Priceline Hotel: Help Needed - Fort Lauderdale 8/7-8/8

[newbie92]

Hello all -

I have never bid on priceline before, and thought I've read through the boards, I am still a little confused. First I booked a cruise through priceline and got a $140 Bonus Cash credit to use at a hotel. I figure I'll go down a day early and use it then (8/7 checkin - 8/8 checkout)

My question are:

1. When I bid, does this Bonus Cash cover tax etc? I've called priceline and gotten as many answers as representatives

2. I figure I'll try 4* in the "beach" zone and go from there - but what hotels am I likely to get? I've read on the board that the hotels on the 'name your own price' are different than if you were placing a straight reservation.

3. Can hotels at the low end accept my bid (i.e. a hotel that charges $99 per night accept a $140 bid and thereby profit)

4. How do I arrange for double beds - just call the hotel directly?

Help please :)

and THANK YOU!!! :)

[newbie92]

Update: I figured out the answer to #1 (no it doesn't cover tax) and #4 (just call ahead)

But I'm still nervous what hotels I might get - I have my heart set on the W but I'm not sure how to get it. Thoughts?

Help still needed :o

Hello all -

I have never bid on priceline before, and thought I've read through the boards, I am still a little confused. First I booked a cruise through priceline and got a $140 Bonus Cash credit to use at a hotel. I figure I'll go down a day early and use it then (8/7 checkin - 8/8 checkout)

My question are:

1. When I bid, does this Bonus Cash cover tax etc? I've called priceline and gotten as many answers as representatives

2. I figure I'll try 4* in the "beach" zone and go from there - but what hotels am I likely to get? I've read on the board that the hotels on the 'name your own price' are different than if you were placing a straight reservation.

3. Can hotels at the low end accept my bid (i.e. a hotel that charges $99 per night accept a $140 bid and thereby profit)

4. How do I arrange for double beds - just call the hotel directly?

Help please :)

and THANK YOU!!! :)

[AaronJB]

Welcome to Betterbidding. :)

There is a list of hotels that have been reported to the board in FL on PRICELINE at this link. Betterbidding offers - in each state section - a list of HOTWIRE and PRICELINE properties that have been reported to the board.

Rates do need to be considered when bidding - if there is a possible 4* showing with a $99 regular rate, I'd certainly bid considerably less at the first attempt. Attempting to bid more to get a particular property can very easily lead to overbidding for the hotel you may have gotten for less. There is no way to ensure a particular property via PRICELINE; the service requires one to be flexible about which hotel they may get. If you bid 4* in the "beach" area of Ft. Lauderdale, be prepared to possibly get any of the 4*'s in that zone.

PRICELINE only guarantees 1 bed/double occupancy. A request can be made with the hotel and they may say yes, but they can say no or charge an upgrade fee, as well.

Please use the site's HOTWIRE or PRICELINE links to start your purchases and searches.