Hotwire or "live and learn"
 

Just made the leap and reserved a room for SD on Hotwire - chose Luxury - ended up with Hilton Mission Bay - which is a nice hotel - only problem is - its $4.00 cheaper on the hilton site than i just got it for from hotwire ( and I get no hilton points http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/frown.gif

dont know how to avoid this when you dont know what hotel its going to be
any sugestions?

The same advice for bidding on Priceline can be applied here. Research the market before bidding! I assume that on Hotwire, like on Priceline, you big on zones in cities. Look up the major hotel chains in those cities, and see what sorts of rates you can get. Then don't bid higher than you could find online. It's that simple.

It amazes me how many people have the same 'complaint' about these name-your-own-price sites: that they bid for a room, got a room, and then looked and saw the hotel had cheaper rates available. Why are you bidding for a higher amount than you could book yourself? A little research in advance can prevent this. Don't have time to do the research? Well, then consider four bucks the fee of convenience.

Hotwire gives you the price up front, on Priceline you make a bid. The Hotwire price includes all taxes so the savings is greater than $4.00.

Once you have the quoted prices on Hotwire, you have one hour to decide. Why not go to the other hotel sites and see if you can beat the hotwire price? If not, go back to Hotwire and confirm it.

Just went back and checked my confirmation - price DID NOT include taxes and fees.

Similar bidding-higher-than-retail phenomenon, only with Priceline, here, except the article writer's SD is South Dakota, not San Diego http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/smile.gif :

http://www.ecompany.com/articles/mag...0,6585,00.html

Well, I have been very happy with my Hotwire results, but you peaked my curiosity. So, I went to Hotwire to confirm, or not, their policy that states that you will know the total cost before you purchase. Below is what I found:

>>The airfare quote we show you is the final price for round-trip travel (per person in U.S. dollars). Period.

With hotel reservations and rental cars, the Search Results page will show the base price. On the next page -- before you make any commitment to buy -- you will see the total price including all taxes and fees. You will always know the total amount you're paying before you agree to make a purchase.<<

However, you may want to contact Hotwire customer service just to make sure.

John

Sawat dii khrap Jobro welcome to FlyerTalk. I'm in Ko Samui right now... Just to let all Western Flyertalkers know --- airfares are so cheap here you can just go to the airport and buy a ticket from the counter.

As for HotWire and Priceline, I've always felt they're the last step of finding cheap airfares. Go to Expedia, Orbitz, Travelocity or Yahoo first to get an idea, then check out the specials on each airline's website, then finally put in a bid... works for me.

Why did you bid a price above what Hilton was charging? YOu should have just gotten a room at the hilton.

Straight-Flava...I agree with you on purchasing flights here. In fact, I am off to CNX in a few to upgrade to Royal Exec on a flight to BKK next week. Hey, for $12 more why fly coach?

However, my Hotwire experience was for IAH-MCO later this summer. I looked everywhere at fares before going to Hotwire, and saved right at $150 using their site. I don't like losing the miles, but I sure did like the price...Well, this is way off topic, so I shall end.

Sawasdii Khrap.
John
Moving back to Texas in 8 days.

Yep, jan_az, you have no one to blame but yourself here. In fact, I've seen where Hotwire is asking more than $100/night higher than available directly through a hotel's website for a hotel that Hotwire uses in the exact same class. The most egregious examples I've seen were in New York City and Los Angeles.

No bidding at all with Hotwire, and no, the rate stated is not inclusive of taxes and fees. Yes, you do see the total cost before you purchase, but not on the initial page where the rate is quoted.

Anyone considering using Hotwire for any of their products is foolish if they don't try to beat Hotwire's price at Priceline, as you have greater than a 95% chance of doing so. For more info., visit the message board I administer to discuss Priceline travel bidding.

http://pub4.ezboard.com/bpricelineandexpediabidding

How Hilton Honors Points will register is very unpredictable. I actually received HH points and Airline miles for a Hampton Inn Stay booked through Priceline. Submit your HH number to try to at least earn points for incidentals and maybe you'll get lucky and receive credit for all you've spent.

On the other hand I seem to have to write HH about 25% of the time to get credit for legitimate stays.

I once booked a stay directly thru Hilton, for an outrageously low rate at a normally very expensive property (for obvious reasons, I'm not disclosing details here). It wasn't a prepay, and there was nothing on the rate that said I wouldn't get HHonors points.

When I was checking in, the clerk looked at my rate, was a bit astounded, and said that she's deleting my Hhonors number from the record, because "that rate doesn't qualify for points." I protested a bit, and she told me that "the very low rates don't qualify for points" and that mine was obviously in that category. She didn't look like the type who could be argued with, it was late at night, and I was the only person in the lobby wearing a t-shirt and shorts, so I didn't bother.

Anyway, as soon as I checked out, I faxed the hotel folio to the Hhonors service center, and was promptly credited points for it.

The lesson to be learned is common on FT: try, try, try again. I've never done a Priceline/Hotwire hotel, but I'm sure many have had luck with a similar tactic.

pynchonesque I take issue with your tactic as to Priceline and Hotwire stays. I fully agree that what you did in your situation was the right thing to do; however, this is inappropriate when a person has accepted the restrictions of Priceline/Hotwire, which clearly state that they are not entitled to hotel affinity points.

It irks me no end that some people are outright greedy. What they do not realize, and I can assure you this is the case, is their greed and abuse of the system works to the detriment of all Priceline/Hotwire (P/H) customers who come after them. We often hear of P/H customers being treated in an inferior way to customers who pay published rates. It's abundantly evident to me that in some cases, this is due to hotel and airline employees being absolutely fed up with people who want something for nothing and know they are not entitled to it. That being said, it never hurts to ask ONCE but if P/H customers continue to refuse to take no for an answer and waste the time and resources of the supplier, we all lose out in the long run.

If people would accept the restrictions they agree to, everyone comes out the winner because it helps to maintain the viability of the program. After all, it was the low rate we were after, wasn't it?

Sheryl, actually I agree with you.

I don't use Priceline and Hotwire, as I don't think the deals are so great, considering what you're giving up, and the way in which you're treated at the hotels. If I did use Priceline/Hotwire, I probably wouldn't try to get points either.

But my post was not about the ethics of trying to claim points. It was simply about whether it would work -- and my hunch is that if you tried a few times with a few reps, it would eventually work. Again, I'm not saying that it's ethical, merely that it's possible. Many things in life are possible, and it's up to you to decide which ones are personally acceptable/ethical to you. I think we fundamentally agree.

[This message has been edited by pynchonesque (edited 06-03-2001).]

I've used Priceline 5 times for hotels, 4 of those were 4* and one was 3* (and that 3* was really a 4* and Priceline now rates that hotel 4*, so for all practical purposes, they were all 4*). I was never treated any differently than I have ever been when paying published rates, not one iota. But then, I have never made any requests whatsoever that were outside the scope of Priceline. My savings have ranged from 60% to 75% off the lowest available rate (and I'm obsessive about checking rates), and those lowest available rates were all $150+. Don't know how that could not justify the loss of affinity points, but different strokes for different folks I guess.

Gee, I thought that on this board we all help one another. Your decision not to advise of the hotel nor of your good fortune defeats that purpose. I can only hope that you will reconsider your position, as I would not want to be in your shoes when you ask for help on some matter, and no one comes to your assistance.

On this board, we share and share alike.

[This message has been edited by DOC 2 BE (edited 06-03-2001).]

Doc2Be, the reason I didn't share was not because I didn't want others staying there, but because I didn't want Hilton corporate lurkers to go back and look at the records of HHonors awards points awarded for low-rate stays at that hotel. This was months ago, and that rate is no longer available. I obtained the rate simply by going to the reservations section of hilton.com, and it was not a $0 type rate -- it was $149 for a hotel that normally goes for about twice that. Nothing secretive about it. I just don't want my points taken away. I hope you understand.

Pynchonesque --

If it was a valid rate, then they cannot take away your points, period. The only limitation that Hilton has on awarding points that I am aware of, is on "contract rates," or airline or the "Entertainment Rate" discount, ot Priceline stays; otherwise you should be entitled to them.

I can apprecitate your concern about loss of points, but I really don't think that you should worry. Nevertheless, I will not ask you to divulge its name. Will you advise whether it was a hotel in the US or was it overseas?

[This message has been edited by DOC 2 BE (edited 06-03-2001).]

My experience with Priceline reservations is that most, and possibly all hotels will give you points on incidentals, but not on the actual hotel room. Hilton will also give you credit for a stay toward elite status, but Starwood won't. And some hotels will give you an upgrade if you're an elite with their chain, but some won't.

BTW, here's the official Starwood policy, as stated by Starwood Lurker here on the Starwood forum:

As far as Starwood Preferred Guest is concerned, you are entitled to Gold elite benefits such as an upgrade to a Preferred room type based upon availability at check-in and a 4 PM late check-out regardless of where you made your reservation or the rate you pay. It has been discussed that this is an "unwritten" rule that is applied at some hotels, but it is not in compliance with the Terms and Conditions of membership in Starwood Preferred Guest.
Since you made your reservation with Priceline.com, however, you are not eligible for Starpoints (other than those for incidental charges) and they stay will not count toward status re-qualification or the Free Weekends promotion currently running. We suggest if you want Starpoints for your incidentals, present your card at check-in. You will need to do so in order to be considered for an upgrade regardless. The 4 PM late check-out is not optional. It is a guaranteed benefit of the Gold elite level.

Like Sheryl says, be sure to give them your Frequent Guest number when you check in. And there's nothing wrong with asking them if they'll give points and/or an upgrade, but don't press it! If they say no, they probably can't give it to you, so don't embarrass yourself or the clerk! Remember, all you contracted for was a room, and nothing else...no points, no elite credit, no upgrade, no special requests.

If you get any of them, it's gravy. You will invariably read here or on Sheryl's board about folks who have gotten points and miles for the stay, as well as elite credit. As a hotel rep. on Sheryl's board said, if you got them it was because of an error or an exceptionally kind desk clerk. A nice extra, but you're not entitled!

If you wanted the extras that badly, you should have booked directly with the hotel. Me...I'll just settle for getting the room at less than half the lowest advertised price! http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/biggrin.gif

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In Economy...no one can hear you scream!

Doc2Be,

Can't take away points? My impression is they can do anything they want to do.

The hotel is in a large US city.

[This message has been edited by pynchonesque (edited 06-03-2001).]

My experience has been that Hilton is quite decent. In any event, conrats to you, and thanx for the info.

Thanks for all your replies. As one who has benn doing most of my travel thru corporate travel depts , I know I have a lot to learn. I did not post this whine - $4.00 is not worth whining about http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/smile.gif - but more as a heads up for other maybe newbies out there

Here's a HOTWIRE success story:
Found a 4 Key Times Square hotel for $121/night. Turns out to be the Hilton Times Square. Best rate on Hilton.com during the same dates is $260/night (plus $3.00 Energy Charge-quoted on website!)
Am thrilled with my purchase!

Another Hotwire success story. I found a 4 Key Upscale hotel for $57 per night twice. Both times it turned out to be the Chicago Hilton and Towers. I stayed there, and I received the same good treatment as always, an upgrade to the Towers floor for being gold which includes free breakfast and snacks.

Priceline rate doesn't void your status. I think that all you contracted is not just a room.

You are entitled to elite benefits except those specifically excluded by Priceline's terms.

Viajera,

I'll hate to burst your bubble but, while indeed $57 is a great deal for the Chicago Hilton & Towers, I've seen it go for as low as $35 with priceline. I myself stayed there over Memorial Day weekend, paying only $50/night. And as a Gold VIP, received a very nice and unexpected upgrade to a junior suite.

Arrze:
It was a good deal for me because I tried Priceline first and they didn't accept my first bid so I didn't bother playing games and I accepted the price that was being offered in Hotwire without having to go back and forth.