Priceline Hotel: First time bidder (orlando-downtown)

[miamary05]

I've never used priceline or hotwire before but a friend used priceline and had a good experience so I want to give it a try. I have a couple of questions so hopefully someone can answer them, First off I have been checking the express deals and I wonder if its a better deal then bidding? The have a 3 and 1/2 star hotel in downtown orlando for $69 Would this be a better deal then bidding?

If not then my next question is I would like to try to get a 3 and 1/2 or even 4 star hotel in downtown and pay no more then $70 is that even possible? I know alot of people say that you can kinda predict what hotel you will get by look at the amenities but where do I find that out? My biggest concern about buying a hotel without knowing what hotel it is, is location. How accurate is the location with priceline? Our plans is to visit the amway center for a basketball game and just walk from the hotel to the game (or shuttle if the hotel offers it for free) I'm afraid of bidding on a hotel and getting stuck with one that is miles away from the arena.

I guess for now I will checking the winning bids forum and see what others came up with.. I appreicate all the help!

[thereuare]

Welcome to BetterBidding!

I have a couple of questions so hopefully someone can answer them, First off I have been checking the express deals and I wonder if its a better deal then bidding? The have a 3 and 1/2 star hotel in downtown orlando for $69 Would this be a better deal then bidding?

You never know until you bid... we have seen some instances where bidding has undercut the rate shown on the PRICELINE express side of their service... we have also seen bids up to the same price as the express deal being turned down. Currently there is a link and 5% code in my signature so you could bring that $69/nite rate down to $66 or so.

If not then my next question is I would like to try to get a 3 and 1/2 or even 4 star hotel in downtown and pay no more then $70 is that even possible?

It depends upon rates for your dates... when is your stay?

I know alot of people say that you can kinda predict what hotel you will get by look at the amenities but where do I find that out?

That would be HOTWIRE... see this I've Never Used Priceline or Hotwire thread for a discussion on the similarities, and differences, of each service.

My biggest concern about buying a hotel without knowing what hotel it is, is location. How accurate is the location with priceline? Our plans is to visit the amway center for a basketball game and just walk from the hotel to the game (or shuttle if the hotel offers it for free) I'm afraid of bidding on a hotel and getting stuck with one that is miles away from the arena.

The zone is accurate in the sense that you can receive a hotel anywhere within the shaded boundaries of the zone that you select. Given that this zone is ~4 mile wide and ~4 miles tall, you can't ensure that you're going to be within a walkable distance of your desired location.

The opaque services are best when your plans are flexible and don't need to be in a specific hotel or within a specific location within the zone... being flexible is the trade-off for the deep discounts that are often seen thru the opaque providers. If you need to be in a specific location try our sister site MAPS and HOTELS.com which makes it easy to see the options in a given location as well as how much more/less it would cost to stay closer/further away from your exact location OR to go up/down in star rating.

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

Let us know whatever you decide to do for this stay and how we can be of further help.