How do you determine when to pay for hotel vs. using priceline?
Jun 16, 2006 | 2:11 pm
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: Aug 2004
Location: Atlanta
Programs: POS, Delta Skymiles, IC Plat Amb., Hilton Gold, SPG gold
Posts: 1,619
How do you determine when to pay for hotel vs. using priceline?
Ok - I feel stuck sometimes -- I love getting points - but at the same time, I love the idea of paying less.
How do you determine when to use either?
For example:
NYC Hilton - $239 rate to earn points
$165 for priceline
any advice is appreciated.
How do you determine when to use either?
For example:
NYC Hilton - $239 rate to earn points
$165 for priceline
any advice is appreciated.
Jun 16, 2006 | 3:01 pm
#3
Join Date: Apr 2004
Location: PHL
Programs: US, AA, UA, SPG, HHonors, PC
Posts: 235
Originally Posted by allen074
Ok - I feel stuck sometimes -- I love getting points - but at the same time, I love the idea of paying less.
How do you determine when to use either?
For example:
NYC Hilton - $239 rate to earn points
$165 for priceline
any advice is appreciated.
How do you determine when to use either?
For example:
NYC Hilton - $239 rate to earn points
$165 for priceline
any advice is appreciated.
For a list of hotels in each category for each Priceline zone check out [URL=http://www.biddingfortravel.com]. Would you be happy with all of those hotels in that category or would some be objectionable to you. If you wouldn't want to stay at some of the hotels on that list I'd suggest paying for the room and earning points.
Jun 16, 2006 | 3:31 pm
#5
formerly known as Frugal Travel Guy
Join Date: Jul 2001
Location: Greenville, SC
Programs: UA Gold, HH Gold, SPG Gold, Marriott Silver, Hyatt Platinum
Posts: 1,925
How many points???
How many points will you get for $69????? Thats the only question in my mind. And are they worth that much to you. My history tells me usually not. The only time I don't use priceline is when I'm driving cross country and don't know when or where I'll be tired.
Last edited by ingy; Jun 16, 2006 at 3:33 pm Reason: spelling
Jun 16, 2006 | 4:21 pm
#6
Join Date: Jan 2005
Posts: 1,458
I choose saving money over points unless it's a negligible amount. If I get 1 point per dollar and spend $100 for no points or $130 for 130 points then my "Free" 35,000 mile (Airline) ticket would actually cost me $10,500. (The 1 mile per $ was used to make calculations easier)
Jun 16, 2006 | 4:57 pm
#8
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: May 2002
Location: Pittsburgh
Programs: MR LT Titanium, AA LT PLT, UA SLV, Avis PreferredPlus, HH Gold, Hertz PC, National Executive, etc.
Posts: 31,670
1) Who's paying - me or employer (yes, I know, shame on me...)
2) What's the price difference. I consider cash to be much more valuable than points, even at the "what's a point worth" value. The flexibility of cash doubles or triples that theoretical value when I'm making the decision.
2) What's the price difference. I consider cash to be much more valuable than points, even at the "what's a point worth" value. The flexibility of cash doubles or triples that theoretical value when I'm making the decision.
Jun 16, 2006 | 6:06 pm
#10
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Sep 2000
Programs: UA Million Miler (lite). NY Metro area.
Posts: 15,431
I'm going to be in Arizona in a couple of weeks. Hotel rates during the summer are very low. After reading up at www.betterbidding.com and bidding for travel, I can see that everyone is 'getting' 3 and 4 * properties for next to nothing. Not that much of a price difference compared with what's out there.
The reason why I'm staying at *woods is because I was targeted for a bonus program. Then, throw in some bonus points for using my second
*wood card, and I'm reaping a mini-bonanza in the point department. So this time, I'm paying a little more, for a big return on investment (depending on how you value your points. @:-)
The reason why I'm staying at *woods is because I was targeted for a bonus program. Then, throw in some bonus points for using my second
*wood card, and I'm reaping a mini-bonanza in the point department. So this time, I'm paying a little more, for a big return on investment (depending on how you value your points. @:-)
Jun 16, 2006 | 6:34 pm
#11
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: May 2001
Location: MSY; 2-time FT Fantasy Football Champ, now in recovery.
Programs: AA lifetime GLD; UA Silver; Marriott LTTE; IHG Plat,
Posts: 14,813
Another consideration is that most direct-bookings are cancellable, often up until the day of check-in. With Priceline, you're locked in, nonrefundably.
Jun 16, 2006 | 6:46 pm
#12
Join Date: Mar 2001
Location: Philly, Madrid
Programs: Alaska MVP Gold
Posts: 2,592
This is the first time I've heard of www.betterbidding.com
Is this now a better site than Sheryl's board, which I used a lot in the past?
Is this now a better site than Sheryl's board, which I used a lot in the past?
Jun 16, 2006 | 8:03 pm
#13
Join Date: Jan 2003
Location: NYC
Posts: 8,687
These are the factors I consider in deciding whether to priceline or book directly with a hotel, in order of priority:
Then I compare the potential savings and decide whether it's worth it. Usually the points are worth a lot less to me than (1) choosing my hotel, and (2) cancellability.
- How much do I care which specific hotel I get? (particularly an issue in certain PCLN zones that have wide geographies or lots of hotels at a given star level)
- How certain are my plans? (most reservations directly with hotels are cancellable--priceline is not)
- How many points am I giving up? (usually not that many)
Then I compare the potential savings and decide whether it's worth it. Usually the points are worth a lot less to me than (1) choosing my hotel, and (2) cancellability.
Jun 16, 2006 | 8:14 pm
#14
Join Date: Aug 2003
Posts: 1,110
Originally Posted by CPRich
1) Who's paying - me or employer (yes, I know, shame on me...)
Last edited by KSinNYC; Jun 16, 2006 at 8:15 pm Reason: fix html
Jun 16, 2006 | 10:03 pm
#15
A FlyerTalk Posting Legend
Join Date: Nov 2000
Location: Atlanta, GA, USA
Programs: DL estranged 1MMer and lifetime gold, F9/CO/NW/UA/AA once gold/plat now dust, Spirit RIP
Posts: 42,200
I do all my mileage earning on my own dime, so I tend to be very price-sensitive on hotels. None of the hotel programs have made any headway with me, though I think I got autoenrolled in HHonors somehow and signed up for Radisson to do the now-infamous Valumags-Goldpoints fiasco.
Usually on Priceline I'll go for 3* topping around $43 or 2* up to $33 or so in the 48US, with $15-20 extra allowed if Alaska or Hawaii. Hard to get even Motel 6 at that these days on regular rates.
I suspect the answer is to go with Priceline unless you get a good stream of points from business travel and need to top off to an award.
Usually on Priceline I'll go for 3* topping around $43 or 2* up to $33 or so in the 48US, with $15-20 extra allowed if Alaska or Hawaii. Hard to get even Motel 6 at that these days on regular rates.
I suspect the answer is to go with Priceline unless you get a good stream of points from business travel and need to top off to an award.
