PRICELINE.COM - When is the best time to buy Hotel? How far in Advance? - GoFuckYourself.com

boneprone · 04-28-2009, 10:54 AM

Ive never used priceline before.
When is the best time to use it?

Planning a California Road Trip next month. Want to try this priceline thing out.

Are the best deals when I book 1 month out? Or wait the week before? Ive never used priceline so I really dont know.

BradM · 04-28-2009, 10:55 AM

The prices don't vary a whole lot. Some hotels will send underbooked room deals to certain places like hotels.com but there is no way to know when that will happen.

I don't like to drive around looking for a place to sleep - so I normally book 2-3 weeks out. I find most of the time there aren't huge price variances at that frame.

boneprone · 04-28-2009, 10:56 AM

Think Swine Flu scare will drop prices?

LOL. Thread sounds like Ive never traveled.

Kinda strange how ive never used priceline before but I havent. I normally just call the hotel and book.

Times are rough people. I need to save every penny.

How does priceline work? When are the best prices? Should I wait till the week of travel? Or buy earlier?

boneprone · 04-28-2009, 10:57 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BradM

The prices don't vary a whole lot. Some hotels will send underbooked room deals to certain places like hotels.com but there is no way to know when that will happen.

I don't like to drive around looking for a place to sleep - so I normally book 2-3 weeks out. I find most of the time there aren't huge price variances at that frame.

Ok cool. Makes sence.

boneprone · 04-28-2009, 10:59 AM

Im wondering if this Swine flu thing will start to scare travelers?
If so hotel prices should drop a lot.

I think the hotels know this!

I just got a bunch of travel emails telling me about deals today in my inbox. Like way more than normal.

Ive never really used these brokers before but would like to try them out.

Diomed · 04-28-2009, 10:59 AM

I would have to agree,

I've used them all but never seen a discount large enough to say it's worth it.

Even between priceline, hotels, expedia.. there all around the same tiny discount too.

boneprone · 04-28-2009, 11:03 AM

Is Priceline still a good place to get nice hotels for cheap?
Or is there a better place to get deals on nice hotels in Cali?

collegeboobies · 04-28-2009, 11:48 AM

I've done ok with priceline even just 3-4 days in advance. I was amazed how cheap it was, cheaper than just the plane tickets and we got 4 days in a hotel also.

pornguy · 04-28-2009, 12:46 PM

Try sites like Flycheap.com dont know if there is a staycheap or not but give it a shot

fusionx · 04-28-2009, 01:34 PM

I just tried LAX to MNL, round trip, for June, on both priceline and expedia - same price on both sites.. same flights..

Way too early to use priceline, maybe?

$857.00 - great price, actually.. Japan Airlines..

JenniDahling · 04-28-2009, 02:15 PM

Hey Boneprone, check out Hotwire, they offer way better hotels cheaper. You don't get to know the name of the hotel until after you book it, but compared to what I found online, it is the best way to go as far as deals go. And you can book it up to the day before and still get a good deal, unless of course you are heading to a place that has peak season rates at the time you're going.

lazycash · 04-28-2009, 02:32 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JenniDahling

Hey Boneprone, check out Hotwire, they offer way better hotels cheaper. You don't get to know the name of the hotel until after you book it, but compared to what I found online, it is the best way to go as far as deals go. And you can book it up to the day before and still get a good deal, unless of course you are heading to a place that has peak season rates at the time you're going.

Hotwire is ok, but you'll find better pricing at Priceline if you know how to bid. Easiest way to use priceline is go to one of the forums that users post their winning bids by destination. I use www.biddingfortravel.com and www.betterbidding.com If you're new to priceline then you need to read the tutorials on those sites to learn how to effectively rebid without compromising what area you want to stay in. Scan the forums for the area you are looking to stay at and then look at recent winning bids and what hotel they got. I recommend only staying in 4 star or resort level hotels. By reading the forums you'll get an idea of what hotels within each category in a particular region that Priceline is currently using.

Right now with the poor economy you can get some incredible deals. I've used Priceline at least 30 times and always stay at resorts for a fraction of their normal rates. In the last six months I've stayed at the Marriott in Maui/Wailea for $100/night and the Hapuna Beach Prince resort on the big island of Hawaii for $75/night.

To answer BP's original question, the best time to bid is usually within a couple weeks of your stay. You can try a couple months out, but you often won't get your low bids accepted. I also recommend using Priceline for rental cars, I just got a full size in Vegas for $9/day.

V_RocKs · 04-28-2009, 02:44 PM

I usually bid a few days before I want to go and get the price lowered by 20 - 50%

JA$ON · 04-28-2009, 03:15 PM

If you are booking a trip to see the Blazers face the Lakers, you might want to wait on that

Sorry, too easy

Sosa · 04-28-2009, 03:31 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by lazycash

Hotwire is ok, but you'll find better pricing at Priceline if you know how to bid. Easiest way to use priceline is go to one of the forums that users post their winning bids by destination. I use www.biddingfortravel.com and www.betterbidding.com If you're new to priceline then you need to read the tutorials on those sites to learn how to effectively rebid without compromising what area you want to stay in. Scan the forums for the area you are looking to stay at and then look at recent winning bids and what hotel they got. I recommend only staying in 4 star or resort level hotels. By reading the forums you'll get an idea of what hotels within each category in a particular region that Priceline is currently using.

Right now with the poor economy you can get some incredible deals. I've used Priceline at least 30 times and always stay at resorts for a fraction of their normal rates. In the last six months I've stayed at the Marriott in Maui/Wailea for $100/night and the Hapuna Beach Prince resort on the big island of Hawaii for $75/night.

To answer BP's original question, the best time to bid is usually within a couple weeks of your stay. You can try a couple months out, but you often won't get your low bids accepted. I also recommend using Priceline for rental cars, I just got a full size in Vegas for $9/day.

I was just going to mention those two sites. Very nice forums to help you find out which hotels are actually the ones you are bidding on.

boneprone · 04-28-2009, 04:09 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by lazycash

Hotwire is ok, but you'll find better pricing at Priceline if you know how to bid. Easiest way to use priceline is go to one of the forums that users post their winning bids by destination. I use www.biddingfortravel.com and www.betterbidding.com If you're new to priceline then you need to read the tutorials on those sites to learn how to effectively rebid without compromising what area you want to stay in. Scan the forums for the area you are looking to stay at and then look at recent winning bids and what hotel they got. I recommend only staying in 4 star or resort level hotels. By reading the forums you'll get an idea of what hotels within each category in a particular region that Priceline is currently using.

Right now with the poor economy you can get some incredible deals. I've used Priceline at least 30 times and always stay at resorts for a fraction of their normal rates. In the last six months I've stayed at the Marriott in Maui/Wailea for $100/night and the Hapuna Beach Prince resort on the big island of Hawaii for $75/night.

To answer BP's original question, the best time to bid is usually within a couple weeks of your stay. You can try a couple months out, but you often won't get your low bids accepted. I also recommend using Priceline for rental cars, I just got a full size in Vegas for $9/day.

Wow. Thanks bud.
This seems to be a pretty useful tool and indicator.

9 bucks a day car rental?
Wow.

04-28-2009, 10:54 AM	#1
boneprone Hall Of Fame Industry Role: Join Date: Jan 2001 Location: Portland Oregon USA Posts: 34,415	PRICELINE.COM - When is the best time to buy Hotel? How far in Advance? Ive never used priceline before. When is the best time to use it? Planning a California Road Trip next month. Want to try this priceline thing out. Are the best deals when I book 1 month out? Or wait the week before? Ive never used priceline so I really dont know. __________________ Industry Hall Of Fame Legend Mike Jones Bow to the Power - Still BP4L http://gfyawards.com/hall-of-fame Learn about it kids.

04-28-2009, 10:56 AM	#3
boneprone Hall Of Fame Industry Role: Join Date: Jan 2001 Location: Portland Oregon USA Posts: 34,415	Think Swine Flu scare will drop prices? LOL. Thread sounds like Ive never traveled. Kinda strange how ive never used priceline before but I havent. I normally just call the hotel and book. Times are rough people. I need to save every penny. How does priceline work? When are the best prices? Should I wait till the week of travel? Or buy earlier? __________________ Industry Hall Of Fame Legend Mike Jones Bow to the Power - Still BP4L http://gfyawards.com/hall-of-fame Learn about it kids. Last edited by boneprone; 04-28-2009 at 10:59 AM..

04-28-2009, 10:59 AM	#5
boneprone Hall Of Fame Industry Role: Join Date: Jan 2001 Location: Portland Oregon USA Posts: 34,415	Im wondering if this Swine flu thing will start to scare travelers? If so hotel prices should drop a lot. I think the hotels know this! I just got a bunch of travel emails telling me about deals today in my inbox. Like way more than normal. Ive never really used these brokers before but would like to try them out. __________________ Industry Hall Of Fame Legend Mike Jones Bow to the Power - Still BP4L http://gfyawards.com/hall-of-fame Learn about it kids.

04-28-2009, 10:59 AM	#6
Diomed Converting like it's 1999 Industry Role: Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: The South Posts: 6,164	I would have to agree, I've used them all but never seen a discount large enough to say it's worth it. Even between priceline, hotels, expedia.. there all around the same tiny discount too. __________________ 10 years of experience in: CHAT SALES - PAID TRAFFIC - CONVERSION - CREATIVES - CONSULTATION

04-28-2009, 11:03 AM	#7
boneprone Hall Of Fame Industry Role: Join Date: Jan 2001 Location: Portland Oregon USA Posts: 34,415	Is Priceline still a good place to get nice hotels for cheap? Or is there a better place to get deals on nice hotels in Cali? __________________ Industry Hall Of Fame Legend Mike Jones Bow to the Power - Still BP4L http://gfyawards.com/hall-of-fame Learn about it kids.

04-28-2009, 10:55 AM	#2
BradM Confirmed User Join Date: Dec 2003 Location: 1123,6536,5231 Posts: 3,397	The prices don't vary a whole lot. Some hotels will send underbooked room deals to certain places like hotels.com but there is no way to know when that will happen. I don't like to drive around looking for a place to sleep - so I normally book 2-3 weeks out. I find most of the time there aren't huge price variances at that frame.

04-28-2009, 11:48 AM	#8
collegeboobies So Fucking Banned Join Date: Jul 2004 Posts: 3,644	I've done ok with priceline even just 3-4 days in advance. I was amazed how cheap it was, cheaper than just the plane tickets and we got 4 days in a hotel also.

04-28-2009, 12:46 PM	#9
pornguy Too lazy to set a custom title Industry Role: Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: Homeless Posts: 62,911	Try sites like Flycheap.com dont know if there is a staycheap or not but give it a shot __________________ PornGuy skype me pornguy_epic AmateurDough The Hottes Shemales online! TChicks.com \| Angeles Cid \| Mariana Cordoba \| MAILERS WELCOME!

04-28-2009, 01:34 PM	#10
fusionx Confirmed User Industry Role: Join Date: Nov 2003 Location: Olongapo City, Philippines Posts: 4,618	I just tried LAX to MNL, round trip, for June, on both priceline and expedia - same price on both sites.. same flights.. Way too early to use priceline, maybe? $857.00 - great price, actually.. Japan Airlines..

04-28-2009, 02:15 PM	#11
JenniDahling Market Penetration Specialist Join Date: Jul 2005 Location: Out of my Suitcases Posts: 5,285	Hey Boneprone, check out Hotwire, they offer way better hotels cheaper. You don't get to know the name of the hotel until after you book it, but compared to what I found online, it is the best way to go as far as deals go. And you can book it up to the day before and still get a good deal, unless of course you are heading to a place that has peak season rates at the time you're going. __________________ cLick my kitty, you know you want to jenni {at} prkitty.com Meet me at The Island Gathering

04-28-2009, 02:44 PM	#13
V_RocKs Damn Right I Kiss Ass! Industry Role: Join Date: Dec 2003 Location: Cowtown, USA Posts: 32,409	I usually bid a few days before I want to go and get the price lowered by 20 - 50%

04-28-2009, 03:15 PM	#14
JA$ON Confirmed User Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: I'm from Downtown....Im from Mitch & Murry Posts: 1,329	If you are booking a trip to see the Blazers face the Lakers, you might want to wait on that Sorry, too easy