Priceline - first time user...

gotanyglazby

I'm looking for a hotel for amsterdam next month and have found priceline..
Not 100% sure how it works... is it as simple as picking an area, naming a price and then waiting?

What would happen if i named a price but then decided i didnt want the hotel or i found another one in the meantime?

Total newbie to it - any advice welcome!

Thanks.

:beer:

bairn7

You pick the area you want to stay in, the star-rating of the hotel you want and the price you are willing to pay.

If a hotel in your area with your star rating is willing to give you a room for the price you are willing to pay, the booking is automatically made. If you subsequently don't like the hotel or find something cheaper after the booking is made, too bad I'm afraid! Non-refundable

clohart11

I have just gone on priceline and selected "name your own price".

Destination: Brighton
Dates: 3/4/09 - 5/4/09
4 star hotel

I entered in I was willing to pay £6.00 (silly i know) and it agreed? Saying total price was £12.87 or something?

This surely cant be right??

gotanyglazby

bairn7 wrote: »

You pick the area you want to stay in, the star-rating of the hotel you want and the price you are willing to pay.

If a hotel in your area with your star rating is willing to give you a room for the price you are willing to pay, the booking is automatically made. If you subsequently don't like the hotel or find something cheaper after the booking is made, too bad I'm afraid! Non-refundable

hi, thanks for the info..

so once i enter the ammount im willing to pay they will offer me a hotel and i have to pay instantly?

Mardrew

gotanyglazy

Have you read Blindman's excellent guide to using Priceline? See this thread http://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/showthread.html?t=233768&highlight=priceline

He gives some excellent advice & tips. In a nutshell, you bid on an area & a star rating, you have to give your credit card details and if a hotel accepts your offer the money is taken instantly.

Clohart11, have you now had your confirmation through? It sounds like you have got a bargain.

sturll

No, you give your details and then if there is a suitable place Priceline take your money and then give you the hotel details.

One word of warning - i have used priceline loads of times and from experiance i would say its well worth it, but be aware that they have a tendancy to rate hotels higher than what they may actually be.

For example i booked a 3 star in Atlanta (1 night before i got the Amtrak) and they gave me a Super 8. Anyone who has ever stayed in a Super 8 knows full well its not a 3 star. Its probably not even a 1 star.

vegasvisitor

I don't think it sounds like you've completed your bid, or it would have told you if it was accepted or not, and you would also receive an email. I don't think you'll get a hotel in Amsterdam for that amount.

I have seen on betterbidding.com that people have got the Krasnapolsky (5* at Dam Square) for a good price.

gotanyglazby

one last question hopefully!..
when i click the 'name your own price' link from priceline.co.uk it takes me to the priceline.com name your price area...am i still ok to book from the UK on this?

thanks.

blindman

gotanyglazby wrote: »

one last question hopefully!..
when i click the 'name your own price' link from priceline.co.uk it takes me to the priceline.com name your price area...am i still ok to book from the UK on this?

YES
Just make sure you read the screen and the actual bid amout is in £'s
thanks.

As Mardew has said have you actually read my guide

You can get some serious bargains on PL but it helps if you know what you are doing :rolleyes:


Ask any more Q's if you want after you've read the guide:rolleyes:

blindman

clohart11 wrote: »

I have just gone on priceline and selected "name your own price".

Destination: Brighton
Dates: 3/4/09 - 5/4/09
4 star hotel

I entered in I was willing to pay £6.00 (silly i know) and it agreed? Saying total price was £12.87 or something?

This surely cant be right??

There is a minimum bid level for each * rating. I can't remember what it is now but I think £6.00 is too low for a 4*

Read my guide and ask Q's if you do not understand any of the bits

gotanyglazby

blindman wrote: »

As Mardew has said have you actually read my guide

You can get some serious bargains on PL but it helps if you know what you are doing :rolleyes:


Ask any more Q's if you want after you've read the guide:rolleyes:

hi - yeah i've read your guide... priceline seemed to work a treat..
£174 for 4* 3 nights in the centre..

:T