PRICELINE - strategy to get cheap hotel rates?
#1
Original Poster




Join Date: Mar 1999
Location: Nashville
Programs: United 1K
Posts: 2,265
PRICELINE - strategy to get cheap hotel rates?
I've read comments where people have received very low rates for booking airport hotels using Priceline. I've never been able to have my bid accepted. Is there a stategy that you use. In the past I've attempted to book rooms in the city where I'm going. Now I read of some tremendous rates at airport locations.
On average are hotel chains such as Hyatt, Hilton, Radisson, Marriott at airport locations considered two, three or four stars.
On average are hotel chains such as Hyatt, Hilton, Radisson, Marriott at airport locations considered two, three or four stars.
#2




Join Date: Oct 1999
Location: Southwest Desert, under a rock, watch out! ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~<" You can get there, but it's gonna cost you!
Programs: Previously NonePass, now UA 1K (*Enhanced*)
Posts: 4,248
The strategy I suggest is to look on the upper right hand corner of your screen and look for, and click on the word "SEARCH", you will discover that this is not a new topic. 
If you would check, for example, just under the General Travel forum, no less then 65 listings when you search for the word "priceline"!
[This message has been edited by snake (edited 08-04-2000).]

If you would check, for example, just under the General Travel forum, no less then 65 listings when you search for the word "priceline"!
[This message has been edited by snake (edited 08-04-2000).]
#3
FlyerTalk Evangelist


Join Date: Nov 1999
Location: IAD
Programs: AA Lifetime Platinum
Posts: 27,068
#4



Join Date: May 1999
Posts: 6,084
Originally posted by PG:
I recommend the following web site: http://pub4.ezboard.com/bpricelineandexpediabidding
I recommend the following web site: http://pub4.ezboard.com/bpricelineandexpediabidding
#6
Original Poster




Join Date: Mar 1999
Location: Nashville
Programs: United 1K
Posts: 2,265
Thank you very much PG and Eugene for directing me to her website! I've been very frustrated using Priceline before because it's such a cumbersome system. Looks like I'll be staying at some nice hotels.
#7
Original Member and FlyerTalk Evangelist




Join Date: May 1998
Location: Kansas City, MO, USA
Programs: DL PM/MM, AA ExPlat, Hyatt Glob, HH Dia, National ECE, Hertz PC
Posts: 16,619
Priceline is great for getting great rates at great hotels, especially on weekends. Sheryl's board that has been recommended is definitely the best resource I've seen for using Priceline.
#9




Join Date: Oct 1999
Location: Southwest Desert, under a rock, watch out! ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~<" You can get there, but it's gonna cost you!
Programs: Previously NonePass, now UA 1K (*Enhanced*)
Posts: 4,248
Chill out?, me?, I'm a cold blooded critter!, a relative newbie, too.
[This message has been edited by snake (edited 08-04-2000).]
[This message has been edited by snake (edited 08-04-2000).]
#10
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Apr 1999
Location: Bryn Mawr PA & Wailea HI
Posts: 15,726
Actually I see nothing wrong with someone recommending "doing a search", no matter how arcane and slow this FT function may be. IMHO it was a good suggestion. The poster can easily narrow (or broaden) the search to his nice and/or specific requirements.
#11
Join Date: Apr 2000
Location: Between SNA and ONT
Posts: 1,486
Yes, searches are fine, and there's nothing wrong with suggesting that. But too often, and I'm not necessarily saying it was the case here, FTers jump on newbies who ask about "old" topics. When an established FTer does the same, they usually get an answer. It's far from unheard of for newbies to get cold welcomes here.
Anyway, sure suggest a search, but at least try to answer the person's question, too. I think that's a good rule of thumb. If you can't answer other than to suggest a search, then let someone else suggest a search when they answer.
After all, these are discussion boards, and we need things to discuss. And, no, there is no rule in the FT user agreement that one must do a search before asking a question.
Come on, FTers let's be more hospitable.
Anyway, sure suggest a search, but at least try to answer the person's question, too. I think that's a good rule of thumb. If you can't answer other than to suggest a search, then let someone else suggest a search when they answer.
After all, these are discussion boards, and we need things to discuss. And, no, there is no rule in the FT user agreement that one must do a search before asking a question.
Come on, FTers let's be more hospitable.
#12
Join Date: Oct 1999
Location: Eugene, Oregon
Programs: NW Platinum, Hilton Silver, 3 stays from Starwood Platinum!
Posts: 771
Sheryl's site is absolutely fantastic! Seeing the link for months on an occasional FT post, I finally decided to try it for 4 separate days in three different cities. My results:
San Diego 7/17 Monday $45 Marriott Marina
7/26 Wednesday $45 US Grant Hotel (complimentary airport shuttle)
Tampa 7/24 Monday $40 Sheraton Suites Tampa Airport (complimentary airport shuttle)
Washington DC 7/25 Tuesday $52 Wyndham Bristol
I read through the forum and planned my strategy carefully based on the information that other people had posted. And don't forget to use the Bonus Money offers! And on the Sheraton in Tampa? I received starpoints, my gold 50% bonus, and a credit towards the Free Fridays promotion, all of which was a total surprise.
Good luck, jaguar!
Linda
San Diego 7/17 Monday $45 Marriott Marina
7/26 Wednesday $45 US Grant Hotel (complimentary airport shuttle)
Tampa 7/24 Monday $40 Sheraton Suites Tampa Airport (complimentary airport shuttle)
Washington DC 7/25 Tuesday $52 Wyndham Bristol
I read through the forum and planned my strategy carefully based on the information that other people had posted. And don't forget to use the Bonus Money offers! And on the Sheraton in Tampa? I received starpoints, my gold 50% bonus, and a credit towards the Free Fridays promotion, all of which was a total surprise.
Good luck, jaguar!
Linda
#14
FlyerTalk Evangelist




Join Date: Jun 2000
Location: Sunny SYDNEY!
Programs: UA Million Miler. (1.9M) Virgin Platinum. HH Diamond + SPG Gold
Posts: 32,351
Good info on that website, and I agree the post woud not have got this far if the "snakey" second poster had been taken notice of.
I posted on another thread a few hours ago about priceline and hotels. Someone booked the LAX Westin last wekeend for $US45 a night.
I just tried to book it with both Westin #800 and the hotel direct and got $169!
So the website above is very useful -- thanks!
http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/Forum94/HTML/002125.html
I posted on another thread a few hours ago about priceline and hotels. Someone booked the LAX Westin last wekeend for $US45 a night.
I just tried to book it with both Westin #800 and the hotel direct and got $169!
So the website above is very useful -- thanks!

http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/Forum94/HTML/002125.html
#15



Join Date: Aug 1999
Location: Howell, Michigan, USA
Programs: DL 2+Million Miler, Delta Platinum(by choice), Hilton Diamond, Marriott Titanium, IHG Platinum
Posts: 649
Ling:
How were you able to get credit for your stay at the Sheraton? I stayed 2 nights at a Westin in Seattle with Priceline and didn't get any credit other than what I spent on extras.
------------------
How were you able to get credit for your stay at the Sheraton? I stayed 2 nights at a Westin in Seattle with Priceline and didn't get any credit other than what I spent on extras.
------------------

