Resort Discounts via Priceline

Resort Discounts via Priceline: Your Guide to Unlocking Amazing Deals

Planning a relaxing getaway to a luxurious resort? The cost can often be a significant barrier. However, with a little savvy planning and the right tools, you can secure incredible resort discounts, making your dream vacation more affordable than you thought possible. One platform that consistently delivers impressive deals is Priceline. This guide delves deep into the world of Priceline, exploring its various features and strategies to help you unlock the best possible resort discounts.

Understanding Priceline’s Unique Approach

Priceline operates on a slightly different model than many other online travel agencies (OTAs). While it offers the standard search and book functionality, its real power lies in its “Name Your Own Price” and “Express Deals” options. These features allow you to take control of the booking process and potentially snag deeply discounted rates on resorts that would otherwise be out of your budget.

Name Your Own Price: A Risky but Rewarding Strategy

The “Name Your Own Price” feature is perhaps Priceline’s most distinctive offering. It allows you to bid on a hotel room within a specific star rating and geographic area. You don’t know the exact name of the hotel until your bid is accepted. This element of mystery is what allows Priceline to offer such significant discounts, as hotels are willing to fill empty rooms without publicly advertising lower rates that could undercut their standard pricing.

How it Works:

Select Your Destination and Dates: Begin by specifying the city or region you want to visit and the dates of your stay.
Choose Your Star Rating: This is a crucial step. Consider your desired level of luxury and amenities. Higher star ratings generally equate to better quality but also higher prices.
Define Your Geographic Area: Priceline typically divides cities into zones. Select the zones where you’d be happy to stay. Be strategic; broader zones offer more options but may include less desirable locations.
Enter Your Bid: This is where your negotiation skills come into play. Research comparable hotel rates in your chosen area and star rating. Start with a bid that’s lower than the average but not ridiculously low, as it will likely be rejected.
Priceline Counteroffers or Accepts: Priceline will either accept your bid immediately or counteroffer with a slightly higher price. You can then choose to accept the counteroffer or decline.
Adding Zones and Star Ratings: If your bid is rejected, you can’t immediately re-bid for the same criteria. However, you can add a new zone or a different star rating to your search and try again. This is a key strategy to avoid being locked out of bidding.
Revealing the Hotel: If your bid is accepted, Priceline reveals the name of the hotel. At this point, the booking is final and non-refundable.

Tips for Successful Bidding:

Research Average Hotel Rates: Use other travel websites (e.g., Expedia, Booking.com, Hotels.com) to get a sense of the average price for hotels in your desired area and star rating.
Start Low and Gradually Increase: Begin with a bid that’s significantly lower than the average and gradually increase it in small increments if your initial bids are rejected.
Use Bidding Helper Websites: Several websites and forums provide data on successful bids in specific areas and for specific star ratings. These can be invaluable resources for determining a competitive bidding strategy. Examples include biddingfortravel.com and betterbidding.com.
Understand the Zone System: Familiarize yourself with Priceline’s zone system for your chosen destination. This will help you target your bids more effectively and avoid ending up in an undesirable location.
Be Patient and Persistent: The “Name Your Own Price” process can be time-consuming and require multiple attempts. Don’t get discouraged if your initial bids are rejected. Keep refining your strategy and trying again.
Be Aware of Hidden Fees: Factor in potential resort fees, parking fees, and other hidden costs when calculating your bid. These fees can significantly increase the overall cost of your stay.
Consider Weekday Stays: Resorts are often less busy during the week, so you may have better luck securing a lower rate by bidding for weekday stays.
Travel During Off-Season: Prices tend to be lower during the off-season or shoulder seasons (the periods between peak and off-peak seasons).
Read Hotel Reviews: Even though you don’t know the exact hotel you’re bidding on, you can still get a sense of the quality of hotels in your chosen star rating by reading reviews on other travel websites.
Understand the Non-Refundable Policy: Remember that all “Name Your Own Price” bookings are final and non-refundable. Make sure you’re certain about your travel plans before bidding.

Express Deals: Transparency with a Twist

Priceline’s “Express Deals” offer a slightly different approach. You still don’t know the exact name of the hotel until after you book, but you are provided with more information than with “Name Your Own Price.” Express Deals typically show the general area of the hotel, the amenities it offers (e.g., free breakfast, pool, gym), and its customer review score.

How it Works:

Enter Your Destination and Dates: Specify your travel dates and destination.
Browse Express Deals: Priceline will display a list of Express Deals, each with a discounted rate and limited information about the hotel.
Analyze the Clues: Carefully examine the clues provided for each Express Deal, such as the neighborhood, amenities, and review score.
Use Reverse Hotel Lookup Tools: Several websites and online tools allow you to input the clues from an Express Deal and potentially identify the hotel before booking. These tools are not always accurate, but they can be helpful in narrowing down the possibilities.
Book Your Deal: If you’re comfortable with the information provided and the potential hotel options, you can book the Express Deal.
Hotel Reveal: After booking, Priceline reveals the name of the hotel.

Tips for Maximizing Express Deal Savings:

Use Reverse Hotel Lookup Tools: Websites like BetterBidding.com often have forums and tools dedicated to identifying hotels based on Express Deal clues.
Compare Prices: Before booking an Express Deal, compare the discounted rate to the regular rates for hotels in the same area and with similar amenities. Make sure you’re actually getting a good deal.
Read Customer Reviews: Pay close attention to the customer review score and read some of the reviews to get a better sense of the hotel’s quality.
Consider the Location: The general area provided for an Express Deal is important. Make sure the location is convenient for your travel plans and that it’s a safe and desirable neighborhood.
Check Amenities: Verify that the amenities offered by the Express Deal hotel meet your needs. For example, if you need free breakfast or a swimming pool, make sure these amenities are included.
Factor in Potential Fees: As with “Name Your Own Price,” be aware of potential resort fees, parking fees, and other hidden costs.
Understand the Non-Refundable Policy: Express Deals are typically non-refundable, so make sure you’re certain about your travel plans before booking.

Standard Priceline Search: Don’t Overlook the Basics

While “Name Your Own Price” and “Express Deals” offer unique opportunities for savings, don’t overlook Priceline’s standard search function. It can still be a valuable tool for finding resort discounts.

How to Use the Standard Search Effectively:

Compare Prices Across Multiple Websites: Always compare prices on Priceline with those on other travel websites (e.g., Expedia, Booking.com, Hotels.com, Kayak). Sometimes, you’ll find better deals on other platforms.
Use Filters: Utilize Priceline’s filters to narrow down your search results based on your preferences, such as star rating, amenities, price range, and location.
Check for Deals and Promotions: Look for special deals and promotions offered by Priceline, such as percentage discounts or free nights.
Consider Package Deals: Priceline often offers package deals that combine flights, hotels, and rental cars. These can sometimes be more cost-effective than booking each component separately.
Sign Up for Email Alerts: Subscribe to Priceline’s email alerts to receive notifications about upcoming deals and promotions.
Use the Price Match Guarantee: Priceline offers a price match guarantee. If you find a lower price for the same hotel room on another website, Priceline will match the price or refund the difference. Be sure to carefully review the terms and conditions of the price match guarantee before making a booking.

Leveraging Priceline VIP Rewards

Priceline offers a VIP Rewards program that provides members with exclusive benefits, such as extra discounts, free upgrades, and priority customer service. Joining the program is free, and you can earn VIP status by booking travel through Priceline. The higher your VIP status, the more benefits you’ll receive.

Benefits of Priceline VIP Rewards:

Extra Discounts: VIP members receive extra discounts on hotels, flights, and rental cars.
Free Upgrades: VIP members may be eligible for free room upgrades at participating hotels.
Priority Customer Service: VIP members receive priority customer service, which can be helpful if you need assistance with your booking.
Exclusive Deals: VIP members have access to exclusive deals and promotions.

How to Earn VIP Status:

VIP Blue: Join Priceline VIP Rewards
VIP Silver: Complete 2 trips OR spend $500
VIP Gold: Complete 5 trips OR spend $1,000

Understanding Resort Fees and Hidden Costs

One of the biggest frustrations for travelers is encountering unexpected fees, such as resort fees, parking fees, and internet access fees. These fees can significantly increase the overall cost of your vacation. It’s crucial to be aware of these potential fees and factor them into your budget when booking a resort through Priceline.

What are Resort Fees?

Resort fees are mandatory fees charged by many resorts to cover amenities such as access to the pool, gym, internet, and other on-site facilities. These fees are often not included in the initial room rate and can range from a few dollars to hundreds of dollars per night.

How to Find Out About Resort Fees:

Read the Fine Print: Carefully read the fine print on Priceline’s website before booking a resort. Look for information about resort fees and other mandatory charges.
Check the Hotel’s Website: Visit the hotel’s website to see if they disclose their resort fees.
Contact Priceline Customer Service: Contact Priceline’s customer service to inquire about potential resort fees.
Read Reviews: Read reviews from other travelers to see if they mention resort fees.

Negotiating Resort Fees:

In some cases, you may be able to negotiate the resort fee with the hotel directly. This is more likely to be successful if you’re a member of the hotel’s loyalty program or if you’re staying for a longer period of time. You can also try to negotiate the resort fee by arguing that you don’t plan to use the amenities covered by the fee.

The Importance of Reading Reviews

Before booking any resort through Priceline, it’s essential to read reviews from other travelers. Reviews can provide valuable insights into the quality of the resort, its amenities, its service, and its location. Pay attention to both positive and negative reviews, and look for common themes or patterns. Be aware that some reviews may be biased or fake, so it’s important to read a variety of reviews from different sources.

Where to Find Hotel Reviews:

Priceline: Priceline displays customer reviews for hotels listed on its website.
TripAdvisor: TripAdvisor is a popular travel website that features reviews of hotels, restaurants, and attractions.
Google Hotels: Google Hotels displays reviews from various sources, including Google users and other travel websites.
Booking.com: Booking.com also features customer reviews for hotels listed on its website.
Yelp: Yelp is a popular website for local reviews, including hotels and resorts.

What to Look for in Hotel Reviews:

Cleanliness: Pay attention to reviews that mention the cleanliness of the rooms and common areas.
Service: Look for reviews that discuss the quality of the hotel’s service, including the front desk staff, housekeeping, and restaurant staff.
Amenities: Read reviews to see if the hotel’s amenities are well-maintained and meet your needs.
Location: Consider the location of the hotel and whether it’s convenient for your travel plans.
Value: Determine whether the hotel offers good value for the price.

Timing Your Booking for Maximum Savings

The timing of your booking can significantly impact the price you pay for a resort room. In general, booking in advance or at the last minute can sometimes yield the best discounts, depending on the destination and the time of year.

Booking in Advance:

Booking well in advance can be a good strategy if you’re traveling during peak season or to a popular destination. This allows you to secure a room at your preferred resort before it sells out, and you may also be able to take advantage of early booking discounts.

Booking at the Last Minute:

Booking at the last minute can be a good strategy if you’re flexible with your travel dates and destination. Hotels often offer discounted rates on unsold rooms as the arrival date approaches. However, keep in mind that last-minute availability can be limited, especially during peak season.

Other Timing Considerations:

Travel During the Off-Season: Prices tend to be lower during the off-season or shoulder seasons.
Travel on Weekdays: Resorts are often less busy during the week, so you may be able to secure a lower rate by traveling on weekdays.
Avoid Holidays and Special Events: Prices tend to be higher during holidays and special events.

Comparing Priceline to Other Travel Websites

While Priceline can be a great resource for finding resort discounts, it’s important to compare prices across multiple travel websites before making a booking. Other popular travel websites include Expedia, Booking.com, Hotels.com, Kayak, and TripAdvisor. Each website has its own strengths and weaknesses, so it’s worth taking the time to compare prices and features to find the best deal.

Factors to Consider When Comparing Travel Websites:

Price: Compare the prices for the same resort room on different websites.
Fees: Be aware of potential fees, such as resort fees, booking fees, and cancellation fees.
Amenities: Check the amenities offered by the resort and whether they meet your needs.
Reviews: Read reviews from other travelers to get a better sense of the resort’s quality.
Cancellation Policy: Understand the cancellation policy before booking.
Rewards Programs: Consider whether the website offers a rewards program that can save you money on future travel.

Contacting Priceline Customer Service

If you encounter any problems with your booking or have any questions, don’t hesitate to contact Priceline customer service. Priceline’s customer service representatives can assist you with a variety of issues, such as making changes to your booking, resolving disputes, and answering questions about resort fees.

How to Contact Priceline Customer Service:

Phone: Call Priceline’s customer service phone number.
Email: Send an email to Priceline’s customer service email address.
Live Chat: Use Priceline’s live chat feature on its website.

Staying Flexible and Open-Minded

When searching for resort discounts on Priceline, it’s important to stay flexible and open-minded. Be willing to consider different resorts, locations, and travel dates. The more flexible you are, the more likely you are to find a great deal.

Tips for Staying Flexible:

Be Open to Different Destinations: Consider traveling to a less popular destination or during the off-season.
Be Willing to Stay at Different Resorts: Don’t be fixated on a specific resort. Consider other resorts that meet your needs and budget.
Be Flexible with Your Travel Dates: Be willing to travel on weekdays or during the shoulder seasons.

Conclusion: Your Path to Affordable Resort Vacations

By understanding Priceline’s unique features, mastering bidding strategies, comparing prices, and staying informed about resort fees and other potential costs, you can unlock incredible resort discounts and make your dream vacation a reality. Remember to be patient, persistent, and flexible, and always do your research before booking. With a little planning and effort, you can save a significant amount of money on your next resort getaway. Happy travels!