day-o

I needed 2 rooms for one night (8/6/11) in La Vista, NE, so using your PRICELINE link I bid $56 for SW Omaha. Earlier I had read ajffja's very helpful post from 6/29/11 regarding a priceline win at the Embassy Suites in La Vista. There have only been 2 reported 3* hotels in this area - Marriott Courtyard and Embassy Suites. I had already checked the Marriott Courtyard's website, and it had no rooms available for August 6th. So I thought Embassy Suites would probably be my only chance for this particular date. I ended up subsequently bidding $58, $63, $67, and finally $69 by adding my free re-bid zones with each new bid. And just like ajffja, I also won Embassy Suites in La Vista for $69. Thanks, ajffja. Your advice was really useful. And thanks, Better Bidding, for this free information site.

My husband and I decided to take a short trip to Omaha last weekend. Using your PRICELINE link I bid on a 3* Downtown Omaha hotel thinking I would get the usual win of the Doubletree or possibly the Hilton. Those hotels are often won with a $55-65 bid, so I started out at $56. My first bid was accepted by the Westin Element at 32nd and Dodge. This is a relatively new hotel which opened last November. I believe all the rooms have a kitchenette equipped with cloth napkins, dinnerware, cookware, a small stove, full-size dishwasher, and full-size fridge - at least that was the configuration of our kitchenette. The hotel is also pet friendly. A complimentary breakfast with both hot and cold food is included in the room price. Restaurants, movie theatre, Coldstone Creamery, parking garage, dry cleaners, etc. are all within a block or so of the hotel. Very friendly staff, great location, and a free shuttle from 6:00am - 10:00 pm within a 5 mile radius of the hotel. We really enjoyed our stay and I would recommend this hotel to anyone. Just thought you might want to include it in your hotel list. Thanks again for your service -- it makes travel affordable.

The Dana looked so enticing that I splurged and booked a corner king through your Expedia link. With the prepaid Mastercard offer, I estimate the cost will be $103/night. It was a very unique room (glass floor-to-ceiling on 2 walls), and service from the hotel staff was excellent. We had a great stay, and only wish that the bed had been a bit firmer and the weather a little less cold. However, we loved our visit, and are already planning our next get-away to Chicago in the spring. Thanks for your honest opinions regarding the hotwire hotels, and your thoughtful suggestion about the Dana. Yes, I would recommend this hotel to my friends. It was positively the most unique hotel at which I have stayed. Next time in Chicago, I must try this hotel's bar -- Vertigo. We're looking forward to returning soon. Thanks again -- Laura

I tried your link to PRICELINE since there had been reports of wins for the Hyatt Regency on Wacker Drive in the $60-70 range. I was unsuccessful after 5 attemps (using 4 free re-bid areas)for Millineum Park-Loop-Grant Park bidding up to $67. Now I think It might be time to try your HOTWIRE link. Please help me identify these choices: 4* North Michigan Ave $75 - recommended by 80% hotwire customers gym, restaurant, business ctr, hi-speed internet 4* Magnificent Mile $79 - recommended by 90% bed choice, non-smoking, gym, pool, restaurant, bus ctr, hi-speed internet 4* Loop $88 - recommended by 90% gym, pool, restaurant, bus ctr, hi-speed internet 3 1/2* Magnificent Mile $71 - recommended by 90% gym, pool, restaurant, bus ctr, hi-speed internet 3 1/2* North Michigan Avenue $74 - recommended by 85% boutique, gym, restaurant, bus ctr, hi-speed internet, golf Last year we stayed at the Wyndham in streeterville and loved it. So I'm open to all suggestions. Thanks,Laura

I tried your bidding strategy, but wasn't getting any results. So I checked the Park 55's website and made a reservation directly with the hotel for an average cost of $130 per night. I appreciate your help and will be back for more advice soon. I will also use your suggestion to scope out LMT for hotel availability for my next trip. Thanks for all your great advice and assistance.

I updated my Chicago thread as requested. For my SF stay, I prefer the least expensive 3.5* or better. Thanks.

Due to a death in the family, we had to cancel this trip.

I'm planning a 7-day vacation in San Francisco beginning October 23, although I could leave as late as the 28th if that gets me a better hotel deal. I plan to bid (using your PRICELINE link) for Union Square East and West, and Financial District-Embarcadero areas. Would you please suggest a starting price and strategy? Hopefully I can get a 3.5-4* for under $125/night.

I'm looking at the Hotwire hotel options for a Chicago stay 10/30/09 - 11/3/09. Can you give me your thoughts on these? Thanks. 4* Loop - $82 fitness center restaurant business center internet access 4* - MMA Streeterville Hotel - $89 fitness center restaurant business center internet access spa 3 1/2* - MMA - Streeterville Hotel - $79 pool restaurant business center internet access

Using your PRICELINE link, I bid on a downtown Omaha hotel for Sunday - Tuesday, September 27-29, 2009. I started at $42 and re-bid in $1 increments. Priceline counter-offered my first bid for an additional $12, but I declined. My fifth bid was accepted at $46 by the Doubletree Downtown. I love all the information your site provides. Keep it coming!

Thanks for all your advice. Since I'm not interested in Fisherman's Wharf, I tried bidding on USE. Even with all my re-bid opportunites, I was unable to secure a win. I tried one last bid and added USW, lowered my price to $76 and it was accepted. I have the Parc 55 for 7 nights. Thanks again -- this website is very helpful. And, of course, I used your link to PRICELINE!

It appears I missed these two opportunites as prices have changed on Hotwire, so please give me some futher advice. I have stayed in previous years at the Sir Francis Drake, the Hotel Rex, and the Warwick Regis. This year the Parc 55 seems appealing -- partly because I might get a room with view and because it seems attainable for an $80-$85 PRICELINE bid. Although I really like the Warwick, it seems that the walk to the hotel from the cable car during the late evening (we usually return to our hotel around midnight) is becoming more and more congested with panhandlers. Will the Parc 55 neighborhood be the same? I'm open to suggestions for other hotels and my price range is up to $100/night. I'm leaning toward bidding on PRICELINE and I would appreciate your advice regarding starting bids and any bidding strategies you have to share. I do understand the strategy of free bids by using additonal areas with lower star ratings. My dates are still May 27 - June 3.

Your HOTWIRE link gives me two results in San Francisco for which I would like your opinion. What do you think these might be? Dates: May 27 - June 3, 2009 4* USW for $85 3.5* USE for $78 Both have fitness center, restaurant, business center, and hi-speed internet Thanks Laura

I wasn't that crazy about the HOTWIRE choices, so I tried some bidding with your PRICELINE link and got the Downtown Hilton for $41. Thanks again for your help.

Tried some bidding through your PRICELINE link -- got the Downtown Doubletree for $45 for 3/19. Thanks for your advice re: the HOTWIRE hotels.

I need a hotel room in Omaha for March 26, 2009. Using your HOTWIRE link, these are some of the results I get. Please give me your thoughts on what these properties might be. 4* Downtown $99 Smoke-Free, Airport Shuttle, Fitness Center, Restaurant, Business Center 3* Downtown $59 Fitness Center, Restaurant, Business Center Thanks, Laura

I need a hotel room in Omaha for two nights -- March 19, 2009 and March 26, 2009. Using your HOTWIRE link, these are some of the results I get. Please give me your thoughts on what these properties might be. March 19 *** Downtown $59 Airport Shuttle, Fitness Center, Restaurant, Business Center *** Central $52 Suite, Pool, Restaurant, Business Center, Golf, Tennis **1/2 West Omaha $36 Internet Access March 26 **** Downtown $99 Smoke-Free, Airport Shuttle, Fitness Center, Restaurant, Business Center *** Downtown $59 Fitness Center, Restaurant, Business Center (no Airport Shuttle as in the previous week above) Thanks, Laura

Using your PRICELINE link, I started bidding for a 3* Downtown at $45. I got the downtown Doubletree for $55 for 1/2-1/5. The hotel has recently been remodeled and we had a pleasant stay. Thanks for the information you provided.

I would prefer to bid on downtown only first.

P.S. I mentioned that I'm not interested in the Best Western Seville because I'm hoping to avoid it if I bid a 3* downtown. Can it be determined if this property is judged by Priceline to be a 2.5* or 3* ?

I would love to hear your Priceline bidding suggestions. My first choice would be downtown, if that changes the bidding strategy at all. However, I would not be disappointed with a West Omaha hotel if it turns out that way. I am not interested at all in the Best Western Seville. Thank you for any help you can give me.

I checked your HOTWIRE link and found a few interesting Omaha hotels for these three nights 1/2/09 - 1/5/09. Please help me identify them. 3 star West Omaha $54 fitness, pool, restaurant, business center, laundry 3 star Downtown Omaha $65 fitness, restaurant, business center 2.5 star Downtown Omaha $82 shuttle, comp breakfast, fitness, laundry, internet 2 star Downtown Omaha $84 comp breakfast, pool Also, can you give me any recommendations for trying to make reservations through Priceline if I don't like the Hotwire choices? What do you think should be starting bids for 3 star hotels in West Omaha and Downtown? Thanks.

My dates are not firm yet, but I want to go to Kansas City for three or four nights during the holidays. I searched your HOTWIRE link to try to find a hotel in K.C's County Club Plaza for 12/25/08 - 12/29/08. There are three results that I would consider. Any help you can give in identifying them would be appreciated. You were so accurate and helpful last month with your information re: Chicago that I'm back for more advice! Thanks in advance. Laura 4* $105 tripadvisor rating 3.0, 40+ reviews fitness center, pool, restaurant, business center, internet access, tennis 3 1/2* $84 tripadvisor rating 3.5, 40+ reviews fitness center, pool, restaurant, internet access, tennis 3* $59 No tripadvisor information internet access

I tried for the Wyndham because of its location and you were correct! I got the Wyndham for $96 for 10/28 - 11/2. Thank you once again for your assistance. I will be using your PRICELINE and HOTWIRE links over and over again. The service you provide is very helpful.

I can easily change my travel dates. What suggestions do you have if my arrival in Chicago is 10/28 or 29 and departure is 11/2 or 3? I would also consider going to $150/night if that would get me a considerably better hotel or location. Thanks again for your time.