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