Staying often in hotels help
Apr 5, 2009 | 10:40 am
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: Jan 2008
Posts: 2,547
Staying often in hotels help
Hi there
I am going to be staying often in hotels around the SFO airport for at least the next year. It will be about 5 nights a month.
Now it seems the cheapest rates are thru Priceline but the problem is that I dont get hotel points.
1. Should I stick with a particular hotel chain and pay more and get points?
2. Continue with Priceline for lowest rates but not earn points?
3. Which hotel chain is good?
What do u guys suggest?
Thanks!
I am going to be staying often in hotels around the SFO airport for at least the next year. It will be about 5 nights a month.
Now it seems the cheapest rates are thru Priceline but the problem is that I dont get hotel points.
1. Should I stick with a particular hotel chain and pay more and get points?
2. Continue with Priceline for lowest rates but not earn points?
3. Which hotel chain is good?
What do u guys suggest?
Thanks!
Apr 5, 2009 | 11:40 am
#2
Join Date: Feb 2007
Location: U.S. (sometimes)
Programs: UA 1k 1MM, Hyatt Globalist, Marriott Titanium, Hilton Diamond, IHG Diamond, Accor Platinum
Posts: 1,437
Who's paying, you or your company? If it's the company, it's a no-brainer to get the points. Once you reach a status level, you can get upgrades and lounge access.
But I assume you're paying yourself. If you read the boards for different hotel chains, you can get some great tips on discounts and promos. Still, IMHO, you'll save a ton of money on Priceline, or with smaller hotels (using Orbitz and Expedia coupon codes), and also get more free extras (breakfast, internet). You'll hear different opinions on this, but the points are only worth about $10-$15/night, at best. You'll hear people say "I used my points on a hotel in Hawaii that would have cost me $3000, so I saved $3000", but I think their accounting needs to be audited.
The way to justify brand loyalty is if you're staying with someone you're trying to impress, or are somewhat rich and value that extra bit of luxury. But you're not going to save money.
But I assume you're paying yourself. If you read the boards for different hotel chains, you can get some great tips on discounts and promos. Still, IMHO, you'll save a ton of money on Priceline, or with smaller hotels (using Orbitz and Expedia coupon codes), and also get more free extras (breakfast, internet). You'll hear different opinions on this, but the points are only worth about $10-$15/night, at best. You'll hear people say "I used my points on a hotel in Hawaii that would have cost me $3000, so I saved $3000", but I think their accounting needs to be audited.
The way to justify brand loyalty is if you're staying with someone you're trying to impress, or are somewhat rich and value that extra bit of luxury. But you're not going to save money.
Apr 5, 2009 | 12:20 pm
#3
Original Poster
Join Date: Jan 2008
Posts: 2,547
Thanks for the info!
I'm the one paying so I'm trying to save money.
I've been using Priceline but I'll look up the Orbitz and Expedia codes.
Is there a place to get those codes? Is this the forum to check for them?
Thanks!
I'm the one paying so I'm trying to save money.
I've been using Priceline but I'll look up the Orbitz and Expedia codes.
Is there a place to get those codes? Is this the forum to check for them?
Thanks!
Who's paying, you or your company? If it's the company, it's a no-brainer to get the points. Once you reach a status level, you can get upgrades and lounge access.
But I assume you're paying yourself. If you read the boards for different hotel chains, you can get some great tips on discounts and promos. Still, IMHO, you'll save a ton of money on Priceline, or with smaller hotels (using Orbitz and Expedia coupon codes), and also get more free extras (breakfast, internet). You'll hear different opinions on this, but the points are only worth about $10-$15/night, at best. You'll hear people say "I used my points on a hotel in Hawaii that would have cost me $3000, so I saved $3000", but I think their accounting needs to be audited.
The way to justify brand loyalty is if you're staying with someone you're trying to impress, or are somewhat rich and value that extra bit of luxury. But you're not going to save money.
But I assume you're paying yourself. If you read the boards for different hotel chains, you can get some great tips on discounts and promos. Still, IMHO, you'll save a ton of money on Priceline, or with smaller hotels (using Orbitz and Expedia coupon codes), and also get more free extras (breakfast, internet). You'll hear different opinions on this, but the points are only worth about $10-$15/night, at best. You'll hear people say "I used my points on a hotel in Hawaii that would have cost me $3000, so I saved $3000", but I think their accounting needs to be audited.
The way to justify brand loyalty is if you're staying with someone you're trying to impress, or are somewhat rich and value that extra bit of luxury. But you're not going to save money.
Apr 5, 2009 | 1:40 pm
#4
Join Date: Sep 2008
Location: The Front Cabin.
Programs: AA EXP; DL Gold; PC Plat; SPG Gold; HHonors Gold
Posts: 321
Here is the "master thread" for Orbitz / Expedia / Hotels.com / etc. promo codes:
http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/hotel...oo-others.html
http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/hotel...oo-others.html
Apr 5, 2009 | 5:39 pm
#5
Join Date: Feb 2004
Location: Toronto, Canada
Programs: HH Diamond, Hyatt Globalist, Marriott Gold
Posts: 1,381
If you're trying to save money, Priceline will likely be your best bet. If you want status, you'll have to pay a higher (non-Priceline) rate to get it. It really all depends on how badly you want the status and how much extra you're willing to pay over Priceline rates to get it.
You can go over to www.biddingfortravel.com and www.betterbidding.com to see the going Priceline rates and compare those to what you'd pay at the hotels. You may also want to try calling some hotels directly to see if you can negotiate a rate with them given you'll be staying a lot of nights
You can go over to www.biddingfortravel.com and www.betterbidding.com to see the going Priceline rates and compare those to what you'd pay at the hotels. You may also want to try calling some hotels directly to see if you can negotiate a rate with them given you'll be staying a lot of nights