joby Posted August 16, 2010 Report Share Posted August 16, 2010 Hi,I've gotten hotels on Hotwire many times w/ the help of this board. I "think" I want to branch out and try Priceline. Our flights aren't set yet but, will be shortly and I wanted to do a little research on Priceline bidding before I tried it. I'm kind of chicken, I guess :)We're going on a cruise and flying into and out of Ft. Lauderdale (FLL). Arriving to FLL on January 12 or 13, 2011 depending on flights and hotel costs.This is what we're looking for:-1 or 2 nights (to be decided when we have our flights) precruise hotel-1 bed needed-a great bargin-under $100/night and hopefully lots under!-ideally either free shuttle to/from airport and cruiseport OR inexpensive taxi ride-well located to eateries and things to do (like the water taxi) as we won't have a car rentalFrom a little research I've done on the area, it appears that the 3 areas that would be the best fit for our plans would be: Ft. Lauderdale downtown/Las OlasFt. Lauderdale beachFt. Lauderdale airportHorwire hotels seem to be in the over $100 range so, thought I would give Priceline a first try and see if I could get a super deal :)Would anyone be willing to help me get strted on a bidding strategy for PRICELINE?Thanks :o Link to comment
thereuare Posted August 17, 2010 Report Share Posted August 17, 2010 Please confirm your plans so we can research current rates for the actual dates you need... things can change between now and the time you're ready to book/commit to a purchase.Please use the PRICELINE and HOTWIRE links on the board to begin your travel purchases. Please use this HOTWIRE and these PRICELINE LINKS: HOTELS, CAR RENTALS, and AIRFARE to begin your travel purchases Link to comment
joby Posted August 17, 2010 Author Report Share Posted August 17, 2010 OK, will do. We should have our flights in the next day or so. Will ask again then :) Link to comment
joby Posted August 18, 2010 Author Report Share Posted August 18, 2010 We do have our flights now.We're going to Ft. Lauderdale and arriving on January 12 for a 2 night stay.Could anyone give me advice now? Link to comment
thereuare Posted August 18, 2010 Report Share Posted August 18, 2010 What is the minimum star rating you're seeking?Please use the PRICELINE and HOTWIRE links on the board to begin your travel purchases. Please use this HOTWIRE and these PRICELINE LINKS: HOTELS, CAR RENTALS, and AIRFARE to begin your travel purchases Link to comment
joby Posted August 18, 2010 Author Report Share Posted August 18, 2010 The minimum star rating would probably 3*. That should give us a good hotel and keep out the unfavorably reviewed hotels too.I've read the rebidding posts, how-to posts, etc. but, I still am nervous about all of this :) Could anyone help a Priceline newbie with easy to follow directions/strategy and advice? Link to comment
yellowdog Posted August 18, 2010 Report Share Posted August 18, 2010 jobywell located to eateries and things to do (like the water taxi) as we won't have a car rentalI know the Fort Lauderdale area very well. You should look up the 3* Ocean Sky Resort in the beach zone before you start bidding since you dont have a car (location/quality).And the airport area is nothing i recommend if you want to be close to restaurants and shops. PRICELINE got some "isolated" hotels in this zone. Good luck!Please use the PRICELINE and HOTWIRE links on the board to begin your travel purchases.Yellowdog. Link to comment
joby Posted August 18, 2010 Author Report Share Posted August 18, 2010 Thanks yellowdog. I looked it up and the cost was $159/night + tax. That's really more than we want to spend. Thanks for the opinion on the airport area. I guess we were just thinking about a shuttle.Actually, we'll need transportation from FLL to the hotel, hotel to cruise port anf cruise port to FLL. The rest we hope to be able to use the water taxi or just walk :)I see such good deals on PRICELINE and hope to get lots of coaching on how to get a great deal. Do you have any other suggestions? Link to comment
thereuare Posted August 19, 2010 Report Share Posted August 19, 2010 So why not start by bidding for just the Downtown zone up to your limit? If this is a good gameplan, do you want to try for a 3.5* up to your limit before trying for a 3* OR is your goal the least expensive 3* or better for this stay?Please use the PRICELINE and HOTWIRE links on the board to begin your travel purchases. Please use this HOTWIRE and these PRICELINE LINKS: HOTELS, CAR RENTALS, and AIRFARE to begin your travel purchases Link to comment
joby Posted August 19, 2010 Author Report Share Posted August 19, 2010 Hi,I would say the goal is to get the least expensive 3* or above for the 2 nights. Downtown seems to be a good spot for our needs.What next??? Link to comment
thereuare Posted August 19, 2010 Report Share Posted August 19, 2010 When bidding 3* in Ft Lauderdale you have ONE re-bid zones. If you're not familiar with re-bidding please read Priceline Re-Bidding Explained and feel free to ask questions and/or confirm your re-bid zones with the board before proceeding.With plenty of time on your side, i would bid as follows:Select 3* Downtown...Bid $55, if rejected add re-bid zone...Bid $60If the above is rejected (very likely) wait 24 hours and increase your bids to $65 and $70. Provide to increase each bid by $10 (so next would be $75 and $80) for the next 4 days to reach your $100 maximum.Any questions feel free to ask.Please use the PRICELINE and HOTWIRE links on the board to begin your travel purchases.Let us know how it goes or if we can be of further help. Please use this HOTWIRE and these PRICELINE LINKS: HOTELS, CAR RENTALS, and AIRFARE to begin your travel purchases Link to comment
joby Posted August 20, 2010 Author Report Share Posted August 20, 2010 Thanks for the help and I'll let you know. Link to comment
joby Posted August 22, 2010 Author Report Share Posted August 22, 2010 Thanks for the help. My latest bid was accepted.Date: January 12-14, 2011Number of nights: 2 (pre-cruise)Hotel: Riverside Hotel Rating: 3 starArea: Ft Lauderdale DowntownSite: PricelineWinning Bid: $75Taxes & Service Fees: $26.48Total = $176.48Thanks for the help. Link to comment
yellowdog Posted August 22, 2010 Report Share Posted August 22, 2010 jobyThank you for sharing your result with the board!Enjoy your stay.Please use the site's HOTWIRE and PRICELINE links to start future purchases.Yellowdog. Link to comment
joby Posted August 22, 2010 Author Report Share Posted August 22, 2010 Yellowdog,I think we will enjoy our stay. The Riverside sounds like a nice place and well located too.I did indeed use the Better Bidding PRICELINE link for my purchase :) Link to comment
AaronJB Posted August 22, 2010 Report Share Posted August 22, 2010 Thank you for using the site's PRICELINE link. :) Link to comment
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