Let’s Make a Deal
July 6th, 2009 | by Rebecca Tompkins 8 comments
I’ve always wanted to be one of those people who take advantage of bargain travel opportunities. I’d love to book a great deal… an amazing rate for perfectly timed flights or a perfect room in a perfectly loc
ated hotel.
Except it never really works that way, does it?
Great travel deals inevitably require some flexibility. And flexibility, alas, is not my middle name. I am all for throwing caution to the wind, provided I have it from several reliable sources that my chosen hotel provides complimentary wind shielding. Translation: I am a self-confessed control freak. But I’m also a total cheapskate. And so, for a recent family trip to DC, I let my frugal curiosity win out over my controlling nature and endeavored to book a deal.
(Truth be told, I didn’t do this completely arbitrarily. First, I obsessively researched every property in the entire metro DC area. Twice. It was only after I had confirmed that there was no perfect hotel for our needs that I was able to let go and leave the decision to chance. Clearly I need help.)
My original plan was to Priceline our acommodations. But I simply could not find a way to ensure that my selected room would sleep a family of 4, a critical detail since Priceline rates are non-refundable. So I moved on to Hotwire. Here I couldn’t name my price, but I could select the number of guests. Hotwire offered several options in my DC neighborhood of choice; a 3-star for $99 a night, or one of two 4-stars at $99 or $89. But they wouldn’t tell me exactly where I’d be staying until I ponied up the cash.
I may not like to leave things to chance, but I do like to gamble, so it was actually kind of exciting to weigh my options and select Door #2. Seconds later, I received my confirmation. We would be staying at the Capital Hilton. It didn’t have the pool I had hoped for. But it was well-located and well appointed. And it was… well, cheap.
Despite my diva daughter’s grouchy observation that she’d never seen such a tiny hotel room (note to self: we’ve been traveling too well), our Hotwired acommodations were absolutely perfect for our family’s DC trip. The hotel met our needs, the price tag met our budget, and I had the smug satisfaction of bagging a bargain. I wouldn’t hesitate to use Hotwire again.
You know… after hours of exhaustive research. (What can I say? I am who I am.)
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Carolina on July 6th, 2009
I really like the Hotwire Travel Ticker, because you can know what hotels you’re getting. You will not get the same cheap rates as you do when you book blindly, but you can find great deals. And occasionally you will find great prices and you don’t even have to prepay, because you’re booking directly through hotel.
Kara/MountainMama on July 7th, 2009
Hilarious. I have never used Priceline or Hotwire for same reasons… but if *you* can do it, I can do it…
Cathy on July 7th, 2009
Ha! I am very much the same way when it comes to travel. I think part of the fun of the trip is the research beforehand. But to combine the research AND get a bargain? Perfect combo, I say!
Lani on July 7th, 2009
Have you tried Quikbook? These are typically higher end hotels so choice is limited but you’ll know where you’re staying and you can indicate how many children. Best for major cities.
Amy @ The Q Family on July 7th, 2009
My recent trip to DC I also used Priceline. That was the 2nd time I have used them. The first time was like 5 years ago and I don’t think I could count that one. However, this time I have learned about cool website to help ease my nerve by knowing more about the availability of the hotels in Priceline. I used betterbidding.com to check out the accepted price on certain area, check out the hotels that are mostly available in priceline based on the star rating.
I also just booked another hotel stay in Asheville for our upcoming family trip. I wouldn’t hesitate to use priceline again. :)
I know it’s hard to let go the control factor but the saving can ALMOST ease that pain. :)
Nancy @ Ciao Bambino on July 7th, 2009
Too funny! I got a good laugh from this. It’s great to know that I’m not the only one who obsessively pours over the hotel information! I’ve been tempted to use Priceline, but weight to heavy on the control freak side. I’ll definitely check out the suggestions in the comments.
Linda on July 9th, 2009
You inspired me to give it a try, but alas, although they let you choose the number of guests, they won’t allow more than four people in a room. Guess I’m back to my old-fashioned ways for us.
Tisha Havens on August 17th, 2009
I love priceline and priceline-clones, especially for those times when we are “just passing through”, and just need a place to stay for a night or two.
One hint — It’s tempting to get the 4 star hotels — I’ve found several for $50-$60 for the night in city downtowns… but consider downgrading to 3.5 stars (Holiday Inn Express, nicer Best Westerns,Doubletree…) for usually the same price (sometimes Ieven a few $ more)… Why pay more for less , you ask? Because 90% of the time, the 3.5 stars, still perfectly clean wonderful hotels, I find are more likely to have perks like free wrieless internet. free breakfast, free or cheaper parking, even find them somewhat more likely to have a pool… where the 4-stars will usually nickel and dime you with all those extras
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