How to use Priceline to your advantage in Anaheim

[Tracy98]

Originally Posted by DLForever

I just got the Crowne Plaza for Saturday, 3/1 for $46 dollars. I started at $42, got a counteroffer for $54, used the Anaheim Hills rebid zone and won with $46. Good price for a good hotel....

Become a priority club member and give them your club number and they will give you a welcome packet with free breakfast and other stuff. I liked this hotel very much! (Minus the free parking)

[dscherer]

Although there are lots of positive stories from people using Priceline, there are are plenty of negative ones of people who got stuck with a hotel they normally wouldn't have chosen themselves. Remember that Priceline's star rating is subjective, and what they consider a top star might be very different from what you consider a top star rating. In my experience, you don't save enough money with Priceline to make it worth the risk of ending up in a hotel you aren't satisfied with. Expedia, Travelocity, Cheaphotels, and Orbitz are all usually within $10 - $30 per night of what Priceline can offer, and it's absolutely worth it just for peace of mind to pay a litle extra and know exactly what you're getting, AND have the ability to cancel if necissary. So buyer beware, the better the deal the bigger risk you take to get it.

[I Heart Disneyland]

Originally Posted by dscherer

Although there are lots of positive stories from people using Priceline, there are are plenty of negative ones of people who got stuck with a hotel they normally wouldn't have chosen themselves. Remember that Priceline's star rating is subjective, and what they consider a top star might be very different from what you consider a top star rating. In my experience, you don't save enough money with Priceline to make it worth the risk of ending up in a hotel you aren't satisfied with. Expedia, Travelocity, Cheaphotels, and Orbitz are all usually within $10 - $30 per night of what Priceline can offer, and it's absolutely worth it just for peace of mind to pay a litle extra and know exactly what you're getting, AND have the ability to cancel if necissary. So buyer beware, the better the deal the bigger risk you take to get it.

You can cancel with Expedia, Travelocity, Cheaphotels and Orbitz????

[flynnibus]

Originally Posted by dscherer

Remember that Priceline's star rating is subjective, and what they consider a top star might be very different from what you consider a top star rating

That is why you don't bid blindly - and you use the resources outlined here to help understand what hotels are likely to hit for a certain star rating.

Originally Posted by dscherer

In my experience, you don't save enough money with Priceline to make it worth the risk of ending up in a hotel you aren't satisfied with.

Correct - if you are unwilling to give up control for a significant price break - then these systems are not for you. But the price savings are upwards of 50% and no, orbitz, and the others can not come close to these rates. Its up to the individual if they are willing to spend 25-30% more for 'piece of mind'. However the point is, if you do your research you can within reason get a good idea of what you can get.

[nbodyhome]

Originally Posted by dscherer

Although there are lots of positive stories from people using Priceline, there are are plenty of negative ones of people who got stuck with a hotel they normally wouldn't have chosen themselves. Remember that Priceline's star rating is subjective, and what they consider a top star might be very different from what you consider a top star rating. In my experience, you don't save enough money with Priceline to make it worth the risk of ending up in a hotel you aren't satisfied with. Expedia, Travelocity, Cheaphotels, and Orbitz are all usually within $10 - $30 per night of what Priceline can offer, and it's absolutely worth it just for peace of mind to pay a litle extra and know exactly what you're getting, AND have the ability to cancel if necissary. So buyer beware, the better the deal the bigger risk you take to get it.

To some extent, I agree. I used to get the BEST deals in CA back when Priceline first started. Like $25 - $35, which included the Marriott and what was then known as the Westcoast Anaheim. (the Marriott was my favorite). Back between 1998 - 2000, I flew to DL often.

This trip, I debated using Priceline - but ended up at a BW that has decent reviews for $65 per night through using Kayak. The cancellation penalties aren't bad. It does pay to do research, I've gotten some GREAT deals - more in the distant past - through PL. But these days, I can often find just as good a deal on my own - and I like knowing where I'll be staying. Also, you never know what hidden fees (like resort fees) might be added onto the PL stay.

[50sjayne]

I've been researching rooms for the Disneyland for about 7 months now. If I were going off season I would just call and get a good rate on a reasonable hotel/motel I wanted but since our plans changed and we have decided spring break next year is when we are going, I will use Priceline. I've also been watching the bidding for travel site for that long and know what people get. I'd have to disagree with the poster who was negative about Priceline, first of all the room rating system is usually below what another site ranks a hotel, their 3 stars are generally 4 stars on most other sites etc. And-- I generally only pay about 1/3 of what any other website or hotels own site offers. For example, 3 days ago I got a Residence Inn in Downtown Portland Oregon for $45 (4/11-13)-- the best rate you can find on any other site including it's own is $139. There is a single priceline fee when you bid for no matter how many days you bid on-- I think it is about $7. If the hotel charges for parking, internet-- then you pay those optional fees-- I have never paid for parking at hotels that charge however, I have always found street parking without a problem. If a hotel charges a resort fee-- you do pay that, just like everyone else that stays there. You'd pay the same fees on orbitz or any other site. I do not recommend bidding on priceline if you are not willing to study the previous bidding on sites like better bidding or bidding for travel, and read the hotel FAQS on BFT. It's not for everyone. But it's fun-- and highly addictive if you like to travel ;-)

[flynnibus]

I think the price quotes on hotwire include ALL fees - though I'm not sure about PL. Typically I use hotwire as it's a more of a hybrid, but I've used PL successfully at Anaheim specifically. PL takes research to work well.. hotwire you can use more blindly as it doesn't have a bid process.

[dscherer]

I'm not saying I don't like Priceline, I'm just saying be careful. And yes, depending on the hotel and what kind of a rate you're getting, it is sometimes possible to cancel on oribtz, travelocity, etc. And I'm sure that you can sometimes get lucky and get 50% lower on Priceline than you can on any other site, but you can also sometimes get 50% lower on another site then Priceline can get as well. It just depends on your travel dates, the specific hotel, and whether there's anything going on that weekend (convention, holiday, etc.). On average (from my own personal experience only) Priceline is typically close to the cost of other hotels, but occasionally there is a large desparity one way or the other. Again, it just depends on what you're willing to accept.

[pratt55]

Originally Posted by dscherer

I'm not saying I don't like Priceline, I'm just saying be careful. And yes, depending on the hotel and what kind of a rate you're getting, it is sometimes possible to cancel on oribtz, travelocity, etc. And I'm sure that you can sometimes get lucky and get 50% lower on Priceline than you can on any other site, but you can also sometimes get 50% lower on another site then Priceline can get as well. It just depends on your travel dates, the specific hotel, and whether there's anything going on that weekend (convention, holiday, etc.). On average (from my own personal experience only) Priceline is typically close to the cost of other hotels, but occasionally there is a large desparity one way or the other. Again, it just depends on what you're willing to accept.

With the Priceline regular rates I have seen it just about the same as other sites, Orbitz and travelocity. But most of us on here use Priceline "name your own price" and usually get a rate at about 40 to 50% cheaper than regular Priceline or other travel sites.

[Aladdin]

I've never paid more than $37 a night and have NEVER
had a problem getting a hotel, even though most of the
reservations were made only a week in advance, And
much of the time it was during peak seasons, around
New Years and Middle of July, and pretty much every
other month of the year.

You do have to be aware of which hotels are which star
level, and there is a constantly updated list from feedback
of people who do use Priceline at biddingfortravel dot com.

Also some higher star level hotels do charge for parking,
the room only guarantees one room/one bed for capcity
of 2, when you name your own price, so if you have kids,
you may need a second room. so do some research
before you name your own price. and if you are concerned
that you may cancel your trip, dont bid since it's not
refundable. I'm sure I've saved thousands of dollars using
priceline! It's a good thing, just do your research on
the details!

If your more picky and want 4 and 5 star hotels all the time,
then of course, be prepared to pay more, or not always
get reservations. But for me, a hotel room just needs to
be clean, and a place to sleep. I don't want or need a
resort/spa to sleep at, as most of my time spent at the
hotel is only for sleeping. I don't care about superfluous
amenities.

[sir clinksalot]

We just got the Hilton Suites for $50 last weekend. I love this hotel. Free parking, all suites and very quiet. I was actually surprised we got it for so low given that it was Spring Break and the B-Ball tourney was going on at The Pond.

[sir clinksalot]

Originally Posted by I Heart Disneyland

Good to know, Lisa. Maybe I will wait til later. I have checked biddingfortravel and people seem to be getting Marriott Anaheim Suites for the week I am going in April. 2 people posted it lately.

The Marriott Suites is my favorite. We got that once and it was awesome.

[Skywaygrl]

I got two rooms at the Anabella for April 25th and 26th tonight for 82.00 each. I started my bidding at 50.00 with 3.5 stars that bid was rejected. After changing my bid to 60.00 and stars to 2.5 it was still rejected. I then deleated my cookies and history and bid again with 3.5 stars and 65.00. This time I was told if I raised my bid by 17.00 there might be somthing. It worked but, should I've just re-bid to 70 or 75? Did I do the right thing?

[flynnibus]

I don't take their rebid advice because you know its the price THEY want, not what you want.

I would have tried to free rebid by expanding the areas with an area that didn't include any hotels of the rating you were going for

[pratt55]

Originally Posted by Skywaygrl

This time I was told if I raised my bid by 17.00 there might be somthing. It worked but, should I've just re-bid to 70 or 75? Did I do the right thing?

I would recommend first reading the biddingfortravel.com FAQ as I think they have the best suggestions on getting the best price. According to their FAQ the highest star rating priceline has in the Disneyland area is 3*. Also they suggest never taking the offered re-bid price and to just rebid with new zones that do not have the * rating you want or to wait the 24 hours and start a new bidding session.