travelAlot

Not wild about this success as I had the Holiday Inn on the Harbor (with balconies and across from harbor, cruise ships) a couple blocks below downtown locked in at $70/night and it's a bit more accessible from airport and to other direct transportation. But I had $5night (up to 5 nights) bonus hotel $$$ that had to be used by 4/30 and was intrigued by staying in Gaslamp (more on that in a sec). Bid began low at $55 (+$5), then $58, then in $2 increments $60 $62 etc, then $1 increments until accepted with all the free rebidding zones/hybrids available. Hotel current website rate is $159, so $75 is decent (I do question whether my $5 "bonus" was really applied). PL retail hotel rate for property is $199 and cheapest for dt 4-star is in $159-169 range. Have seen this property come up at $75 and OMNI/others closer to $70 (especially with padres out of town for weekend). As I believe it might be helpful to future bids, I did want to share strategy I used to virtually ensure Gaslamp area -- especially as Priceline has wrongly upgraded the Sheraton Marina Hotel to 4-star (Harbor Island is in same zone as downtown/Gaslamp). I wanted to avoid this hotel because of its quality (2 towers, big disparity in quality and 300 feet apart -- I'm not renting a car and if I did it's $28/day parking) and limited mobility options (public bus streetside but a hike and limited hours or otherwise a cab ride to downtown each time). I monitored Sheraton rates (Sheraton website, Kayak, PRICELINE retail and VP, HOTWIRE opaque VP) and availability/price (a $99/night rate was being offered on/off). On Friday, Sat 5/9 became unavailable/sold out on all websites but Hotels.com/Booking.com (latter is affiliated with PL). But no VP availability and even HOTWIRE (affiliated with Hotels.com) did not show a downtown/Harbor Island 4-star in the $90s like before. Therefore I proceeded with a lot of caution. Normally with a good 2 weeks to play around and also a cancelable Holiday Inn res (if I don't succeed), I wouldn't be so anxious to bid -- knowing that often (in this economy especially) hotel inventory can increase as it gets closer to check-in date. But the Sheraton (1000-room hotel) showing no availability for Sat 5/9 I believe would be just temporary, meaning a short window of opportunity to be assured 95% of not getting it. Big disparity between Hotwire and PL VP -- Hotwire had Hotel Solamar as its significantly cheaper VP but PL did not so that eliminated this property most likely. PL VP then showed the Hilton Gaslamp (very desirable) and Hilton Bayfront (undesirable as isolated access) on its low 4-star end with one other property; OMNI was one of cheapest on VP as of Friday but not yesterday (even though retail rate was in ballpark with Hilton). As such, when I received a counter-offer around $72 total ($67 + $5), I absolutely did $1 increments in rebidding to increase my chances for the Hilton Gaslamp (it was only about $15 cheaper on VP and $3 increment could trigger the Bayfront possibly). Accepted at $80 ($75 + $5 bonus). Even though I utilized the bonus link (you have to log into your account and go to "rewards"), I first began my internet travels through Better Bidding before linking to PRICELINE. Hope this info helps other bidders and have a great day.

As thereuare clarified, you can book multiple rooms in quantity on HOTWIRE. What I especially meant was that the rate/availability may be there for a set number of rooms or as of different days, so that separate transactions (even around the same time) may net different hotels. I.E. some hotels may cap the number of rooms per transaction or stay length. You just want to be sure that the amenities match when you do your multiple searches before buying. Per your question, the change in amenities could represent a different hotel based on search parameters (number of nights, number of rooms etc) or available inventory or possibly Hotwire's ratings. The good thing about Colo Springs (I know it fairly well -- I'm in Denver) is that there is limited quantity of hotels that narrows down the ID of the property. I.E. if you did this in downtown Denver for a 4-star property, the 6-night reservation could be at the Hyatt Regency and the 3 shorter reservations could be at the Grand Hyatt because both show the same Hotwire amenity icons. Also when the reservations are done separately, there could be a cap to Hotwire's inventory remaining -- and possibly after you get 2 rooms, no more of same hotel showing (again pretty unlikely for the Springs). So just make sure that the amenity icons are a 100% match for a specific property based in 3-nights (3 rooms) and 6-nights (1 room), that's all I'm saying. One way around this -- and it's financially a pain because you have to get everyone's $$$ afterwards -- is to book 4 rooms for 3 nights as that way you know 100% you have the same hotel. Then do a separate purchase for your Dad's room for the additional 3 nights and hope that you get the same hotel based on Hotwire amenity list (if worse comes to worse, the 3-star North hotels aren't horribly far apart and you end up in 1 hotel for 3 nights apiece). Sounds like you're totally on the right track and I wish you and your Dad the best. PS Just be sure to remind your Dad to begin his purchase through the Better Bidding HOTWIRE link.

The Crowne Plaza appears to be a match -- I've stayed there via HOTWIRE / PRICELINE. In the South/World Arena Zone, one great thing is that you have lots of restaurants and shopping, even movie theater complex very nearby. CP was just converted froma dingy Sheraton...so rooms really nice. One word of caution -- booking multiple rooms may restrict inventory. You may get the same property for say 3 rooms, then go to rebook another 2 and the inventory may not be there. Sometimes you can call the property and negotiate something but keep this in mind if you need 4+ rooms. Good luck.

Welcome and dont feel bad. When researching a future trip (impossible city zone-PL upgraded Sheraton to 4* in dt San Diego zone), I came upon a successful 1st bid by a newbie who did indeed go through her links. The newbie was chastized -- he/she did everything right -- because he should never ever expect to get that rate ever again when the economy improves. Know the saying, if you don't have something nice to say, well don't say it? well obviously she doesn't get it, LOL In another recent posting, when the person said he was ready to bid immediately (probably when posting in the morning before going to work), she responded a few hours later with a how-dare-you-not-bid-IMMEDIATELY-like-you-promised scathing response? Finally, check out the FW review of bidding websites -- we got really nice reviews/referral and TOBB got diplomatically correct ones (with hyperlinks to hysterical experiences by folk with her).

Just passing along this winning bid done by a co-worker in case it's helpful to anyone else looking at SAT downtown for similar dates. (Co-worker knows now how to find the BB link; I'd been training him on PRICELINE strategy and he did the bid when i was out at lunch.) Basically bid on 4-star with free rebids from $55 to upper $70s ($78) until receiving the obligatory PRICELINE counteroffer of $22/night. Bid in $3 increments, $81, $84 and $87 and accepted. Current lowest rate for this property is $299/night. Best of all, based on PL's current package rates (used air from DFW), this property showed significantly cheaper than the other 4-star properties so we had a hunch this would be the likely accepted hotel (was trying to avoid the Emily Morgan based on the OMNI/Hilton being on/close to Riverwalk). Hope this is helpful...if anyone else is bidding and also in IDing this OMNI as in-play for SAT downtown.

Howdy, just thought I'd pass along this link regarding a new internet article lauding how people can strategize Priceline -- and primarily mentioning better Bidding among the other sites. Lol of course there's the obligatory reference to TOBB and the hostile dangers (with links). Hopefully this will direct a lot of newbies to BB as this website has an exclusive placement on AOL's welcome screen (rotating subjects) and can be reached via its stand-alone website, too. Link is: Wallet Pop

Welcome aboard. I think you'll find a gigantic contrast through and through, as well as a respect/patience for the newbies who are getting the hang of things. Thereuare and the others are very friendly and helpful. For any bid, even if I know the strategy will work via my own research, I always go through the links here so that we can pay it forward and keep a good thing going (plus not reward TOBB's grand poohbah LOL).

Easy winning bid. Began at $35, rejected and added Aurora zone for $36 rebid. Going on a trip with a 6:15 a.m. flight the next day and wasn't looking forward to SuperShuttle or other ground transportation options that would cost at least $20-25 and require a 3:30 a.m. wake-up along with the usual luggage manuvering -- now I can sleep in til almost 5 am and hop a 15-minute shuttle to the airport. Went through the PRICELINE link via BB.

I understand your frustration regarding Hotwire because, as a newbie, you essentially leaped before you looked. The next time, whether for Hotwire or Priceline, you just need to do a bit more research, including the currently available hotels/prices, Hotwire's classification of the area/zone hotels, and matching amenities to hotels. The good thing about Hotwire is that the amenities list can sometimes really narrow down the likely hotel so that you're pretty sure which hotel you'll be receiving. The bad thing is that Hotwire is sometimes way too generous with its hotel ratings, which don't make a significant quality difference generally on 3.5-to-4-stars or 3.0-to-3.5 stars but do make a huge difference when a 2-star is a 2.5- or 3-star. Regarding the latter -- the Colorado Springs Clarion listed now as a 3-star and the Vegas Clarion that Hotwire's parent company, Expedia Inc, lists as a 2 or 2.5-star on its Expedia and Hotels.com websites but has called a 3-star on Hotwire. For the latter I sent Hotwire an email disputing the star class, and received canned responses (fortunately I didn't book the hotel as my research IDed this fraud-of-a-3-star). Hang in there, and good luck in the future.

FYI (not sure if this is the right place to post) but the Red Lion was just rightfully reclassified by Hotwire as a 3-star just as it is rated on Priceline. I received a Hotwire customer service email explaining this and also creditng me with hot dollars. I did a quick Seattle search and the Red Lion comes up now as a 3-star with the same above amenities. The ironic and good thing is that I preferred the Red Lion over the Crowne Plaza based on location (closer to where I want to be and away from freeway) and amenities (including refrigerator, late-night dining on premises).

Here are the ammenities (sorry I forgot as I usually stick with PRICELINE and haven't done a HOTWIRE purchase in awhile): Non-Smoking, Fitness Center, Restaurant, Hi-Speed Internet, Golf Nearby The above were displayed in exactly that order, and if I remember right, were displayed in that orderon VP.

I suppose I could've have waited but I knew this was the Red Lion and my Entertainment Book $10 coupon knocks the rate down to $75 in Priceline/night equivalent. Had bid repeatedly on Priceline up to $73/night and also saw the Red Lion rate disappear in favor of the Crowne Plaza at $92/night and then reappear; Red Lion is more desirable as CP is a few more blocks and toward the highway. Perhaps this will go down some, say to the $65-70 range but I was concerned that holiday weekend demand might eventually cause it to spike after staying steady or slightly higher. Kind of surprised there was no "give" within 10-15% of the $79 Hotwire rate on PL. Current pre-paid published rate (via RedLion.com and travel sites like Expedia) is $212/night; EasyClickTravel has a prepaid $153 rate. Used BB HOTWIRE link to initiate Hotwire, then linked via the Entertainment rebate beginning page so the result is a win-win for us both. ;-)

FYI on this bidding success. Already procured the other likely 3.5-star property, Hyatt Regency, for 4 nights from Sat 1/24-Wed 1/28, and stopped bidding with a 1/28 checkout date because all Hotwire/other research indicated a $250+/night cost for any 3.5 downtown Tampa hotel on the 28th. On Tues morning the 27th, I noticed Hotwire showing a DT 3.5-star for $115. So I bid in hybrid mutations from $70 up to $99, accepted at $99 (previous bid was $97). One noticeable change is that Priceline is marking up its hotel cost -- or maybe in this instance -- as the hotel bill showed a $90 billing to PL. Just thought I'd post this in case it was helpful during a high-demand week for Tampa. In the end, despite the $99 last-night price and the change of hotels (Hyatt and Sheraton are 1 block away so a snap), my 6-day, 5-night Super Bowl week stay averaged $57/night at 2 excellent 3.5-star hotels in the middle of everything. Just can't beat that when what otherwise would have been an $1100 stay cost just over $300. Used BB's PRICELINE link to begin my bidding.

Long story but, with Plan A and Plan B messed up because friends (who previously were committed to an Orlando/Tampa trip that included Super Bowl week festivities) backed out, I was searching for something that would allow me the opportunity to go anyhow. Had a changeable Southwest award ticket and could move the paid work time off (3 days) around. Spied $66 on Hotwire for a Tampa DT 3.5, arriving Sat the 24th and extending until Wed the 28th (leaving on that day -- Hotwire showed a $300 jump for 1 more night). I almost fell out of my chair thinking there was a catch...perhaps Hotwire upgraded a Laquinta to 3.5 stars or there was a 3.5-star in the middle of a slum neighborhood adjoining DT -- nope and nope. Researched this site and TOBB and saw that pretty much $45 was the floor for DT Tampa, maybe a $40 bid over 2 years ago accepted, and that the Hyatt Regency was more likely than Sheraton River walk (even though same Hotwire amenities and Sheraton's rate for my days was significantly cheaper, i.e. $50+/night). On 1st bid -- I'm not used to that, always expect rebidding with extra zones and/or PL counteroffering -- I was accepted at $45. $211 total for the 4nights when Hyatt website price is oh about $880 if I combined 2 different rate types for the cheapest nights (may not have been possible to do that and then the rate would jump to close to $1000). I'm there right now, 1st time to come up for air....great hotel, great room, lots happening (it's swarming with SB media, people-watching etc. And yup, went through the BB PRICELINE link. (Working on Seattle right now, should have a new successful post by tomorrow.)

Pretty methodical bid for the hotel area/property I kinda targeted with a starting bid of $60 -- to make sure there wasn't something this far in advance at rock bottom and knowing that Hotwire has recently displayed $83-88 rates for the same nights. Used hybrid bidding very carefully with the re-bid zones, got the obligatory $17 counteroffer at $65 and 2 subsequent rebids, and bid $67-68-69 and then accepted at $70. Best retail 3rd party rate is $179, OMNI's best rate was in mid$200s. Could've waited and/or tried other zones (woulda been happy with GW/Foggy Btm 3.5-4 stars) but didn't want to gamble too much -- not knowing the tourist demand for Easter weekend (with gas prices down), the 2nd/concluding Cherry Blossom Festival weekend, and the NCAA Frozen Four (hockey championships). Plus the location offsets the slight distance from the attractions (Metro is 5-10 min ride there anyhow), having a bunch of eateries in a safe neighborhood with a bit of character (plus the Zoo). Began bidding via BB's PRICELINE link in the upper right corner of this website.

Pretty textbook on 1st bid (could've gone lower perhap but not by much) based on research of winning bids and HOTWIRE showing $52 (most likely was this property as The Plaza, a HOTWIRE 3-star but a PL 2.5-star, shows an additional airport shuttle icon). With all Milwaukee zones having 3-star properties or better, I wanted to get this out of the way (for friend's parents before holiday trip) without having to rebid on a daily basis, LOL. I believe this is the only 3-star in this zone so knew, if accepted, it'd be the Wyndham. Bid via BB's PRICELINE link.

My experience is that it certainly doesnt hurt to present the reward card at checkin as that may be the difference in a "Priceline room" and a better room based on a reasonable request. In the past Marriott Rewards points were credited -- this was very sweet -- but this practice stopped by early 2007 from what I can tell. Just stayed at Toronto Sheraton Centre and no doubt my Starwood card got me a nicer room on higher floor with the bedding/nonsmoking preference on a sold-out weekend. And like the others have stated, you do get points for incidentals and the stay besides is tracked that you were a guest (which can create future offers/rewards).

I've utilized this feature twice in the last year for different strategic reasons. Pretty much anytime you've been successful, the conf page (or accessing it later) will allow for the add-a-night feature. If I remember right, you can add 1 night to the beginning or end of the stay (not both), and for as many rooms as originally bid (i.e. if you got 2 rooms and need 1 extra night for 1 of the rooms, it wont work). If successful on the add-a-night, you receive a 2nd conf # and you must make the hotel aware at checkin (of both confs) for a seemless stay. I believe there is an opportunity to request an add-a-night even when you are in the middle of the initial successful stay (no guarantee of success though). 2 success examples of this: ** Chicago 2007 Dec -- needed a Thurs-Mon stay but intentionally bid Fri-Mon to mirror the desired hotels' weekend rates as they can sometimes correlate to Priceline success. When I received the Intercontinental at $75/night, I succeeded at the same rate (plus PL fees) for Thurs night. Hotel did request that I "check out" on Friday and "check in" transactionally at front desk -- but blocked my room for the entire stay. ** Montreal 2008 May -- prior to PL's 3.5-star zone implementation, I bid for another Fri-Mon stay also needing Mon night (4 nights total) to mirror a successful Hyatt Regency (upper 3.5-star) bid and avoid a nasty Doubletree (very lower 3-star). By staying on the weekend days as the other successful stay, I fortunately was accepted at $68/night. Upon trying the add-a-night, I was rejected but counter-offered at $77 (plus PL fees) -- and accepted knowing it was overall a great deal ($200-225/night lowest hotel rate at the time) and that the stay would be continuous at the same great hotel. At check-in, the two reservations were presented and no check-out-check-in was requested -- everything was continuous. Hope this adds some insight and good luck.

Very deliberate successul bid, taking advantage of most rebid opportunities in $1 increments (at the end) and utilizing various research. My intended hotel was the Sheraton Centre and I was very aggressive today -- having seen the hotel come up on PL travel packages slightly less ($10-15 or so) than the Sutton Place and a few other less-central properties. Knowing that PL's cost was likely $2-5 per night less for the Sheraton Centre, I started fairly low (no problem catching lightning in a bottle, lol) in the low $50s (most 4-star bids are mid-$60s for the floor) -- and then began bidding in $1 increments when I hit $60 to increase my chances of nailing down the Sheraton Centre. Could've waited until the weekend got closer but wanted the Sheraton Centre if at all possible -- rate paid was a couple bucks/night less than the Delta Chelsea rate on Hotwire (so an upgrade for less). Total cost of $155 was $200 ($100/night) less than Sheraton's cheapest published prepaid rate. Bid originated from BB website PRICELINE link in upper right corner.

I will NEVER EVER support TOBB because of Sheryl and some of the equally arrogant moderators who are blatantly condescending and lecturing to folks, especially the newbies. Always place my bids via BB links. Why support a bunch of jerks who don't respect you unless you kiss their behinds and bow to them as royalty is the way I look at it. LOL.

I totally agree. Cannot tell you how many times I've had to send a private message in TOBB to someone who was getting reemed by Her and/or told something wasn't worth trying (i.e. calling PL when a honest mistake was made, it doesn't hurt, will likely be unsuccessful but the only damage if successful is to TOBB's commission so She will always steer people away from even thinking that). Thereuare and this board look at the big picture of respect/helpfulness and realize that people will come back time and time again if made to feel welcome/comfortable.

Pre-ski season factors in a bit (sometimes LaQuinta Silverthorne comes up as inflated 3-star on Hotwire for about $59-69 even during ski season). Breck Brewery still there -- living in Denver we have 2 locations -- one microbrewery that's great with authentic BBQ. Oh forgot to mention, did place the bid by first going through BB's PRICELINE link. This PL win was that easy, I forgot to mention that the bid originated from BB's PRICELINE link.

Pretty much as you see it, lol. Great rate considering that last year we stayed at the same hotel for about $15 more/night (factoring in PL fees) under the Entertainment rate during Breckenridge (nearby) Octoberfest -- and that current rates are about $80-85 (even the AAA & Entertainment ones) and regular rates are higher. Bidding strategy: Matched up $69 Hotwire rate to this location (Hotwire overrates Laquinta from 2 to 3 star, HI from 2.5 to 3), then started at $47 with a $60 counter-offer. The friend I'm going with (instead of me adding $13 to the bid) independently went with $51 so we could make plans -- instead of maybe going $49, then $51 tomorrow (not worth the extra $2 savings ha ha). So $51 may be slightly overpaying but not by more than $2-3 vs. PRICELINE's actual cost.

This is definitely the Rio. The "suite" icon is the key, as The Palms is the other Near Strip West 4-star. I do suggest that you check the various zones' hotel lists on this website as they may help you ID hotels like this. You can also do a "packages" search, sort the results by star category and see if the icons match up to the opaque search. As it appears that you are new to BB, be very careful that what you are looking at on HOTWIRE is in the Near Strip West (rather than Strip West zone which has the Red Rock Casino resort as a 4.5-star property which some have mistaken for the Rio or Palms). Other thing is don't take for granted that HOTWIRE has the best price, i.e. the hotel proprietary site (Harrah's hot Deals) can get close and offer the flexibility of cancellation without penalty -- in this case, you are looking at a heckuva deal on HOTWIRE as the Rio' HD prices are 139-139-89 for your 3 nights. Hope this helps and good luck on your travel planning -- remember to use the various support page links through this wbesite when booking.

One Hot.wire amenity that will flag The Trump is "smoke fee," as well as the lack of a "casino" icon.