I’ve been Pricelining most things, but sometimes there just isn’t time, like when you get called off the wait list two days before a show. I thought I saw a list of bargain hotel resources on here, but now I can’t find it anymore.
I have a Check-Inn card, but I don’t like how you can’t get a firm price ahead of time. The only two times I used it, I was charged more that the price I found on their site, by a good bit, too (like 20% more). I called to complain, but was told it was because I didn’t have the “premium” membership, or whatever.
Any suggestions?
Replies
I used venere.com in Italy, but have never used it in the US. I’ll check it out.
Jim, what did you mean by, “do a search when you're thirty minutes out?” Do you mean book right before you need the room?
The booking fee for CheckINN is $4.95, which is not bad. But the few times I’ve used it, I paid a lot more than that in addition to the rate listed on their site. At least with Priceline you know how much you will pay with hotel price + fees/taxes shown clearly ahead of time, and not get socked with surprise fees.
Checkinn told me the hotels don't have the rates: if they say they do, CheckInn is not committed to anything the hotel says: that rates are only on their own site. Another reason why I have not used then again, seemed fishy to me.
I finally won my priceline bid, just a few minutes ago, though I had to stay in an adjoining town.
You also get a decent discount on Choice Hotels from NAIA if you are a member. Many years, the NAIA membership pays for itself with this one benefit. The special group discount is better than any of the AAA or other large group discounts, by about 10%. If there is a Choice Hotel in the area you're looking, that's not a bad alternative.
Check Inn Card is usually good for last minute -- if you do a search when you're thirty minutes out, you can often get a decent rate. But they do charge a booking fee, which often gets you into the rack rate area. Priceline Name Your Own Price is good, but I hate that you can't see what you're getting until it's booked. For trailer parking, that can be an issue.
Hello Linnea, I don't know where you are trying to find a hotel, but here is a website to try. I just heard about this site. It's called www.venere.com. They have some pretty good prices. A counselor from our school got 4 rooms for $10 a piece in Williamsburg, VA off of it. For $10 you can hardly go wrong. I think his rooms were at a Days Inn for the $10 price.
I pulled up the Venere website and look for rooms in Chicago. The Hyatt Regency on River Walk is $99 right now. That is a great price for Chicago in the summer. Comfort Suites in Tinley Park, Chicago was $76. The Red Roof Inn in Downers Grove, Chicago was only $53. That would be a great price.
I don't think it is available in very many cities but it is something to check out.
I have a Choice Privledges Visa. I use my Visa for most everything and I generally get about 2 to 3 rooms free a year. My sister was always trying to get me to get a Visa that would give me Frequent flyer miles. But, I saw that she never got enough miles to use them. I always get free rooms. That is something you might want to think about. Plus, when you sign up for the card they usually give you enough points for a free night.
I hope this helps.
Jacki B