DJGMaster1

Priceline has a patent on their customer bidding model that appears to be robust, as nobody has copied them. All of the other opaque sites seem to use fixed pricing a la Hotwire and Wotif

Jay71

Sorry for reviving this thread a month later but I had pulled it up looking for info on Travelocity Top Secret Hotels after the fact.

Empirically, I agree that we've always had "better luck" with Priceline than Hotwire and essentially end up using Hotwire as a basis for our bid strategy/upper limit with Priceline.

However, question: If Priceline, Hotwire, TTSH, etc don't have the same stable of hotels, is it really an apples to apple comparison to say "No one beats Priceline" (while keeping in mind, I'm looking for the cheapest price based on expected amenities/parameters for a star level and obviously being fairly flexible on the actual property I end up with).
Case in point, we recently bid for a place a week and a half out: Hotwire was showing ~$60+ for the areas we wanted to stay in (just checked again today and still shows similar pricing). We bid up to $50 in equivalent areas via Priceline with no luck. Used TTSH's and won a place for $45. Hotel was not listed as a known hotel for Priceline (but surprisingly with Hotwire with same star parameters).

I suspect our recent TTSH purchase was likely more of an aberration but I'm curious if there was anything going on behind the scenes to allow this to happen (eg. Travelocity working some undercutting somehow, etc??).

rasheed

The reason it is important to know all of the sites is that they do not always have the same inventory. In fact, I believe participating hotels need to list to each of the opaque systems separately (remember some of the sites above share inventory as siblings). I have also had similar experiences where even bidding on Priceline does not procure a hit where I can just make a 'retail' opaque purchase from another site that has a similar price. Now, a purchase from any of the opaque sites might remove a particular hotel's inventory for that exact room across any site automatically, but that is determined by the hotel's revenue management software.

How often would I check all of the opaque sites before determining bid price? Not too often unless I was having a particularly hard time getting my desired area like this example you mentioned.

It is important to understand the following:

-Star ratings are not consistent (so a 3 star on Hotwire might be a 2 star Priceline -- I have personally seen this a few times).
-Priceline is thought to have the potential for the lowest price because you could bid the actual cost if you hit it on the button and by not showing a price up-front, it is believe they have better ability to sell at a lower price than those who list prices up front.
-Some sites (non-Priceline) disclose range or actual mandatory resort fees before purchase (which Priceline does not do except to warn that they may exist)
-Sometimes things like airport shuttle, free breakfast and other options are important to you, if so, a few opaque sites are better options

Rasheed

redinbage

I found an article which explains how you can search most the sites above at once to get the best rate at How I Search 30 Top Hotel Booking Sites With 1 Click

burmans

Yes, I'm a hotelscombined fan myself but it doesn't give Opaque Hotels when I've tried recently.

SeoKungFu

I am currently writing a few copies for hotel pages as part of my new job at http://HotelsClick.com and on the contrary to this "opaque" booking am trying to provide as much clear information as possible, apart from apparently obviously the hotel name

Cheers !

benstuart2519

Hello Everyone,
These days there are many websites that provide the facility of online booking for hotels or resorts for your vacations. They offers you some great discount offer's. But before booking these sites be carefull firstly conforms the hotels they offers you and the availability of rooms and price etc. They can be fraud, Instead of these sites you should prefer to go to the official website of the hotels. That ensures you about the thigs you want to know.

thanks regards.....

Polly_K

Thanks for the very useful post.

From my side I can also recommend happyrooms.com

You need to have an account to see opaque rates.

https://happyrooms.com/

Enjoy)

tommy2tone

Not a booking site, but www.hoteldealsrevealed.com is a tool for figuring out your hotel on Hotwire and Priceline.

tripreviewer

Do negative reviews on any hotel effects it's fame upto high peak..??//

Flying Machine

I just made a booking on happyrooms.com for South America. Incredible Rate that seems too low to be true. I was not an opaque booking as well, and the hotel gave me their booking number as well (I contacted them as I am an Elite Member with the Property Chain). I have searched and only read a few things, but the most seemed negative. Can any FTer Hotel Expert Chime in.. Thanks and Safe Travels

WillTravel

If the hotel agrees you have a booking, I think you are fine.