Priceline Review

I am headed to the big launch party for Viewpoints in Chicago. I usually keep my online stuff online, but I really thought this would be fun. Meet some of my friends that I know cyberally.

I would, of course, need a room. I doubt sleeping on the streets would be any fun. I don't even like to camp.

I did a quick search on Chicago motels. Hum. That got me $300 price tags per night. My house payment is $340 a month. There is something wrong with this picture. OK. This is the South. I got a great deal on my house. But, still . . . $300 to sleep in a bed for one night strikes me as over the top several times.

I looked around some more. Some of the low end digs were around $150 in the area where I wanted to stay. I didn't want to be an hour away after all.

I've used Priceline before, and it worked out fine. The only issue I have with it is that you take what they give you. You can pick a general area but not a certain street or hotel. You name a price. If they have a hotel willing to take the offer, then you've bought it. End of discussion.

Well, now I should mention that you can see some hotels and the prices at Priceline, but those are more in line with those high prices I mentioned. The deals are on the "make an offer." They bill it as "get up to half off."

I was thinking maybe the 2 or 3 star picks and put in $60. No offer. No charge. Tried $70. No go. Up to $80. Same. They couldn't hook me up.

I thought, "Well hum . . . "

On my last try, I checked 4 star and put in $90. I was really just pulling their legs with that. I was thinking I'd just go in and get one where I could pick the exact hotel and figure on $100 plus.

Well, what do you know?

Yes.

The Sheraton on the water was willing to take $90.

Does that make any sense?

NO!

Next time, I'll start with 4 star and try a few numbers and see. I'd really hate to stay in a 2 star for $80 when I could be 4 star for $90.

Yes. Priceline is a random little online space. I guess it just depends on what's open and when you click.

It sure doesn't hurt to go with what you'd really, really want. I'm glad I got a 4 star right on the water for $90. I still wonder how high the 2 star would have gone if I'd kept bidding up. Perhaps those fill up faster. Who knows? Only Priceline I guess.

I'd still rather know exactly where I'm staying before putting in my credit card, pressing the button and hoping. I tend to be very concrete and practical. This is, I confess, the best deal I've snagged. From now on, I'll go high end to start with to see. I can always drop down on the stars if I need to. Why eat potted ham when you can have steak? That's my motto.

If you do have special needs, do know that you take what you get with Priceline. I'm pretty flexible. If I'm traveling with my boys, then they love pools. I can't know ahead if the motel has a pool. If I'm staying several days, I like a kitchenette. Again, I can't request that with Priceline. If you need ground floor due to health issues, this wouldn't be a good place to gamble.

If you're needing a room to sleep, you can pick the general area and can get very lucky with Priceline. I guess it's the lottery of rooms on the road.