swag

The Sheraton is usually (always?) listed as a "customer favorite" so I'd say this is likely the Hyatt.

The Sheraton has been a "customer favorite" for some time now. I don'tthink the Hyatt ever has been. Unlike the "customer favorite" tag, I think the "best value" label varies based on the prices for you dates relative to other choices - in other words, the same hotel may be a best value for some dates but not others - so it's not a great indicator of what hotel you will bet.

Checking packages for those dates reveals that it is very likely the Iberville Suites (exact amenity, star level, zone match). I haven't stayed there, but find reviews here: REVIEWS

Sometimes adding a night does the trick. $62 for 4/28-5/02 is $248. Adding a night 4/28-5/03 @ $50 is $250, only $2 more. And it might get accepted, especially if the Hyatt has a minimum stay over that period - stranger things have happened. If it does go thru, then you can just checkout on the 2nd (as late as you want). I wouldn't go much higher, not yet, anyway.

Start a bid for Garden District only to see available levels. When I try, it looks like the highest available there is 2.5 stars.

Well, if that info came from the S.F. consulate, it certainly wouldn't hurt for her to go to the NYC one and try to apply there in person. She might well get a different answer. If they say no, all she's wasted is a subway ride.

It's still pretty early. I'd expect more hotels to start opening up Jazzfest inventory in another month or two. That said, for a 4*, you may need to be prepared to go a bit higher, perhaps into the $60-80 range. Some folks did get the Hilton for $50 last year, bidding in February, but there's no guarantee that deal will repeat.

It's accepted by the veterans here that PL often does not include occupancy fees in your bid total. But I wonder why? If they can include the % sales taxes,, why not the flat rate occupancy fees? I know in New Orleans, PL does not include the fee, so it's paid at checkout, but Hotwire does include the fee in your total. So why can't Priceline?

I checked Hotwire for your dates, and the best rate was over $150 for 3 or 3.5 stars. This seems to indicate tight inventory that weekend, but I don't know if it's a busy weekend or just still a bit too far in the future. Good luck.

As a first timer, going as a tourist, your first choice is the French Quarter. Alternatives include downtown (split into Convention Center and Central Business zones on Priceline), which is walkable to the Quarter; and the quieter Garden District, which is a streetcar ride away. For any of these areas, you probably don't need a car. Just bring comfortable walking shoes. Besides the streetcars, taxis are plentiful and affordable. And parking downtown and in the Quarter is expensive; expect to pay $20-30/night at hotels there. Hotels in other areas, like the airport, are much cheaper, but probably not worth the inconvenience.

Congratulations!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Well, besides possibly the boutique hotels, most of what I've seen in N.O. are typical of any big city, vis a vis room size. It stands to reason that the larger the hotel, the more likely they are to be able to honor your request, and the Hilton is the biggest hotel in town. If you do get the Hilton on PL for the first night, you will have to pay the same parking fee as you would with a regular booking. There's a Harrahs right across the street, though, that may offer cheaper rates (or free if you gamble).

I'll let someone with more experience give you a strategy, but a couple of things I notice. First of all, the Hilton is a 4* on Priceline, and I think the R.A. & W are too. Also the Sheraton on Canal, in the same zone. That actually helps you, since I think at the 4* level, there are more free rebid zones. Next, double check some of those rates. $200+ seemed high for the Hampton, so I checked the Hampton website for your dates and found it for $159. If your goal is to be as close as possible to the cruise line, the Hampton is probably a half mile closer than the Hilton, as would be some of the Marriott properties (Res. Inn & Courtyard). That said, with luggage, you'll almost certainly be taking a cab to the cruise, right? and the difference in fares between those or even any others in the FQ is likely just a buck or two. And the Hilton is very nice, IMO. Good luck and enjoy your cruise!

Here's a test I just ran. Austin, TX. Sep 17-20, 2 zones (downtown & south austin). First tried IE 6.0, then 2 minutes later, on the same computer, Netscape 6.2. The same 7 hotels were returned. IE - NS $40 - $39 $41 - $39 $53 - $50 $60 - $53 $62 - $60 $167 - $167 $183 - $183 So for all but the 2 most expensive, Netscape was cheaper. Note that I ran the IE search first, just to ensure it didn't consume the last cheap inventory.

Actually, Red Lion is not a Hilton brand. It's owned by WestCoast hotels. http://www.redlion.com/WHC/aboutwestcoast.asp

Looks like you'll be doing some hotel-hopping. Be aware that New Orleans taxis charge a flat/minimum rate of $10 to take you from between hotels if you have any luggage at all, even though the Whitney is only 6 blocks from the Hyatt. On the other hand, given the weather in New Orleans this time of year, and the thought of a quarter mile walk lugging a suitcase, that could be $10 well spent... Enjoy your trip.

All the hotels currently on your CCGD list would fall into the Convention Center zone.

Big change this week - Priceline has now split the Convention Center Garden District zone in two. The old zone used to run all the way from Canal Street to Jackson Ave. Now, the Convention Center zone runs from Canal Street to about US-90, and the Garden District zone picks up on the other side of US-90 and runs thru the garden distriuct area. Both halves seem also to be trimmed by a block or two, as two areas no longer seem to be a part of any zone: - the area within a block or so of US-90 - the triangle roughly defined by Tchopitoulas & St. Joseph, Lee Circle, and Camp & Poydras I assume there were no PL hotels in those areas. For those wanting to be near the Convention Center or Canal St, but who hesitated for fear of ending up in the less-convenient garden district, your problems are solved. :) I also notice that the CBD zone now includes a one-block area across I-10 along Canal St. That's an odd change, unless they are extending it to encompass a specific hotel. In fact, there is one hotel there, the Grand Palace. Not sure how PL would rate that, but on Expedia, it's a one-star.

I recently completed a Hotwire stay, 9 nights at $91 + taxes and fees per night. On the morning of my checkout, I found a bill had been printed and slipped under my door, showing a nightly rate (listed as "DISCOUNT ROOM") of $149. My first thought was, interesting, I can see what Hotwire paid for the room. Then I realized that the shown rate was higher, which doesn't seem to make sense. Surely Hotwire wouldn't resell a room at a $58/night loss, right? The rate I got wasn't an accident, it had been available for a few weeks fluctuation between $91 and $104, all well below the $149 shown on the bill. Any thoughts what is going on here?

The Wyndham Whitney moves from the CCGD to the CBD. That's the only one I'm aware of, though there may be others. Any addresses in the 600's should be mapped to be sure.

Looks like there's been a minor change in the New Orleans zone boundaries. The border between the CBD zone and the Conv. Ctr used to be St Charles; now it's moved to Camp, one block closer to the river.

Looks like there's been a minor change in the New Orleans zone boundaries. The border between the CBD zone and the Conv. Ctr used to be St Charles; now it's moved to Camp, one block closer to the river.

Not sure. My first thought was the Radisson, which is a 3* DT property with laundry facilities that often comes up cheaply. But I think I recall (not sure) that the Radisson usually lists 6 amenities. I also checked those dates under packages, and didn't see a match.

Not sure what the FQ hotels are. I've stayed at the Radisson, and thought it was okay, but it's gotten very mixed reviews elsewhere. It's on Canal St, about 5 blocks from the very edge of the Quarter, about 9 blocks from Bourbon Street. The new Canal Street Streetcar will be running by June, so if you don't want to walk, that's an option. I've heard good things about the Monaco. It's about 3 or 4 blocks from the FQ. Goven the choice between the Monaco @ $75 or the Radisson @ $60, I'd probably give the Monaco a try. Check Tripadvisor.com for more comments on these hotels.

I certainly wouldn't wait 2 billing cycles. If the credit weren't posted in a week, I'd go ahead and file the dispute with the credit card company (against the hotel, not against priceline). Read the small print on the back of your credit card bill. There may be deadlines to file a dispute. I've disputed charges in the past (not priceline or travel related), and it doesn't hurt your credit rating or account status in any way.