Priceline Hotel: 2* Ft Myers (Fort Myers) Fairfield Inn

[Matthew]

Hello everyone,

I love this board and so after not getting a clear answer from Priceline or Hotwire regarding their "Severe Weather Policy", I wanted to ask if anyone has had experience. I'm taking a trip to Fort Myers, FL during the middle of hurricane season, so I'm questioning whether or not it would be wise to use Priceline/Hotwire. I'm getting the feeling that if the hotel closes, I can definitely get a refund or change my travel plans, but I'm not familiar with how often they do this in Florida if there's a hurricane or tropical storm watch/warning out. Additionally, when do airlines typical cancel flights [when a watch/warning is posted, or when the hurricane actually hits]? I've had my travel plans affected by ice storms before in St. Louis, but that was only after the storm hit and crippled the airport.

Does anyone from Florida have some insight into this? Or anyone else have experience?

If anyone could get back to be as soon as possible, I would very much appreciate it as my travel dates are fast approaching [9/11-18]. I'm also considering calling the two companies to get a clearer answer.

Thanks everyone!

@Matthew

This is the information I received from Customer Service via e-mail:

For Priceline:

> Date: Tue, 28 Aug 2007 00:59:45 -0400

> To: matthewsoft

> Subject: Customer Service (KMM24504954V77140L0KM)

> From: hotel at cs.priceline

>

> Dear Mr. Weyer,

>

> Thank you for taking the time to send us an e-mail. We understand that

> you would know the policy of the refund or changes of the hotel and

> rental reservation in the detail in case of severe weather, hurricane or

> tropical storm.

>

> As advised earlier, in situations such as these, we will evaluate

> requests on a case by case basis.

>

> We apologize, but we are unable to advise this issue in further details.

>

> Once again, we apologize for any inconvenience and hope this information

> is helpful to you.

>

> Sincerely,

>

> Ashish U.

> Customer Service Specialist

From: matthewsoft

To: hotel at cs.priceline

Subject: RE: Customer Service (KMM24503407V63632L0KM)

Date: Mon, 27 Aug 2007 21:31:37 -0500

Dear Priceline:

Thank you for your response. I understand that the Severe Weather Event Policies is a handled on a case by case basis. However, normally during hurricane or tropical storm warnings and watches, are customers typically granted refunds or changes to the reservation? I'm not familiar with how hotels and rental car companies handle these situations. Any detailed information you can offer would be appreciated.

Thank you,

@Matthew

> Date: Mon, 27 Aug 2007 21:14:02 -0400

> To: matthewsoft

> Subject: Customer Service (KMM24503407V63632L0KM)

> From: hotel at cs.priceline

>

> Dear Mr. Weyer,

>

> Thank you for taking the time to send us an e-mail. We understand that

> you would like to know when the severe weather event policies for hotel

> and rental car request.

>

> In situations such as these, we will evaluate requests on a case by case

> basis.

>

> We apologize for any inconvenience and hope this information is helpful

> to you.

>

> Sincerely,

>

> Vijay K.

> Customer Service Specialist

From: matthewsoft

To: hotel at cs.priceline

Subject: RE: Customer Service (KMM24501925V52835L0KM)

Date: Mon, 27 Aug 2007 18:40:09 -0500

Dear Priceline:

Thank you for your e-mail, but my question is in regards to the Severe Weather Event Policies. Can you tell me when it applies?

Severe Weather Event Policies

In the event of a hurricane or other severe weather event, we will work with our travel partners to provide assistance for customers as outlined below.

Airline Tickets

To request a change to your reservation in the event of severe weather, you must contact us or the airline before the originally scheduled departure time. Failure to do so may cause the airline to invalidate your reservation, causing your ticket to lose its value for future travel or refund.

The ability to make changes to an airline reservation is dependent on the fare rules associated with your ticket(s). Any exceptions to the fare rules are at the sole discretion of the carrier. Most major carriers allow customers to rebook reservations affected by severe weather within a set number of days without incurring administrative change fees; however, if rebooking results in a higher fare, customers are responsible for the difference in price.

If carrier exceptions are granted, we also will waive our associated fees.

Hotels/Rental Cars/Tours and Attractions

If a weather event occurs close to your travel date, we recommend that you contact your provider directly to determine if they are open for business and will honor your reservation.

If the provider indicates that they are not open, or for any concern about a reservation in an area impacted by a weather event, please contact us for assistance. Depending on the severity of the weather event and the areas impacted, requests to change or cancel your reservation may be granted.

If a change or cancel is allowed, we will also will waive our associated fees.

Thank you,

@Matthew

> Date: Mon, 27 Aug 2007 18:14:11 -0400

> To: matthewsoft

> Subject: Customer Service (KMM24501925V52835L0KM)

> From: hotel at cs.priceline

>

> Dear Mr. Weyer,

>

> Thank you for taking the time to send us an e-mail. We understand that

> you would like to know the cancellation policy for hotel and rental car

> before making the request.

>

> In regards to your hotel request:-

>

> While placing a request on our website, you have a choice. You can

> either select a specific hotel from a list of participating properties

> with our Shop & Compare option or you can choose to Name Your Own

> Price

[thereuare]

As the replies to your email idicate, it is determined on a case by case basis (not per user, but storm by storm basis). When there has been a severe hurricane imminent in the past they have refunded hotel stays, but this has been when the storm was imminent... not just for 'warnings' or 'watches'.

If this is of concern to you i would either book thru a refundable method and/or wait until a few days before your stay before using priceline or hotwire, when you know that there aren't any impending hurricanes. (or buy insurance which would cover such an act)

[Matthew]

Thanks thereuare for your reply. I will review the insurance policies for both companies, but does anyone have experience with this as well? Is one program better than the other? Opinions?

I guess my concern was that a hurricane would move through the Miami area [my layover] on the travel date, thus canceling my flight, but it doesn't actually "hit" my hotel area, thus not allowing me to cancel/change my car/hotel reservation. How likely do you think the insurance company or Priceline/Hotwire wouldn't allow a cancellation/re-booking? The whole point when a Hurricane warning is issued, is that a Hurricane is imminent. I really don't understand why they don't have a clearer policy saying that weather warnings for affected reservations are always covered, even if they do always cover them on per case basis.

Thanks again for the feedback, always appreciated!

@Matthew

[Matthew]

Hello everyone,

Just wanted to do a quick update. Thankfully there are no tropical depression/storms/hurricanes forecast to come to Florida. I went ahead and booked the Suburban Extended Stay Hotel in Fort Myers, since I could cancel it, and it was only $60 [which I found out later is a weekly rate!]. Anyway, I had to go to NYC on short notice, so the cancellation deadline passed before I could do the search to bid. So I'm staying at the hotel now for the past two nights, but I just got the Fairfield Inn by Marriott for $35! I tried the islands and beaches in the area of Ft Myers, up to $62 with a 2* to no avail. Then I saw people were getting 2* hotels in the Ft Myers and Naples cities for as low as $28! I noticed LaQuinta Inn went for $35 in Ft Myers, the hotel had the amenities I wanted, and placed the bid. To my pleasant surprise, I got a better hotel! Hopefully they can upgrade me to the executive king, because I bought some groceries.

Anyway, it's late and I really need some sleep. Wish me luck that Florida's tropical weather doesn't get too out of hand. Next time I'm coming down here in December, LOL!

@Matthew

[thereuare]

I'm confused as to your post above... can you please re-iterate what priceline hotel you won, the zone, star rating, winning bid amount, and dates.

Thanks.

[Matthew]

Yes I will, I was planning on it, I was just very tired at the time, and I have 1 hour to pack up and move to the new hotel. I'll post to this thread, plus make a new proper one in the Priceline FL forum.

@Matthew

[doublehelix]

I love this board and so after not getting a clear answer from Priceline or Hotwire regarding their "Severe Weather Policy" ... I'm getting the feeling that if the hotel closes, I can definitely get a refund or change my travel plans ... Does anyone from Florida have some insight into this? Or anyone else have experience?

Here's a hotel review that touches on my Hurricane Wilma + Priceline experience two years ago.

~Jen

[Matthew]

Thanks Jen!

Here's a hotel review that touches on my Hurricane Wilma + Priceline experience two years ago.

~Jen

[thereuare]

I'm confused as to your post above... can you please re-iterate what priceline hotel you won, the zone, star rating, winning bid amount, and dates.

Yes I will, I was planning on it, I was just very tired at the time, and I have 1 hour to pack up and move to the new hotel. I'll post to this thread, plus make a new proper one in the Priceline FL forum.

@Matthew

I think others on this board answered your question(s) in a timely manner... please post the details of your win as you stated you would.

Thanks.

[Matthew]

I'm sorry thereuare, I have been very busy traveling, I just came down to visit my grandmother who just went into a Alzheimer's Special Care Center, and I wrote up my review and details of the win while I was on the train, but I didn't have time to post it. It is available at Priceline Fort Myers Fairfield Inn. Obviously not all of us can be as devoted to this board as you are.

This was a very nice hotel, especially for the low price! I love traveling in Florida during the off-season, I also got an excellent deal on the car rental through Enterprise ($80.00/week w/o taxes for compact, which was upgraded to an SUV for $35 more). I actually flew in to Florida on the 11th, but had a reservation at the Choice Hotels Suburban ExtendedStay, because I was concerned about travel cancellations with the hurricane season. I was going to try Priceline/Hotwire before the cancellation deadline, but I was just getting back from NYC. I was thinking about staying at the Suburban ExtendedStay the entire time, after learning that the rate I booked was a weekly, not a nightly rate [which was $20 more], but the Internet at the hotel stopped working. The manager was going to discount the rate to $40, but I had already purchased with Priceline. Plus, the Fairfield Inn had a nice continental breakfast.

I was a little concerned that the hotel didn't have a refrigerator, since I already purchased some food at a grocery store, but thankfully they have both refrigerators and microwaves that guests can rent for free, they just wheel them into the room. The executive suites had refrigerators in them, but the hotel was unwilling to accept an up-charge for the better rooms without paying the full price. The executive suites also have a plasma TV I think.

Overall, the property was great, a good location, very nice staff, pool was nice, Internet worked well overall, and then even had cookies in the evening.

Congratulations, you got your price of $35 for a 2-star hotel room.

Fairfield Inn By Marriott Fort Myers 2-star

Fort Myers

7090 Cypress Terrace

Fort Myers, Florida 33907

239-437-5600

Check-In Date:

Thu, Sep 13, 2007 / After 03:00 PM

Check-Out Date:

Tue, Sep 18, 2007 / 12:00 PM

Amenities: Remote control TV w/ premium channels Telephone w/ messaging Radio Alarm Clock

Payment Information

Your Offer Price Per Room, Per Night: $35.00

Subtotal: $175.00

Taxes & Service Fees: $29.12

Total Charges*: $204.12

@Matthew