I tried several times with bids of $46 and $51, using Danvers-Peabody as a free rebid zone. (I knew that the only reported 3* in that zone, the Sheraton Ferncroft, was sold out for my dates.) After an unsuccessful $51 bid, I succeeded with a $53 bid (the consensus historically successful bid amount). Marriott's online rate for my dates was $109, and I avoided the other 3* in the Peabody-Salem zone, the Sheraton Colonial ($79 for my dates).
Marriott Peabody (Peabody-Salem)
8a Centennial Dr
Peabody, Massachusetts 01960
978-977-9700
Your Offer Price: $53.00
Number of Rooms: 1
Number of Nights: 2
Subtotal: $106.00
Taxes & Service Fees: $19.29
Total Charges: $125.29
Check-In Date: Fri, Mar 30, 2007
Check-In Time: After 04:00 PM
Check-Out Date: Sun, Apr 1, 2007
Check-Out Time: 12:00 PM
The amenities shown were:
* Complimentary Breakfast
* Business Center
Booked three days prior to stay; $43.95 all in.
(I tried 2* @ $29 on priceline.com first without success, knowing that Hotwire was offering a 2* @ $33.)
My apologies for omitting the date in the thread title: Saturday, January 15, 2005.
Thanks for the advice. I'm glad that you agree that this practice falls short of Priceline's value proposition that its guests will be treated the same as any other guest. I'll post updates on the progress of my complaints.
On 1/15/05, the Louisville Embassy Suites (East) quoted a similar policy: "All priceline.com reservations are booked as Smoking King" (exact words of the front-desk clerk; I asked that she repeat it). The price of the "dubious upsell" to an equivalent nonsmoking room was $10.
I concur with the sentiments posted above: If this practice becomes widespread, it will have an impact on Priceline's revenues. I've been a Priceline customer since their launch, and this is the first time I've encountered this sharp practice.
As for the Louisville Embassy Suites: Sure, I readily admit that I was a leisure traveler freeloading on a cut-rate rate this weekend. But the next time I'm heading to Louisville on business, guess which property I'm instructing my travel department to bypass when booking my lodging?
Caveat emptor!
I tried to snag the 3* Hyatt Downtown, starting at $41. Incremental bids using free rebids were unsuccessful, so as a last resort I included East (knowing that there would be inventory) and bid $51 to ensure that the bid would be accepted. This was a bit of an overbid -- the going rate seems to be $47 -- but it was my last shot at a 3* (already within 72 hours).
At check-in, I was told that the property's policy is that "all priceline.com reservations are booked as Smoking King." They will "upgrade" priceline customers to a nonsmoking room for $10. (Note: This was neither a sold-out nor a late check-in situation; equivalent nonsmoking rooms were available only upon payment of the additional fee.) I declined this generous offer and am drafting my complaints to priceline and Embassy Suites corporate. See this thread for a discussion of this "dubious upsell" practice:
3* Providence (Downtown) Radisson
in Priceline Hotels - Rhode Island
Posted
On a lark, I started out with a $60 bid for the 4* Westin, which, of course, was promptly rejected.
I added 3* and changed my bid to $40, aiming for the Radisson, and it was accepted. The lowest reported (recent) successful bids for this property were $39-$40. I didn't bother with the two available free rebid zones. Radisson's online rate for my date was $129.
Radisson Hotel Providence Harbour (Providence Downtown)
220 India Street
Providence, Rhode Island 02903
401-272-5577
Your Offer Price: $40.00
Number of Rooms: 1
Number of Nights: 1
Subtotal: $40.00
Taxes & Service Fees: $12.61
Total Charges: $52.61
Check-In Date: Sun, Apr 1, 2007
Check-In Time: After 03:00 PM
Check-Out Date: Mon, Apr 2, 2007
Check-Out Time: 11:00 AM