Priceline
Sep 15, 2019, 1:18 pm
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: Sep 2012
Location: Los Angeles
Posts: 206
Priceline
I've used Priceline for easily over 10 years now to bid on hotels, as well as using their Express option to choose hotels.
It seems like though they are trying to get people not to bid anymore. I cannot remember the last time that Priceline accepted one of my bids. Even if it's slightly below than the Express option, they want you to book Express.
Has anyone else noticed this? I've also noticed that when bidding, they will send the "if you raise your offer to $$$, you will win the bid (something like that)". The offer that they are encouraging you to submit is typically higher than the one available in Express (usually, not always it's the same property anyway thanks to BetterBidding).
It seems like though they are trying to get people not to bid anymore. I cannot remember the last time that Priceline accepted one of my bids. Even if it's slightly below than the Express option, they want you to book Express.
Has anyone else noticed this? I've also noticed that when bidding, they will send the "if you raise your offer to $$$, you will win the bid (something like that)". The offer that they are encouraging you to submit is typically higher than the one available in Express (usually, not always it's the same property anyway thanks to BetterBidding).
Sep 17, 2019, 5:41 am
#2
Ambassador, New England
Join Date: Aug 2001
Location: Maineiac, USA
Programs: Amtrak, WN RR, Choice
Posts: 2,655
They've definitely made the bidding process much less lucrative than it used to be, and even gone as far as nearly completely removing any links to bidding (they're still there, but you really have to search for it to find it).
My last several hotel stays have all been with Hotwire or with PL's Express option. It wouldn't surprise me if the NYOP model is all but extinct within the next year or two.
My last several hotel stays have all been with Hotwire or with PL's Express option. It wouldn't surprise me if the NYOP model is all but extinct within the next year or two.
Oct 14, 2019, 11:33 pm
#4
Join Date: Apr 2002
Location: Atlanta Metro
Programs: DL , AC, BA, Hhonors Diamond, IH Platinum, Bonvoy Gold, Hyatt Discoverist
Posts: 2,354
Sometimes when you try to book an Express Deal, you get the message that it's no longer available. And then you go back, and that SAME deal is STILL being offered.
In cases such as that, you can usually still get that Express Deal via bidding. But that's been about the only way I've used bidding the past couple of years. Too bad; I got a lot of enjoyment out of it.
In cases such as that, you can usually still get that Express Deal via bidding. But that's been about the only way I've used bidding the past couple of years. Too bad; I got a lot of enjoyment out of it.
Oct 15, 2019, 8:18 am
#5
Join Date: Nov 2006
Location: MSP
Programs: DL Gold, DL MM 8/22/16!
Posts: 2,563
I've also been watching it slipping away for several years. Very sad to me, as it perfectly fit my needs. I like a reasonably nice place, but valued the surprise and trying something different much more. Traveling by myself, and not having any really particular specific needs other than a clean safe place, it worked wonderfully.
And the bidding process was just plain fun.
And the bidding process was just plain fun.
Oct 16, 2019, 6:26 pm
#6
Join Date: Mar 2002
Location: SJC
Programs: AS MVP
Posts: 2,117
They pushed bidding only via app so they don't have to pay commission for low margin name your own price reservations on main site.
While bidding link is no longer accessible on priceline site, it's still available via below link. I just tried and successfully bided a hotel.
https://www.priceline.com/hotels/startOffer.do?
I've been using priceline since 2003 and have gotten many good deals over the years. It really have allowed to affordably enjoy 4* hotels at 2* prices.
Lately with Express deal, I find that using the 10% discount code (which you received after travel dates on each flight or hotel reservation) makes bidding less worthwhile.
While bidding link is no longer accessible on priceline site, it's still available via below link. I just tried and successfully bided a hotel.
https://www.priceline.com/hotels/startOffer.do?
I've been using priceline since 2003 and have gotten many good deals over the years. It really have allowed to affordably enjoy 4* hotels at 2* prices.
Lately with Express deal, I find that using the 10% discount code (which you received after travel dates on each flight or hotel reservation) makes bidding less worthwhile.
Jan 10, 2020, 8:54 pm
#7
Join Date: Mar 2001
Location: Philly, Madrid
Programs: Alaska MVP Gold
Posts: 2,591
Can anyone point me to how to get to the bidding page? When I click on the 'Name Your Own Price' link at the bottom it just takes me back to the regular hotel booking page. Am I missing something?
Jan 12, 2020, 9:07 am
#8
Ambassador, New England
Join Date: Aug 2001
Location: Maineiac, USA
Programs: Amtrak, WN RR, Choice
Posts: 2,655
I saw one report that it's very difficult to do bidding on the app too, so it's pretty much dead at this point.
Edit to add: I just noticed flyingstudent's post right above yours that gives you a link to get straight to NYOP, but for a couple of random cities I put in, the map feature on the page where you select zones wasn't working.
Last edited by lo2e; Jan 12, 2020 at 9:50 am
Jan 13, 2020, 10:01 am
#9
Ambassador, New England
Join Date: Aug 2001
Location: Maineiac, USA
Programs: Amtrak, WN RR, Choice
Posts: 2,655
BiddingForTravel.com officially ended as of January 1st, 2020: https://www.tapatalk.com/groups/bidd...9.html#p349854
While I won't shed too many tears about the departure of BFT (and based on the many comments shared previously in this forum, there likely aren't a huge number here that would either), the sharp decline and then virtual disappearance of Name Your Own Price is saddening, as I honestly thought at various times that it might last forever. I've easily saved thousands of dollars over the years (vis-a-vis what I would have paid for the same places through conventional means); and many times I paid the same amount or less than the cheapest possible accommodations in a given place but got a much, much nicer property to stay in.
It appears BetterBidding is still alive, but definitely not as active as it used to be.
While I won't shed too many tears about the departure of BFT (and based on the many comments shared previously in this forum, there likely aren't a huge number here that would either), the sharp decline and then virtual disappearance of Name Your Own Price is saddening, as I honestly thought at various times that it might last forever. I've easily saved thousands of dollars over the years (vis-a-vis what I would have paid for the same places through conventional means); and many times I paid the same amount or less than the cheapest possible accommodations in a given place but got a much, much nicer property to stay in.
It appears BetterBidding is still alive, but definitely not as active as it used to be.
Feb 10, 2020, 3:59 am
#12
Suspended
Join Date: Jul 2001
Location: Watchlisted by the prejudiced, en route to purgatory
Programs: Just Say No to Fleecing and Blacklisting
Posts: 102,095
What's your take on what has happened to pricing levels with this change from becoming a subset of PCLN's Express Deals?
May 9, 2021, 6:43 pm
#13
Join Date: Oct 2007
Programs: AA, WN, UA, Bonvoy, Hertz
Posts: 2,491
I think Priceline still prices Express Deals competitively, but the Fees are pretty variable. I encourage people signing up for their mailing lists to get coupon codes for Express Deals. I don't think you can get the rock bottom price like bidding, but with coupon codes, it shouldn't be too hard to get to at cost or slightly below cost.