One of the most common questions asked in the Priceline Discussion Forum<\/a> is, “How far in advance should I bid on Priceline for hotel rooms?” \u00a0Prices for hotel rooms fluctuate wildly, and this can mean paying too much. \u00a0On the one hand, what if you book your hotel and then prices drop? \u00a0On the other hand, what if you wait too long and prices increase. \u00a0Thanks to travelers discussing their strategies for better bidding<\/a>, here are some helpful tips to help you decide how far in advance to bid on Priceline.<\/p>\n The two biggest factors affecting when you should bid on a hotel room are: \u00a0how flexible you are regarding location, and how busy your destination will be on your travel dates.<\/p>\n Priceline sells off excess hotel inventory. \u00a0When a hotel has excess capacity, they sell their room on Priceline. \u00a0Because you never know what hotel you will receive, I recommend only booking on Priceline when you are flexible on location. \u00a0If you need a specific hotel or a specific location, it is best to book elsewhere.<\/p>\n Hotels tend to list their inventory on Priceline 2 to 3 months out. \u00a0As a result, selection is best 1 to 3 months before your travel date. \u00a0Book too early and selection may not be great, as hotels prefer to sell their rooms through other (higher paying) channels such as their own website and other online sites. \u00a0However, book too late and\u00a0and\u00a0selection may be limited.<\/p>\n If you are flexible on your location, it is best to book between 4-6 weeks in advance of your travel date. \u00a0This is the sweet spot when hotels are looking to fill their vacant rooms, selection is good and prices are reasonable. \u00a0Book too early (more than 3 months in advance) and selection will be limited. \u00a0Prices are usually higher the earlier you book too.<\/p>\n It is best to book between 4-6 weeks in advance of your travel date.<\/em><\/p><\/blockquote>\n Sometimes, it pays to book last minute. \u00a0The problem, however, is that this can backfire on you. \u00a0In some cases, selection dries up and prices increase. \u00a0Therefore, I recommend only booking last minute if you are prepared to take the risk of not getting a hotel or having to pay extra. \u00a0Find out how much other travelers have paid<\/a> for their hotel room on Priceline.<\/p>\n It is worthwhile to find out how busy your destination will be during your travel dates. \u00a0Are you traveling during peak season or events that will cause an influx of visitors? Peak travel season, spring break, conferences, and other major events and holidays can have significant implications on the availability and price of hotels on Priceline. \u00a0If your destination will experience high occupancy rates due to an influx of travelers, I recommend booking at least 2\u00a0months\u00a0in advance, and ideally 3 to 4 months in advance.<\/p>\n If you are traveling during low season or shoulder season, bidding on Priceline 4 to 6 weeks in advance is ideal.<\/p>\n Book at least 3 to 4 months in advance if your destination will experience high occupancy rates.<\/em><\/p><\/blockquote>\n Your destination also plays an important part in how far you should book in advance. \u00a0Hotels in popular destinations such as New York and London always have a high occupancy rate and may be sold out if you book too later. \u00a0During peak periods, it may be necessary to book even earlier than 4 months in advance. \u00a0On the other hand, there are so many hotels in Las Vegas that you can always get a room on Priceline no matter what the occasion.<\/p>\n Priceline’s Name Your Own Price hotel rooms cannot be cancelled or change. \u00a0Therefore, if you are going to wait before booking, I recommend having a backup plan. \u00a0Book a hotel elsewhere that can be cancelled. \u00a0This way, you have a hotel room locked in, and can wait for a better deal by bidding on Priceline. \u00a0If you find a better deal, grab it and cancel your original reservation.<\/p>\n As a general rule, I recommend a better bidding strategy of booking 4 to 6 weeks in advance of your travel dates. \u00a0If your destination is experiencing a peak period or you simply want peace of mind, book earlier. \u00a0Booking up to 4 months in advance may be required. \u00a0While it is possible to get last minute deals by waiting until the last minute, selection can be very limited and in some cases, you may end up paying more. \u00a0If you choose to hold out for a better deal, book a refundable hotel that you can use as a backup plan.<\/em><\/p>\nFlexibility<\/h2>\n
Seasonality and Occupancy Rates<\/h2>\n
Bid Better By Having a Backup Plan<\/h2>\n