How HotelHuddle Name-Your-Price Works
Save up to 40% on hotels by naming your price — and letting hotels compete to match it.
At hotelHuddle, we've flipped the traditional booking model. Instead of accepting whatever rate hotels list, you set the price you're willing to pay. Hotels within your search area see your request and can accept it, counter with a different rate, or decline.
It's like having a personal negotiator working 24/7 to get you a better deal.
What Is Name-Your-Price Hotel Booking?
Name-your-price (NYP) hotel booking is a reverse auction model that puts you in control of the pricing. Here's how it differs from traditional booking:
| Traditional Booking | Name-Your-Price |
|---|---|
| Hotel sets the price | You set the price |
| Take it or leave it | Hotels compete to match your rate |
| Fixed rates | Potential savings of 20-40% |
| Instant confirmation | 2-24 hour response window |
When you submit a name-your-price request, you're telling hotels: "This is what I'm willing to pay. Who wants my business?" Hotels then review your offer and decide whether to accept, counter, or decline.
The Name-Your-Price Process: Step by Step
Step 1: Search Your Destination
Enter your destination, check-in and check-out dates, and number of adults. Our search results show you two options side-by-side:
- Agoda's current rate — The standard public rate for instant booking
- Name-Your-Price option — Where you specify a lower rate and let hotels respond
Pro tip: If Agoda's rate is already deeply discounted, book instantly. If there's room to negotiate, go name-your-price.
Step 2: Name Your Price
See a hotel listed at $150/night on Agoda? Name your price at $110. That's a 27% discount request.
How low should you go?
| Agoda Rate | Suggested NYP | Discount |
|---|---|---|
| $100-149 | $75-90 | 25-35% |
| $150-199 | $110-135 | 25-30% |
| $200-299 | $150-180 | 25-30% |
| $300+ | $220-250 | 20-25% |
Hotels are more likely to accept during:
- Off-peak seasons (January-February, September-October)
- Weekday stays (Sunday-Thursday)
- Last-minute bookings (1-7 days before check-in)
- Extended stays (3+ nights)
Step 3: Submit Your Request
- Non-subscribers: Pay $2 per request
- hotelHuddle Plus members: Submit unlimited requests free ($4.99/month)
Your request goes out to all matching hotels within a 25-mile radius of your search area.
Step 4: Hotels Respond
Hotels have three options when they receive your name-your-price request:
| Response | What It Means | Your Next Move |
|---|---|---|
| Accepted | Hotel agrees to your price | Confirm the reservation and book |
| Countered | Hotel offers a different rate (usually between your price and their Agoda rate) | Accept the counter, decline, or submit a new request |
| Declined | Hotel can't match your price | Try a higher price or book via Agoda |
You'll receive email notifications for each response. Most hotels respond within 2-24 hours.
Step 5: Book Your Stay
Once a hotel accepts (or you accept a counter), your reservation is confirmed. You'll receive:
- Confirmation email with hotel details
- Check-in instructions
- Hotel contact information
- Cancellation policy (varies by property)
Why Hotels Accept Name-Your-Price Offers
Hotels aren't charities — they accept lower rates because something is better than nothing.
The Economics of Unsold Rooms
A hotel room is a perishable product. If it stays empty tonight, that revenue is gone forever. Hotels would rather earn $100 on a room listed at $150 than earn $0.
Name-your-price helps hotels:
- Fill rooms during low-demand periods
- Attract price-sensitive travelers who wouldn't book at standard rates
- Compete without publicly discounting (which can devalue their brand)
- Build relationships with new guests who may return at full price
When Hotels Are Most Likely to Accept
| Scenario | Acceptance Likelihood | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Booking 1-7 days before check-in | High | Hotel knows occupancy levels; empty rooms = lost revenue |
| Weekday stays (Sun-Thu) | High | Business travel has declined; leisure travelers fill the gap |
| Off-peak season | High | Lower overall demand means more negotiating room |
| 3+ night stays | Medium-High | Longer stays guarantee more total revenue |
| Major events/conferences nearby | Low | Hotels can charge premium rates; no need to discount |
| Last-minute same-day booking | Medium | Depends on current occupancy — call hotel directly for best deals |
Name-Your-Price vs. Traditional Booking Platforms
| Feature | HotelHuddle NYP | Agoda "Book Now" | Traditional OTAs |
|---|---|---|---|
| Who sets the price | You | Hotel | Hotel |
| Potential savings | 20-40% | 0-15% (public deals) | 0-10% (member rates) |
| Certainty | Wait for response (2-24 hrs) | Instant confirmation | Instant confirmation |
| Best for | Flexible travelers, deal hunters | Last-minute, guaranteed booking | Standard bookings |
| Cost to submit | $2/request or free with subscription | Free | Free |
| Cancellation | Varies by hotel | Varies by hotel | Varies by hotel |
How HotelHuddle Differs from Priceline's Name Your Price
You may be familiar with Priceline's "Name Your Price" feature. Here's how hotelHuddle is different:
| Feature | Priceline NYP | HotelHuddle NYP |
|---|---|---|
| Hotel transparency | You see star rating and area only — property revealed AFTER booking | You see exact hotels in your search — know where you're staying BEFORE booking |
| Cancellation | Almost always non-refundable | Varies by hotel — many offer free cancellation |
| Loyalty points | No hotel loyalty points earned | May earn hotel loyalty points (varies by property) |
| Geographic coverage | Major markets only | Nationwide coverage via Agoda partnership |
With hotelHuddle, you know exactly which hotel you're booking before you commit. No surprises.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is name-your-price hotel booking?
Name-your-price hotel booking lets you specify the rate you want to pay per night. Hotels within your search area receive your request and can accept your price, counter with a different rate, or decline. You only pay when a hotel accepts your offer.
How much does it cost to submit a name-your-price request?
Non-subscribers pay $2 per reservation request. hotelHuddle Plus subscribers ($4.99/month) submit unlimited requests at no additional cost. You only pay the request fee — not the hotel rate — when you submit your offer.
Do hotels actually accept name-your-price offers?
Yes. Hotels use name-your-price to fill rooms that would otherwise go unsold. Our data shows approximately 60-70% of requests receive at least one hotel response, with acceptance rates higher during off-peak seasons and for bookings made 1-14 days in advance.
What happens if no hotel accepts my price?
If no hotel accepts your exact price, you'll receive counter-offers from interested properties. You can accept a counter, submit a new request at a higher price, or book instantly via our Agoda "Book Now" integration at standard rates.
Can I book name-your-price requests in any state?
Due to Seller of Travel regulations, name-your-price booking is currently unavailable in California, Florida, Hawaii, Iowa, and Washington. We're working on registration in these states. Agoda "Book Now" bookings remain available nationwide.
Is my payment information secure?
Yes. hotelHuddle uses Stripe for all payment processing. We never store your credit card information on our servers. Stripe is PCI DSS Level 1 certified — the highest level of payment security.
Can I cancel a name-your-price reservation?
Cancellation policies vary by hotel. Some offer free cancellation up to 24-48 hours before check-in; others are non-refundable. Always review the cancellation policy before confirming your reservation.
Ready to Start Saving?
Search Hotels and Name Your Price — or Learn About hotelHuddle Plus for unlimited free requests.
Related Resources
- hotelHuddle Pricing — $2/request vs. $4.99/month subscription comparison
- Agoda Partnership — How our Agoda integration works
- Best Price Guarantee — What happens if you find a lower rate elsewhere
- Affiliate Disclosure — FTC-compliant disclosure of our Agoda affiliate relationship
Last updated: June 13, 2026
