WzDancer

I got a mini suite with separated bed room and living room. there are frige (empty) and wet bar in the LR. It meets my expectation of 3.5*, except the outdated TVs. Parkingh is $18 per night. There is a small strip mall next door, I saw some cars left overnight. Since I am an AT&T broadband customer, I used the free Wi-Fi at Starbucks across the street.

Marriott Suites Costa Mesa 500 Anton Blvd Costa Mesa, California 92626 714-957-1100 Check-In Date: Friday, October 2, 2009 Check-Out Date: Sunday, October 4, 2009 Your Offer Price: $42.00 Subtotal: $84.00 Taxes and Fees: $18.04 Total Charges*: $102.04 I was targeting the 4* Hilton where I am attending a conference. There have been reports of $50 PL wins and a non-refundable rate of $87 on the Hilton web site. My $46 for 4* was not successful. But the $42 for 3.5* was accepted immediately. The Marriott web-site lists $101 senior/AAA rates for these nights. My bidding started through the PRICELINE link.

There are enjoyable walks nearby. Seafood restaurants abound. This Corwne Plaza would be an excellent deal if not for the $18 parking charge. There are lots of parking spaces off street, but the meters indicate 24/7 enforcement. The internet access is $9.95/day. But the use of Business Center is comlimentary, you have to get one of three keys from the front desk.

Hilton Santa Clara ran an ad on the local newspapaer, $59 for Fri - Sun, through Dec. 30, 2009. You just have to mention code N1. I wish I were still homeless in the Silicon Valley.

I need to correct my posting. This crowne Plaza is rated 3.5* by PRICELINE.

Crowne Plaza Redondo Beach 300 North Harbor Drive Redondo Beach, California 90277 310-318-8888 Check-In Date: Sunday, September 20, 2009 Check-Out Date: Monday, September 21, 2009 It has been reported recently that $43 to be the lowest can be accepted here. I started unsuccessfully with $42 for 3*, then added Santa Monica Zone and upped by $1. The Crowne Plaza web site lists a best rate of $117 and AAA or Senior rate at $126. I started bidding using the PRICELINE link.

I stayed at this Hyatt last week. It is at the quiet side of the MIT campus and far away from the Red Line Kendall/MIT station. The Green Line Boston U Central station is about 10 minute walk across the river. Bus CT2 runs at 15-30 minute interval between 6am and 7pm on weekdays. Parking is $35/day, off-street parkings are available outside the office hours. The Twin Lobster Dinner is an excellent deal at $24.

Hyatt Regency Cambridge 575 Memorial Drive Cambridge, Massachusetts 02139 617-492-1234 Check-In Date: Tuesday, August 25, 2009 Check-Out Date: Thursday, August 27, 2009 Your Offer Price: $60.00 Subtotal: $120.00 Taxes and Service Fees: $23.58 Total Charges*: $143.58 Without checking on the second page of BetterBidding report (which reports a $56 win), my offer of $60 for 3* was accepted and upgraded on the first try. Not a bad deal at all, the Hyatt web site list 'Best' or 'AAA' rate of $172. since I am not driving, I won't to worry about the purported $35/day parking. But I may have to find a Statbucks or a Panera to avoid the internet fee. I started the bidding using the Betterbidding PRICELINE link.

Parking is $14 with in-and-out privilege. Creative parking at this neighborhood is not advisable. The sleep-by-number beds work fine here.

Radisson Hotel Los Angeles Westside 6161 Centenela Avenue Culver City, California 90230 310-649-1776 Check-In Date: Saturday, August 8, 2009 Check-Out Date: Sunday, August 9, 2009 Your Offer Price: $52.00 Taxes and Service Fees: $14.80 Total Charges*: $66.80 Priceline kept telling that $50 for 3* had little chance in northern LA zones, and my offers for $54 for 3* have been rejected in northern zones for several days. I moved south today, and my $50 for 3* was unsuccessful. But when PL asked me if I would increase by $14, I knew that I am getting close to a deal. I upped my offer by $2 by adding the Hollywood zone and my offer was accepted. Radisson web-site lists both AAA and senior rates at $102. I started bidding through the BetterBidding PRICELINE link.

Radisson Hotel San Francisco Airport 5000 Sierra Point Parkway Brisbane, California 94005 415-467-4400 Check-In Date: Saturday, August 15, 2009 Check-Out Date: Sunday, August 16, 2009 Your Offer Price: $45.00 Taxes and Service Fees: $13.99 Total Charges*: $58.99 I usually do not submit PL bid this "far advance". However, my friends from abroad will have an overnight layover and they want an assurance of a hotel room with 2 beds. I have been bidding for several days in the SFO and So SF zones, $45 is the lowest accepted for a 3* hotels. I am sure Radisson can have a choice of 1 King or 2 Queens. The "hot Deal" rate on the Radisson web is $98. I started bidding through the BetterBidding PRICELINE link.

Holiday Inn Mission Valley Stadium 3805 Murphy Canyon Road San Diego, California 92123 858-277-1199 Check-In Date: Friday, June 26, 2009 Check-Out Date: Sunday, June 28, 2009 Your Offer Price: $44.00 Subtotal: $88.00 Taxes and Service Fees: $19.36 Total Charges*: $107.36 My first offer of $42 for 3* was unsuccssful and, after adding the Dowtown zone, the $44 for 3* was accepted. I used the PRICELINE link to start the bidding.

Homewood Suites By Hilton SFO Airport North 2000 Shoreline Court Brisbane, California 94005 650-589-1600 Check-In Date: Thursday, May 21, 2009 Check-Out Date: Friday, May 22, 2009 Your Offer Price: $45.00 Taxes and Service Fees: $14.11 Total Charges*: $59.11 Since I am no longer "homeless", I have not played Priceline for almost six months. This rusty vagabond went easy with $45 for 3*. It was accepted on the first try. I believe it is a good deal based on my expectation last year. This facility used to be listed on Hotwire, but I cannot find today a 3* place near Oyster Point with breakfast. Hilton web-site lists a senior rate of $128. I started the bidding through the PRICELINE link.

Residence Inn Cypress Los Alamitos 4931 Katella Avenue Los Alamitos, California 90720 714-484-5700 Check-In Date: Saturday, February 14, 2009 Check-Out Date: Sunday, February 15, 2009 Your Offer Price: $47.00 Taxes and Service Fees: $13.21 Total Charges*: $60.21 I was hoping for Cerritos, started with $43 for 3* and upped by $2 each day. Finally accepted on the 3rd day. The AAA rate on the Marriott web-site is $123. I started the bidding through the PRICELINE link.

Alamo Rent a Car SAN JOSE AIRPORT 2300 Airport Blvd. Suite 120 San Jose,CA 95110 1-877-252-6600 Mid-Size Car (Unlimited Mileage) Pick-Up Date: February 13, 2009 - 11:30 AM Drop-Off Date: February 16, 2009 - 11:00 AM Your Offer Price: $13.00 (per day) Subtotal: $39.00 Taxes and Fees: $28.54 Total Charges: $67.54 Lowest Published Price: $134.70 Total Savings:* $67.16 (You saved 50%) My $13 offer was accepted on the first try. Direct reservation would cost more than $40/day plus taxes and fees. I started with the PRICELINE link.

Hilton Garden Inn Valencia Six Flags 27710 The Old Road Valencia, California 91355-1053 661-254-8800 Check-In Date: Friday, February 13, 2009 Check-Out Date: Saturday, February 14, 2009 Your Offer Price: $46.00 Taxes and Service Fees: $13.01 Total Charges*: $59.01 This is the first time I am playing PRICELINE in this area, and $46 is definitely the lowest I can swing for a 3* hotel today. :) The lowest rate on the Hilton site is senior rate at $104.

This is a nice hotel with attentive services. The neighborhood is very walkable to shops, restaurant and offices. Wi-Fi access is free in the lobby. The cab ride from the cruise ship was $30 including tip. The ride to MIA costs $15. Public transportation is non-existent over the weekend.

This location used to be a Raddisson. There are expensive looking condos nearby and a The Grand DoubleTree next door. But there is little life on the street. The OMNI complex is under construction won't be ready until Feb. 09. There are two fast food restaurants across the Biscayne Blvd, the doors are locked in the evening until they verify the customers. There is a Metromover station one block away, it provide free rides to "Downtown" and Brickell Financial District. We have a room on the 11th floor with a view of the bay and Miami Beach. There is free Wi-Fi access in th lobby. I have some companies here. The taxi ride from MIA costs around $22. Hotel staff told me the taxi ride to the cruise ships costs around $10. For $55/night, I rate this place acceptable for a stay before or after the cruise.

Hyatt Regency Coral Gables 50 Alhambra Plaza Coral Gables, Florida 33134 305-441-1234 Check-In Date: Sunday, December 7, 2008 Check-Out Date: Monday, December 8, 2008 Your Offer Price: $65.00 Taxes and Service Fees: $16.41 Total Charges*: $81.41 For this post-cruise night, I was unsuccessful at the Downtown zone $65 for 4* and 3.5*, $60 forn 3*. So I moved to a greener pasture, and my $65 for 4* was accepted on the first try. HOTWIRE lists several hotels in this zone, but at around $150. The lowest rate on Hyatt.com is $229. I started the bidding using PRICELINE link.

Hilton Miami Downtown 1601 Biscayne Boulevard Miami, Florida 33132 305-374-0000 Check-In Date: Friday, November 28, 2008 Check-Out Date: Sunday, November 30, 2008 I know the economy is not in good shape and we should be frugal. But when I saw this 7-night Western Caribean Cruise for $249 from NCL, I dicided to do my part of economy stimulation. Alaska Airlines even found AA flights from San Jose for us at 25,000 miles plus $10 PP, but we have to be in Miami for 2 nights before the cruise. Seeing one of our BetterBidder accepted by the 4* Hyatt on the first try, I start with $50 for 4* and $53 for 3.5* and finally accepted at $55 for 3*. I believe this Hilton, by the OMNI Mall, is not too far from the port. The 2008 AAA book does not list this Hilton. The Hilton web site quotes "Room Assigned at Check-in" rates of $127 non-refundable and $170 refundable. I started the bidding using the PRICELINE link.

Alamo Rent a Car SAN JOSE AIRPORT 2300 Airport Blvd. Suite 120 San Jose,CA 95110 1-877-252-6600 Pick-Up Date: November 27, 2008 - 9:00 AM Drop-Off Date: November 28, 2008 - 8:00 AM Your Offer Price: $16.00 (per day) Taxes and Fees: $14.47 Total Charges: $30.47 My initial offer of $14 for Mid-size was not accepted. Priceline allowed me to re-bid with any change in price. I raised the bid by $2 and was accepted. Even though this is a holiday weekend, the rental companies are not offering weekend rate on the Turkey Day. Company web site all list rates of over $80/day. HOTWIRE has $22/day for a Mid-size car. I started the bidding using the PRICELINE link.

Since I was unssuccessful with $49 for 2.5* and $44 for 2* on PRICELINE, I took this 2* hotel on HOTWIRE. Contrary to the HOTWIRE commercial, I get an 1-star hotel at 2* price. Since the Hotel web-site lists a rate of $51.25. It would be cheaper without going through the HOTWIRE. The listed amenities include Breakfast, Pool, Laudry and Wi-Fi. I started with the HOTWIRE link.

Wyndham Hotel Orange County 3350 Ave Of The Arts Costa Mesa, California 92626 714-751-5100 Check-In Date: Saturday, October 4, 2008 Check-Out Date: Sunday, October 5, 2008 Your Offer Price: $42.00 Taxes and Service Fees: $12.38 Total Charges*: $54.38 My $42 for 3* was accepted on the first try. I started the bidding using the PRICELINE link.

Hertz Corporation San Jose International Airport 2200 Airport Blvd. San Jose,CA 95110 1-800-654-3011 Pick-Up Date: October 3, 2008 - 12:00 PM Drop-Off Date: October 6, 2008 - 11:00 AM Your Offer Price: $15.00 (per day) Total Rental Days: 3 days(2 days and 23 hours) Subtotal: $45.00 Taxes and Fees: $30.15 Total Charges: $75.15 Lowest Published Price: $84.00 Total Savings:* $8.85 (You saved 11%) My first offer of $12 for mid-size was not accepted. But Priceline offered me an one-time chance to bid without specifying the minimum wager. My second try of $15 was accepted. Priceline offered me upgrades $18/day for Premium and $23/day for Mini-Van. Therefore, I guess I could have got a full size for $15 or $16. I do not understand the "Lowest Published Price: $84.00" listed on the report. The Priceline non-bidding listing was $38/day for mid-size Hertz, and Hotwire price was $20 per day. I started bidding through the PRICELINE link.

Pick-Up Location: Hertz Corporation O'Hare Airport 10000 Bessie Coleman Drive Chicago,IL 60666-0096 1-800-654-3011 Pick-Up Date: September 20, 2008 - 8:30 PM Drop-Off Date: September 22, 2008 - 4:00 PM Your Offer Price: $12.00 (per day) Subtotal: $24.00 Taxes and Fees: $12.87 Total Charges: $36.87 The $12 for mid-size was accepted on the first try, this is my first PRICELINE car rental in O'Hare. I guess I am doing fine. Hotwire lists $18 for Mid-size and Priceline clear site lists $24 for most rental companyies.