bouche Posted March 2, 2007 Report Share Posted March 2, 2007 I'm looking at getting a room for Montreal on March 23rd for The Slip. I'm thinking of going the Priceline route. Is it worth it to start now, bid low on 4 star rooms, or just bid low on 3 star? How long do you have to just cancel and retry? I see that you can't be set for 4-people rooms, so that kinda sucks.How often have you got shit deals, a disappointing room versus KILLER deals with an over-the-top room ? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
phishtaper Posted March 2, 2007 Report Share Posted March 2, 2007 check out this link. there are all sorts of tricks and strategies for priceline and similar sites, but this link will help narrow things down for ya. also check out hotwire and kayak. they are really informative too and will help figure out effective bids. or, just book via these sites. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Northern Wish Posted March 2, 2007 Report Share Posted March 2, 2007 I used Priceline for the Ottawa nero weekend and ended up with a room at the Westin for $180 for three nights.Two summers ago we got a room in Boston for two nights for $110 total.I have nothing but good things to say.As for bidding, start very very low (I am trying for a hotel in TO for Mar 30 right now and am starting my bidding at $40). The site will remind you that you are too low past the median price and just keep upping your offer by $1 until you find something.Its a little nerve wracking without all of the details, but it always seems to work out.Sean Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ollie Posted March 20, 2007 Report Share Posted March 20, 2007 Is it possible to specify a smoking room with Priceline?Also, I read something on their site about only being allowed to make one offer per day. Is this true?Thanks. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AD Posted March 20, 2007 Report Share Posted March 20, 2007 (edited) sean was at the marriot... the 'one bid a day' thing is false. - edit - maybe it's one city per day? what did it say on the website?bouche, that weekend i saw you in montreal when you were staying next door, i bid on that place on priceline. i think i bid a 3 star for $60 or something; it varies from week to week what will be accepted.it's definitely worth it.when i went to boston in december, we got a room at the hilton (4 star) for $70 a night - retail price was $240. if you don't care what hotel you're staying at, and you are definitely going to need the room (cancellations are difficult), priceline is a great way to save a ton of money.edit. smoking rooms - all priceline does is get you a room, if you want certain things like smoking, number or size of beds, views, etc.. you have to set that up with the hotel after your reservation has been confirmed with priceline. so it's a crapshoot. if you get confirmed into a hotel with no smoking, you're out of luck Edited March 20, 2007 by Guest smoking is gross and will kill you Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
phishtaper Posted March 20, 2007 Report Share Posted March 20, 2007 (edited) Also, I read something on their site about only being allowed to make one offer per day. Is this true? technically, yes. it prevents you from simply starting at 35 cents and repetitively increasing your bid by a dollar until you get a room. realistically however, you can get around it by a) either "adding" new locations, or lowering the quality (star rating) of the hotel you want. to rebid by adding new districts in the area (ie., north end, business district, downtown, whatever), you would additionally select another area that does NOT contain any, for example, 4 star hotels. this will allow you to rebid at a higher price by including new areas (that you know dont contain a hotel you'd want). its essentially a "free rebid". be careful, though, you only get as many of these rebids as there are additonal areas that do not contain a 4 star hotel. additonally, you can rebid just within the same area (ie., not adding suburbs) by now selecting 3 star hotels in addition to your original 4 star request. priceline will allow oyu to rebid, but only if you change your preferences. the trick is to know beforehand what a reasonable starting price is for your hotel and begin there, then use your rather limited "rebids" carefully. check out the better bidding site. it explains it all there; contains various lists of how many 2,3,4 star hotels there are in each area within each city, and; gives listings of recent sucessful bids by others. VERY useful information. as for smoking rooms. i think most rooms you get would be smoking by default, and you'd have to specify with the hotel directly that you'd want a non-smoking either in advance or on check in. Edited March 20, 2007 by Guest Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Northern Wish Posted March 20, 2007 Report Share Posted March 20, 2007 To debunk one more myth, you can cancel when using Priceline. BUT ONLY ONCE.It involves emailing Customer Service, asking for the cancellation, paying a $75 fee for cancelling (which is refunded if you rebook at a $25 premium).Basically you can cancel once with Priceline and it will cost you $25.Sean Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AD Posted March 20, 2007 Report Share Posted March 20, 2007 i think most rooms you get would be smoking by default, and you'd have to specify with the hotel directly that you'd want a non-smoking either in advance or on check in.i'd think the opposite - many hotels are phasing out smoking rooms. anyways - doesn't hurt to call the hotel and confirm what you're getting after priceline confirms your bid. watch out for outrageous parking fees. don't know a way around that yet.$25 for cancelling - difficult financially, that's what i meant above. $25 more than a normal hotel booking cancellation. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Northern Wish Posted March 20, 2007 Report Share Posted March 20, 2007 Yeah, but it would have cost me more to let the hotel sit empty on Saturday while I went to party in St Catharines. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AD Posted March 20, 2007 Report Share Posted March 20, 2007 after phishtaper's reply and that last one, my brain has exploded.priceline is easy everyone! it will save you money!! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
phishtaper Posted March 20, 2007 Report Share Posted March 20, 2007 (edited) priceline is easy everyone! it will save you money!!yes, but if you dont do it right, it could end up costing you a lot more than you had to pay. oh, and just to blow your mind some more ... most prices change hourly. bid in the morning, denied. buddy identical bids later that day, accepted. you want easy? go with kayak. Edited March 20, 2007 by Guest Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
paisley Posted March 20, 2007 Report Share Posted March 20, 2007 Is it possible to specify a smoking room with Priceline?how'd that towel get in front of my door? do you smell fire? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ollie Posted March 20, 2007 Report Share Posted March 20, 2007 Is it possible to specify a smoking room with Priceline? how'd that towel get in front of my door? do you smell fire? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AD Posted March 20, 2007 Report Share Posted March 20, 2007 [yes, but if you dont do it right, it could end up costing you a lot more than you had to pay. good point Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ollie Posted March 22, 2007 Report Share Posted March 22, 2007 yes' date=' but if you dont do it right, it could end up costing you a lot more than you [i']had to pay. good pointWe got a 4 star in Montreal for Friday night on our first bid of $55 US - The Intercontinental, between Old and downtown Montreal. Total came to just over $70 with taxes, which is about $85 Canadian. A pretty good deal I think, only now I wish we had started lower.All in all I was very happy with the experience and will definitely use priceline again! Thanks for the comments and advice. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kanada Kev Posted March 22, 2007 Report Share Posted March 22, 2007 For some really good tips, and to find out recent successful bids in all regions, check out this website:http://www.betterbidding.com/I've found it very useful on a number of occasions. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Freak By Night Posted March 22, 2007 Report Share Posted March 22, 2007 That hotel is incredible Ollie. Luxurious.Their regular rate is like $160/night. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
phorbesie Posted March 22, 2007 Report Share Posted March 22, 2007 i've had good experiences with the prices but last time in QC i think we got the worst room in the hotel, i'm sure it was the 'priceline' room. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ollie Posted March 26, 2007 Report Share Posted March 26, 2007 Our room ended up being pretty good but we did get the "priceline" view, looking down on some major construction -- a very minor complaint. Hotel was top notch and the location was perfect.I am sold on Priceline! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Northern Wish Posted March 26, 2007 Report Share Posted March 26, 2007 I just booked my room for the Rheos next weekend at the Westin Harbour Castle in Toronto (very nice) for $60 per night.I don't think you can beat that price anywhere.Thanks PL Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kanada Kev Posted March 26, 2007 Report Share Posted March 26, 2007 great deal. Last summer I booked a room for a couple of friends at the Shearton downtown (across from city hall) for $79 a night (i think that i was only choosing 4stars or something).Priceline rocks. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
phishtaper Posted March 26, 2007 Report Share Posted March 26, 2007 I just booked my room for the Rheos next weekend at the Westin Harbour Castle in Toronto (very nice) for $60 per night.nice score. that's one of the best priceline deals available for TO. you'll love it. really beautiful hotel. great lakeshore views, easy cab in/out. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bouche Posted March 28, 2007 Author Report Share Posted March 28, 2007 If I bid too low, the damn thing tells me that they can't match my price and it is forcing me to change my location, date, or rating. Although there is a "increase price" at the bottom of the form, it won't let me do that.what gives? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bouche Posted March 28, 2007 Author Report Share Posted March 28, 2007 oh wait, i get it. It put my request into a queue. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mark tonin Posted March 29, 2007 Report Share Posted March 29, 2007 I used priceline for the first time earlier this month, and it worked well for me. I bid for a 4 star hotel, and got a room at the King Edward in downtown Toronto for $70 U.S. plus taxes, which seems like a good deal to me.I'd definitely use priceline again.Peace, Mark Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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