| Hotwire and Priceline both offer some of the best | | | | neither let's you know some basic information, |
| online discounts available--particularly when you | | | | such as if pets are welcome. |
| use their most robust discount programs--the | | | | What about their hotel price guarantees? |
| ones that do not give you the name of your | | | | Many Internet sites guarantee hotel prices, but |
| airline, hotel, or car rental provider until after you | | | | specifically exclude guarantees on the types of |
| pay. | | | | deep discounts you get using Hotwire and |
| To find out which company is better, we sent | | | | Priceline, where you don't find out the hotel name |
| Rick Archer, president of SearchSummit, to talk | | | | until you pay. |
| with Don Nadeau, the president of BidonTravel. | | | | Both Hotwire and Priceline guarantee that you'll |
| Don Nadeau, a long-time budget travel expert, | | | | have the best price. If you find a lower price |
| has worked extensively with both companies, and | | | | available to the general public for the same type |
| knows their pros and cons. | | | | of room, in the same hotel, on the same dates, |
| Which is better, Hotwire or Priceline? | | | | you'll get a refund of the difference. Hotwire will |
| They're both excellent, but not identical. I prefer | | | | even give you back double the difference in price, |
| one over the other depending on my needs at | | | | excluding taxes. Although both have a rather |
| the time. | | | | short deadline for applying, these are great |
| Well, which one is best for discount hotel rooms? | | | | guarantees. |
| The question of the location or neighborhood of | | | | How about their cancellation policies? |
| your hotel spells one difference between Priceline | | | | Neither allows refunds or changes for their lowest |
| and Hotwire. | | | | prices. So you'll want to be certain about your trip. |
| With either company, you pick the price, quality, | | | | However, both companies allow you to purchase |
| amenities, and neighborhood you want, but not a | | | | insurance in case you are forced to change. |
| specific hotel. For example, with Priceline's Name | | | | How do they compare on discount rental cars? |
| Your Own Price service, you can bid on a 4-star | | | | Both use top companies like Avis and Hertz. Go |
| hotel in Priceline's North Michigan Avenue district in | | | | with whichever has the best price at the time of |
| Chicago. When your bid's accepted, you find out | | | | your trip. The quality of your experience should |
| the hotel name. | | | | be the same. |
| Because it wants you to have a winning hotel bid, | | | | Which is better for airfares, Hotwire or Priceline? |
| Priceline's neighborhoods tend to be large with lots | | | | I really like that you can pick the time of day on |
| of hotels in your price range. | | | | Hotwire for a discount, instead of the Priceline |
| In contrast, when using Hotwire, you don't bid on | | | | system where you must to be willing to depart |
| your hotel. Prices are displayed. | | | | anytime between 6:00 a.m. and 10:00 p.m. for |
| Hotwire can use smaller neighborhoods because | | | | travel in the U.S. when using its "Name Your Own |
| it's not concerned with you having a winning bid. | | | | Price" program. |
| This makes it easier to pinpoint the location you | | | | Of course, for the biggest discounts, you have to |
| want. For instance, Hotwire currently divides | | | | be willing to depart anytime of day on Hotwire, |
| Priceline's North Michigan Avenue neighborhood into | | | | just like Priceline. In addition, Priceline has discount |
| two neighborhoods. | | | | flights to more places. |
| Then why use Priceline for hotels? | | | | As with hotels, you can always find out Hotwire's |
| Priceline may be cheaper. | | | | price, and then bid a bit lower on Priceline. You |
| You can easily find out Hotwire's price, and then | | | | may be able to get a cheaper ticket. |
| bid a bit lower on Priceline. If your bid is accepted, | | | | Our site has numerous Priceline bidding tips plus |
| you'll enjoy a lower price for a similar quality hotel | | | | Hotwire information that helps you save. |
| or even the same hotel. | | | | Which uses the best airlines? |
| In addition, Priceline has relationships with a | | | | Both use major carriers like American, Delta, and |
| greater number of hotels and with hotels in more | | | | United. Neither uses Southwest Airlines. |
| cities than Hotwire does, which may mean a | | | | What about vacation packages? |
| lower price for your trip. | | | | I like that Hotwire allows you to book a hotel and |
| You mentioned picking the quality. Whose hotel | | | | rental car package without an airfare, which is |
| rating system do you trust the most? | | | | great if you're using a frequent flyer ticket that |
| Hotwire and Priceline star quality ratings are similar | | | | costs nothing. |
| to AAA auto club diamond ratings. At times, both | | | | Otherwise, go with the site that has the cheapest |
| companies increase or decrease star rankings | | | | price for the same hotel, type of room, and |
| based on customer input. Although their hotels are | | | | dates. Both companies display prices and hotel or |
| not always ranked the same, I can't say one | | | | resort names for their vacation packages. This |
| system is better than the other, as both are so | | | | allows you to choose exactly what you want. |
| driven by customer experiences. | | | | How do you decide which company to use? |
| You'll probably end up happier if you book higher | | | | I always compare them, and go with the one that |
| ranked hotels--getting a 4-star hotel for a 2-star | | | | gives the most quality for the money on the |
| price, instead of a 2-star one for a 1-star price. | | | | dates I need. You should be satisfied with either |
| Which site gives you more information about its | | | | company, as long as you realize that you can't |
| hotels before you pay? | | | | change anything once you've paid and you won't |
| Hotwire does. It includes helpful information such | | | | get a refund if your plans change. |
| as the availability of airport transfers and whether | | | | Enjoy your savings! |
| or not you'll be right on the beach. However, | | | | |