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Well after speaking with my friend we decided that Beverly Hills isn't as much a necessity, so we decided to add Downtown to the list. Started off at $80 and increased in increments of $5 until we were finally accepted by the Westin Bonaventure for $95. Was going to hire a car to get around LA anyway, so we're pleased with this! All that's left for our trip is Miami... Used Savingsbarn.com...as always...

Oh, and I used Savingsbarn.com to start all bids...

FINALLY! I was beginning to think that I would be paying rack rates for NY during my stay... Bid $200 MTW...rejected. (Bid up to $210 last night) Bid $220 MTW...rejected. Bid $230 MTW...rejected. Bid $200 MTE...rejected. (Same again...just making sure from last night) Bid $220 MTE...rejected. Bid $230 MTE...rejected. Bid $240 MTE...rejected. Bid $250 MTW & UTC/CP...rejected. Bid $260...accepted. Got the Sofitel New York - extremely happy with this, as the listed rate on the hotel website is for these dates is $469...plus it's number one on tripadvisor, so it can't be that bad, yeah? Probably could have got it cheaper if I had waited, but wasn't prepared to take the risk. Cheers for the help, thereuare!

Well I've just bid up to $190 in MTE and MTW with no success...

Don't really want to change plans at this stage - I'll pay whatever it takes - just don't want to pay over the odds. If that means $250 a night, then $250 it is. But since I've got time, I can afford to go up in stages...one thing I don't want to do is stay in a 3*, cause the last time I went to NY I stayed in one of those and it soured the whole experience.

Got the Crowne Plaza - extremely happy! Strategy as follows: Bid $70 - rejected Bid $75 - rejected Bid $80 - rejected Bid $85 - rejected (had to wait 24 hrs) Bid $90 - countered with $112... Bid $95 - success! Hotel listed at $130 p/night on their website for these dates. Used savingsbarn.com for all bids, of course. (Could a mod fix this title please? Thanks!)

Increased my budget to $200...tried up to $160 in all areas except MTS - how far off do you reckon I am? Or is it a matter of holding off a bit?

Wasn't enough obviously...will increase my budget once I know how much the 4* NY hotel I'm going for is going to be.

The Aladdin sounds good for the price - I'll book that and then see what happens like you said...

Apologies again - I've based it on how many nights I'm there and not when I checkout..will update other posts accordingly...it's 5 nights from the 20th so checkout would be on the 25th.

Sorry - checkout is on the 1st of July (Sunday)...

Hi, Trying to get a 5* on the Strip for the above dates - Priceline comes back with prices of $275 for the Venetian whenever I put in a bid (have bid up to $117 so far). Prepared to bid up to $150 ATM. How far off the mark am I? And should I just wait awhile? I know Vegas gets cheaper closer to the date...but if I can get in now for a reasonable price, I'd like to. Cheers, Darren

Hi, Need some advice as to bidding for a 4* on the above dates. Have tried up to $135 in MTE, MTW, UM/CPS. Any zone is ok except Financial District (Midtown South would be last on the list, though) Budget is around $150 per night at the moment, but can increase it to $200 depending on what other hotels I get in Miami, Las Vegas and Los Angeles. Cheers, Darren

Hi, Need some assistance as to when to bid for a 4* Miami hotel in either the South Beach or Downtown areas. Is it too early to start bidding? Want to keep it under $100 per night before fees etc. if possible. Thanks, Darren

Success at $70...got the Holiday Inn Anaheim Resort. Been there before, can't complain... Used the Savingsbarn link as well. Thanks for the help. Now on to LA/NY/LV/MIA!

No joy with either star rating...don't want to go too high in price as I'm going to New York as well and want to get a good hotel there (cause I know what New York hotels are like). Thanks for the help, by the way!

Had some time to kill, so I looked up prices for every 4 and 3 star in Beverley Hills/West Hollywood... Hyatt Century Plaza 4* - $277 (Travelocity) Beverley Hilton 4* - $221 (hotel website) Avalon 4* - $259 (from Orbitz) Park Hyatt not available Belage (no longer Wyndham, so I don't know if it's included) 4* - $209 (hotel website) Tower Beverley Hills 4* - ? Westin Century Plaza 4* - couldn't find it listed on their website Hyatt West Hollywood 3* - $215 (hotel website) Crowne Plaza 3* - $175.01 (hotel website) Couldn't find the Doubletree listed... So...the upshot is for a 4* I'm looking around $210-$260 p/night, and 3* is $175-$215 based on these rates.

Yeah, I know that I could end up anywhere - that's fine...anything is better than nothing, and I don't plan on staying at the hotel except to sleep :) Would 4* be possible with a bid of up to $100? Cause that would be nice (but I'm probably dreaming). Failing that I'm happy for anything in the area that is 3* or over for the same price.

No luck...what's next? Wait awhile or keep bidding?

Say $120 - that being said, I've adjusted my criteria to 3* (cause I wouldn't mind staying at the Hyatt West Hollywood). Thanks

You caught me out...I've read about re-bidding, and understand the concept, but this is my first time doing this so... Yeah 3* is fine - I'm used to Australia, where a Hyatt or Hilton would be classified as a 4*.

Sorry...I want to be around West Hollywood/Beverley Hills. Really only willing to accept this zone at this stage, but if it becomes too pricey I'll look at others. Have budgeted for spending $100 including taxes etc. per night for this leg, but can increase it up to $150 if need be (would look at other zones before doing so, though). Willing to split the bid, but want to stay in the same hotel over the weekend.

Hi, Need advice for bidding on a 4* hotel in the Disneyland area, staying three nights (06/17 - 06/19). Would dearly like the Hyatt Regency, but will take what comes. Prepared to spend up to $150 per night (cheaper the better, though). Cheers for any help, Darren

Hi, Travelling from Australia. Looking to stay in LA for five nights from the 12th of June to the 16th (checkout on the 17th). Want to be as close to Sunset Strip as possible cause my friend and I are planning on going clubbing etc. (Hyatt West Hollywood would be good). 4 star minimum and have around $150 per room per night to play with (though would rather MUCH cheaper, as this is the first stop in a four week holiday :)) My Amex card is burning a hole in my pocket as we speak... Cheers, Darren

Hi everyone, A friend and I are coming to visit your fair land in June/July next year from Australia...visiting the following locations: Los Angeles - 5 nights Anaheim - 3 nights Miami - 7 nights New York - 5 nights Las Vegas - 5 nights Prepared to pay up to $150 US per night for a room in each location (of course, if I get a hotel for $90, then the other $60 could go toward upgrading the New York hotel etc). Let me know if I should be prepared to spend more... Also need flights between all these cities if possible. We don't have the flights booked yet from Australia (want to get a deal so we can stopover in Asia on the way there and back), but our plans are definite. Is it best to start bidding now? If so, can someone give me a hand since I've never done it before (though I'd like to think I understand how it works :)). Thanks in advance, Darren