trflyer

Over the last few weeks, I have had no luck with this zone/4stars, either. My dates are 9/12-14 and bidding up to $120 with no success.

What is the price?

After checking wins here, used link to bid 5* Mayfair-Soho starting at $140, $165, $180, $200 all rejected. Each time adding dummy areas to increase bid. Did this for two weeks every other day or so. On Jun 12th, I decided 5* won't win and went to 4*, with same pattern-all rejects. After another week or so, decided that Mayfair won't do it, so added Kensington-Earl's Court 5*s, then 4*s and at 4* $180 won the unknown to me Nh Kensington Hall hotel. Online the property looked dicey, London hotels can deceive. Once we got there, it turned out to be a great hotel, nothing fancy but large (in London terms) clean room, nice bath and a short walk right off the Gloucester Road tube! This is a great area to visit with restaurants, people and transport nearby. Highly recommend it. Nh Harrington Hall 5-25 Harrington Gardens London, SW7 4JW 44 207 396 9696 Check-In: Wednesday, July 6, 2011-02:00 PM Check-Out: Thursday, July 7, 2011-12:00 PM Summary of Charges Room Cost (avg. per room, per night):$180.00 (USD) Number of Rooms:1 Number of Nights:1 Room Subtotal:$180.00 (USD) Taxes and Fees:$44.78 (USD) Total Room Cost:$224.78 (USD)

Just a thought, if you can, add Kensington and I think you should win. Mayfair will be tough. Good luck.

Won $58 with $5/night "Bonus Cash". The Marriott looks old but its okay for me. Bwi Airport Marriott Baltimore - Washington Airport (BWI) 1743 West Nursery Road Baltimore, Maryland 21090 410-859-8300 Check-In Date: Tues, Apr 26, 2011 / After 01:00 PM Check-Out Date: Wed, Apr 27, 2011 / 12:00 PM Offer Price Summary Bonus Cash Per Room, Per Night: $5.00 Your Offer Price Per Room, Per Night: $58.00 Total Offer Price Per Room, Per Night with Bonus: $63.00 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Total Charges to your Credit Card Your Offer Price Per Room, Per Night: $58.00 Subtotal: $58.00 Taxes & Fees: $12.47 Total Charges*: $70.47

Began bidding 3 1/2 stars - BWI at $40 and stopping at $55 (using the 7 free bids you get with Baltimore). Hotwire showed $79 for the same area, so I wouldn't go higher than $55. I kept this up for a few days and received a $65 counteroffer from Priceline which I declined. Finally with only few days to go I raised my limit to $59 and won the Westin. Later, I bid the same $59 for three more nights. Priceline countered with $143/nt, ha, so I declined. The Westin is not my cup of tea. I dislike the scent they spray as you enter and throughout the hotel. The Westin Baltimore Washington Airport 1110 Old Elkridge Landing Road Baltimore, MD 21090 443-577-2300 Check-In: Thursday, April 21, 2011-03:00 PM Check-Out: Sunday, April 24, 2011-12:00 PM Room Cost (avg. per room, per night): $59.00 (USD) Number of Rooms: 1 Number of Nights: 3 Room Subtotal: $177.00 (USD) Taxes and Fees: $35.52 (USD) Total Room Cost: $212.52 (USD)

I bid and won this in February but wanted to see it before reporting. Due to numerous bids, most of which were initiated here, I can't say if the winning bid was initiated from this site. Anyway, I needed one night in NYC's financial district and knew NY was notorious for expensive dumpy hotels, so I stuck to 4 stars and using the $80 and $90 Midtown wins I saw from this site, I was hoping for an $80 or $90 win for the Financial District, Chelsea, Empire State Building area or Midtown. Well despite starting 4 stars low, $60, and adding those zones and increments up to $90 over the course of two weeks in Feb, it was not to be. I guess the Sheraton Hotel and Towers was not interested in my bids for my weekend. So I lowered my stars to 3 1/2 and stayed Downtown, raising my bid each day. Finally, surprised, I won the World Center Hotel for $120 (my limit). I never heard of this property before and had no idea where it was. I am happy to report that it is a wonderful small NYC hotel. The location, though good for me, may be a bit much for some-its located literally adjacent/overlooking the site of the new World Trade Center construction. Its walkable from the subway and the room was as functional and well appointed as any I have stayed. Good job, PRICELINE and thanks for the help BetterBidding!

Using the site link and knowing the Priceline zones and property well, I began my bidding at $40 and raised by $2 each round. Each bid began with Towson only and I had two free rebids since "Hunt Valley & Timonium" maxed out at 3* and "Baltimore North-White Marsh" maxed at 2.5*. Well after two days my $50 bid on Friday was surprisingly rejected! Since 2007, I never paid over $50 for this property. My first bid $55 Sat morning immediately won the Sheraton, as expected. It's the only 3.5* hotel in the entire area. I should have stayed the course and began my bidding over again since I believe (though it's only a hunch) that they changed their policy on Sat. and I would have won a $45 bid. C'est la vie. Sheraton Baltimore North Hotel 903 Dulaney Valley Road Baltimore, MD 21204 410-321-7400 Check-In: Tuesday, November 9, 2010-03:00 PM Check-Out: Friday, November 12, 2010-12:00 PM Room Cost (avg. per room, per night): $55.00 (USD) Number of Rooms: 1 Number of Nights: 3 Room Subtotal: $165.00 (USD) Taxes and Fees: $32.61 (USD) Total Room Cost: $197.61 (USD)

Using the PRICELINE link, I started bidding 4* North Michigan Avenue at $60, each day adding Millennium Park and rebidding the same or plus $5. Note the $69 win at the Palmer House-but that's for late December. My dates look very bad since no one else seemed to get anything for this time period and I know lots of conventions are in town selling out my convention hotel and my usually reliable target, the Sheraton Chicago Towers. So... I rebid twice each day until I went to 4* $95 NMA when I was rejected but received a rebid offer at $120. Before rebidding I went to HOTWIRE and saw their Chicago offer for $125! so there was no way I was going to rebid at $120 so I rejected, added Millenium Park and bid $100--rejected! The next day I bid again $4* NMA $110 and won the Westin. I've never been there and its a longish walk to the Embassy Suites but it looks very nice online. Westin Chicago River North North Michigan Ave - River North Area 320 North Dearborn Avenue Chicago, Illinois 60610 Check-In Date: Mon, Nov 1, 2010 / After 03:00 PM Check-Out Date: Thu, Nov 4, 2010 / 12:00 PM Amenities: remote tv prem ch, tel vmail, radio alarm clock, iron, hair dryer, bus serv., 24hr desk,full serv rest.,room servc, bellman, concierge, fitness center Your Offer Price Per Room, Per Night: $110.00 Subtotal: $330.00 Taxes & Fees: $61.38 Total Charges*: $391.38

Bidding through this site, with only one day in advance, first bid higher than usual, $50, for Columbia, MD North (a new PRICELINE zone for Columbia, MD) and was rejected! Ok, since time was short and I really needed a win, I expanded my bid to include BWI Airport but I lowered it to $48 and won the Aloft at Arundel Mills -a hotel totally unknown to me. After looking it up online, it said Aloft was a fun new Starwood chain. Before bidding I never knew of this place. I had always thought that 3 stars meant a restaurant on the premises---hmmm apparently PRICELINE has changed that requirement to include "on site dining" which does not mean a restaurant and does mean a vending area somewhere on the premises. This must be a concession to include ever crappier hotels in ever higher rankings. In my view, this facility is an unmitigated disaster of a hotel and total dump. Sheraton must have been out of their minds creating a chain of hotels with the lobby being a loud, public disco with a filthy concrete floor, nonstop annoying disco music, garish lights and colors and stinking spray scent throughout the hotel 24/7 (yes, the music and lighting and stink was nonstop even 8am Sunday morning). Every night the parking lot was full with public clubbers -- the lobby was an inner city rap club-just the place you want to relax and rest at after 8 hours flying transatlantic and jetlagged, let alone come with your wife and kids. The room itself was actually not bad but it was overshadowed by everything else. Googling "Aloft Arundel Mills shooting" will inform that people were shot and stabbed in this hotel's lobby earlier this year. I am appalled that PRICELINE would put me in such a place.

Using the PRICELINE link here, I first bid $49 for 2 nights 11-1 to 11-3 and won the Columbia Hilton--tied IMHO as the best hotel in Columbia, MD along with the Sheraton, although for some the Sheraton has the best location. They both are 3.5 stars but Priceline shows them as 3. After the win, I was offered to extend the reservation for $72 per night. I always reject these offers and then rebid and usually win my original price. This time, though, I tried to extend two more nights and won them. The Hilton is such a good property and has been so pricey this year that I wanted to keep this room. Notable amenities are a wooded yet close-in location, an upgraded bar, restaurant, indoor pool and whirlpool.

Using the PRICELINE link, first bid 3 stars $45 for longer dates (to 5/31) to see if Sheraton or Hilton would go that low but was rejected. Shortened the dates and raised to $49 and was rejected and waited a day. Next day did same, rejected and waited a day. Next day did same, this time the $45 bid received the "add $13" message and declined. I rebid at $49 with shortened dates and won, to my surprise, the Sheraton. I tried to extend but Sheraton did not offer.

Unfortunately I think Priceline did this for bidding strategy reasons and not because the property changed. If anything, the newly renovated Columbia Sheraton should be upgraded to 4 stars not downgraded to 3. It is located as well as any property in the entire Baltimore area (next to the lakefront and the mall.) It was the only 3 1/2 star property in Columbia-Jessup. I think it took PRICELINE a few months to figure this out and then remedy it so now you now have no idea what you're getting when you bid. The better strategy would be to make the Columbia Hilton 3 1/2 stars too.

I gave my credit card to the Hotel in order to assure the credit card company that I was not trying to avoid paying for the hotel. After all, I did stay there even if it was in duress. I requested a credit from Hotwire because they did not deliver the 3 star as per the terms of their website. I want the hotel to keep the hotel's charge and for Hotwire to refund Hotwire's charge. Latest news: The credit card company sent me a letter on April 20th denying my refund request. On 5/11 I made an official complaint to the San Francisco Bay Area Better Business Bureau (the one closest to Hotwire's HQ). On 5/14 Hotwire replied that all sales are final and offered to help me recover the Hotel's charge. In my rebuttal on May 15, I declined their offer and requested they refund their charges in full. I also said if they refuse, I would escalate the matter to the Attorney General's office. I have not received a reply to my rebuttal. I'll keep you posted. Today, May 21, I received an email from Hotwire Support crediting my account with $125 Hotwire HotDollars. There is no mention of my complaint and I don't know if its related to my complaint. Does anyone know if Hotwire HotDollars is a regular promotion? Has anyone ever received this before? FYI the Hotdollars email came with a link to HOTWIRE's T&Cs with the following language: "No Warranties Unless a Provider has agreed otherwise, all products, services, advice, merchandise and information available through this Site are provided on an "as is," "as available" basis without warranties of any kind, either expressed or implied, other than those imposed by law, including but not limited to, warranties of title or implied warranties of merchantability, satisfactory quality or fitness for a particular purpose. Without limiting the above, no warranty or guarantee is made (i) regarding the acceptance of any Request; (ii) that a User will receive the lowest available price for goods and/or services available through this Site; (iii) regarding the availability of products and/or services through this Site or, where applicable, at any participating retailer or retailer location; (iv) that use of this Site and all software, products or services associated with this Site will be error-free; (v) regarding the results that may be obtained from the use of this Site; (vi) regarding the completeness, accuracy, reliability or quality of any information, Content, data, service, advice or merchandise provided or available through this Site; or, (vii) regarding the performance or non-performance of this Site including, but not limited to, any performance or non-performance in connection with or as a consequence of the passage of time. You expressly agree that the use of this Site is at your sole risk." I'm not sure how the above T&C squares with the site statements that if you ask for a certain star level you will get it.

Chase Visa did not credit my Hotwire charge. BEWARE-do not request 3* in Columbia, Maryland from Hotwire or you may end up with this 2 star hotel. Unfortunately, regardless of how nice they may say they are, being sandwiched in a blind alley between a prison (Jessup State Pen) and a truck stop does not a 3 star make!

Used the BB PRICELINE link. Residence Inn Columbia Ellicott City Columbia - Jessup 4950 Beaver Run Road Ellicott City, Maryland 21043 410-997-7200 Success on first $50 bid. Your Offer Price Per Room, Per Night: $50.00 Subtotal: $150.00 Taxes & Service Fees:$26.59 Total Charges*: $176.59 Disappointed I did not get the Columbia Hilton. The Residence is a nice property but the Hilton is my preferred.

Regarding my dispute with Hotwire, I first disputed what I called their fraudulent charge with my credit card company. The card company replied with "no refund" on the basis that Hotwire said I stayed there (true) which implicitly means that I accepted their service. Next, I called the hotel and paid the bill directly with my own credit card (the same one used for Hotwire) and I then replied to the card company saying that the Hotel was paid direct and I continue to request they refund my fraudulent Hotwire charge. I have no reply yet but will let you know how it turns out.

The only reply received from HOTWIRE is that all sales are final. I recommend that anyone find out all the hotels in a Hotwire ranking before the request. You cannot trust Hotwire to abide by their own ratings guide.

Amenities for the 3 1/2 star Shearton Baltimore North in Timonium: 3.5-star hotel in Towson This hotel features the following amenities: Smoke Free Rooms Fitness Center Pool(s) Restaurant(s) Business Center Laundry Facilities

Here are the amenities for the LaQuinta in Jessup: 3-star hotel in Columbia - Jessup - Elkridge This hotel features the following amenities: Complimentary Breakfast <amenity names only please... not descriptions> Fitness Center Guests have access to exercise equipment; an additional charge may apply. Business Center Guests have access to business equipment and services; an additional charge may apply. Laundry Facilities <amenity names only please... not descriptions> High-speed Internet Access Guestrooms are equipped with high-speed Internet access; an extra charge may apply. My comments are that the alleged Breakfasts and Fitness Center are 2 star at best; there is no business center, a pc in the corner of the lobby does not a business center make; the laundry is par; and the internet service is good. BTW, I have contacted Hotwire about the rating of this property.

Using forum's PRICELINE and HOTWIRE links, first tried Baltimore University 3* on Priceline up to $65 and failed. Then went to HOTWIRE and saw 3* $65 in Towson. Awarded the Sheraton Baltimore North. Nice hotel with nice location.

Using forum links, originally bid PRICELINE Columbia-Jessup 3-1/2 and 3 stars from $40 all the way up to $65 with no wins...how disappointing. Next using forum links, went to HOTWIRE and saw 3*s at $65 so I went for it and was given the Jessup La Quinta, ugh! In my view, Jessup La Quinta is a 2 star at best. I contacted Hotwire customer service and they refused to cancel their booking claiming that even though they show La Quinta as 2 stars in their "Ratings Guide", the Jessup La Quinta they gave me is 3 stars. They said Travelocity and Expedia rates it 3 stars as justification. I checked and Expedia rates it only 2.5 stars while Travelocity does give it 3. Despite Travelocity's rating, due to the location and the facility itself, this is a 2 star hotel. I feel Hotwire did a bait and switch, will be wary of Hotwire's promise in the future. I will need to look beyond the Ratings Guide and check out specific property ratings before trusting Hotwire again.

It's correct, thanks!

After checking here, used PRICELINE link to bid LAX 3.5* $44 and won the Crowne Plaza LAX. Thank you bbc!

Using the PRICELINE link, first bid 3 1/2 stars $44 to see if Columbia Sheraton would go that low but was rejected. Added 3 stars and raised to $49 hoping to get Columbia Hilton (the best hotel in Columbia, IMHO) and feared would end up with Sheraton. Instead was surprised by Courtyard. I believe this is a lower quality property, poorly located, and should be 2 1/2 stars. It's very difficult lately to win the Hilton. If you bid to high ($55), you will overpay for the Sheraton which is still under construction.