gjalil21

I was looking for a 4* property in any of the following zones: Financial District, Fisherman's Wharf, SOMA, USE, and USW. I utilized all of the possible re-bid zones starting at $150 and going up in $5 increments until the final bid where I jumped from $190 to $200. I did this because I ran out of re-bid zones and $200 was my limit. You should be able to land this property for a rate somewhere in between $190 and $200. While I am not super excited about the outcome, it is still at about a 20% discount compared to the hotel's published best rates and I can't complain about being one block away from Union Square. Overall, I am pleased (yet again) with my Priceline (and BetterBidding!) experience. If anyone is interested, I am in the commercial real estate development industry and did some hotel inventory supply research for San Francisco. It appears that hotel occupancy has increased steadily year over year and typically peaks in August at approx. 90%. In other words, not much vacancy or discounted hotel rooms (at least in the 4* and up category). I would not recommend waiting until the last minute for a deal.

I wanted to provide an update...I walked my friend through the Priceline bidding process over the phone. She duplicated my winning bid and was able to get the same results. So you can count a second win with the same hotel, same dates, and the same price. She was thrilled with the results. Unfortunately, she doesn't blog or use the internet for anything other than work...therefore, I am posting the win on her behalf. Everything worked out perfectly. BTW, we both used the PRICELINE link here on the site.

Although it wasn't my first selection, I am satisfied with the Omni Shoreham. I went through all seven re-bid zones for Convention Center, WH, and DC. I started at $90 and went up to $150. I struck out in the WH and CC zones, but I nailed the Omni with by $125 bid. I understand that I am traveling during DC's busy season and the going rate for the Omni at that time runs $237 a night. I do have a question though, after I won this bid on 02/15/2012 I have since invited another guest. I told them about my bidding experience and they have excited to try it out themselves. How common is it to be able to bid for and get an additional room in the same hotel for the same dates and price. They other guest would be bidding tomorrow, which is less than a week after my winning bid. If anyone has any suggestions - it would be appreciated. I have not called the hotel yet to ask if they can honor the price for a second room.