Priceline Hotel: 4* Chicago (Millenium Park - The Loop - Grant Park) The Fairmont Chicago

[light packer]

I won a PL bid on The Fairmont. I went to TripAdvisor and read the negative reviews about this hotel. One review horrified me - the reviewer said they used PL to book, but upon checking in, they were told that the hotel was overbooked! They were sent away to another hotel... somewhere miles away! Here is the link to that review:

Scroll down to "No Room at the Inn" Rating 1

This is my 4th time using PL. My previous experiences were all satisfactory. Now if something like this happened to me, can I call up PL and ask that they re-book me in a hotel in the same area for the same price?

[thereuare]

Congratulations on your success!

With 200+ reviews since the 'problem' one you linked to above, which is over a year old, i'd focus on the positive and not the negative ;). Just like airlines, hotels have a certain percentage of rooms that they calculate will be a 'no show' and may attempt to overbook in order to increase revenue. All is fine unless everyone shows up for their reservation. It's standard industry practice in such instances that the hotel book you at a nearby hotel of equal quality, pay for transportation to the new hotel (if you don't have a car with you), and that nite is free... you'll often need to return to the original hotel to complete your reservation if it's a multi-nite stay. The problem becomes murkier if there is an event in town and all hotels in the immediate area are sold-out. All of this is more the exception than the rule, and the need to get 'walked' (industry term for when a hotel can't accommodate the guest who has a reservation) is a rare event in today's economic climate. Unless you're attending during a time when you expect hotels to be sold-out do to a large event, i wouldn't think twice about it (and even if there is a large event i wouldn't be too concerned)

Thank you for sharing your win with the board.

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

Enjoy your stay.

[light packer]

Thanks for the lengthy and informative explanation on the overbooking practice, but my question is not about that.

I am not focusing on the negative reviews, but I do prefer reading them over positives because it's a treasure trove of travel nightmares, equally informative and entertaining.

I just wanted to know if PL is going to have my back on a situation similar to that reviewer's.

After winning the bid, are we left at the mercy of the hotel, with PL's involvement concluded after sending us the itinerary?

[thereuare]

The hotel is typically the one who will find you a replacement property, but if you're not happy with the resolution and are unable to work it out with the hotel, then you can ask PRICELINE to intervene.

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