| Priceline and Hotwire can save customers a lot of | | | | the vacancy rate, may start offering promotions. |
| money on hotel reservations. When you reserve a | | | | This is when you can get discounts and when |
| hotel on either of these sites, you do not find out | | | | selection on Hotwire and Priceline is typically greatest. |
| the name of the hotel until after you make a | | | | Again, whether you should book at the 6 to 8 week |
| reservation. Hotels love to sell off excess capacity | | | | mark will depend on what is happening in the city at |
| through Hotwire and Priceline because hotels are able | | | | the time. This is a good time to book if you are |
| to offer deep discounts without diluting their brand. | | | | traveling during the high season or if special events |
| The reason customers love Priceline and Hotwire is | | | | are being held. |
| obvious - great deals on hotel rooms. | | | | 2 - 6 Weeks In Advance: From about two to six |
| But there is nothing worse than booking a hotel only | | | | weeks out are when you can get the best deals but |
| to find the reservation price decrease AFTER you | | | | selection may be thin, and in some cases vacancy |
| made your purchase. As a frequent user of Hotwire | | | | may not be available. Certainly during the shoulder |
| and Priceline, I have found that timing your purchase | | | | and off seasons, this is when the best deals can be |
| is critical as hotel prices fluctuate wildly. Here are | | | | found. Hotels ideally like to be running at or near |
| some guidelines to help you decide whether to book | | | | capacity and are more willing to offer deep discounts |
| early or later on Priceline and Hotwire. | | | | to fill the rooms. |
| 2 Months In Advance: As a general rule, it is almost | | | | Last Minute Deals: If you are within two weeks, one |
| never advantageous to reserve your hotel on | | | | of two things typically happen. (1) Hotels are full and |
| Hotwire or Priceline more than two months early. | | | | you will have to pay a higher rate. This happens |
| Most hotels prefer to run their own promotions and | | | | during peak periods or special events. (2) Quite often, |
| use more traditional methods to book reservations. | | | | hotels will lower their prices even further. This often |
| There are some exceptions when you may want to | | | | happens in Las Vegas, where, no matter what event |
| use Priceline or Hotwire earlier than two months. | | | | is in town, there is always at least one hotel with |
| Some examples include peak travel periods such as | | | | excess capacity and willing to give a great discount. |
| the height of summer (August), as well as some of | | | | Although this is the cheapest way to get a hotel, |
| the popular holidays (think Florida during Spring Break | | | | there is some risk involved. As well, you may need to |
| or New Orleans during Mardi Gras). Similarly, any | | | | be more flexible with location of you are looking for |
| major event that draws visitors from out of town | | | | a last minute deal. |
| may be a reason to book more than two months in | | | | There is obviously no best answer for when to book |
| advance. | | | | your hotel. Many factors come into play: the time of |
| 6 - 8 Weeks In Advance: Hotels begin to look at | | | | year, whether or not special events are happening, |
| bookings two months in advance, and depending on | | | | your flexibility, and risk propensity. |