mgaebler

See http://www.santaclara.org/conventioncenter/calendar.cfm. Events here seem to significantly affect prices for rooms in San Jose (specifically Sunnyvale-Santa Clara).

Rejected: 2 1/2* and 2* San Jose (Sunnyvale-Santa Clara only) $35 Tried different dates: 1/30-1/31/07 and 2/1-2/2/07.

Tried 4* for Sunnyvale-Santa Clara only at $45. Rejected. Added 3* at $42. Rejected. Added another free zone (Redwoood City) and kept 3*. Bid $44. Rejected.

Tried 4* for Sunnyvale-Santa Clara only at $45. Rejected. Added 3* at $41. Rejected. Added another free zone (Redwoood City) and kept 3*. Bid $43. Rejected.

4* San Jose (Sunnyvale-Santa Clara) Hyatt Santa Clara accepted at $59 for 1/15/07 (bidding same day, 1/15/07). Rejected at $45, $47, and $53. Accepted at $59. Total including fees came to $73.36 Got 'free' re-bids by adding in Milpitas, Redwood City, and San Jose South (which, at the time of my bidding, do not have 4* hotels... always check yourself) At the Hyatt site, the cheapest room was $219 per night, plus tax (or $206 for AAA members... AAA is usually good for at least some discount, e.g. 10%, at the major hotel chains). At Hotwire, the cheapest 4* was $211, so I'm feeling like I got a good deal.

Starting bidding for 4* for Seattle Downtown at $80 and increased in $5 increments. Was rejected all the way up to $105 but was accepted at $110. Total came to $261.52 with all fees included, or about $131 / night. Seattle is great for rebidding for 4* hotels; there are 8 zones that do not have 4* hotels that can be added for "free" rebids (as of 12/31/06... be sure to check for yourself prior to bidding). Bid was made late on 12/31/06, a couple days before. I had previously gotten the Westin at this price, for a different night, a few days earlier, so it seems like $110 is a fairly reliable bid at the moment, but that could be a reflection of the holidays (perhaps you will do better or worse at a different time of year).

Starting bidding for 4* for Seattle Downtown at $75 and increased in $5 increments. Was rejected all the way up to $105 but was accepted at $110. Total came to $134 with all fees included. Seattle is great for rebidding for 4* hotels; there are 8 zones that do not have 4* hotels that can be added for "free" rebids (as of today, 12/29/06... be sure to check for yourself prior to bidding). Bid was made late on 12/29/06, the day before. Here's something I did not know: once I won my hotel bid, Priceline gave me a great offer on a rental car ($11/day.... came to under $20 with all fees), that could be extended beyond my one night hotel stay. I had previously Pricelined a rental car and gotten what was still a great rate - $29 a day - but now I know: Priceline your hotel first, and then Priceline a rental car if they don't give you a good rental car offer to complement your hotel stay.

Just to clarify, I was rejected up to $80 when I posted this, not $85. That was a typo. I have a reservation at the downtown Chicago Hilton for $99 / night (using triple A card to get discount) so I've got that as a backup.

I was trying for 4* in Downtown Chicago chicago only. I used "Midway" to get one free rebid each day. Over several days, I worked my way up from $60 to $80 but was rejected each time. Bidding for 2 nights: 1/4/07 to 1/6/07.

I bid 12/21/06 for that evening. I only wanted to stay 4* in Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, so I bid rather low that same day with no success. bid $40,$42, $43, $45 - all rejected - using the zones in the San Jose area that have no 4* to get rebids. In my experience, the 4* in Sunnyvale can be had for $45 or so around holidays when business travel is slow. This was a Thursday night before Christmas weekend, but I had no luck (admittedly, I wasn't willing to pay much).

I should have added that after winning my bid, I went to the Hilton website. For the same hotel, the best rate is $211, with a total of $246 after taxes and fees. Not a bad savings...

On 8/30/06, I bid $45, $53, and $62 for the same night for a three star at Sea-Tac. I got it with the last bid: Hilton Seattle Airport and Conference Center. I was in a bit of a rush; I probably could have gone a bit more slowly and saved a couple of dollars, using a smaller increase and more re-bids. If you want a three star in Seattle, it looks like there are many re-bids available (because many regions do not have three star), which is nice. I needed to be near the airport and wanted a three star. Fees and taxes were $16.31 so my total was $78.31.

I was rejected: 4* San Jose (Sunnyvale-Santa Clara only), bidding $40, $43, $45 for 2/27/06 at last minute on the same day for 1 night. I only wanted to stay in Sunnyvale/Santa Clara. I had a couple of successes getting the 4* hotels at this price before but I've come to learn that if there is anything going on (e.g. convention) or even during the week (as opposed to the weekend), it can be hard to get 4* at these prices.

I was rejected: 4* / 3* San Jose (Sunnyvale-Santa Clara only), bidding $44 for 4*; $42 for 3* for 1/24/06 for 1 night. I only wanted to stay in Sunnyvale/Santa Clara. I actually went and checked the availability of few of the local hotels, Hilton and Hyatt, and saw that they did not have availability, so I knew that I would likely be rejected. These 4 stars will take low bids... but not when they are sold out :)

I was rejected trying for 4* only in Sunnyvale-Santa Clara (San Jose), bidding $42, $44, $46, $48 for 1/16/06 for 1 night [A week or so ago I had tried $39, $40, $41, $42, adding in 3 zones (with no 4* hotels) to get re-bids; I think it was for the same date although my post to Better Bidding says otherwise. In any case, I did the same process as follows: I started with $42 and added two dollars with each rebid, adding in the following regions (none of which have 4 star hotels, at the time of my bidding... be sure to confirm yourself - by starting the bid process in those area but not completing it - as this could change): San Jose South $44 Redwood City - San Carlos $46 Milpitas $48 All of these were rejected for 1/16/06. I will likely lower my expectations in a few days and just try for a 3* or 2 1/2* in the same area; location is whats important for me.

I was rejected. I started by selecting 4 Star and selecting Sunnyvale-Santa Clara at $39 (looking for 1 room). I only wanted 4 star in that area. Admittedly, I was bidding low with a knowledge that I've got time to spare before I need a reservation. I added a dollar with each rebid, adding in the following regions (none of which have 4 star hotels, at the time of my bidding... be sure to confirm yourself - by starting the bid process in those area but not completing it - as this could change): San Jose South $40 Redwood City - San Carlos $41 Milpitas $42 I will try again in a few days and work my bid up (or lower my expectations and go for a 3 Star).

$42 ... 12/21/05-12/22/05 (1 room). 4* San Jose (Sunnyvale-Santa Clara) Hilton Santa Clara. I have gotten this same hotel before at the same price or a dollar more. As an aside, if you are a Hilton Honors member, show your card at check-in; they will treat you with nice extras (I got free breakfast; not sure if that is standard). Got first bid directly through priceline.com, on 12/19/05 for the next day. Reservation info: Check-In Date: Tue, Dec 20, 2005 Check-In Time: After 03:00 PM Check-Out Date: Wed, Dec 21, 2005 Check-Out Time: 12:00 PM Bid info: Your Offer Price: $42.00 Number of Rooms: 1 Number of Nights: 1 Subtotal: $42.00 Taxes & Service Fees: $11.77 Total Charges: $53.77

Oh wait, I may have answered my own question regarding "Marina-Seaside is technically not a re-bid zone since it has Resort class properties." I think it's not a "re-bid" because if, for example, you are bidding only on 4* and you add a zone with no 4* but that is designated a resort, they can stick you in a resort. So, you get to re-bid, but it's not "free" because you can get stuck in that zone. Is that it?

Can you elaborate on why "Marina-Seaside is technically not a re-bid zone since it has Resort class properties."? I'm not sure if I understand. Feel free to point me to a post that explains this. I bid today and added it, and it seemed to treat is like a rebid (although I was unsuccessful)

I haven't posted before but here's my experience with the Monterey area. I was bidding on 8/12 at 9am for the same evening: All of the following were rejected. (Carmel was greyed out). $80 3*, Monterey - Pacific Grove: $95 3*, Monterey - Pacific Grove AND Marina - Seaside $95 2 1/2* AND 3*, Monterey - Pacific Grove AND Marina - Seaside $95 2* AND 2 1/2* AND 3*, Monterey - Pacific Grove AND Marina - Seaside I realize this is high season, and that my chances of getting something cheap were slim, but I thought I'd try (as I've had great success with Priceline before). I was able to find a $95 place (total) in Salinas, but opted to stay go for a nicer (albeit more expensive) place via Hotwire in Monterey. A couple of questions if anyone out there wants to comment: - can someone remind me how the "Resort" rating affects things? I remember reading something on this might affect rebids but I dont' recall the details and I didn't experience anything. Thanks.