Upgrading rooms on Priceline?

[macgreiner]

Considering going to Waikiki beach area in March. Last year we booked on Hotwire. If we bid on Priceline Name Your Own Price can we upgrade the room some time in the bidding process or after by calling the hotel?

Also we would really like the Sheraton Waikiki. That is where we stayed last time. Any tips on how to achieve this with Priceline bidding or do we just take our chances with choosing the resort category?

Thanks!

[yellowdog]

If we bid on Priceline Name Your Own Price can we upgrade the room some time in the bidding process or after by calling the hotel?

No, you can't upgrade a room on PRICELINE during the bidding process. You have to do this after you have secured a hotel. And in the end is this up to the hotel. They might say they don't upgrade PRICELINE guests. But you can get lucky and get an upgrade for free or you may have to pay for it.

Also we would really like the Sheraton Waikiki. That is where we stayed last time. Any tips on how to achieve this with Priceline bidding or do we just take our chances with choosing the resort category?

You can't bid on a specific hotel when using PRICELINE. You have to be able to accept any hotel in the zone at the star rating (or higher) you select.

I hope this answer your questions?

Let us know how we can help you further.

Please use the PRICELINE and HOTWIRE links on the board to begin your travel purchases.

Yellowdog.

[thereuare]

Also we would really like the Sheraton Waikiki. That is where we stayed last time.

Was 'last time' this Hotwire Waikiki stay in February 2010... please follow-up that thread with whatever you did for that trip so that the information can help other users.

Please remember to follow-up your threads with whatever you end up doing for the stay, even if you choose to book direct, cancel your trip, etc.

Please use the PRICELINE and HOTWIRE links on the board to begin your travel purchases.

[macgreiner]

No, you can't upgrade a room on PRICELINE during the bidding process. You have to do this after you have secured a hotel. And in the end is this up to the hotel. They might say they don't upgrade PRICELINE guests. But you can get lucky and get an upgrade for free or you may have to pay for it.

Thanks for your help. That is what I feared. So it pretty much hit or miss depending on the hotel. It appears that the reward is potentially greater with Priceline - higher risk = higher reward.

[AaronJB]

With the discounts on either service, I would not go in expecting a free upgrade, but what I tend to recommend is to call in advance and politely ask if there was any way that upgrades may be available. From there, you can negotiate. If they say no, then you can try again at check-in. It may depend on who you talk to and policy on this subject varies from hotel-to-hotel. Upgrade fee is often the difference between a regular rate room and the upgrade, although that may vary.

If one really wants to ensure an upgrade though, the best way to do so is book it full rate.

Thank you for using the site's HOTWIRE or PRICELINE links to start your purchases and searches.