Priceline or Travelocity?

[chriskre Super Moderator Find all posts View Profile Close chriskre]

I've never booked a blind reservation before this trip but know a few people who do and have been happy with it. I see that BigFrank uses Priceline.


My question is:

I'm going to Boston for 2 nights. The cheapest I can find on public rates is $259 plus all the taxes and parking fees to be in the touristy area. We need 3rooms so that gets real expensive. $600 plus for 2 nights seems to be about what most hotels are charging in that area.

Have any of you done 3 rooms on Priceline or Travelocity all at the same time? I don't want to purchase 3 rooms and then they stick us in 3 different hotels. Is that a possibility since you have no idea what hotel they will stick you with? Don't really want the airport area or Cambridge either. I'd rather it be in a defined area. Is that an option when you choose?

Can these rooms be booked with a person so you make sure that you get them all in the same hotel?

Thanks.

[Glitter Brunello Super Moderator Find all posts View Profile Close Glitter Brunello]

I have booked two rooms at a time using Priceline. They won't put them in different hotels. However, if you end up wanting to extend your stay (allowed at the same rate at most hotels up until the day before checkout, subject to availability), it will apply to all three rooms - you can't extend one and not the others.

eta: take a look at Bidding For Travel for Boston before you use Priceline. And take a look at the defined areas you can choose in Boston on Priceline to be sure you can limit your selection to area(s) that would work for you.

[Luanne Senior Member Find all posts View Profile Close Luanne]

When you bid in Priceline you have the ability to say you want more than one room. They will put you all in the same hotel. And yes, you can define the area somewhat. If you go to one of the bidding sites (don't remember exactly what they are right now) you can see the areas, which hotels are usually found in those areas, and you can see posts of what people are bidding for, and getting.

I've never booked anything through Travelocity. I use them only to get an idea of what is in the area, and a general idea of the pricing. Then I'll either go directly to the hotel website, or I'll bid on Priceline.

[bigfrank Administrator Find all posts View Profile Close bigfrank]

I did 3 rooms in Washinton Dc and then was able to get my cousin in as well by doing the same bid

[happymum Senior Member Find all posts View Profile Close happymum]

Priceline (and Hotwire) become quite addicting. I love the surprise aspect of finding out what hotel I get. I have never been disappointed with a 4* or higher hotel.
My best deal ever was through Hotwire. $56/night for Hilton Hawaiian Village Oceanview rooms, just one night - but what a deal!
If you think you will use either site often, I think it is worth joining MyPoints.com as you can earn points. That's pretty much the only way I earn points and I seem to be able to redeem for a $25 gift card quite often.
(If you are interested PLMK as I can get referral points)

[Glitter Brunello Super Moderator Find all posts View Profile Close Glitter Brunello]

Priceline (and Hotwire) become quite addicting. I love the surprise aspect of finding out what hotel I get. I have never been disappointed with a 4* or higher hotel.
My best deal ever was through Hotwire. $56/night for Hilton Hawaiian Village Oceanview rooms, just one night - but what a deal!
If you think you will use either site often, I think it is worth joining MyPoints.com as you can earn points. That's pretty much the only way I earn points and I seem to be able to redeem for a $25 gift card quite often.
(If you are interested PLMK as I can get referral points)

Me too me too! Though I always brace myself (and anyone traveling with) and bid low enough that I'd be happy with anything in the category, no matter what.

Your best deal ever beats mine, but I've generally done very well in cities.

[chriskre Super Moderator Find all posts View Profile Close chriskre]

Thanks guys.

I actually used Travelocity's blind bidding for a one night stay in York, PA this past weekend figuring if I hate it then it's only one night but it actually worked out quite well and I saved around $60 by doing it blindly. It's probably not a hotel I would have chosen (Holiday Inn express) but it turned out pretty nice. I need to break the Marriott habit since it's getting too expensive but I'm a bit spoiled too.

Figured trying it in Boston should be a good risk. I certainly don't want to spend $1800 for just 2 nights on a weekend. That's a trip to Hawaii or Europe for me.

[Glitter Brunello Super Moderator Find all posts View Profile Close Glitter Brunello]

Thanks guys.

I actually used Travelocity's blind bidding for a one night stay in York, PA this past weekend figuring if I hate it then it's only one night but it actually worked out quite well and I saved around $60 by doing it blindly. It's probably not a hotel I would have chosen (Holiday Inn express) but it turned out pretty nice. I need to break the Marriott habit since it's getting too expensive but I'm a bit spoiled too.

Figured trying it in Boston should be a good risk. I certainly don't want to spend $1800 for just 2 nights on a weekend. That's a trip to Hawaii or Europe for me.

There is a Holiday Inn Express in midtown Manhattan that used to come up if I went down to 3 (or maybe it was 3.5) stars. More than fine -clean and comfortable.

I didn't know Travelocity had blind bidding. Or is it more like Hotwire where you see the rates necessary but they don't reveal the hotel name? Priceline is usually discounted more than Hotwire, if you bid right.

I agree Boston is a good city to try it in. I've done very well in NYC, DC, and SFO.

[StressCadet Senior Member Find all posts View Profile Close StressCadet]

Where is Wacky? I think she P/L'd a trip to Boston a while back. Maybe she can give your bidding advice...if I remember right-she did very well.

[chriskre Super Moderator Find all posts View Profile Close chriskre]

Where is Wacky? I think she P/L'd a trip to Boston a while back. Maybe she can give your bidding advice...if I remember right-she did very well.

I'll wait til she shows up before doing anything so she can tell me where they put her.

[chriskre Super Moderator Find all posts View Profile Close chriskre]

There is a Holiday Inn Express in midtown Manhattan that used to come up if I went down to 3 (or maybe it was 3.5) stars. More than fine -clean and comfortable.

I didn't know Travelocity had blind bidding. Or is it more like Hotwire where you see the rates necessary but they don't reveal the hotel name? Priceline is usually discounted more than Hotwire, if you bid right.

I agree Boston is a good city to try it in. I've done very well in NYC, DC, and SFO.

I'd take a HI Exp in Midtown anyday.

The Travelocity wasn't actually bidding. They show you the rate and how many stars and the number of smilies. I might have done better on Priceline but haven't gotten that daring yet. I want to see the review smilies first.

[bigfrank Administrator Find all posts View Profile Close bigfrank]

look at BiddingForTravel.com - The informed Priceline Travel Bidding Forum before bidding to see what hotels are selling for in boston

[chriskre Super Moderator Find all posts View Profile Close chriskre]

Thanks Frank, I'll check it out.

[klynn Senior Member Find all posts View Profile Close klynn]

look at BiddingForTravel.com - The informed Priceline Travel Bidding Forum before bidding to see what hotels are selling for in boston

Priceline and Hotwire Forum is another good one.

[Glitter Brunello Super Moderator Find all posts View Profile Close Glitter Brunello]

I'd take a HI Exp in Midtown anyday.

The Travelocity wasn't actually bidding. They show you the rate and how many stars and the number of smilies. I might have done better on Priceline but haven't gotten that daring yet. I want to see the review smilies first.

Priceline lets you choose star levels. Chris, check out biddingfortravel.com for Boston. You will get an idea of the hotels that come up by star level and location. Then you can check the reviews. Still taking a chance, but bid low enough for a high star level and it shouldn't matter. I once got a hotel I'd never heard of in the city when I chose "midtown east" - I expected a match to the Grand Hyatt, which was almost a sure thing back then but for some reason I ended up at the Beekman Tower all the way east by the UN, but it was great! Even had a full kitchen

You should get a feel for where you want to stay relative to the Priceline neighborhoods before diving in. I usually about half of the quoted rates on Hotwire, which I think is similar to Travelocity price-wise and blind-wise. Unless it's some crazy busy weekend/event/etc.