ufauxreal

We've stayed in this area a number of times. The past two years we have gotten the Radisson in Mt. Laurel, with which we were quite pleased, but it is rated 3*. Three years ago we got Amerisuites (2.5*), which we REALLY liked, but haven't seen that one come up very often recently. Good luck with it. JB

You should have received an e-mail with all the pertinent information, including reservation number. I always print that out and take it with me... I've never had a problem yet. JB

I submitted a rebate request with Hotwire sometime in the end of June. Nevr heard another word for them. I had submitted several requests using the same card before, and usually had my card credited about a week after I submitted the request. JB

While we are on the subject of re-arranging areas, I'd like to put in a suggestion for the New England area (where I live and travel most often). New Hampshire is in with Montana, Nebraska and New Mexico. This works alphabetically but not really logistically. Vermont is in with Utah. I'd love to see one category with three (maybe four) New England states, namely: New Hampshire, Vermont, and possibly Maine or Rhode Island. None of these states get so much traffic that they need their own category, but people who are travelling may go to several of the New England states on one trip. I also definitely agree to subdivide New York State. This should in no way be seen as criticism, but just some suggestions. I love this site and check it daily. JB

I know there are shuttle services available, and someone more familiar with the area will probably have more info on them. Last winter, before taking a cruise, we needed to get from Ft. Lauderdale Airport to Miami, and we opted to rent a car. As far as I know, there are no surcharges for a one way rental in FL. ... at least we weren't charged, and I called the rental company to make sure before we made our reservation. We were able to use the car in Miami and we returned it to the rental office close to the pier. They then shuttled us over to the pier. JB

Hello Karin... Have you given any thought to contacting the Ronald McDonald House? We have one here in New Haven and they are wonderful. They are set up specficially to offer inexpensive lodging to families whose children are hospitalized. Here is the one in Phila.: http://www.philarmh.org/about_the_house.php Good wishes to you and your children. JB

I checked Portland on Hotwire yesterday, and this hotel (or one with the same star and amenities) came up as $92. Just for a lark, I tried again today, and when I saw $72... I pounced on it. Here are the details: Sheraton South Portland Hotel Check-in: Wed, Jul 27, 2005 Check-out: Fri, Jul 29, 2005 1 room(s) @ $72.00 per night x 2 night(s)$144.00

Wow, 'Bidding', thanks so much for all your excellent research. I've been watching this thread like a hawk, because I will need a room in this area for a weekend in October. One question: Does the NY Metropolitan area have 'seasonality' (is that a word?) I would think that summer time in general is more of a tourist time (even though NY can be miserable in the summer heat). Would prices tend to be a bit lower in the fall? JB

YES!!! The last one I sent in was about a month ago, and, so far, not a word! Previously, I had a confirming e-mail only 3 days after I mailed in the rebate form. And, I'm getting ready to submit another one (haven't done the bid yet.. still finalizing the dates). JB

We needed a hotel in Lowell, MA. Got this hotel, just a few miles from Lowell, down a back road (according to a friend in Lowell). Radisson Hotel and Suites Chelmsford 10 Independence Drive Chelmsford,

Doesn't the name on the credit card have to match the person acutally checking in to the hotel? I have, on occasion, been asked for ID when checking into a hotel. Have you used the Entertainment Coupon before? I have used mine twice and I'm hoping to be able to use it a couple of times more. I read in the thread on the Hotwire/Entertainment coupons that recently some folks are having rejections when trying to use the coupon more than once. JB

Yes, I too find I am using Hotwire more often. I think in the past year almost all my bids were to Hotwire. I like knowing which amenities the hotel has. I usually begin my search on hotwire, just to get an idea of whether there is inventory, and what price range to expect. We often stay in smaller towns/cities, so this is important for us. And using that $30 Entertainment Coupon has brought the price down into the priceline range. It will be interesting to see if they include it in the 2006 books. JB

We won a bid for the 2 1/2* Hilltop Inn in North Stonington over Labor Day weekend (see my HOTWIRE post). They provide shuttle service to the casinos. Try searching for Mystic, CT using the vacation package.. just make up a departure airport. This will give you some idea of what their inventory is.. and you can compare amenities. A couple of years ago we stayed at the Amerisuites in Mystic and it was a straight drive up Rt. 2 to Foxwoods. As I recall it was under 1/2 hr. to get there. Good luck with it. JB

Try doing a search on Hotwire for Vacation Packages. Make up a departure city (I always use ATL because there are lots of flights from there). Hotwire will give you the name & location of the hotels as well as a list of amenities. It's no guarantee that you will get those same hotels, but sometimes you can match amenities with a regular hotel search. Good luck! JB

Ooops! Those dates are incorrect. We will be there for one night, 6/29. I've read a bit about the hotel since I made the original post. It looks really nice. We are a bit familiar with the area, having visited there a number of times. JB

Just got the 'Autumn Inn' in Northampton MA for $59. This was the only hotel actually in Northampton... 3 others were listed in 'Amherst-Hadley'. It appears to be right in town (Northampton), which we wanted. Amenities are: Boutique Hotel (hmmm... hope this doesn't just mean old :), complimentary continental breakfast, pool, business center, tennis and golf nearby. JB

If I were using a pool/beach on the hotel property I would simply take my room key, and whatever else I might need like sunscreen, etc. I always lock valuables, like wallet, camera, etc. inside my suitcase in the room. One of the plastic type room keys would not help a thief unless he/she were to run up and down the halls, trying it in every lock... an unlikely scenario. You can't even imagine the hassle we had when a wave knocked us over. The car keys, which had been in a bathing suit pocket were gone forever, and we were 5 miles from our hotel. Don't put important stuff in a bathing suit pocket! JB

Used Hotwire and got the 3* Radisson Hotel in Mt. Laurel. Amenities listed were: Restaurant(s) Pool(s), HiSpeed Internet, Laundry facilities. I will also be taking advantage of the $30 'Entertainment' rebate, which brings the price down to $44/nite (plus taxes,fees,etc.) JB

We booked a total of 3 nights, but split the bid because the price discrepency was so great, and also to try to maximize using the $30 Entertainment rebate. This is the Labor Day weekend and usually sells out. Amenities were: free breakfast, spa services and fitness center. They also provide shuttle service to the Casinos. Reviews on TripAdvisor were mostly good. JB

I hate to burst your bubble, but check the date on my previous post... it was 2003! I haven't seen those kind of rates in a while. I tried to get the Amerisuites in Mt. Laurel last year (2004) and was totally unsuccessful.. and I'll probably be trying again this year. Please let us know if you've been successful on the Mystic Amerisuites. JB

I thought about doing something like that, but by the time we land in Honolulu around 9PM (Hawaii time), I will have been travelling since 6AM (Eastern), and we have a morning flight out to Hilo. Just feels like too much of a hassle. I think my 72 hrs are up in another hour or so... I will try again! JB

I have been bidding for the Honolulu Airport zone for the past 6 weeks and have come up with nothing at all. I also bid 49, got the same re-bid offer, met it and was rejected. I'm starting to get a complex here... the bots all hate me :) The one difference is that I am bidding for 3/13 (a Sunday night). I can bid again tonight... anyone have any advice? Should I just bid $55 and hope it works? I do have a cancellable reservation so I know we won't be sleeping on the beach. JB

I doubt it was the credit card... my card is on file with them, and it's up to date. I do have another CC I could use.. but only one computer. I suppose I could go to the library.. not sure how secure that would be though. However, would using a different browser work? I usually use IE, but I also have MSN on the machine. The pop-up said something like "sorry, change in inventory". I then went back and added a free re-bid and upped it $2... and was rejected again! JB

Has anyone else been rejected after meeting Priceline's counter offer? I am still trying to get a room in Honolulu/Airport for 3/13. I actually went in and increased it by a couple of dollars and was rejected again! Do I have recourse to complain to Priceline customer support about this? JB (where's the smiley face with steam coming out the ears!)

Hi... We just did exactly what you want to do in January. We rented a car at FLL and drove down. It's less than an hour's drive. We got a really cheap Priceline room for the one night, that had free parking. You can't drop off the car at the Port, but several rental companies have offices in hotels very near to the Port, and then provide a shuttle van to the ship. We used Enterprise... there was no 'drop-off charge'... I think the car cost us about $26 which included all the taxes, etc. The one mistake we made was to take the car to the port first to drop off the luggage. You can't really just drop off the luggage... you have to go through the whole registration procedure, which meant we had to pay to park the car. So, drive to the rental company drop off place first, and then use their shuttle to get you and your luggage to the port. Enjoy your cruise!! JB