Outsmart Priceline
Written: Feb 24 '02
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Get to know Priceline and you come out ahead every time. It works! First, don't think negatively for them---they are what they offer---you take a chance on what hotel or what flights you'll get, and in exchange, you can save a fortune. The trick is getting what you really want. First, remember, their trick is to get you to offer more. The key is to offer less. First and always---go to hotwire.com and see what their price will be. This establishes the maximum of what you would ever offer thru priceline. Next, offer about 70% of hotwire's price. They are very similiar in terms of what you end up with. On Priceline, always leave yourself an option you can add later---so, when searching hotels, only select one area of town that you will accept. On airlines, don't check that you will accept non-jet. You can expand those later, which entitle you to try again. Now, this is important: no matter what they tell you after your bid---stick to it. They almost always will try to discourage you by saying "you have a very poor chance of getting the flight or hotel at this price". Nonsense. Follow my guidelines and you will get what you want.
Now, if it comes back and says you lose, never, under any circumstances accept what they offer. Always go back, change something, add a geographic area or indicate you will accept non-jet (you'll hardly ever end up on a prop plane anyway), add 10-20% of your original price, and you will almost always win.
People complain that they had a hotel that wasn't their first choice or they had a little layover. This is the price you pay to save a fortune! To protect yourself on hotels, always request 3 stars or better. These are average business-type hotels. In NYC for example, I always ask for 3 star or 4 star. I never have paid more than $130. I've paid as little as 80. In Clevelnad and Pittsburgh, I offer $50 all the time, and have never lost! You just have to stick to your guns. They must move these rooms, and their goal is to get you to offer more.
Priceline really is a great service, and if you use hotwire as your hallmark, you really can't go wrong. You will never end up at the Ritz and you will rarely get a non-stop flight, but you will save a ton, and sometimes, that's what it is all about.
I rate priceline very high becuase they deliver precisely what they offer and there are never any problems. Read carefully----your bid on flights is exclusive of taxes and a 5.95 service charge, so add that in when you are thinking it out. Hotwire's price includes those. Likewise with hotels.
Hope this helps. Be smart, save a fortune, stick to your guns!
Recommended:
Yes
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