Hotwire or Priceline?

rawpixels

I'm going to both Seattle shows in September and want to find the cheapest hotel. I tried Priceline and put in $70 for a 4 Star in the Downtown/Pike's Place/Space Needle areas, but it was rejected. I've never used Hotwire. Has anyone had a good/bad experience with Hotwire?

Has anyone used Priceline for their Seattle stay in September, and if so, what hotel did you wind up with and for how much?

Jeff Murray

I ended up using the deal offered by the Best Western close to the arena for $95 a night.

Here is a link that some fans had regarding their priceline experience:

viewtopic.php?f=4&t=103219&start=30#p2435120

I think I'm sticking with the Best Western rather then roll the dice for another place.

I would find something sooner then later, there is a lot going on that weekend in Seattle. The Yanks are in town, USC is playing Washington, and of course the crazy convention of Pearl Jam fans....

cdp1223

I have used Hotwire for Toronto and Philadelphia and have had great luck. Have tons of friends who use it all the time. The only thing with Hotwire is that it is cheaper than Priceline because you could be ANYWHERE...well within the neighborhood you specify. You just have to not be picky. I have found very very nice hotels on there that I would never have been able to stay in otherwise for $50-$75 a night. If you are open to being surprised with the exact hotel you will be at, then it is great.

You can also search around on betterbidding.com and compare neighborhood, star rating, and amenities to try to guess the hotel on Hotwire. It helps, but isn't 100%.

Good luck!

readingtheriotact

I've used Hotwire for booking rental cars, and the first (and only) time that I used it, the first thing that the car rental representative said when I got to the airport was, "Ah ... Hotwire .... the king of the misquote." I was then told that the Hotwire price wasn't even close to the real price.

rawpixels

I wound up with the Red Lion Hotel (3 and a half stars) on 5th Ave for $85 a night. Not too bad, but ok.

_

I've had horrible customer service experiences with Priceline. To make a long story short, they wouldn't let us cancel our hotel reservation even though it was in time to cancel because the guy who answered the phone at the customer service call center kept thinking it was the next day. :evil:

vedderfan10

I once got the Westin in downtown Seattle for $99 - in May of this year..

Now I just need to get the Marriott in Salt Lake City for cheap!

5882300

I always use Priceline and have had great luck. You can keep trying every 24 hours and if you have enough time you can up your price by a buck or two. Used Priceline all through Europe the day before I left for each city and got sweet deals.
Never used Hotwire so not sure there.
Good Luck and may the Priceline Negotiator be with you.

Tuolumne Mama

I've always used priceline and found persistence pays off. I start very low and keep putting in the same price day after day until they finally come back and say if you add $10 you can have it. We got the Inner Harbor Sheraton for $55 a night this past summer in Baltimore for EV solo. I started the same thing with them as soon as I had my tickets for the 30th and ended up with $70 a night plus charges, then when I got the 31st I simply added a night to this reservation. I usually purchase the insurance which allows you to cancel for an extra $5 just in case something happens. I also like that my hotel is paid up front and I can save a bit for extras at the time we actually go. I've not used it within a short time parameter but understand the closer to the date the better the deal you can get, as long as nothing is happening in that town the nights you want the rooms. I aslo found hotwire was a good bit more expensive than negotiating a price. Don't know if this helps but knowing the area you want to stay is important since the nicer areas are usually higher priced and there doesn't seem to be much difference between 31/2 and 4 star hotels, IMO. I confirmed my reservations for both nights independently with the hotel and each night was fine. Good luck and use what you are most comfortable in doing. The only reason I didn't book through 10c was because I already had my reservations for the 30th.

mauichick

I used Priceline once for Boston and got the Hyatt in cambridge for a very good $

Had no luck with it for EV hawaii, but Hotwire came through BIGTIME and i will definitely use it again
Booked hotels and cars with 0 hassle and everything was great and better (rooms) or as promised (cars)