pay less, get less?
Nov 19, 2003, 1:21 pm
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: Jun 2003
Location: sebastopol, ca, US
Posts: 69
pay less, get less?
The recent priceline post ("worse room because it's priceline?") made me wonder if people have found when booking deeply discounted flights, hotels, packages or cruises online that they get inferior products.
It could be anything from a harsher cancel policy (obviously the case with PL and hotwire) to getting a crummier hotel room, to being the last to be able to request seats.
I used priceline several times and all my rooms have been fine. I've also purchased discounted air tix and never had a problem, but I wonder if others have.
------------------
Michael Shapiro
Columnist, SF Chronicle
Correspondent, Washington Post
Author, Internet Travel Planner
www.nettravel.com
It could be anything from a harsher cancel policy (obviously the case with PL and hotwire) to getting a crummier hotel room, to being the last to be able to request seats.
I used priceline several times and all my rooms have been fine. I've also purchased discounted air tix and never had a problem, but I wonder if others have.
------------------
Michael Shapiro
Columnist, SF Chronicle
Correspondent, Washington Post
Author, Internet Travel Planner
www.nettravel.com
Nov 19, 2003, 5:34 pm
#2
Join Date: Jun 2003
Location: Arlington, VA, USA
Posts: 31
I had what I amount to "beginner's luck" with Hotwire+Priceline for hotel rooms and car rentals.
But, like gambling, I then had a string of misfortunate experiences that ultimately convinced me that for any trip I need a better guarantee of my experience, it's best to not use opaque bookers (and to an extent, even hotels.com/expedia/travelocity).
I never put much belief into it either until I tried (this is slightly devious but I was really curious about how I was being treated) to request a king bed at a Marriott property booked through Priceline. I was at this Marriott during the week in the summer for work, and it was EMPTY. No cars in the lots in the evening when I checked in on a Monday, nobody roaming around the hotel, the restaurant was dead. I asked for a king bed when I checked in and the clerk told me they were sold out of king beds. After being told that, I took out my Marriott Rewards Platinum card and asked her if my status would get me a room with a queen bed, she then assigned me to a king suite. I asked her if their king rooms were really all booked and she then told me "Not at all".
I had a horrible experiences because of the source of my booking on a vacation in the Bahamas, a difficult experience with a car I was given by Avis through Hotwire, and enough others to give pause before considering the channel of my bookings.
Possibly the worst, though, is customer service through Priceline. May God have mercy on anyone who has a problem and needs to talk to a human.
But, like gambling, I then had a string of misfortunate experiences that ultimately convinced me that for any trip I need a better guarantee of my experience, it's best to not use opaque bookers (and to an extent, even hotels.com/expedia/travelocity).
I never put much belief into it either until I tried (this is slightly devious but I was really curious about how I was being treated) to request a king bed at a Marriott property booked through Priceline. I was at this Marriott during the week in the summer for work, and it was EMPTY. No cars in the lots in the evening when I checked in on a Monday, nobody roaming around the hotel, the restaurant was dead. I asked for a king bed when I checked in and the clerk told me they were sold out of king beds. After being told that, I took out my Marriott Rewards Platinum card and asked her if my status would get me a room with a queen bed, she then assigned me to a king suite. I asked her if their king rooms were really all booked and she then told me "Not at all".
I had a horrible experiences because of the source of my booking on a vacation in the Bahamas, a difficult experience with a car I was given by Avis through Hotwire, and enough others to give pause before considering the channel of my bookings.
Possibly the worst, though, is customer service through Priceline. May God have mercy on anyone who has a problem and needs to talk to a human.
Nov 20, 2003, 11:04 am
#4
Original Member
Join Date: May 1998
Location: Escondido CA USA
Programs: AS, UA, HY, Hil, Merr
Posts: 3,207
I have been more that satisfied with our experience.
Know your prices, be realistic in the star level you bid versus your expectations, take your sense of humor (always pack this first on a trip) and do not expect an upgrade with a priceline stay.
Once you reserve your stay, go to the web site for that property and get familiar with what to expect (parking fees, available dining, local diners, attractions).
Post questions on FT, as to expectations.
Know your prices, be realistic in the star level you bid versus your expectations, take your sense of humor (always pack this first on a trip) and do not expect an upgrade with a priceline stay.
Once you reserve your stay, go to the web site for that property and get familiar with what to expect (parking fees, available dining, local diners, attractions).
Post questions on FT, as to expectations.
Nov 21, 2003, 7:29 am
#5
Join Date: Oct 1999
Location: BOS
Programs: JetBlue Mosaic, WN A List Preferred, Hyatt Globalest, Hilton Diamond, Marriott Platinum, IHG Spire
Posts: 3,966
Of late Hilton is not even per its policies upgrading Gold/Diamond to exec level even on a space avail basis on check in, and they try to not give you points even for incidentals and they try to make the stay not count. Sometimes you can get around these things, but it is a pain. I got comped Hyatt Diamond, and they honor literally 100% of Diamond benefits, upgrades, promotions, etc. on Priceline. I have had about a dozen Hyatt stays since October 1st 2003, and have earned thus 6 faster free nights. Hyatt is one of the only chains honoring Priceline reservations w/elite benefits?