Priceline’s last minute deals

just drove from DC to Boston this weekend and wanted to stay along the way on Friday night. I calculated about where I would be after a 3-hour drive and came up with Somerville, NJ. Eventually, I booked my hotel room on Priceline.com and got what I thought was a great deal.

Previously, I checked with hotwire.com and found places for around $59 and a Hampton Inn for $69 a bit out of my way. Kayak.com and hotels.com showed nothing much different. I decided with listed prices hovering between $60 and $80 that $50 would be a fair bid. I really didn’t care where I stayed, but wanted to only spend $50.

Priceline wasn’t a simple game of bid and get. I tried to get a 3-star property for $50 and was told that I would need to up my bid by another $14 to get that room. (This was a one-time courtesy by priceline according to popup screen.) I decided to keep trying in the vicinity.

I dropped my hotel desires down to a 2-1/2-star category and added Basking Ridge to my geographical selection. Then I pushed “buy my hotel room” and got a confirmation back from Courtyard by Marriott just off the Interstate. Perfect.

I don’t anywhere else where you can bargain with hoteliers like Priceline. I love it.

Tripso is talking about other hotel bargains based on advanced purchase, but I like Priceline.

Tags: priceline