Priceline Hotel: 4* Baltimore (Inner Harbor-Downtown) Marriott Waterfront

[laurie100]

Hi All,

This is my first post so hopefully I will give all the info. needed.

Baltimore, Inner Harbor, 4*.

First bid $60.00

PRICELINE came back with "if you add 17.00 to your bid you may bid again now."

Added the $17.00 and paid $77.00 for one night (7/15/09) at the Renaissance. Total with tax 95.38.

Unfortunately, I booked the wrong date. Fortunately, I am able to travel on that date as Priceline was unable to change the reservation date. They would cancel the reservation (I did not add on the cancellation option), however, charging me one night's room rate, and if I successfully booked the correct date through them, they would rebate me back the amount of the room with the exception of $25.00. So essentially, a $25.00 cancellation fee. I have read here they have a very strict cancellation policy, but I felt this was reasonable. Since it is only one day and I can travel on that date, I declined, but this info. may be helpful to others who need to cancel.

Interestingly, I called the Renaissance as well as Mariott's 800 number to make a bed request, knowing they may or may not be able to honor my request. However, the girl at the Renaissance was very rude and short, stating that she cannot touch anything through PRICELINE and is not able to even make a note of my request for check in. Mariott said the same thing. I called Priceline, and they called the hotel, made the request while I waited, and then came on to state they were able to request the bedding I asked for and that it was available and the hotel made a note of my request, but still no guarantee at check in. This is fine; it is all I wanted the Mariott to do as well. Priceline also thought it was all very odd, but they called and came through for me. Great customer service from Priceline, not so much from the Mariott.

[thereuare]

Welcome to BetterBidding!

Congratulations on your success and thank you for sharing your results with the board.

Making room/bedding requests can be 'hit or miss'... sometimes you call and the clerk states they can't do anything with the reservation, call back a few hours later and a different clerk accepts your requests without issue. At many hotels the front desk clerk is the one who makes the reservation notations, and is also the one who has to handle the line of customers standing in front of them wating to check-in/check-out, so it's possible s/he was busy at the time and was getting stressed (still no excuse, but just giving the benefit of the doubt and taking a different perspective by putting yourself in the clerks shoes). Ultimately glad to see you worked it out, got your requests noted, and are happy with the PRICELINE experience and their customer service.

Please use these PRICELINE and HOTWIRE links to begin your travel purchases.

Enjoy your stay.