Rapid Travel Chai: Hotwire and Priceline - Chicago Seminars 2014
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Transcript of Rapid Travel Chai: Hotwire and Priceline - Chicago Seminars 2014
Hotwire and PricelineChicago Seminars 2014
Stefan KrasowskiRapid Travel Chai
Itinerary
Hotwire
Priceline
I hope you aren’t expecting something else
©Stefan Krasowski, All Rights Reserved
What is Your Priority?
Hotels?
Rental cars?
Flights?
Vacation packages?
©Stefan Krasowski, All Rights Reserved
Hotels?
Rental cars?
Flights?
Vacation packages?
My Hotwire and Priceline Experience
My travel is 75% international
Rented cars weekly for 2 years of NY-Atlanta commute
Many hotel bookings
Many rental car bookings
No air bookings
No vacation package bookings
My travel is 75% international
Rented cars weekly for 2 years of NY-Atlanta commute
Many hotel bookings
Many rental car bookings
No air bookings
No vacation package bookings
©Stefan Krasowski, All Rights Reserved
Why Hotwire and Priceline
©Stefan Krasowski, All Rights Reserved
What are Hotwire and Priceline?
Tools to potentially save on travel costs by giving upcertainty, flexibility, status, and miles and points
©Stefan Krasowski, All Rights Reserved
The Hotwire and Priceline Tradeoff
Why to Not Use:
No changes, no refunds*
Unpleasant surprises*
No elite status recognition*
No miles and points*
*There are always exceptions and luck
Why to Use:
Save Money
Why to Not Use:
No changes, no refunds*
Unpleasant surprises*
No elite status recognition*
No miles and points*
*There are always exceptions and luck©Stefan Krasowski, All Rights Reserved
Rental Car Tradeoff Hypothetical
When to not save $10:
Orlando, FL car rental
Spring break
Huge lines at counter
Eye-rolling spouse
Screaming children
When to save $10:
Moline, IL car rental
Always off-peak
No lines
No spouse
No children
When to not save $10:
Orlando, FL car rental
Spring break
Huge lines at counter
Eye-rolling spouse
Screaming children
©Stefan Krasowski, All Rights Reserved
When to save $10:
Moline, IL car rental
Always off-peak
No lines
No spouse
No children
Need to Know
©Stefan Krasowski, All Rights Reserved
Why No Deals?Not every market or trip will have opaque offers
©Stefan Krasowski, All Rights Reserved
Star ratings are subjective and generous by ½ to 1 star
You have limited recourse
Stick to 3-star and above
‘3-star’ Monte Carlo Inns Toronto Markham
Hotel Star Ratings
Star ratings are subjective and generous by ½ to 1 star
You have limited recourse
Stick to 3-star and above
‘3-star’ Monte Carlo Inns Toronto Markham
©Stefan Krasowski, All Rights Reserved
My wife has not forgiven me
Room type – call hotel after booking if you want a king bed
Better room – call hotel with self-deprecating sweet talk
Non-smoking room – yep, call
Getting the Room You Want
©Stefan Krasowski, All Rights ReservedPhoto by Ben Tesch, flickr
gomike on FlyerTalk – Priceline, timeshare hacks & more
Contact hotel programs to add your number to reservation
Charge small incidental spend during stay to your room
Hyatt:Status often recognized, including Diamond 1k check-inMay get elite stay credit
Marriott:Status often recognized, including check-in amenity
Others: you may get lucky
The ‘gomike’ slide
gomike on FlyerTalk – Priceline, timeshare hacks & more
Contact hotel programs to add your number to reservation
Charge small incidental spend during stay to your room
Hyatt:Status often recognized, including Diamond 1k check-inMay get elite stay credit
Marriott:Status often recognized, including check-in amenity
Others: you may get lucky©Stefan Krasowski, All Rights Reserved
Photo by Isabelle Plante, flickr
FeesHotwire Hot Rate and Priceline Name Your Own Price™ rates
often loaded with fees
Do not compare per day rates
Do compare total price
©Stefan Krasowski, All Rights Reserved
Portland 1 day car: Expedia vs Priceline $18/day = $23 vs $29.34
Resort FeesWatch out in frequent offender markets like Las Vegas
©Stefan Krasowski, All Rights Reserved
“This hotel charges a resort fee of about $25.00 per room per night”
Car Credit Card CDWImportant!!!
To use credit card CDW entire rental must be on same card
Use same card at Hotwire/Priceline purchase AND pick-up
©Stefan Krasowski, All Rights Reserved
Hotwire
©Stefan Krasowski, All Rights Reserved
HotwireOpaque ‘Hot Rate’ no-bid offers + transparent offers
©Stefan Krasowski, All Rights Reserved
Hotwire – Transparent OffersSimilar to other travel sites, let’s skip to opaque Hot Rates
©Stefan Krasowski, All Rights Reserved
Hotwire Hot Rates – Flights
New York – Los Angeles example
©Stefan Krasowski, All Rights Reserved
Hot Rate
New York – Los Angeles example:6 am – 10 pm departure window
Up to 1 connection
Up to 3 hour layover
No one-ways or multi-city
No airline benefits
No credit card free checked bag
…all to save $40
Hotwire Hot Rates – Flights
6 am – 10 pm departure window
Up to 1 connection
Up to 3 hour layover
No one-ways or multi-city
No airline benefits
No credit card free checked bag
…all to save $40
©Stefan Krasowski, All Rights Reserved
Hotwire Hot Rates – Cars
©Stefan Krasowski, All Rights Reserved
Rates often not as good as flexible reservation portals(BJ’s, Costco, Capital One, Chase, etc.)
Guaranteed major agency – but includes Dollar/Thrifty
No off-airport, no one-way
Must be age 25+
Hotwire Hot Rates – Cars
Rates often not as good as flexible reservation portals(BJ’s, Costco, Capital One, Chase, etc.)
Guaranteed major agency – but includes Dollar/Thrifty
No off-airport, no one-way
Must be age 25+
©Stefan Krasowski, All Rights Reserved
Los Angeles weekend Hotwire $57.57 vs Costco $48.12
Pick-up up to 24 hours late – book Sun night, pick-up Mon(call agency to hold a car on peak times)
Hotwire Hot Rates – Cars
©Stefan Krasowski, All Rights Reserved
Atlanta Sun 10 pm pick-up $63.65 vs Mon 8 am $81.26
Always unlimited miles (important for international)
30-minute grace period on returns
Extensions at agency rates – can be very expensive
All add-ons billed at agency rates(e.g. Dollar/Thrifty huge toll charges)
Hotwire Hot Rates – Cars
Always unlimited miles (important for international)
30-minute grace period on returns
Extensions at agency rates – can be very expensive
All add-ons billed at agency rates(e.g. Dollar/Thrifty huge toll charges)
©Stefan Krasowski, All Rights Reserved
Welcome to Newark from Dollar/Thrifty – tolls $17.49/day
Princeton, NJ example:
Hotwire Hot Rates – Hotels
©Stefan Krasowski, All Rights Reserved
How to identify the hotel?
Hotwire Hot Rates – Hotels
Amenities &TripAdvisor ratingprovide clues
©Stefan Krasowski, All Rights Reserved
Amenities &TripAdvisor ratingprovide clues
Check the Forums – Better Bidding
Doubletree is only reported 3.5 star
Amenities match
Look for distinctive amenities (if any)
©Stefan Krasowski, All Rights Reserved
Doubletree is only reported 3.5 star
Amenities match
Look for distinctive amenities (if any)
Other Forums
©Stefan Krasowski, All Rights Reserved
As with all forums, there is LOTS of drama
Check TripAdvisor
TripAdvisor lists 7 4-star traveler rating hotels available
Only 2 are 3.5-star chain hotels – Doubletree and Marriott
©Stefan Krasowski, All Rights Reserved
Amenities are same so TripAdvisor is inconclusive
Best guess is Doubletree, possibly Marriott
Either will work, go for it, or try Priceline…
Hotwire Hot Rates – Hotels
©Stefan Krasowski, All Rights Reserved
Hotel packages are transparent, choose each component
Except Hot Rate flight + car – no extra savings to bundle
Hotwire – Vacations/Packages
©Stefan Krasowski, All Rights Reserved
Invitation only program ≈ $1k annual spend
Claims to have better service, case-by-case support
Occasional ‘Star Upgrades’ – e.g. pay 3-star hotel, get 4-star
Hotwire – Hotwire Express
©Stefan Krasowski, All Rights Reserved
Hotwire – Low Price Guarantee
48-hour guarantee for identical booking
Hotwire refunds the difference
©Stefan Krasowski, All Rights Reserved
Hotwire – Cancellation/Refund
Air & Hotel:No official exceptions – consider trip insurance
Car:Flight delay exception for 24+ hours delay
You can always plead your case
Air & Hotel:No official exceptions – consider trip insurance
Car:Flight delay exception for 24+ hours delay
You can always plead your case
©Stefan Krasowski, All Rights Reserved
Discover – 5% on car, hotel and packages (not flights)
Chase – 2x
Others come and go
Hotwire – Cashback
©Stefan Krasowski, All Rights Reserved
Hotwire Questions?
©Stefan Krasowski, All Rights Reserved
Priceline
©Stefan Krasowski, All Rights Reserved
Priceline – Transparent OffersSimilar to other travel sites, let’s skip to Name Your Own Price®
©Stefan Krasowski, All Rights Reserved
Similar terms to Hotwire:6 am – 10 pm departure window (US), international anytime
Up to 1 connection
Up to 3 hour layover (US), international 75% < 3 hours
One-ways but no multi-city
No airline benefits
No credit card free checked bag
Priceline Name Your Own Price® – Flights
6 am – 10 pm departure window (US), international anytime
Up to 1 connection
Up to 3 hour layover (US), international 75% < 3 hours
One-ways but no multi-city
No airline benefits
No credit card free checked bag
©Stefan Krasowski, All Rights Reserved
Priceline Name Your Own Price® – Cars
©Stefan Krasowski, All Rights Reserved
Rates often 10-30% lower than Hotwire
Alamo, Avis, Budget, Hertz, and National only
My experience is most often Avis
Rates not always available – change search parameters
No off-airport, no one-way
Always unlimited miles (important for international)
Extensions and add-ons at agency rates
Drivers under 25 allowed for additional fees
Priceline Cars - General
Rates often 10-30% lower than Hotwire
Alamo, Avis, Budget, Hertz, and National only
My experience is most often Avis
Rates not always available – change search parameters
No off-airport, no one-way
Always unlimited miles (important for international)
Extensions and add-ons at agency rates
Drivers under 25 allowed for additional fees
©Stefan Krasowski, All Rights Reserved
Example: Wilmington, NC Aug 23-25, midsize car
Step 1: Get a baseline at Hotwire or others:
Priceline Cars – Bidding Strategy
©Stefan Krasowski, All Rights Reserved
Hotwire $17.95/day, $57.84 total
Step 2: Book a flexible backup
Priceline Cars – Bidding Strategy
©Stefan Krasowski, All Rights Reserved
Costco $66.42
Step 3: Priceline Lowball Test
Enter a lowball bid and click “Choose”
Priceline Cars – Bidding Strategy
Step 3: Priceline Lowball Test
Enter a lowball bid and click “Choose”
©Stefan Krasowski, All Rights Reserved
Step 3 (cont): Lowball triggers “low chance of being accepted”
Priceline Cars – Bidding Strategy
©Stefan Krasowski, All Rights Reserved
If you don’t get this screen, you are starting too high
Step 3 (cont): “Previous Page” and step up the bids
Priceline Cars – Bidding Strategy
©Stefan Krasowski, All Rights Reserved
Step 3 (cont): Priceline Sweetspot when goes to offer page
Priceline Cars – Bidding Strategy
©Stefan Krasowski, All Rights Reserved
You’re not done yet!
Step 4: Bid around Priceline Sweetspot
For short, economy rentals, $1-$2 under often works
Longer rentals and bigger cars can widen the gap
Can be more aggressive depending on lead time
Priceline Cars – Bidding Strategy
Step 4: Bid around Priceline Sweetspot
For short, economy rentals, $1-$2 under often works
Longer rentals and bigger cars can widen the gap
Can be more aggressive depending on lead time
©Stefan Krasowski, All Rights Reserved
Needed car next day so bid $16, final price $54.36 with Hertz
Same trip wait 24 hours to re-bid
Can immediately re-bid for different car type (up or down)
Compact may be same price as economy
Change return date may allow re-bid (e.g. Tue 6 am, thentry Mon 11 pm – you get the car for 24-hour days)
I generally find 1-2 weeks out is good time to bid
Priceline Cars – Re-Bidding
Same trip wait 24 hours to re-bid
Can immediately re-bid for different car type (up or down)
Compact may be same price as economy
Change return date may allow re-bid (e.g. Tue 6 am, thentry Mon 11 pm – you get the car for 24-hour days)
I generally find 1-2 weeks out is good time to bid
©Stefan Krasowski, All Rights Reserved
Enter a low balance Visa/MC/Amex gift card
Or enter the wrong credit card security code
Priceline Re-Bidding Hack
©Stefan Krasowski, All Rights Reserved
If bid is accepted you get a processing error
If not accepted, no processing error
You can enter correct number or abandon
Priceline does not (yet) hold customers to the purchase
Priceline Re-Bidding Hack
If bid is accepted you get a processing error
If not accepted, no processing error
You can enter correct number or abandon
Priceline does not (yet) hold customers to the purchase
©Stefan Krasowski, All Rights Reserved
1. Use browser private window
2. Don’t log in
3. Bid with low balance gift card
4. Repeat in new private browser
Priceline Immediate Re-Bidding
1. Use browser private window
2. Don’t log in
3. Bid with low balance gift card
4. Repeat in new private browser
©Stefan Krasowski, All Rights Reserved
Sometimes bids go to pending
Go to account to check offer status
If not accepted, start to re-bid with new search
Priceline Name Your Own Price® – On Hold
Sometimes bids go to pending
Go to account to check offer status
If not accepted, start to re-bid with new search
©Stefan Krasowski, All Rights Reserved
Priceline Name Your Own Price® – Hotels
©Stefan Krasowski, All Rights Reserved
Use where the zone is targeted and fits your needs
Use when you do not need a specific amenity like a pool
Use when transport situation works for you
Use when companions are easy-going
Priceline Hotels – Where to Use
Use where the zone is targeted and fits your needs
Use when you do not need a specific amenity like a pool
Use when transport situation works for you
Use when companions are easy-going
©Stefan Krasowski, All Rights Reserved
Mumbai is 1 zone – have you ever been in Mumbai traffic?
Priceline Hotels – Where to be Careful
©Stefan Krasowski, All Rights Reserved
1. Compare market rates2. Research Priceline zones3. Research winning bids on forums4. Prepare bid strategy – write it down!5. Go for it
Priceline Hotels – Bidding Strategy
1. Compare market rates2. Research Priceline zones3. Research winning bids on forums4. Prepare bid strategy – write it down!5. Go for it
©Stefan Krasowski, All Rights Reserved
Example: Providence, RI 11/1-4Step 1: Compare market rates
Priceline Hotels – Bidding Strategy
©Stefan Krasowski, All Rights Reserved
Step 2: Research Priceline zones
Priceline Hotels – Bidding Strategy
©Stefan Krasowski, All Rights Reserved
I only want Zone 5 – Providence Downtown
Step 3: Research winning bids on forums
Priceline Hotels – Bidding Strategy
©Stefan Krasowski, All Rights Reserved
Not many recent data points
Step 4: Prepare bid strategy – identify available stars by zone
Zone 1: 1-3 star
Zone 2: 1-3.5 star
Zone 3: 1-3 star
Zone 4: 2-2.5 star
Zone 5: 2-4 star
Priceline Hotels – Bidding Strategy
Step 4: Prepare bid strategy – identify available stars by zone
Zone 1: 1-3 star
Zone 2: 1-3.5 star
Zone 3: 1-3 star
Zone 4: 2-2.5 star
Zone 5: 2-4 star
©Stefan Krasowski, All Rights Reserved
Step 4: Prepare bid strategy – target 4-star in Zone 5
Bid 1: Zone 5, 4-star
Bid 2: Add Zone 1, 4-star
Wait, what? Zone 1 has no 4-star
Priceline let’s you re-bid
Only Zone 5 has 4-star hotels
5 zones = 5 bids for 4-star
Priceline Hotels – Bidding Strategy
Step 4: Prepare bid strategy – target 4-star in Zone 5
Bid 1: Zone 5, 4-star
Bid 2: Add Zone 1, 4-star
Wait, what? Zone 1 has no 4-star
Priceline let’s you re-bid
Only Zone 5 has 4-star hotels
5 zones = 5 bids for 4-star
©Stefan Krasowski, All Rights Reserved
Step 4: Prepare bid strategy – what about 3.5 star?
Zone 2 has 3.5 star
I don’t want Zone 2
So can bid 5, then 1, 3, 4
Increase each bid in increments
Priceline Hotels – Bidding Strategy
Step 4: Prepare bid strategy – what about 3.5 star?
Zone 2 has 3.5 star
I don’t want Zone 2
So can bid 5, then 1, 3, 4
Increase each bid in increments
©Stefan Krasowski, All Rights Reserved
Step 5: Go for it
For each star add zone one by one
For each new star start new search to reset zones
Priceline Hotels – Bidding Strategy
©Stefan Krasowski, All Rights Reserved
1. Use browser private window
2. Don’t log in
3. Bid with low balance gift card
4. Repeat in new private browser
Or Ditch Strategy and Do The Re-Bid Hack
1. Use browser private window
2. Don’t log in
3. Bid with low balance gift card
4. Repeat in new private browser
©Stefan Krasowski, All Rights Reserved
The Bidding Traveler does the work for you
Priceline Hotels – The Bidding Traveler
©Stefan Krasowski, All Rights Reserved
Manual mode provides good step-by-step walkthrough
Priceline Hotels – The Bidding Traveler
©Stefan Krasowski, All Rights Reserved
Automatic mode takes your credit card and will purchase
Priceline Hotels – The Bidding Traveler
©Stefan Krasowski, All Rights Reserved
Priceline – Hotel Express Deals™
Similar to Hotwire Hot Rates
Frequent sale offers
Similar to Hotwire Hot Rates
Frequent sale offers
©Stefan Krasowski, All Rights Reserved
Priceline – Last Minute and Weekend Deals
©Stefan Krasowski, All Rights Reserved
Priceline – Hotel Freebies℠
Fun way to search – from free nights to spa credits
©Stefan Krasowski, All Rights Reserved
Priceline – Vacation Packages & Cruises
Nothing special, no Name Your Own Price®
©Stefan Krasowski, All Rights Reserved
Priceline – Rewards Bonus Cash
Public and targeted offers appear from time to time
Cash added to bids, e.g. hotel $75 bid + $5 bonus = $80 bid
©Stefan Krasowski, All Rights Reserved
Priceline – Low Price Guarantee
24-hour guarantee for identical booking, refunds difference
‘Big Deal Guarantee’ for Name Your Own Price™ andVacation Packages: difference + $25 + $50 off next2-night or longer Vacation Package
©Stefan Krasowski, All Rights Reserved
Priceline – Cancellation/Refund
No official exceptions – consider trip insurance
Possible flight exception for schedule changes
You can always plead your case
No official exceptions – consider trip insurance
Possible flight exception for schedule changes
You can always plead your case
©Stefan Krasowski, All Rights Reserved
If you think some silly metal creditcard is a conversation starter…
If you think some silly metal creditcard is a conversation starter…
©Stefan Krasowski, All Rights Reserved
…get the Shatner card!
©Stefan Krasowski, All Rights Reserved
5x on Priceline bookings(except 1x on cruise bookings, non-Name Your OwnPrice® car reservations, and hotel reservations designatedas Pay When You StaySM)
1x everywhere else
Old accounts have 2x everywhere else – no current offers
10k sign-up bonus (requires $1k spend) = $100 cash rebate
No annual fee
Issued by Barclays
Priceline Rewards Visa Credit Card
5x on Priceline bookings(except 1x on cruise bookings, non-Name Your OwnPrice® car reservations, and hotel reservations designatedas Pay When You StaySM)
1x everywhere else
Old accounts have 2x everywhere else – no current offers
10k sign-up bonus (requires $1k spend) = $100 cash rebate
No annual fee
Issued by Barclays
©Stefan Krasowski, All Rights Reserved
New earning structure on website but NOT application
Barclays grandfathers in old cards
The Credit Card Changing Again?
©Stefan Krasowski, All Rights Reserved
Mr Rebates – 3% except published flights ($3/ticket)
TopCashBack – 3% on Name Your Own Price
Others come and go
Priceline – Cashback
©Stefan Krasowski, All Rights Reserved
Priceline getting good at replicating ITA Matrix fares
Complex itineraries often need Hipmunk to price in Priceline
Receive all airline benefits
Priceline Rewards Visa 5x
Priceline – Best General Airfare Option?
Priceline getting good at replicating ITA Matrix fares
Complex itineraries often need Hipmunk to price in Priceline
Receive all airline benefits
Priceline Rewards Visa 5x
©Stefan Krasowski, All Rights Reserved
New York – Moscow: United + Lufthansa + Swiss
Hipmunk can only price it correctly on Priceline
Priceline – Airfare Example
©Stefan Krasowski, All Rights Reserved
Priceline Questions?
©Stefan Krasowski, All Rights Reserved
Thank You
[email protected]@rapidtravelchai
rapidtravelchai.com
©Stefan Krasowski, All Rights Reserved