I wish the $2 fee charging guy good luck and looking forward to confirming the sites accuracy. Oh yes I will gladly pay $5 for a PL suggested is that would prevent my bid being "upgraded" to an old, wornout, hopelessly outdated Holiday Inn.
MisterNice
I don't recall Coolwulf making the claim he/she has the "trick" for Priceline bids to not be upgraded. Or did I miss something along the way here?
I don't recall Coolwulf making the claim he/she has the "trick" for Priceline bids to not be upgraded. Or did I miss something along the way here?
I think MisterNice's post is in jest... he (and lots of other people) would gladly pay extra if there were such a thing as avoiding an undesirable upgrade.
I think MisterNice's post is in jest... he (and lots of other people) would gladly pay extra if there were such a thing as avoiding an undesirable upgrade.
Gotcha! Interesting how two people interpret the same post differently. And if I didn't want an upgrade, I, too, would be happy to pay $5 to ensure it wouldn't happen.
That's what I thought. Do you know of any other name your price sites that include breakfast and family rooms.
Thanks
No, I really don't think there is such a thing.
If the 5* part is negotiable, Express by Holiday Inn (as it is known in London) would do what you want.
I think MisterNice's post is in jest... he (and lots of other people) would gladly pay extra if there were such a thing as avoiding an undesirable upgrade.
You are correct. After 2 "upgrades" to totally unacceptable disgustingly worn Holiday Inns I swore off PL unless there is not a Holiday Inn for 10,000 miles or more.
To me, the iffiness of Price Line and their lack of consistency in what they deem at what star level, I would avoid using them at all costs - I am fortunate enough to be able to pay (within reason of course) for the exact place I wish to be. There is a lot to be said for staying exactly where you want to. I do understand other people who are enchanted with the prices they get - but I truly wonder how unique some of these "bargains" are when negotiating with front desk sometimes does the trick.
To me, the iffiness of Price Line and their lack of consistency in what they deem at what star level, I would avoid using them at all costs - I am fortunate enough to be able to pay (within reason of course) for the exact place I wish to be. There is a lot to be said for staying exactly where you want to. I do understand other people who are enchanted with the prices they get - but I truly wonder how unique some of these "bargains" are when negotiating with front desk sometimes does the trick.
If you follow the free advice and information on the various bidding sites on the Internet, you can usually avoid, or figure out a way to work around the "iffiness" of Priceline. I've been using them for 7 years now. I simply do my homework before I decide whether to go the Priceline route or another avenue. For example, I'm currently staying at a Larkspur Landing (Northern California/Washington) chain at a rate of $19 ($69 on Expedia in which I used one of their BRG $50 certificates). In the locale I'm currently staying, Priceline has a LARGE amount of 3 star hotels with varying amenities that I don't wish to deal with. So I went the retail route. But if I were bidding NYC, I've always had great luck at the 4 star level and wouldn't think of paying rack rates. And if there is a zone in any certain city where I don't like the way Priceline works, I'll take a look at Hotwire in order to narrow down a specific hotel I'll be satisfied with.
In seven years, I've just had way too much success with Priceline to fall for your advice to avoid them at all costs. No personal offense, whatsoever. My positive experiences FAR outweigh the bad. It just boils down to whether or not you wish to take the time to do your homework. If you don't, no problem. Pay whatever you have to in order to be satisfied. And, for the record, I'm a pretty picky person when it comes to hotels. I know what I'm looking for, and know when and where to use or not use Priceline. But, again, we're back to doing your homework again!
BEAV, good evening. I hear you. But I also hear you say that you have to do your "homework". I did not know how to, but I have learned a huge amount from you guys and gals about how to do it. However, for example, take the hotel where you are now - there is one in Bellevue at 3 stars. If you bid a 3 star in Bellevue, how can you get to a Larkspur vs. a Holiday, for example? I have a way to go to figure out all of the fine points. Until then, I will try each and every avenue that I can to reduce the price - don't believe I have ever paid rack for any place. How can you avoid the ones you don't want and get a shot at the ones you do, given their really crappy 3 star choice - crappy up to very, very nice, I should say.
You are correct. After 2 "upgrades" to totally unacceptable disgustingly worn Holiday Inns I swore off PL unless there is not a Holiday Inn for 10,000 miles or more.
MisterNice
This is why Priceline is generally much more useful for 4* or better - It's rare that a 4* bid or upgrade from a 4* will get you stuck in a dumpy Holiday Inn.
But there is no doubt that most 2-2.5* Marriott Courtyards and Residence Inns and Hilton Garden Inns and Hampton Inns are FAR nicer than virtually every "3*" Holiday Inn.
BTW, if you only bid on 5* properties, you'll never get "upgraded" So do I get $5 for the suggestion?
Swearing off of Priceline means you do miss some great Bargains. I'm staying in Sydney in mid-October, at a 4* Marriott for $76 bid a night for 5 nights. I knew in advance that I'd either get nothing, or that specific property. And there was NOTHING I could find using anything other than Priceline, where I could get a comparable hotel for less than $100-110 a night that week. So Priceline clearly saved me $130-150 compared to anything else.
BEAV, good evening. I hear you. But I also hear you say that you have to do your "homework". I did not know how to, but I have learned a huge amount from you guys and gals about how to do it. However, for example, take the hotel where you are now - there is one in Bellevue at 3 stars. If you bid a 3 star in Bellevue, how can you get to a Larkspur vs. a Holiday, for example? I have a way to go to figure out all of the fine points. Until then, I will try each and every avenue that I can to reduce the price - don't believe I have ever paid rack for any place. How can you avoid the ones you don't want and get a shot at the ones you do, given their really crappy 3 star choice - crappy up to very, very nice, I should say.
Like most people, I usually bid in the same few zones where my travels generally take me. So over time, reading/studying the bidding websites has allowed me to learn which zones to avoid at the confusing 3 star level. One such example is the zone I stayed in last night. Priceline has way too many differing types of properties all classified as 3 stars to suit my preferences. So I always keep a few $50 Expedia certificates in my account to use in those situations. As one of the previous posters said, the 3 star category seems to be Priceline's "wild card" category, and I agree.
But there is no doubt that most 2-2.5* Marriott Courtyards and Residence Inns and Hilton Garden Inns and Hampton Inns are FAR nicer than virtually every "3*" Holiday Inn.
The waters have been further muddied here as most Courtyards and Residence Inns (and possibly Hilton Garden Inns) are now rated 3 stars along with those nasty Holiday Inns. In many zones, you'll see a Courtyard, a Residence Inn as well as a full-service Marriott all categorized as 3 stars. This is a major pet peeve with me!
