Priceline Hotel: 4* Toronto (Downtown) Sheraton Centre

[Zuton28]

Hi,

I'm British and using the Priceline site for the first time. I'm completely new to this and still confused at just how the whole game works and more importantly how priceline/hotel make any money. Sorry if I'm posting this email in the wrong place or looking like a complete idiot.

Anyway, I would like to attempt a bid for a 4* hotel and then maybe a 3* in the downtown Toronto area for the dates 05th June to 09th June. I will be happy to bid up to the equivalent value of US$120/night. Looking at recent successful bids I believe I should start as low as $60-70, is this feasable? What exactly should I do? Is it really safe and secure to do this bidding style of booking? It would be for a holiday and don't want the worry of turning up and finding nothing is there or have to pay the excess etc.?

Many thanks in advance for any advice.

[Zuton28]

Hi,

I have a deal on hotwire for a 4* in Downtown West (Customer Favourite) for $99/night between 06/05 - 06/09. Amenities:

Fitness Center, Pool(s), Rest., Business Center, High Speed Internet, Spa services.

Is this whole HOTWIRE thing really this good? Seems a little too good to be true for this price. Also, as a Brit can I still purchase?

Thanks for advice in advance.

[thereuare]

The above is a match for the Sheraton Centre so that would be our best guess as to the hotel's identity.

No problem using HOTWIRE from the UK.

Please use our HOTWIRE link to begin any purchases you make.

Let us know how it goes or if we can be of further help.

[Zuton28]

Hi,

Attempted to book but firstly there were issues with credit card and then finally it said it could not contact suppliers at this time?? Annoyingly, I have a horrible feeling my card has been charged though. I've emailed them to see what happened. Has this ever happened before?

[Will]

I would call your bank in that case, they can tell you for sure. If it said it didn't come through however and you have no information on the room, chances are they wouldn't hold you to the reservation. For Toronto I would honestly use priceline, you'll get a better price more than likely. You wont have to spend anywhere near $120 under normal circumstances.

If Hotwire/your bank confirms you weren't charged, since your not familiare with priceline I would do the following:

Try 4* Downtown Toronto for $60 if rejected try

4* Downtown Toronto, Brampton for $62

If Rejected close your browser re-access priceline and try:

4* Downtown Toronto, Don Valley for $62

If Rejected close your browser re-access priceline and try:

4* Downtown Toronto, Markham for $64

If Rejected close your browser re-access priceline and try:

4* Downtown Toronto,Mississauga for $68

If Rejected close your browser re-access priceline and try:

4* Downtown Toronto, Oakville - Burlington for $70

If Rejected close your browser re-access priceline and try:

4* Downtown Toronto,Scarborough - Pickering for $72

If Rejected close your browser re-access priceline and try:

4* Downtown Toronto,Toronto East for $74

If Rejected close your browser re-access priceline and try:

4* Downtown Toronto,Toronto West for $76

If Rejected close your browser re-access priceline and try:

4* Downtown Toronto,Brampton,Don Valley for $78

If Rejected close your browser re-access priceline and try:

4* Downtown Toronto,Brampton, Markham for $80

That should generate a win somewhere along the line, since there's so many re-bid zones in Toronto its very easy to get a win in one go. Let us know how it goes... Also to understand what your doing here, see this link.

As for the to good to be true, you can't cancel or change it so depending on your circumstances it's not always beneficial. Also realize the hotels willingly offer these lower rates, there's plenty discussed on this issue on the forums if you search around.

[Zuton28]

Hi,

Thanks for the advice. I found out that Hotwire asks for a certain amount to be taken from your available balance of your credit/debit card, even if the bid is unsuccessful. However, if it is unsuccessful, NO charge will go through, as they will have no completed record and therefore cannot take the money from the bank. This means that balance will go back up within the next couple of working days. Gave me a lot of confusion BUT the customer support from Hotwire was excellent in responding to my many checks. This may well happen a lot with various unsuccessful bids, so it may well be worth monitoring how much available balance you have prior to attempting these website deals.

Anyway, tried going for the $99/night for 4* Downtown West deal again and was told the same response in that the supplier/itinerary is unavailable, therefore although Hotwire claims a deal, it may not necessarily be available!

Next, tried Priceline (UK) site attempting 4* Downtown Toronto for dates 05th June to 09th June. Initial bid was equivalent to $70 (Rejected). Re-bid for 3* Downtown at $72 (Rejected). I shall try again after 24 hours. I really would like a downtown location.

Has anyone ever had these issues with Hotwire before?

[Zuton28]

Hi,

Needed to get on with booking the hotel. Offered $80 but got rejected. Was told a free bid by going up to $103. Thought that I should just go for it, as its still within my original budget.

GOT the Sheraton Centre Toronto Hotel. Looks like a good deal in the end. Thanks for peoples help.