STLtraveler

I've used Priceline numerous times in the past, but its been a couple years since my last use. This time I was bidding the day before my planned hotel stay. I bid and was rejected. My plan was to re-bid (up to 4 times) adding zones without 4*/3.5* hotels. Instead Priceline told me I could only re-bid if I raised my offering price by $24 to $54. I raised the pricing by $24 since that was still barely within my budget for the hotel and was awarded a hotel, but I had never had this occur before. Is this new? Is this because I was bidding the day before my stay or possibly something else? I have to bid on a hotel stay coming up early next year and would like to avoid this circumstance again. Thanks

Booked through SavingsBarn.com and got it on the first try for $48. I just posted my win. Thanks.

Won it on the first bid. Direct rate for this property on this night is $229/night.

As far as I can tell from using this site and seeing what Hotwire is offering for that date....It looks like I would get either the La Quinta or Crystal Inn. Either seem fine, but the deal isn't that great.

From my previous experiences using Priceline, I would imagine we could pull off 2 beds. I would like to give Priceline a shot. Going for a 3* by the airport. Max bid at $65 for July 23. If no luck after a few tries...I may drop to 2* and lower bid.

Can someone help with a bidding strategy for Denver (Airport Area) using Priceline? Would like a 3*. Staying one night: Sunday, July 23rd.

Also, this time I am traveling with my dad and would like to arrange for 2 beds. Are the hotels fairly accommodating to Priceline customers' requests for 1 or 2 beds?

Here's my strategy (thanks to betterbidding advisor):

Selected 4* NMA...

Bid $75, rejected so added Skoki

Bid $80, rejected so added Midway

Bid $83, rejected so closed browser

Select 4* Loop...

Bid $75, rejected so added Skokie

Bid $80, rejected so added Midway

Bid $83, BINGO! Chicago Hilton

Not a great win here, but not bad either. I checked pricing for the Hilton Chicago and comparing prices (after taxes/fees for both)...Priceline was $14 cheaper per night. But I waive my right to cancel my reservation and am not guaranteed a particular bed/smoking preference. I was hoping to get any 4* property but the Hilton in either NMA or the Loop...go figure. A little further south of the action than I would like to be. In retrospect...I should of shot for a 3* in the NMA area. Oh well, still a good price.

I'll give this strategy a shot on Friday and will post my results.

Thanks.

Max bid would be $90.

I changed some plans around and decided to head to Chicago on Thanksgiving. I would like a 4* room for 2 nights (11/24 - 11/26) in the North Michigan Avenue. Would like to keep it under $200 (for both nights including fees/taxes) since I can book a Palmer House room direct for approximatly that cost. Willing to stay in the Millenium-Loop area as an alternate to the NMA area. Here's what I tried and it failed:

Bid $60 4* North Michican Ave

Rebid $65 adding Midway

Closed Browser

Bid $70 4* NMA & Skokie

Rebid $75 adding Midway

Rebid $77 adding Millenium-Loop

All failed. Any advice for my 2nd chance 72hours from now?

Yeah, I know. Those bids were way low, but i figure that I would just throw some out there for the heck of it. But no, my plans are not firm. I actually already have a room at the Palmer House booked for Friday Nov 25th. I was planning on driving home from Chicago on Saturday evening. I recently considered staying a second night if I could find a really good deal (ie...through priceline). If I don't get the good deal then it won't ruin my plans by any means. A second night was just going to enable me to have another night of jazz, steak and seeing a second city show. So, I'm not desperate but I wouldn't mind nabbing a deal if it presents itself.

Would like a bidding strategy for a tough night to get in Chicago.

11/26/05.

My preference is a 4* hotel in the North Michigan Ave area at no more than $130ish/night. My next preference would be a Boutique in North Michigan Ave area for no more than $130ish/night. My next preference would be a 4* in Millennium Park area for no more than $130ish/night. After that my next preference would be a 3* in North Michigan Ave then a 3* in Millenium Park (either for around $100).

What's the best way to go about maximizing my chance of getting any of the above options (in order of preference)?

How does the "boutique" come into play when bidding? Can I use the "boutique" option to keep bidding by using zones that don't offer a boutique? Or will Priceline assign a 3*?

I've already done the following:

4*

Bid $50 North Michigan

Bid $60 adding Midway

Bid $70 adding Skokie

Bid $80 adding Millenium Park

No luck there, but didn't expect any luck at that low of a bid. Am I being too eager in thinking I can get a 3*+ hotel in either the Loop or Michigan Ave over that Saturday night (thanksgiving weekend)?

Thanks for any help.

First time using Priceline and I couldn't of asked for more out of it or this wonderful website.

Here's how it went:

Bid $50 for downtown....rejected

Added another zone with no 3* pluses

Rebid $55...rejected

Added another zone with no 3* pluses

Rebid $60...rejected

Closed out of priceline.

Bid $65 for downtown and another zone

ACCEPTED

Your Offer Price: $65.00

Number of Rooms: 1

Number of Nights: 2

Subtotal: $130.00

Taxes & Service Fees:

$29.49

Total Charges: $159.49

****best rate for this place over this weekend on most other travel sites: $179/night (before taxes)

Okay...all I have to say is that you and this site are awesome!!!! I got the Marriott for $65/night by using your method below.

I will post my results and your method under Tennessee/Priceline.

Thank you, thank you, thank you....

btw...I went through savingsbarn.com my first go-around, but forgot to my 2nd time when I hit got the bid. I will make sure to do so for future bids. I was concentrating too hard on not messing up.

$100. I'm not sure what is reasonable though. The best price I found on the Marriott and Radisson is $170 per night and $161 per night, respectively.

Obviously, the lower the better. I would be extremely happy to pay about $75 per night.

Your thoughts?

Is there a fee (other than taxes) on top of my accepted bid?

My "keeper" has given me "permission" to visit Memphis from 6/17 to 6/19. I would like to start bidding today for a 3* upscale room in the downtown vicinity.

What is the best strategy to go about this?

Driving in. Those days are pretty firm. Either 6/18 to 6/20 or 6/17 to 6/19. I just saw that the trolley goes right by the marriott, so either hotel would work great for us. As soon as I get the "go-ahead" from my girlfriend then I'll try it out and post my results.

What price should I go in at? How high in increments should I go up at a time?

Planning on heading to Memphis for 2 nights from 6/18 to 6/20. I want to stay in the downtown area and see that the 2 hotels that people have received through priceline are the Radisson and Marriot. I greatly prefer the Radisson over the Marriot (mainly because of location). Is there a way to determine which one Priceline is offering me when bidding?

I am new to Priceline/Hotwire bidding.

Thank you.

I was unable to try out either priceline/hotwire because I was flying stand-by and unsure if I'd even make it to NY on Saturday. Luckily, I flew through White Plains and made it without a problem.

If anyone is looking for a decent (decent meaning a hotel version of a Motel 6) place to stay. The St. James is just a couple blocks from Times Square. I found this hotel listed on only one hotel internet side for $149 a night. I didn't book it due to my stand-by issues. When I got there, I was able to get a room for $115 a night (including taxes/fees)! It wasn't the Waldorf or anything. But, if you need a clean, safe place to lay your head that is close to all the "action", then you may want to try this one out. $115 for a Saturday night, the weekend before christmas. Not bad, and I'd definitely do it again.

Thanks for everyone's help.

Thanks for the advise. I'll give it a go.

Never used priceline or hotwire before. I've been looking for cheap hotels in midtown manhattan (preferrably east or west). Nothing cheap I see. Ran across some hole in the walls (according to traveladvisor comments) for around $150, but that is all.

Would like to get a 3* plus hotel for $150 or less. Is this impossible?

Running out of time, please help. Flight leaves tomorrow at 5:00am. How should I start my bid? How long does it take? Need to know the ins and outs of priceline and/or hotwire to save money on a room.

Thanks to whomever can help.