mtohio

Hi, Just spent another Saturday night overnight in Cincinnati. We got the 4* Westin on on Saturday, March 19th for a winning bid of $61 [$71.12 w/ taxes and fees] and the same hotel on Satuday, February 26th for a winning bid of $63 [$80.36 w/ taxes and fees]. I will post the bidding details a bit later. The Westin has a very nice pool on the 17th [top floor] and Jacuzzi and Fitness room on the same floor. An added bonus is that the pool and fitness is 24 hours [to the best of my knowledge]. Also, another plus, as we are Starwood Gold, the hotel both times was very very accomodating at upgrading us to the Starwood floor; and even gave us a fountain square room. Also, both times, late check-out at 2PM was NO problem. They are very nice at this property, and they treat their priceline guests very well. We were also quite impressed that the room service is 24 hours [albeit limited]. They will pre-block rooms for Starwood guests if you call before arriving. I am quite familiar w/ most of the Cinti. properties, do NOT hesitate to ask any questions. Also, never never use the Valet at any of the hotels. The connected fountain square lot on weekends in only $1 --- and connects indoors to the hotels; while the valet is $20 + !! [and adds very little convenience !] Best regards, Michael

Hi, Just my .02 cents... I have bid numerous times over the past year for 5* NYC [using re-bids]; I have gotten as high as $275; and have yet to have any luck with the 5* bidding. I have done it from 4 weeks to around 1 week before the date. I am not certain that it is even really available, and I have been reluctant to bid above $300. Also, please understand that the only 5* ever won [i think this is correct] on priceline has been the Waldorf Towers. Now, I personally like this property a lot, and have stayed there 4 times during the past year [for rates ranging from $350 to $450] and have been very pleased with our experiences. From my research, it seems to be a bit less than the other 5* properties such as the St. Regis, Peninsula, Ritz Central Park and MO [these seems to run from $525 to $600]. Also, many do consider the Waldorf Towers more of a 4.5*; sort of a notch below the other 5* properties; though, my experiences there have been as good as at the St. Regis. All of the rooms are quite large, and since we have been regular customers, they have upgraded us a suite in advance, on our last 2 stays. This has been really nice, as a "real" suite that is at least 1000 sq. ft. is quite the bargain in NYC for under $500. Also, the lounge for towers guests is pretty nice [though a bit small] and is included with all rooms in the towers section. In addition, we earn hilton points for our stays there; and this is our main hotel program. Good Luck with you bidding... Michael

Yes, It is a little unusual for a pre-cruise stay... but... I grew up in Fort Lee, and most recently we lived in Closter, NJ. Turns out that one of our good friends who lives in Leonia has offered for us to leave our car for the duration of the cruise at her house [as we are driving from Cincinnati --- too much airfare for 6 people] -- and she is driving us to the pier on Friday afternoon. So, we basically wanted a place to crash when we get in at 1AM that was close to Leonia/Fort Lee --- and the area is so nostagic for me. Unfortunately, I sometimes don't plan everything in advance, and left myself with a situation where I really needed to win my first bid.

Just got the following as our Pre Queen Mary 2 depart from NYC Cruise one night stay. As I did NOT see any 3* re-bid opportunities, I bid a bit higher than usual -- as I would NOT have a chance to re-bid in 72 hours. This reservation was booked within 48 hours of the stay. If you had the time [and re-bids] I would probably start around $50. Check-In Date: Thursday, June 10, 2004 Check-Out Date: Friday, June 11, 2004 Hotel Name: Marriott At Glenpointe 100 Frank W Burr Blvd Teaneck,

Hi, Just to add an additional opinion. Having stayed recently at both the Caribe and Condado, I agree that the Caribe is a great property; and the Condado is only a "short" walk from the Caribe if one wishes to use the Condado casino --- though, I do NOT suggest taking the short walk back at 3am w/ 2K in your pocket ! Being a father of a 2-1/2 year old, 7 year old and 9 year old --- we have much experience with the stroller set. And while I am quite the serious walker -- I think that the walk from the Caribe to Old San Juan is a little bit too far. Actually, while the location of the Caribe is great [between old san juan and isla verde (intercontinenal, ESJ and Ritz)] I never really considered it in walking distance to Old San Juan. Also, on my last trip, we checked out the Intercontinental -- and I have heard great reports from my friends --- this is probably a great property if you don't mind being in Isla Verde --- and it is very close to the airport [and on the beach]. Don't hesitate to ask any further questions.

We decided that after our 8 day cruise on the QM2 we really wanted to end the trip in style. Booked a pre-pay luxury suite @ the Waldorf Towers for $580 per night direct w/ Hilton. What is unique is that this suite has "2" double beds [instead of the usual king bed] -- which is really what we needed to accomodate the 6 of us. This is also truely a 1 bedroom suite --- not just a room w/ a seperate sitting area. Called the hotel to confirm a few things, and basically the suite is 750 sq. ft + and has 1 and 1/2 baths and will be located on a floor higher than the 33rd floor. Also, breakfast and snacks in the lounge are available and operate all weekend. So, would have loved to have gotten a great deal through priceline, but this will be a wonderfull way to end our trip. Regards....

You had suggested 5 bids ending in $140 [$100, $110, $120, $130, and $140 respectively] but since I didn't want UM/CPS I only had 4 bids [$100, $110, $120 and $130]; so, instead of the $130, I bid a little higher $138. If you think that was a mistake, please explain, I figured that $130 might be too low, so I gave it a shot at $138 Thanks !

Tried the following today : 4* Started bidding MTE $100 rejected Added MTW $110 rejected Free Re-bid $120 rejected Free Re-Bid $138 rejected So, we are up to $138 for a 4* [MTE or MTW]; any suggestions when I bid again in 72 Hours. Thanks...

Plans for this trip were cancelled. Michael

This trip was cancelled at the last minute. I was fortune [this time] that my previous bids didn't work -- otherwise, I would have been paying for a night I wasn't going to use. Regards, Michael

After reviewing the options, My parents decided to stay @ the Quality Inn/Suites in Blue ASH - as they wanted to make sure they could get 2 double beds. Turns out, the AAA rate was $35.99 -- -and Quality Inn had a promotion, that if you had 2 stays, you got a free night. So, they broke their stay into 1 4 day and 1 3 day stay @ the $35.99 --- and got the free night for future use. Acording to our research, one of the properties that often comes up in the Blue Ash area is the Amerisuites, and they only have KING size beds at this property --- so, we weren't will to risk getting that property -- as we couldn't even request 2 double beds. Regards... Michael

Keep the Hertz Corporate Rate at $50; and due to #1 Gold and Corporate Rate, was upgraded to a Mustang [automatic, that was the car waiting for my Wife @ LGA] Regards, Michael

Just an update. Didn't start bidding yet, as my parents are NOW unsure about the EXACT dates, and might still use their timesharing. I'll keep you posted. Michael

Hi, We are trying to firm up our post cruise stay in NYC [Queen Mary 2 Cruise, which we are very excited about !!]. We are a total of "6" people, 3 Adults and 3 Children [2 of which are under 8 years -- i.e. small people] We need a room in NYC from Sat. June 19th for 3 nights [departing on June 22nd]. We would like 2 rooms in a 4 star hotel property, probably MTE or MTW; but we are very flexible. What we have booked so far [as our backup] is a suite @ the Hilton Times Square [of which we feel the property location and property itself is pretty ideal] For the 6 of us, we have booked a Deluxe Suite which is 1.5 baths [full bath + powder room] and this 1 bedroom is on the 43rd or 44th floor, has an actual separate bedroom with king and sofa bed in LR --- total size of the room is 650 sq feet. We get buffet breakfast daily with this rate. Total price for the room w/ Breakfast [for all 6] is $399 per night. I guess if we could get a 4* property for $150 or less [per room] that would work out pretty well [$300 night is better than $399 per night --- and 2 rooms [w/ 2 full baths] should be a little more than 650 sq feet ?? which I am NOT certain about] Any bidding advise or suggestions would be welcome. Thanks again ! Michael

WDW Resort Bidding Strategy would be great. NOT sure about max. bid, probably around $150.

Looking for bidding help for Orlando (WDW) July 26 for 4 Nights. Very interested in Dolphin/Swan, so maybe hotwire would be a better choice. Otherwise, would like a 4* Bidding Strategy. Thanks

Just a quick update. As I often do, I verified the rate received from priceline. Savings wasn't incredible, but I was finding rates ranging from $139 to $179 for this property. Then, I did a final check on Expedia this morning, and they are running a "Expedia prepay special" for $109, which is less than the winning bid of $120. I immediately notified priceline via email this morning, and received the following response in UNDER 6 hours : Thank you for taking the time to send us an e-mail. We understand that you were able to find a price of $109 for your reservation for $120 at The New Clinton Hotel South Beach hotel at www.Expedia.com. Our records indicate that your Best Price Guarantee claim was accepted and that we have issued a refund. You will see this refund reflected on your credit card statement within the next 1 - 2 billing statement, depending upon your credit card billing cycle. Amount Charged by Priceline(Excluding Taxes and Fees): $120.00 Available Total Charges(Excluding Taxes and Fees): $109.00 Total Refund: $11.00 It is so strange that my bids on priceline below $120 for a 4* were rejected on priceline, but I am glad to see that they made good on their guarantee, and responded very quickly.

Finally got something. Bid up to $175 for resort, with no luck. Got this 4* on priceline for $120 + Taxes/Fees. Not familiar w/ the property.... but it should be fine. Details below : Check-In Date: Sunday, April 25, 2004 Check-Out Date: Monday, April 26, 2004 Hotel Name: The New Clinton Hotel South Beach Your Offer Price: $120.00 Number of Rooms: 1 Number of Nights: 1 Subtotal: $120.00 Taxes and Service Fees: $23.36 Total Charges: $143.36

OK, Hotwire shows a 4* Boutique for $145 a 3.5* Suite Boutique for $81 and a 3* for $55 [best value] Let me see if I understand the "gameplan" Bid resort again up to $165, and if that does NOT work, bid 4* up to $100; but no higher ? I could bid the 4* up to $145 [the same as the hotwire]; or do you think that on the average, I would get a better property for the same price from hotwire; and should just do the hotwire 4* for $145 INSTEAD of bidding priceline 4* to the same amount. Please confirm.... and I will bid later tonight, and post the results. Thanks again...

OK, I can bid again by tomorrow. Please provide revised strategy for : South Beach 4* and Resort. As I mentioned, got up to $165 on resort and $100 on 4* during my previous bidding session. Also, possibly provide a 3* strategy, in case the above doesn't work out. Thanks ! Michael

Thanks for the bidding advise. Bid Resort up to $165, rejected Bid 4* up to $100, rejected You mentioned a Hotwire 4* at approx. $109; any idea what hotel this is ? Stopped priceline 4* bid at $100, as from the way you mentioned it... seems like you think that the hotwire at approx. $109 is a better deal than continuing to bid up on priceline for a 4*. Any further bidding suggestions... or should I just grab the hotwire ? Thanks again, Michael [PS... used savingsbarn.com for my bids.... ]

Just checked Hotwire. Only "on the beach" NOT "beach access" hotel is a 4.5* that is $339 per night. At that rate, I think I can book the Mandarin Oriental directly. Was looking to spend "up to $200"; but would probably prefer to take my chances w/ Priceine. Are there a LOT of hotels which come up on Priceline in the Resort, 4* Category ? Any bidding strategy would be helpful. What do you think the 4.5* Hotwire is ?? Even though I think that is pretty steep for a hotwire hotel, NOT during a holiday week/weekend. Thanks... Michael

Hi, Looking for bidding strategy for Miami, South Beach. 1 Night, Sunday April 25th 4*, 5* or Resort Hotel. Would really like a hotel on the beach, do the hotels currently being offered mostly fall on the beach ? Thanks, Michael

Thanks to all of the education from this board... I really used re-bids to my advantage. Was really helpfull to know about the recent win for $49 Bidding went as follows, was an easy re-bid, as there resorts are ONLY listed in 1 zone, the Lexington North Zone --- so, I was able to re-bid w/ confidence for the resort hotel. Bid Lex. North Resort $32 Rejected added Lexington Bid Resort $38 Rejected added Lex. East Bid Resort $44 ACCEPTED FOR "3" ROOMS !!!!! Congratulations, you got your price of $44 for a resort hotel room. Check-In Date: Sunday, March 28, 2004 Check-Out Date: Monday, March 29, 2004 Hotel Name: Marriott Lexington Griffin Gate Resort Your Offer Price: $44.00 Number of Rooms: 3 Number of Nights: 1 Subtotal: $132.00 Taxes and Service Fees: $24.63 Total Charges: $156.63 Once again... I owe it all to the education I got on this board !

Travelguy... Thank you SO MUCH for your bid strategy. I will start bidding very soon, just need to get a few things regarding our trip dates "exact" Yes, my backup was very lucky.... originally, when I went on the Hilton and Expedia websites, the property was sold out for most of the dates, and then, I tried again, and they had space at the $169 for the entire stay... very strange, but I think a decent rate for a NON-Prepay 24 hour cancellation. thereuare, to answer your question, I think I would "rather" bid every 3 days, rather than split my stay --- we really don't like the "possibility" of having to change properties. Thank you both again, and I look forward to the additional bid strategy from thereuare. Also, I would NOT be devasted if I ended up w/ my backup. Do you have any idea if this hilton property upgrades HHonors Gold members, and if so, to what type of room --- maybe since we would be checking in before the "memorial weekend rush" we have a better chance --- any opinions ? Michael