travelguy2

Unfortunately you are looking to go to Europe in the peak summer season. Fares to Europe for summer, right now, are extremely high. Even from Washington to AMS (or anywhere else on the continent) would be around $1400 for those dates. You could fly to London for around $1000 R/T and possibly find a cheaper way of getting from London to AMS, but that won't likely save you that much money when it's all done, and would be a headache. At this point the fares are what they are. I would suggest just watching and waiting and if the fare gets closer to acceptable, book it. Be aware that it may be impossible to do CLT to AMS in the summer for around $1000 - that's why I say closer to acceptable - but if the fares do drop to that level, by all means, book it. Part of the problem may be that airlines are forecasting better demand this summer and have set fares higher. If demand does not materialize as expected, fares could drop modestly at some point in the next month or two. However, be aware that you're only 3.5 months out now, and it may also just be that all the cheap fares are already sold. Good luck!

Tough night...bids up to $39 for 2.5* and 3* in airport zone were rejected. Still, it's a fraction of the $129+ if you booked the hotel normally...so I'm not complaining too loudly! I used the PRICELINE link to bid.

Hyatt Regency Denver Tech Center Tech Center North 7800 East Tufts Avenue Denver, Colorado 80237 303-779-1234 Your Offer Price Per Room, Per Night: $41.00 Subtotal: $82.00 Taxes & Fees: $19.02 Total Charges*: $101.02 Just won this after several rebids ($38, $39, $40 all failed...). This is a great deal if you're still looking for a nice hotel in Denver for Valentine's Weekend. I've stayed here several times before - all on Priceline stays - and always had excellent rooms and service. One downside is that they charge for parking, but if you stayed downtown you would also pay for parking as well as paying more for your room! "Best Available Rate" on the Hyatt website is $109 per night!! I used the PRICELINE link to bid. Thanks as always :)

First bid of $35 was rejected, but $39 was accepted. Used the PRICELINE link to bid.

Won on the first try, after bids up to $45 for 3* and 2.5* were rejected. Amazingly, this hotel's published rate for the date is $139! I did use the PRICELINE link to bid.

After failing at $55, $58, and $60, I won this hotel at $62. I was offered rebids of $70 and $75 along the way, which I of course declined. I used the PRICELINE link to bid. It looks like the lowest rate on the hotel's web site is $143 so this is more than 50% off :)

I remember back in 2006-7 this hotel could routinely be won for $29 on virtually any weekend night and some weekdays too. At that time, I thought $29 was a great deal. Now, I'd say $32 is still a great deal. It's a pretty decent hotel, located right off I-25 (but not that far from the Cherry Creek area) and has free parking. Good to know it's still around!

Won this on the first bid. This is the former Holiday Inn at Chambers Rd/I-70.

Failed bids at $55 and $60 before winning this one at $65.

Header pretty much says it all. Won this on the first bid. This is the former Holiday Inn at I-70/Chambers...will be interested to see if the transition to a Crowne Plaza involved anything other than a new sign and exterior paint job, LOL

No, you should not contact Priceline to dispute it...since Priceline isn't the one charging you the resort fee (the hotel is), Priceline can't do anything about it. Unfortunately, you are stuck with this reservation and with the resort fee. Priceline does warn you that additional fees may be charged. Even though you bid for a 4*, it's possible for Priceline to "upgrade" you if a higher-star-level hotel is available at your price. So you may end up with a Resort even if you bid for a 4*. Furthermore, even if this is a 4* (I'm not sure, and it's irrelevant anyway) the hotel is still allowed to charge a resort fee. I have even heard of 2*/3* hotels in tourist oriented places like Orlando charging a resort fee, allegedly for things like pool towels that used to be free. This is one of the downsides to using Priceline. The upside is, think about how much money you are saving even WITH paying the resort fee. Also, keep in mind that EVERYONE at the property pays the resort fee, whether they booked with Priceline or paid full price. So, although it's unfortunate, at least it's not unfair.

The title pretty much says it all...won on the first bid at $50.

Are you averse to changing hotels if necessary to save the most money? If not, try bidding the less-heavily-booked dates first, maybe June 2-7 as one bid, and see what you get. If you get something good, try to use the "add a night" feature on Priceline to add May 31 or June 1. If that doesn't work, you can always try a separate, higher, bid for those nights only.

This entire weekend is very expensive all over South Florida. If you don't care about being close to the beach, I won the Renaissance Plantation 4* for $140 on Priceline. That's about half of their regular rate of $289. Hotwire also has a 3* resort which is almost certainly the Newport Beachside Hotel Resort in Sunny Isles Beach, for $79 per night. Just be careful that you don't end up spending $269 on HOTWIRE for the Crowne Plaza when you could book it regular for $255...that always smarts! Good luck.

Hotel rates over Presidents' Day Weekend are appallingly high all over South Florida, so this looks high but is actually a significant savings. The lowest rate on the hotel's website is $289!! I used the SavingsBarn link to bid.

After all that, and some unsuccessful Priceline bids, I've concluded that there isn't going to be a sure-thing for under $70 this weekend in Colorado Springs (even my usual worst-case-scenario backup, the Drury, is $79), so I decided it was worth spending points instead. For those with Priority Club points, the Staybridge Suites in Colorado Springs is only 5000 per night for a 1BR suite!! This is an amazing deal so I decided to take advantage of that instead. Thanks for your advice on the hotels, though...it is invaluable.

Nope, now I am seeing a 3* in the South zone, but otherwise it appears identical - customer favorite, and the exact same amenities (shuttle, fitness, pool, restaurant, biz center, HSIA) as before.

I'm looking for a hotel for a stay in Colorado Springs on the dates of 11/30 through 12/2 - Hotwire gives three options as Best Value and I'm trying to figure out which one might be the best choice. 2.5* Colorado Springs South - Shuttle, Fitness, Pool, Restaurant, Business Center, Laundry - this seems to be a definite match for the Clarion. I haven't stayed at the Clarion before, but I've driven by it and wasn't impressed, and the reviews seem to be equally mediocre. So, I'm hoping one of the other two will be a hotel I'd like better. 2.5* Colorado Springs North - amenities are only Pool and Laundry. This doesn't seem to be a match for any of the ones listed (or that I know of). Most of the 2.5* hotels in that area offer a free breakfast so this seems a little unusual, unless it's an extended stay place. Any ideas? 3* Colorado Springs North (customer favorite) - amenities are shuttle, fitness, pool, restaurant, business center, HSIA. I have no idea. Do you have a guess as to what this one might be? Thanks for any advice you can offer, and I will report back on what I decide to do and find out.

By using a service such as Expedia, Travelocity, etc. which allows you to see the exact identity and location of the hotel before you buy it.

Just won this hotel at $33 on the first bid... Radisson Hotel Denver Southeast Aurora 3200 South Parker Road Aurora, Colorado 80014 303-695-1700 Your Offer Price Per Room, Per Night: $33.00 Subtotal: $66.00 Taxes & Service Fees: $16.23 Total Charges*: $82.23 The lowest price on the hotel website is $74 so I am saving well over 50%!! :) Also, although I have no need for an airport shuttle, the hotel web site notes that this is the only hotel in the Southeast Denver area with a complimentary airport shuttle, so it might be a useful alternative to bidding in the airport zone. I used the Savingsbarn link to catch this great deal!

Just won this hotel at a great price: Hampton Inn Colorado Springs-I-25 N 7245 Commerce Center Colorado Springs, Colorado 80919 (719) 593-9700 The amenities shown are pool, breakfast, and laundry. I paid $34/night. The lowest price on the hotel's web site is $79/night so I am getting well over half off. I used the HOTWIRE link. Thanks for a great site.

Wow. I have no idea how you do that, but you were right... Hampton Inn Colorado Springs-I-25 N 7245 Commerce Center Colorado Springs, Colorado 80919 (719) 593-9700 Will post a separate thread with my win. Thanks.

In general (ie assuming there aren't conventions or other similar issues in your location), early November is not high season in Minneapolis, Denver, most of Canada (Montreal? Toronto? Vancouver?), and much of Florida. However, there are reasons for that, so just be aware: Minneapolis - it's probably getting cold Canada - ditto, in general Denver - cold, yet it's too early to have good skiing Florida - you are still in hurricane season I'd check those out and see if you can find something enticing.

October 26 and 27, 2007

As I said - Amenities are Pool, Laundry, Breakfast, 2.5* in Colorado Springs North. I have no idea what this hotel is - consulted the hotel lists, and they don't have anything similar listed - but it has a great price for the upcoming weekend of $34/night. Anyone have any clue? Thanks