the rude people who seem to enjoy putting others down. It seems to happen to all of us at one time or another. I hope you enjoy your trip to Los Gatos....beautiful area. I'm a grad of Santa Clara University so I know the area well.
Candee
P.S. Are you the same Lara from Canada that has always been so helpful?? (Your name is unusual but I remember your postings regarding Candadian questions)

Anthony

Lara:
Based on your last post, I did some checking on my own.
Los Gatos, Ca is a small town, but you are incorrect about it having many hotels. There are probably only 2 or 3 within the city of Los Gatos; the majority of places to stay are in the adjoining towns of Campbell, Santa Clara, and San Jose, which, incidently, are ALL served by Priceline. How did I know that? It took all of 4 mins checking online, and utilizing biddingfortravel.com
In fact, one of the hotels, The Campbell Inn, is only 1 mile from downtown Los Gatos. The Residence Inn Campbell, is only 2.5 miles from downtown Los gatos. Both were hotels offered by priceline. There is a recent posting on biddingfortravel.com dated June 15th for a winning at the Residence Inn Campbell for the July 4th weekend at $60/nt. This hotel gives yo a kitchen AND free breakfast.
The rates at The Toll House are substantially higher.
So, it just goes to prove my point hat IF YOU DO LITTLE RESEARCH (in this case all of 5 mins) you can utilize priceline to get great rates at very good hotels.
For someone who has been to Los Gatos before, I'm surprised you were unaware of the surrounding towns where additional hotels would be.

Owen O'Neill

I'm yet another Priceline and BFT proponent but recognize and acknowledge the limitations as you do Lara. My travel is generally alone or with my girlfriend so I have more flexibility than folks traveling wiht families or groups. Priceline is indeed not for everyone but for me it works and I've saved tons of money. I'm currently planning a trip to the Pacific Northwest and for the Oregon/Washington coastline areas and for Victoria BC, I'm finding that going to direct to independent properties is yielding the best results. In Seattle I'm using PL and got a deal that is so good it's hard to believe (yet it is true). A few on this forum have even (at one time) suggested that I and others were somehow shills for Priceline and/or BFT. Nothign could be further from the truth. I had my own issues initially with moderator Sheryl's style but got over it. She has her positions and preferences but is more than willing to be helpful if you really read and understand the rules. If you have Powerpoint I have a short BFT tutorial I created for some friends who found the FAQ to be a bit confusing. You or anyone else reading this is welcome to a copy - I can send a text based version if you don't have Powerpoint but the screenshots of BFT and PL really simplify the process of understanding. Interestingly enough (to me), I've tried on three separate occasions to use PL for airline tix and could never get a good deal. I always ended up within $100 (or much closer with the bonus $$ that was offered at the time) of a regular direct booking price. I happen to use the airline miles and the account credits - once the price is that close I can't justify PL or Hotwire.

Susan

Owen, living here for 20+ years, I am familiar with the area and there are quite a few small hotels in Los Gatos. There are no "chain hotels" that I'm aware of but quite a few small B & B's, and smaller hotels that line the downtown area with several larger hotels under constructions. It would be ridiculous for someone without a car to stay in Campbell. Campbell is also a nice town (between San Jose Airport and Los Gatos) but for someone who wants Los Gatos, it would certainly only make sense to stay there. Los Gatos only has about 30,000 population, it's an upscale touristy town in the summer where most everything is within walking distance. I'd bet dollars to donuts that Lara is coming for a summer wedding. There are many here due to it's quaintness, beautiful parks and charm! Priceline does not specialize in the small boutique hotels and B&B's that are here. Don't speculate on something you're not familiar with. Stick with what you do know and I'll do the same. Susan (Realtor in Los Gatos for 20 years)

Susan

My apologies to Owen....my previous posting was actually directed to Anthony. Regards, Susan

Sandi

It's a slow night here in Cleveland with only re-runs so I'm checking in for the first time in weeks....
This posting caught my attention and I've read all of it with interest. Rather than comment on the pros or cons of hotwire or priceline, I'd like to say that I'm thankful that Susan put Anthony in his place.... Others deserve the same for their cockiness! Shame on You!
This is no way to treat our neighbor to the North! Sorry Lara for their rudeness and know-it-all attitude! I hope you enjoy your California vacation, the town/village sounds charming (unlike Cleveland). Sandi

KenCT

FYI, Owen's powerpoint presentation is great! As a Priceline virgin, I closely followed his guidelines regarding Priceline and Bidding for travel, i.e. "Read the FAQ." "Read them again." I got a great deal on my first, and thus far only, attempt.

Greg

If you do a lot of business travel, I think these type companies suck because they don't give you your well deserved FF miles. It's my butt that spends hours going coast to coast and by God, I want those miles....
AA Platinum Member, Greg
P.S. Lara, you sound like a class-act!

Bruce

Go Susan! Put'em all in their place. Americans love Candadians!