jwhitaker

Since we are arriving very late on Friday anyway, I decided to just get a cheap place near the airport for the Friday night which is much more expensive in Lahaina. I bid 145-155-165. After 155 was given opportunity to raise price to $186, but that's kind of dumb since the express deal was $176. Thanks all and happy travels!

Just bid 150-160-169-175, all rejected.

If I can't win a bid this weekend I will book the Hyatt through cancel-able means (about $237/nite before fees) so that will be my backup (assuming it is not booked up by the end of the weekend). Obviously I can't bid higher than that in case I still get the Hyatt. I think at $210 I will probably just stop and book through some other method so I can earn points or something, also cancel-able is worth something to me since weather could be an issue on departure where I live. I was emailed some nice express deals this morning, however. $174/nite for what was probably the Westin based on the amenities. Only problem is that it was only for 3 of my 4 nights. If I book 3 nights with priceline and buy the 4th retail, they will probably make me checkout and back in again right? Don't want to do that.

Just bid 135-145-155-165 all were rejected. No express deals seem to be in this area at 4*, same goes for Hotwire.

Ok, I think I will just bid normally on Priceline (2 rebid zones at 4* = 4 bid attempts per day). I just bid $120, $130, $140 and $150 and all were rejected. I know $120 is low, but it seems like Hyatt is in the $130-150 range so I don't want to overpay if I'm getting that one. I think my highest bid each day should be more like $180-210 so I can snag something nicer if it's available, so maybe I should just evenly space in that range, like $140 - 160 - 180 - 200. Any better ideas? Also wondering, since I am about 3 weeks out, will the deals get better as we approach the date or is it more risky that the hotels will be booked and raise prices? I heard January is a popular time for travel to Hawaii.

Hello bidders, This will be my first time trying to bid for travel. I am going to Maui on 1/24-1/28/2014. I want a 4* hotel in the Ka'anapali area. Here's the wrinkle, the Hyatt has construction going on and is significantly discounted. The retail rate is about $237 (30% off, excluding all the daily fees, etc.) I have seen on here and other various sites that people have gotten the Hyatt for as low as $130 and others (Westin, Sheraton) for as low as $160 or $180. I am okay with any 4* hotel, but I would prefer to pay $30-50 per night extra to avoid the construction. Is there any way of improving my chances of winning a hotel other than the Hyatt? I see people have won all 3 hotels in the previous months. I would think the Hyatt would always be the cheapest so do you just have to hope Hyatt is booked full on one of your days? If I start my bid higher and it would be accepted by both Hyatt and Westin, will they automatically give me the one that wants a higher price, e.g. Westin? Thanks for your advice.