KenC4x4

Successful bid- Embassy Suites, Downtown Fort Lauderdale 4/12 $83 !! First bid was $75; PL countered with an offer to add $22. Tried to add $11 ( to $86) and PL would not accept it. I had to go completely out and back in to PL to be able to add a free re-bid zone. I then increased my bid to $83. A friend had successfully bid in the same scenario recently at $86... When he backed out his tax rate (from Burbunny's tips) the total came to $83. Thanks to him; it worked. Thank you Betterbidding for all your help! This couldn't have worked out any better! :)

Another failed try for 3* FL Downtown @ $75 & $80. Well, should I stay the course and wait 72 hours? Thanks for the info sgueegeekid. But, if and when I move out of the downtown zone, I'm going to go north to the zones that I95 runs through ( Pompano or North FL). I'm driving down the coast for our cruise. Any info in those zones?

Thanks Burbunny, I just tried to make my cancelable reservation at Amerisuites for 4/12 through Valuetrips. I was denied due to availability. I'll look into the Holiday Inn Express you referred to.

10-4 Thanks for the input. I'll be back with an update. :)

Yes, I'm well aware of the Embassy Suites reviews and parking. That is why it's my #1 choice of hotels. You almost made it sound as if I could bid for that hotel alone... Question 1: Based on the bids I reported above; Can I add a second free re-bid for $75 and not add a zone? 2: I don't know if you can answer this but... In your opinion, how close to my cruise date should I quit trying to bid on PL and book something else (Wellesley)? That is; provided I am not successful bidding. Can anyone out there offer a brief review of the Wellesley Suites? Ken

Not having any luck bidding in F.L. for 4/12-4/13 pre-cruise stay. Just bid $65 for 3* in Downtown. Added Miramar and $70. No luck. I'm thinking about the Wellesley Inn & Suites in Pompano Beach. Any info on that hotel? Does it compare to Amerisuites (sold out) in Downtown? I realize I'll lose the free parking for my cruise. How high should I go for the 3* in Downtown? If the Wellesley is nice, I can at least reserve a room as a back-up. Thanks for your help, Ken

First- I wanted to try for the Amerisuites in downtown F.L., But when I checked their website for availability of a suite for four, there weren't any. I went to Hotwire to bid anyway, and there wasn't a 2.5* with a red S. So I decided to try the 3.5* w/red S (Embassy). But as I went through the process, the next step was to "buy" after I entered. I didn't see a place to enter a bid. Where is it? The rate shown for the Suite I wanted for 4 showed a price for $331. Again, where or when do you enter your bid? Any other tips for a bidding stategy are welcome. Is there a 72 Hr time limit on Hotwire? Can we use free re-bids? I'd like to do this soon, as it seems the hotels are starting to fill up. Thanks for your help, Ken

This is how I made a simple mistake and ended up in a zone I didn't want in Fort Lauderdale: 3* bids were rejected after one free re-bid in Miramar. There weren't any more free zones in F.L. for 3* I thought I'd try 2.5* for less $ on my last rebid, specifically trying for the Amerisuites in Downtown zone. I forgot about the free re-bid zone I added would count... I ended up with 2.5* Hilton in MARIMAR for $40! :o This is an example of carelessness and not paying attention to details when bidding. When Priceline asks if you are ready to buy a room NOW, they mean it. Double check everything first. There is no turning back. I'm taking my wife and kids to a business hotel with views of office buildings instead of cruise ships and the beach. I can only hope the area and the Hilton aren't that bad. :) Still saved over half of the regular hotel room rate. :)