nctraveler

Started with 3* at $50 - rejected

Added 2 1/2 stars at $52 - accepted (I had checked and knew the Fairfield Inn was sold out so assumed the 2 1/2 would be Country Inns which we like)

Thanks - I had looked around before I posted, but guess this thread didn't jump out at me. It was exactly the info I was looking for.

I was just wondering if a higher initial bid will get a better hotel within a given * level or will it just give priceline more profit? There seems to be a range of hotels even within a given star rating. So do they just fill from the cheapest up - or will a higher bid get a higher room?

Does this make sense?

have tried multiple times (over several days) - all bids rejected up through $46 for a 2* Knoxville East. With fees and taxes the $46 bid was a little over $61 - so I think I'll book direct and know what I'm getting. I'll use the support page

Thereuare - Please read this and tell me if you've seen this sort of thing in other cities - or if you can explain this one to me.

You know I'm interested in Knoxville East - I went back to see if Priceline had anything that looked good in the "Shop and Compare" hotel listing for Knoxville. I noticed several hotels that included the word "east" in the hotel name, but in the 2nd line which shows the star level Priceline had "(Knoxville North)". This was the case for the Days Inn East and the Ramada Limited East on the 1st page of listings and for the Super 8 East and the Country Inn & Suites East on the 2nd page of listings. I checked the addresses and maps (for Name your price) and they are DEFINITELY in the Knoxville East zone and not the Knoxville North zone.

I sent customer service an email asking if this would impact the zones in the "name your price" option because it certainly appears to be an error - but they responded with standard verbage explaining the difference between "shop and compare" and "name your price." I can send you the email if you wish. I tried 2 times to explain my question, but I didn't really get an answer.

I know the same hotels don't have to participate in both options, but don't you think it's strange that these "east" hotels are listed as "Knoxville North"? And why do they even have to mention a zone if you can see the actual name and address?

Thanks.

I need strategy help for Knoxville. Not much to go by on the board. Going for graduation at UT. Graduation is at 8:30 Friday morning, so we just need a room for Thursday night. We're coming from North Carolina so the best zones for us would be downtown or east. I know from driving through that there are LOTS of hotels right off I-40 at Strawberry Plains (bairly inside the East zone).

East only has 1 and 2 star hotels, and downtown only has 2 and 3 star hotels. I've found a Country Inns at Strawberry Plains for $71.10 and a Best Western for $79.16. Hotels downtown are naturally higher.

There are lots of hotels I would stay at that are 2* - but there are probably several 2* places I wouldn't like. Do you think it's risky to bid on a 2* in the east zone?

Thanks!

If you don't think we can save $20 I think we might as well take the Best Western. I'll wait to hear from you - and if it's the Best Western I'll use the link. Just thought it was worth looking and asking.

Since we're driving from NC I think Titusville would be the best since it is just north of Port Canaveral. It only has 1 and 2 * choices. Merritt Island has 1 and 2 * choices, and Cocoa Beach has 1,2, and 3 * choices - either of these would be ok, but it means driving a little further. And niether helps with the free rebids if you really want Titusville.

I looked for a zone a little further north, but there didn't seem to be anything at New Smyrna Beach, so we'd have to stop all the way back up in the Daytona area.

I don't want to make this any harder than it needs to be - just thought any savings could be spent on the cruise.

If you don't think Titusville has any deals just say so and we will go ahead and book the Best Western.

thanks!

I can't find any recent posts in the Port Canaveral area. Do you think there's anything available through Priceline? Here's what I can find from the various hotel websites:

Titusville Holiday Inn - $90

Titusville Comfort Inn $67.96

Titusville Best Western - $64.80

Radisson - $159 (someone said they provide transportation to the cruise terminals so you save the parking - but I think I'd rather pay parking!)

Thanks for any info or strategy tips.

Late post - decided last minute before we left town to add a Sunday night in Washington.

Bid 3* - White House area up to $56 (with rebid zones) - all rejected

Started over at Convention Center - Capitol Hill

Bids of $58 and $60 were rejected

Raised to $65 because we really wanted to get something - Bid was accepted

Washington Court Hotel

Great Room - 2 beds, non-smoking

I checked the Greenbelt Mariott (which is the 3* hotel listed) and they were full - so I don't guess I would have gotten that at any price.

Repeated the above strategy. $40 was rejected. Added a zone and won at $44.

Courtyard By Marriott New Carrollton

Jan 14 - Sat night

Or... do you recommend I switch to a 2 1/2 * at these prices? The listing shows a Courtyard at 2 1/2 stars that I think would be fine.

Tried all 3 options and all were rejected. Guess I have to wait 72 hours and raise the price??

I looked at the list of hotels near the sports center. From that list I would probably go with the Holiday Inn Greenbelt - which is $89 on the Holiday Inn web site. A Holiday Inn, Courtyard, or something similar is fine with me. We will probably get in late afternoon and leave early the next morning for the track meet.

There are so many cities around Washington I need any help you can give. We are attending a track meet at the Prince George Sportsplex (Landover) on Sunday, Jan 15, so I need a nearby hotel for Saturday, January 14.

I've looked at Priceline and I "think" the best zone is the Greenbelt, with a 2nd choice of Silver Spring-College Park. I don't see any winning bids lately, so what's the best strategy? Luxury isn't required! Clean and safe is required. I've used priceline once before, so I am familiar with the free bid process.

Thanks!

Decided to try 2 low bids at a 4* before I went to a 3* that I expected to get.

first bid of $43 4* Galleria -->rejected

added Med Ctr zone and bid $46 -->accepted

Your Offer Price: $46.00

Number of Rooms: 1

Number of Nights: 1

Subtotal: $46.00

Taxes & Service Fees:

$15.10

Total Charges: $61.10

Check in 8/19/05

check out 8/20/05

And, of course, Med Ctr that tops out at 3*

If I was going I'd prefer paying a little more and staying at a "really nice" hotel (ie, the 4* in Galleria) but my husband would probably prefer the 3* at Med Center...

Hope I'm not being too much of a pest

Yes - I trust the rebid process.

Zones that top out at 2*...Conroe, Cyfair, East

Zones that top out at 2.5*...Clearlake, Northwest, Humble

Zones that top out at 3* ...Brookhollow, Hobby, Southwest, West, Woodlands

Thanks

It would have to be in Galleria, since there are no 4* in Conroe...

I've been reading stuff off and on all day to learn more. Now I understand using the zone you don't want just to get another bid. You're just sure if you check priceline immediately before you bid it won't backfire?

See if I got this right...

start with 4 * Galleria lowest price

add Med Ctr then other zone to be able to raise the price

drop to 3* just Med Ctr - lower price?

add Galleria and raise price

drop to 2.5 * same process...

This might be fun.

ok - I'm trying to understand it all...

I checked priceline and found a Conroe zone that just had 1 and 2 star options - but it is WAY FAR out and I wouldn't want to be there at any price (a little nervous here)

Price is not the biggest factor (remember I'd really be willing to pay the standard Rice rate if I didn't want to learn how this works), but then it's always fun to think you got a great deal!

In order of preference: Med Center is the preferred location, but if you can get a "higher quality" motel in Galleria for the same cost that would be fine too.

One last thing...is there any way to make sure you don't save $ on a hotel price, then end up at a site that charges more than that for parking? (I checked most of the hotels you have listed and some charge for parking and some do not)

Yes - I'm willing to bid both zones. This is for my husband - so he's not really particular about a fancy hotel, but doesn't want to be too far away from Rice. I want to go this way just to learn the process.

What I don't know is what to start the bid at. Price info I do have is the "preferred Rice rate" at the Best Western (Med Ctr Area) is $69, and the Hampton Inn Gallaria area has an internet price of $62.10. The Holiday Inn Med Ctr is $75.

I just read the re-bid posts and went to Priceline to check the 2 zones. Gallaria has 2, 2.5, 3, and 4 stars, but Med center only goes as high as 3.

Thanks for the quick responses!

Did some more looking - I think the Galleria zone is close to Rice as well - don't know which zone has better luck for a Friday night stay

I'm brand new to Priceline and could use some help. I'll post the specifics of my stay - then read all the tips and posts while I await a response...

Houston - Medical Center (near Rice University)

1 night, 1 person

Friday, August 19

Don't need anything fancy - we've stayed at both the Best Western and the Holiday Inn there on Main Street. This is just a quick "drop the kid at college" trip. The Rice rates aren't too bad, but I'd like to use this as a test, or learning experience, for future trips.