Anybody Used Priceline

I use Hotwire, instead of Priceline; the two are similar in that they give you big discounts, but you don't know in advance the exact hotel you will be staying in (you get stars and neighborhood, but no name). I've had great results, and gotten some great deals on both hotels and cars. I don't use them for airfare because you can't see the times before you fly, and I don't want to end up with a non-refundable flight that's at 5am or midnight or has a 6 hour layover or whatever--too many variables. The downside is that you pay in advance, and it's non-refunable, so if you cancel, you're still out the money. I wouldn't worry about getting totally jipped, though--both are reputable companies, and worst case you can always refuse payment through your credit card if you don't get what you paid for.

Hi J. -

I've never used priceline either only because I like to know exactly what I'm getting. There is a new site for searching travel at www.michaellorenzo.rovia.com and I know it searches more than the other sites and most often returns a better price. It also has a live chat feature if you need to feel more comfortable before booking. If you're travelling with kids, be sure to look at the villas/condos option (open a new window or you lose the site) - if you can find a location that works for you, the price per night is way better than a hotel room AND you get tons more space - usually a couple of bedrooms and a kitchen. You can then cook in should you choose to and save money on going out, if you need to (I know a lot of us go on vacation so that we don't have to cook!)

Have fun searching and on your trip!

E.
www.myparklane.com/emlorenzo

I've used priceline for hotels, flights, and cars. Never had a problem. The only thing that did come up, the last time I used "name your own price" on a hotel, I ended up at a crappy Ho JO. So if you use that "name your own price" on a hotel, keep in mind on there a 4 star hotel is like a hampton, not a Hyatt.

Hello, I travel alot and have used most every site out there. Whatever gives me the best deals. If I am not picky of time(for travel) or place(hotel) then I also try to bid on Priceline before buying it on Priceline or any other sites. Even if you bid on hotel and the only info they give is how many stars you can find out which hotel it is by location. I have been able to take the address and search for it and put two and two together to figure out which hotel I may be bidding for. Also go low on bid because if it is too low they will counter offer. They after that open another window and try to bid a little lower then counter offer and sometimes it will accept. When I search for travel it will take me 2-3 days to get the deal I want. I just bought tickets to Germany for 600.00 and they were averaging 1200.00. Not on Priceline. Good Luck and I hope this helps. Email me if you have other questions.

I do not use it and will not use any source where I have to pay upfront with my credit card not knowing in advance of exactly what I will get for my money.

A lot of people swear by the discouters. I make a lot of reservations by air, hotel and car on a regular basis for my husband and for personal trips and I only go through the direct website for each. You can get fair deals going directly with the website.

Like you.....I am very skeptical of paying in advance.

Good luck.

J.,
I have used them many of times, I've never had any problems with my credit card. I've gotten great deals on rooms, I've never used them to fly. I don't recommend using them for rental, my mom used them and even though they gave her a great deal, they do add some tax and she would have been better off dealing directly with the car rental place.

I've stayed in 5 star hotels with priceline using their "name your own price" and paid $70 for a $170 room, I'm serious too! The room was beautiful, it was on the 20th floor of a 30+ floor hotel with a great view, not the back or anything like that... I moved up here from San Antonio, and didn't have a place for awhile, and I stayed at the South Fork Hotel for $35/night plus their little fee.

Now when you name your own price, make sure you like the hotels in the area... I always go with the "5 or 4 stars" when you name your own price, you don't get to pick the hotel, only the star and your price. Most of the time it'll only let you pick once a day... I look at the 5 stars, see how much they are going for, I just put in $70 to see and it was accepted...

I like Priceline and have found great deals...