The Great ‘how to win at hotel bidding websites’ Hunt

Priceline has been around for years in the US-basically most people travelling for business don't find it useful as they generally want a specific hotel or location.
For me it's perfect-often I can predict with reasonable certainty which hotel I'll get (about 75% correct) but I've never been unhappy with my choices.
If I book New York Midtown West I don't care which side of Times Square I am-all their 4 star hotels meet my needs. If I needed to be in a specific hotel I wouldn't use priceline but that rarely happens for me.
If I've needed to request a room with 2 beds that has always been met and some hotels have even given me loyalty points for my stay (even though priceline state clearly this won't be done) which is very nice when it happens.

These websites look really interesting. Do you find they're better for last minute bookings or booking in advance?

Just realised what you meant in post 2, blindman, I thought you were referring to Maritn's links and saying not to use them - doh!

Just realised your links actually refer to MSE posts that you've very comprehensively done - many thanks!! :A

Might give it a go for NYC, if I can get a decent price on a flight. At the mo it's £633 for flight and hotel for when I want to go and at the hotel I usually stay at and cheapest flights with am outbound and later evening return seem to be about £450, so prob unlikely to get a hotel for less than £185 for 5 nights anyway even on one of these sites, I reckon?

Guess it might be better for UK hotels, or if you've got flights separately, such as through airmiles or something?

josie wrote: »

Just realised what you meant in post 2, blindman, I thought you were referring to Maritn's links and saying not to use them - doh!

Just realised your links actually refer to MSE posts that you've very comprehensively done - many thanks!! :A

Might give it a go for NYC, if I can get a decent price on a flight. At the mo it's £633 for flight and hotel for when I want to go and at the hotel I usually stay at and cheapest flights with am outbound and later evening return seem to be about £450, so prob unlikely to get a hotel for less than £185 for 5 nights anyway even on one of these sites, I reckon?

Guess it might be better for UK hotels, or if you've got flights separately, such as through airmiles or something?

Another tip for BetterBidding is the calendar feature. With this you can look at previously reported wins for the same dates, so you can get an idea of how much you should be looking to pay x