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BurBunny

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Everything posted by BurBunny

  1. Jan, Baton Rouge looks promising! There are 2 3* hotels which I've seen in the past - the Sheraton Convention Center and the Chase Suites, along with the 2.5* Courtyard by Marriott. It appears there's a bit of seasonal pricing going on. It looks like bids between $47-55 in winter are a good bet, while summer can go down as low as $36. If you're bidding the 3* only, it appears at this time you have two free rebids you can use, so you can afford to lowball just a bit to make sure you get the best deal. Let us know if you want more assistance here!
  2. Have one more $10 per night, $50 maximum, bonus that's up for grabs. Priceline Bonus Offer As with the others, it expires today, and is for one use only. Happy bidding, and if you're successful, please post here :)
  3. Jan, it appears that the Beau Rivage is a 4* property in the Biloxi Coast zone. I can't find reference to any other Priceline properties in that zone, but that doesn't mean there aren't any. However, from what I've seen from people trying to bid for that property is that Priceline probably doesn't have much if any inventory from them any more. You might want to look on their web site to see if they're running any specials for when you want to be there, and if no specials running, do a search on something like Travelaxe to see if any of the hotel consolidators have discount rooms, then try a bid, but based on what I've been seeing, I have a feeling they may no longer participate with PL, or not give them much to work with. I know that's not the answer you were hoping for. Let us know what you decide to do and how it turns out! Good luck!
  4. Ken, at $331, the Embassy Suites is WAY overpriced for that night. Although you could acutally make money with Hotwire's Double the Difference Guarantee.... but you probably don't want to go through all that. If Hotwire is showing that rate for the 3.5* with red "S" icon in the Downtown Fort Lauderdale zone, don't purchase. Buying directly from Embassy Suites is much less, not to mention other hotel search engines.
  5. Bjems, if you're concerned about the Doubletree Suites, definitely call the hotel directly and specifically ask if they have a fitness center. If the answer is "no" then I'd feel fairly confident neither of the properties showing right now are the Doubletree. Another indication it probably isn't the Doubletree - while other services will rate Doubletree hotels as 2-3*, I've read reports that Hotwire almost always rates a Doubletree Suites as a 4*. Good luck!
  6. Priceline has a little-known feature which allows you to add nights to an already-accepted bid. The request does have to be within 30 days of the original accepted bid, cannot be longer than the original request (you can't add 2 nights to a 1-night stay), can only be done once, and the added nights must be immediately before or after your existing stay. To learn more about it, you can go to Adding nights to my accepted hotel reservations. It's one of the FAQs on Priceline's site, and gives the full requirements, along with a link to use to make the request.
  7. Bill, As a hint for you for the future, Priceline does offer a mechanism where you can request additional nights as long as the request is within 30 days of the initial bid, along with a few other restrictions. To learn more about it, go to Priceline, click Help, then select Search by Topic, choose Hotel Rooms, and type in "additional night." That will take you to a screen where there's a FAQ on "Can I add nights to my accepted hotel reservation." You *might* be able to get directly to the FAQ from this link: Priceline Adding Nights Hope that helps for the future!
  8. Bjems, let's see what we can do here to narrow the possibilities for you. Since no one has reported Hotwire results for Boca yet, what I'm about to say is an educated guess. There are 3 suite properties which I think are appropriate for the 2 suite options coming up on Hotwire for your dates in Boca. They are the Embassy Suites, Radisson Suites, and Doubletree Suites. Going directly to the hotel sites for all of these properties, the Embassy Suites offers a laundry, while the Radisson doesn't mention one. Doesn't mean the Radisson doesn't have one, but I've found that Hotwire is pretty good at only listing amenities the hotels themselves list. The Doubletree Suites lists a laundry, but doesn't have a fitness center. As a note, there is also a Marriott Springhill Suites and Marriott Townplace Suites in the area, but they doesn't offer any on-site restaurants, so that should make them ineligible for both the Hotwire 3* rating and the restaurant icon which appears in both amenities lists. So, based on that, my educated guess is that the Embassy Suites is the 3.5* property with the laundry icon, and the Radisson Suites is the 3* property with the kitchenette icon. While Doubletree (and Hilton) is one of Hotwire's biggest accounts, the fact that the Doubletree under "fitness" only lists Pool, and that's a separate icon on Hotwire, indicates it doesn't have a fitness center, so would lead me to believe it's neither of the 2 properties currently coming up. (Please don't feel this is an absolute, but it is based on my experience in "reading" Hotwire amenities and matching it to specific hotels. I do hope this helps! Regardless of which area you decide to choose, I do hope you'll note the amenities icon before you select it, and post your results here to help future Hotwire users!
  9. This Embassy Suites has been very good about not charging extra. However, I recommend calling them directly (954-527-2700) and letting them know you will be a party of 4 and making your bedding requests. Priceline automatically puts in a request for a non-smoking with 2 doubles, and there is a sofa bed in the living rooms, but if you'd prefer a king bed instead, they're usually good about honoring it. REALLY great bargain for 4 of you! Congratulations!
  10. Dennise, I'm not that familiar with Orlando, but my first advise would be to look at the maps on both Hotwire and Priceline. While they're not overly specific, it can help to know if the area you're wanting is a separate zone, or if the zone extends beyond what you want (and if there are hotels in that zone). If you'll tell me what Priceline/Hotwire zone(s) you're wanting, I'll do a bit of research and see if I can get some more information for you.
  11. Hello! I'm jumping in here on Thereuare's request since Ft. Lauderdale on Priceline/Hotwire is a pet project of mine :) You have options here - whether to bid Hotwire or Priceline. Let's go over them both. Hotwire. Putting in March 22 for 2 rooms, 1 night, Downtown Fort Lauderdale zone, the only 3* quality hotel that comes up is actually the 3.5* (as rated by Hotwire) Embassy Suites at $91 per room. It is the hotel which has the 3.5* AND the red "S" (for suite) icon in the amenities list. While there are no absolute guarantees, I've done extensive research in this zone, I cannot find any other hotel which meets this amenities list, PLUS every time I've selected it or someone I know have, they've always gotten the Embassy Suites. So it's as close to a sure thing as you can get. Now the $91 is significantly better than you can get anywhere else for the Embassy Suites that night, but I believe you can do a bit better on Priceline. So let's look at Priceline. In order to bid Priceline, you need to be willing to accept EITHER the Embassy Suites OR the Marriott Marina, with the very slight possibility of getting the Renaissance. All three are terrific hotels, 3* or above, and very close to the port, and within a $10 cab ride of the airport (if they don't have a shuttle). So since it sounds like all three meet your criteria, let's look at a bidding strategy for these hotels: Your first Priceline bid, you'd want to select ONLY the Downtown Fort Lauderdale zone. On the next screen, select 3* and input your price. Based on the recent bid acceptances, it appears that $75 has been the lowest price Priceline has accepted for this time frame. So I'd recommend your first bid be $75. You'll get a "nag" screen telling you your bid has a very low liklihood of success and recommending you raise your bid. Ignore this screen. It's not correct - they're just trying to get you to pay more :) So simply put in the $75 offer again and move on. IF that isn't accepted, you have the option for what's called a free rebid. That is, using a zone in Fort Lauderdale whose top level is less than 3*, so that you can raise your bid without risking getting a hotel somewhere else. Because there is a chance Priceline has added new hotels to the current "rebid" zone for 3* hotels, you'll need to double-check that it's still valid. Before rebidding, open a NEW Priceline page, and click ONLY the Miramar zone. As long as all that comes up is 2.5* or below, it's still good as free rebid zones. If a 3* or higher option comes up, then unfortunately you won't be able to rebid. If this happens, please come back here and we'll assist you further. But since it's likely you will be able to use Miramar if your first bid is rejected, my recommendation would be on your rebid to raise your offer to $82, and add the Miramar zone. This means you'll have marked for your second bid BOTH the Downtown Fort Lauderdale zone AND Miramar, and a price above $75 ($82 is what I recommend). IF after your first bid, Priceline comes back and makes a counter offer to you that if you raise your bid by a certain amount, it will be accepted, don't take the offer. Split the amount in half and use your Miramar free rebid instead. For example, if Priceline tells you an increase of $22 would give you acceptance, raise your bid to $86 ($75 + $11) and add Miramar. Hopefully you'll get acceptance and you'll be all done! But if not, you can start all over again in 72 hours with a new bid. New availability is added all the time. Don't give up or get discouraged. We'll be here for you. Please ask any questions you have before you bid so we can make sure you're comfortable with the process. Good luck, and be sure to keep us posted on what's happening!
  12. Received the following from Priceline today for up to $50 Hotel Bonus Money - $10 per night up to 5 Nights: Save up to $50 Extra with priceline Hotels! Book a hotel room through this e-mail and not only will you save up to 40% over other leading sites - you'll also get up to $50* added to the price you name! Here's how it works: - Click any link in this email - Tell us the city you want to stay in - Choose a neighborhood - Pick a 3, 4 or 5 star hotel - Name Your Own Price We'll add $10 per night to the price you name for up to 5 nights. Your hotel stay can be any time you like but this special offer expires March 1st, 2003 - so make your offer today! Make Your Offer Now! $200 Priceline Vacations Special! Claim Your $200 Savings Now! * Limit one per customer.
  13. You both got great deals! If you would, could you go back and try to re-create your bid by putting in the same area but with different dates, and let us know which icon amenities this hotel has? By doing that, you can help others looking for the same property be able to identify it. There seem to be 3 properties coming up on Hotwire that I can find, but only 2 with high speed access. One is listed as a "Customer Favorite" with Casino, Restaurant, Swimming Pool, Fitness Center, High Speed Internet, Business Center, Golf Nearby and Spa icons, while the other doesn't have the "Customer Favorite" designation, and has Casino, Restaurant, Swimming Pool, Fitness Center, High Speed Internet, Business Center, Golf Nearby and Tennis Nearby icons? They may actually be the same hotel - it's tough to tell in Vegas - but I'm hoping you remember seeing or not seeing the "Customer Favorite" information :) I have a sneaking suspicion the one with the Tennis icon is Balleys, and the one with the Customer Favorite designation is Aladdin, but let's see what we can do to confirm that! Appreciate you posting here. Any additional information you can provide will assist future bidders have the same terrific experience you have!
  14. Thanks for confirming the amenities! This will definitely help others. You're giving someone a very nice gift. While this was a learning experience for you, I definitely hope you have gotten information and will understand better next time your purchase. BetterBidding.com is here for that reason. Information is power. More information = BetterBidding! :)
  15. Doesn't Hotwire have a double the difference guarantee? If you got this property in the last 48 hours you might want to take advantage of it in this case. Would get you $80 back - that wouldn't be too bad. Also, do you happen to remember (or can you recreate by going back to the dates and starting but not completing the request) the amenities icons for this hotel? Is it the one with the Boutique, Restuarant, Fitness Center and Business Center? That will help others identify it in the future :)
  16. Reporting this for a friend in the UK. He bid using Priceline UK (www.priceline.co.uk) to ease his use of UK address. Based on past accepted US bids, he bid
  17. Since there doesn't appear to be any actual 4* properties in San Juan, you'd think your "included" Resort level in your 4* bid would bring up hotels. However, I've seen that there are many times when bidding a lower * level, an acceptable price at a higher level isn't giving a winning status. So I'd recommend the following: Start a new bid. Select Resort only. I'd recommend starting at $75 or $80. If that's not accepted, add in 4* and go up another $5. If the 3* property is acceptable to you, then add that for a third try and go up another $5-10. I have a feeling you're amount is right, just not in the form Priceline wants to see - namely Resort chosen specifically. I know it doesn't make sense... but then again we're talking computer programming (oops, I didn't say that!). Good luck and please keep us posted!
  18. I fully understand about bidding ahead - especially if you see the hotel you're hoping for on PL at the rate you want. Nice job there with that long a stay! Just wanted to be sure this wasn't a past bid :)
  19. Gleff, judging from your past bid reports, did you perhaps mean 2002, rather than 2003 for this win? :)
  20. I completely agree! While I've never gotten reward points, I have gotten upgrades, added amenities, late check out, and generally preferred service. It can be a definite advantage!
  21. I completely agree! While I've never gotten reward points, I have gotten upgrades, added amenities, late check out, and generally preferred service. It can be a definite advantage!
  22. Here is the scoop on parking at Hotwire/Priceline hotels near Port Everglades in Fort Lauderdale as of today: Amerisuites: Free with pre-cruise stay Embassy Suites: Free with pre-cruise stay (though overnight parking the night of your actual stay will have a charge of $10 - go figure!) EDIT:- conflicting reports have been received, now appear to charge for parking while on cruise, call hotel for the latest decision Marriott Marina: $12 per night ($14 on Sundays) Renaissance: $10 per night Hyatt Pier 66: $10 per night Marriott Harbor Beach Resort: $16 per night Sheraton FLL Airport: $12 per night As a note, the covered parking at Port Everglades (shared with the Convention Center) is $10 per day.
  23. I can confirm that as of January, the Amerisuites was still offering the free parking during cruise at their 17th Street Fort Lauderdale property. I'll make some quick calls tonight and report back on other properties known to be available on Hotwire and/or Priceline.
  24. There are some situations and hotels where the 2-person rule is absolutely enforced. It is most common in boutique-type hotels (though not necessarily the "boutiqe" category) in places like San Francisco and New York. These hotels tend to be older, often historic, and they assign their Priceline/Hotwire customers to rooms which truly only have room for one queen size bed, no possibility of any other bidding option. Definitely call the hotel and request 2 beds. It's usually able to be accommodated. But be aware when you're selecting your hotel that in some areas it may not be possible.
  25. Noticed today while bidding that Priceline has significantly upgraded their interface. Instead of waiting for the email with a link to your results, after you click "Buy" you will be taken to a "waiting" page for a short period of time, then will be given your results directly on the screen. In addition, the traditional email with link will also be sent a few minutes later. It will be interesting to see how this pans out in wait time for acceptances vs. rejections. In the past, you could often tell by how quickly the email arrived whether or not you were close to an acceptable price or if there was inventory (if a rejection was quick, you were probably out of luck for rebids as well). My acceptance was pretty quick, within a minute or so on DSL. Look forward to hearing other's results as well.
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