Well, it is the first day of a 900 mile trip and I spent an hour in my car ranting at the customer service people at Priceline. I knew I had gone into the deep end when I hung up the phone after yelling at someone to stop saying they were sorry when they really weren't sorry! Can you all tell me if I am wrong about this?

So, I bid on a 2 star hotel room at a pretty low rate. Surprise, I win my bid! I show up at my hotel and am greeted with an announcement that they need my credit card for the $5.65 "resort fee". There is a large sign at the desk stating that all guests are required to pay the fee. I question the fact that a "fee" that is required payment for every guest is not a fee, but is part of the room rate. The employee pulls out a book and shows me the fine print on a print out from the Priceline website. I indicated that is fine, but since I bid on the room, I did not see this "resort fee" prior to my bid, and therefore the hotel did not actually accept my bid, they just jacked the price up on the room with a "fee" instead of turning down my bid offer to begin with. I didn't get anywhere with my argument, so I decided to call Priceline. There happened to be a torrential downpour and a long walk to my "resort" room, so I didn't mind sitting in my car for awhile.

I got someone on the phone who proceeded to explain that when I bid on the room I agreed to provide a credit card upon check in to cover incidentals and fees. I explained that I had no problem providing my card for incidentals, in case I charged something to the room, etc. I did have a problem with the surprise increased cost of my one night stay. I had escalated to a supervisor at this point and was heatedly explaining that what they were telling me did not make sense. I explained that my understanding of the bidding process was I offered a price and the hotel could accept or decline, I did not think it was acceptable to accept and then just increase the room rate by tacking on a "fee". I got no where with that argument other than an apology that I was upset. I explained that Priceline was going to lose me as a customer over $5.65. They continued to say they were sorry, but, I agreed to pay fees and incidentals when I placed my bid. I explained that following their thought process, I had no idea prior to my bid that I could be charged $5 or $50 or $1000 more on a crummy 2 star room, since I was blind bidding. No response on that, just more apologies that I was upset. Well, I lost it and I am done with booking through Priceline.

So, can the road warriors offer some advice about keeping hotel room costs down while traveling? Preferred hotel guest programs? Your thoughts about Hotels.com, hotwire, expedia, etc.? It seems like travel costs are rising. Any advice would be appreciated.

Personally? I'd pay the $5.95 and be done with it. I save so much money on Priceline I can eat an extra $6 cost here and there.

I'm not a road warrior but I would suggest booking the hotel room direct. I got burned using one of those services (I won't name it because I'm not sure which one I used that time) where I was quoted $43 for the room when I booked and paid, and was given a receipt for $33.50 by the hotel at check in. I had paid the $43 to the agency.

Apparently their room price for that night was $33.50 and by using the "price saving" service I got to pay an extra almost $10. Next time I'll call Travelodge myself, and after getting their best price, then I'll check the "discount" services.

The $33.50 is what the service paid for the room, not their normal room rate.

But that is the receipt I ended up with. That's the price their system spit out for me. I booked a room with the same chain a month previously through the same service and the receipt matched what I had paid the service.

Ok

If they were willing to sell it to Expedia or whoever it was for $33.50 likely they would have sold it to me over the phone with the same credit card for the same price.

I've never seen a price for airline tickets on one of those companies where I couldn't get the exact same price on the airline's own website. NEVER. And I've looked a lot.

Glad you have money to waste... $6 is $6.

bgriffin Wrote:
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> Personally? I'd pay the $5.95 and be done with
> it. I save so much money on Priceline I can eat
> an extra $6 cost here and there.

I rarely use Priceline or Hotwire simply because I do not want to get locked in to being in a specific place on a specific night and by the time I know for sure it is too much hassle. Hotels will sometimes negotiate if they have a lot of empty rooms and you just ask or you can tell them you saw a cheaper rate on Booking.com or something (I have the app) and they will usually be willing to at least match it.

It doesn't cost to join any hotel rewards program and while you are at it, don't forget to join every casino brands player programs. If it is feasible, I try to stay at casino hotels Sunday through Wednesday or Thursday for the best rates. Logging in with a player's card can result in a $10 to $30 discount off a night's stay immediately and sometimes they have even better discounts.

Business hotels, Courtyards/Wyndham Gardens, offer cheaper rates Thursday through Saturday. I've had them knock $10 or $20 bucks off a night's stay and even throw in a coupon for a free breakfast the next morning, a real breakfast.

Haven't you heard? B is a video shopper now. We all have money to waste.

CANADAMOMMY Wrote:
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> Glad you have money to waste... $6 is $6.

CANADAMOMMY Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> Glad you have money to waste... $6 is $6.
>
> bgriffin Wrote:
> --------------------------------------------------
> -----
> > Personally? I'd pay the $5.95 and be done with
> > it. I save so much money on Priceline I can
> eat
> > an extra $6 cost here and there.


I think you're being a bit short sighted. On my most recent trip I saved about $300 on hotels by using Priceline. If once every few nights a hotel charges me an extra $6 so what? Your way gets pissy over $6 and then costs you $300 on the next route because you won't use them. My way says who cares about $6 I'd rather save the $294. Now which one of us is wasting money?

LisaSTL Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> Haven't you heard? B is a video shopper now. We
> all have money to waste.
>
> CANADAMOMMY Wrote:
> --------------------------------------------------
> -----
> > Glad you have money to waste... $6 is $6.


Well I would if I could get over $30 an hour. :/

Lisa gives good advice about hotels. Personally I use my old company's discount codes (yes, I stole them when I left, sue me) and get really great rates a lot of times. I stayed at a Doubletree for a few cents over $100 last week and have a Crowne Plaza and a few cents under $100 this weekend using them. If I can get close to what I believe I can get with Priceline I book through the website as I'd rather have the points and miles. With a little research I can almost always figure out what hotel I'm booking through Priceline. I'll often have a regular reservation and then early in the day when I'm fairly certain I'll need the room I'll try a Priceline bid at a rate that makes it worthwhile to give up the points. I really need to check out the casino chains but know nothing about them or where there are casinos. We don't really have them here.

As LisaSTL said, I too always try to stay at gaming hotels because
they will generally have the best rates during the week since their
primary purpose is to get you to play. Weekends the rates can be
astronomical depending on area at them. Business hotels will have lower
weekend rates. If you dont mind basic, the newly remodeled red roof
inn's are good 7 days a week. Just make sure it is a refreshed one
otherwise I would pass. They all free wifi.

I am a member of every travel brands rewards program.
This weekend I'm renting a car from hertz for 3 days and paying
16 a day including taxes/fees with unlimtied miles for a mid or
full size vehicle that will get at least 30mpg.

techman01 Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------

> This weekend I'm renting a car from hertz for 3
> days and paying
> 16 a day including taxes/fees with unlimtied miles
> for a mid or
> full size vehicle that will get at least 30mpg.


Priceline or a discount code? I've had really good luck with Priceline for rental cars for personal travel, haven't tried it so far for MS travel as I always drive and I'm not close enough to a location I can Priceline to make it worthwhile.

bgriffin Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> I think you're being a bit short sighted. On my
> most recent trip I saved about $300 on hotels by
> using Priceline. If once every few nights a hotel
> charges me an extra $6 so what? Your way gets
> pissy over $6 and then costs you $300 on the next
> route because you won't use them. My way says who
> cares about $6 I'd rather save the $294. Now
> which one of us is wasting money?

I believe that is called being pennywise and dollar foolish.

Some pinch pennies, I(and you) save dollars.

bgriffin Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> Priceline or a discount code? I've had really
> good luck with Priceline for rental cars for
> personal travel, haven't tried it so far for MS
> travel as I always drive and I'm not close enough
> to a location I can Priceline to make it
> worthwhile.

I dont use priceline. I'm in their rewards program so Hertz sends me emails with
promo codes all the time. Also rack up free points too. I've been able to get
some weekly rentals free from all the points I earn since they always run
point promos. Sometimes if there is a promo when I dont need one, I will
rent the cheapest car and just park it to get the points since the points
have a higher value then the cost of the rental. One time they gave you 550
bonus points if you added satellite radio to your rental. I always get it for
free but I had them charge me so I got the points (550 points good for one free weekend,
675 good for one free anytime).

Resort fees are more common than you think; all the hotels in Vegas tack them onto their rate. That is the rub, they are not the rate, but instead a fee. Priceline clearly states that you are bidding on the rate of the room, taxes and fees are extra.
I have used Priceline and Hotwire with great success- saving anywhere between 30%-60% off the regular price of a hotel room. More often, I book directly through the hotel of my choice-usually Marriott or the Hilton-love them! I am a rewards member with each hotel chain and I also find using AAA with the Marriott properties saves a 5.00-15.00 off the cost of the room. Bottom line-join a rewards program.

Look, you lost your cool at some poor CSR making minimum wage. You were clearly on the hook for the resort fee. In my opinion you were not "in the right." Let it go and try to learn from your mistake.

I know, I know. Crazy to get wrapped up about $6. I think it was the weather. Every once in awhile I go nuts on principal. I think it sounds like I need to work on negotiating better travel bonuses and then I could afford better hotels!

It sounds like I am missing the boat on preferred guest programs.

DEFINITELY sign up for rewards. Not only does it give you perks like free nights, with status you get even more points and nice things like room upgrades and access to the executive lounge in the higher end properties. Also make sure you check out flyertalk to keep on top of the bonuses! I seriously miss the days when I was Hilton Diamond but it looks like I might get back to Gold this year.

Oh, and Lisa, I am a little afraid to stay at casinos when I travel. I never have the desire to go to casinos, but when I go, all I want to do is play blackjack the entire time I am there! Fortunately the closest casino is 4 hours away. But I do go to that city rather often to shop. hhhhmmmm..............

Which reminds me NOLA is at Harrah's, eek!

techman01 Wrote:
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>> I am a member of every travel brands rewards
> program.
> This weekend I'm renting a car from hertz for 3
> days and paying
> 16 a day including taxes/fees with unlimtied miles
> for a mid or
> full size vehicle that will get at least 30mpg.

techman - That's impressive on the car rental rate. I'm renting a mid-size car for a week and it's around $20/day using Costco discount, and it's from Budget, instead of Hertz, which would have cost a whole lot more.

bgriffin Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> DEFINITELY sign up for rewards. Not only does it
> give you perks like free nights, with status you
> get even more points and nice things like room
> upgrades and access to the executive lounge in the
> higher end properties. Also make sure you check
> out flyertalk to keep on top of the bonuses! I
> seriously miss the days when I was Hilton Diamond
> but it looks like I might get back to Gold this
> year.

I miss my Hilton Gold and Hyatt Platinum Elite membership! I especially miss the concierge lounge with free breakfast and evening receptions. The hors d'oeuvres are better than the meals at the hotel restaurants....and free bottled water, soda, tea, coffee...

rovergirl529 Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> Oh, and Lisa, I am a little afraid to stay at
> casinos when I travel. I never have the desire to
> go to casinos, but when I go, all I want to do is
> play blackjack the entire time I am there!
> Fortunately the closest casino is 4 hours away.
> But I do go to that city rather often to shop.
> hhhhmmmm..............
>
> Which reminds me NOLA is at Harrah's, eek!


You can play and be okay just watch what table
you are playing at. Some of the casinos have
increased the house edge substantially on black
jack by only paying 6:5 to on 21 instead of 3:2
and worse, hitting on soft 17 instead of standing
(66% chance hitting will get them a better hand)

rovergirl529 Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> I know, I know. Crazy to get wrapped up about $6.
> I think it was the weather. Every once in awhile I
> go nuts on principal.

I think we have all been guilty of that :-)

Geez you guys get great fees. I'm in a small market and don't get discounts that often. Plus I've never been as good at finding cheap car rentals as I have been at finding cheap hotels. My last rental was from Enterprise and was $25 all in a day for the one below a midsize (I always get compact and economy mixed up).

cubbiecat Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> I miss my Hilton Gold and Hyatt Platinum Elite
> membership! I especially miss the concierge
> lounge with free breakfast and evening receptions.
> The hors d'oeuvres are better than the meals at
> the hotel restaurants....and free bottled water,
> soda, tea, coffee...


I stayed at the Kingston Hilton for 4 nights about 10 (or 11) years ago. I didn't pay for a dinner any of the 4 nights. The executive lounge had fantastic free jerk chicken and red stripes and the attendant loaded me up with a few extra red stripes at the end of the night to take back to my room.

I cannot remember the last time I went anywhere near the gaming floor of a casino yet have stayed at casino hotels at least a half dozen times over the last year. Some hotels are actually housed in separate buildings and the ones under the same roof usually have all the shops and restaurants spread out between the two. Meanwhile the rooms are often the equivalent of a 3 1/2 to 4 star hotel at the rates of a 2 star. I tend to like the security as well. In some you cannot access any guest room floors without using your key card in the elevator. I took a look at some of my trips over the last few years and have gotten rates from $25 to $90. Once, at Harrah's in Kansas City I booked a room for $38. At check in I asked if it would be possible to get a river view. I had no idea they had also upgraded me to a room with a huge bathroom with separate tub and shower. The room, a nice dinner with a glass of wine, tips for the bellman and valet added up to what you would normally spend for just a room at a 2 star hotel and I didn't have to schlep luggage

cubbiecat Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> techman01 Wrote:
> --------------------------------------------------
> -----
> >> I am a member of every travel brands rewards
> > program.
> > This weekend I'm renting a car from hertz for 3
> > days and paying
> > 16 a day including taxes/fees with unlimtied
> miles
> > for a mid or
> > full size vehicle that will get at least 30mpg.
>
> techman - That's impressive on the car rental
> rate. I'm renting a mid-size car for a week and
> it's around $20/day using Costco discount, and
> it's from Budget, instead of Hertz, which would
> have cost a whole lot more.


20 a day is good. My last weekly rental from
hertz was 18 a day with taxes. Sometimes it can
be as high as 25 a day but never more. If the
rate is higher I ask the branch or district manager
to make it work. A car sitting idle doesnt do them
no good.

bgriffin Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> Geez you guys get great fees. I'm in a small
> market and don't get discounts that often. Plus
> I've never been as good at finding cheap car
> rentals as I have been at finding cheap hotels.
> My last rental was from Enterprise and was $25 all
> in a day for the one below a midsize (I always get
> compact and economy mixed up).


if depends if yours is a corporate owned location or
a franchisee/independent licensee. corp owned always
have lower and most cases substantially lower rates.

In August Hertz was(and might still be) offering 99 a week
at some airport locations when usually airports are the highest.
I'll never understand their pricing. Seems so random.