purefct

I started in Temecula where I saw previous wins for $50-$89 plus tax/fee, I saw I can book retail for $105-$150/night at these resorts 2.5* Fairfield Inn 2.5* Holiday Inn Express 2.5* La Quinta Inn and Suites (previously 3*) This was my bid history, two of us bid 1/18/2012 2pm bid $45 = $110 declined Peter 1/18/2012 3pm bid $50 = $120 declined Patty 1/19/2012 1:45pm bid $55 = $130 declined Peter 1/19/2012 3:30pm bid $60 = $140 declined Patty 1/20/2012 6:00pm bid $65 = $155 declined Peter So I switched over to Lake Elsenore 2.5* Holiday Inn Express (HIE), is $77/night retail and I suspect $72 on Hotwire - Lake Elsenore LE has 2.5* at best - FallBrook no 2.5* - Hemet no 2.5* 1/21/2012 4:00pm bid $50 = $120 just LE declined Peter 1/21/2012 4:00pm bid $55 = $130 LE and FallBrook declined Peter 1/21/2012 4:05pm bid $60 = $141 LE and FallBrook and Hemet WON, is HIE Offer Price: $60.00 Nights: 2 Room Subtotal: $130.00 Taxes & Fees: $20.64 Total Charged to Card: $140.64 I noticed the taxes/fee of about $10/night using the bidding is about 15% or $1.50/night higher than the regular booking taxes and fees.

New Bids today, the Priceline "recent history" now shows SP $80 yesterday (down from $100) and PW $95 today (up from $85) - Bid $75 PW 3* - added SP $80, noticed the 3.5* was added and I couldn't de-select it, but see later how I searched again using 3.5* *** At this point I got the Wyndham, but here was my plan in case I had to keep bidding. I was running out of time, but if I had more days, I should have started this at $65 to see if I could get the Wyndham for $70 in the SP area. - added B $85 I closed the browser, started a new session - Bid $80 SP 3.5* - added 3* $85 - added PW $90 - addded B $95 Here's my winning info: Wyndham Portland Airport Hotel South Portland - Scarborough 363 Maine Mall Road South Portland, Maine 04106 207-775-6161 Check-In Date: Fri, Jun 24, 2011 / After 03:00 PM Check-Out Date: Sat, Jun 25, 2011 / 12:00 PM Your Offer Price Per Room, Per Night: $80.00 Subtotal: $80.00 Taxes & Fees: $14.31 Total Charges*: $94.31

Portland ME 3* June 24-25 one night I looked at Ho.twire and saw 3* $132, Expedia 3* $149 and Clarion $149. I prefer 3* or better. I saw recent Priceline forum posts of successful $55-81 bids. I saw Priceline has Portland West 3* but no 3.5, South Portland 3 and 3.5, and Biddleton has neither star ratings. - Bid $55 PW 3* - added SP $60, noticed the 3.5* was added and I couldn't de-select it, but see later how I searched again using 3.5* - added B $65 Noticed on Priceline there's now a page to review recent successful bids, http://travela.priceline.com/promo/hotel_w...ids_alerts.html showing PW 3* at $85 and SP 3* at $100 I closed the browser, started a new session - Bid $80 SP 3.5* - added PW $95 - addded B $105 I suppose i should have seen if I could add 3* after the initial bid, then bid in smaller increments to score the 3*. Since I think I might get a PW 3* at $85 I guess I'll wait until tomorrow if I get a chance to see if I can get a better price on the 3*.

Hertz Full-Size Car Pick-Up Date: June 18, 2011 - 9:30 AM Drop-Off Date: June 25, 2011 - 5:00 AM Your Offer Price: $16.00 (per day) Total Rental Days: 7 days Subtotal: $112.00 Taxes and Fees: $56.90 Total Charges: $168.90

Ukiah 2.5* 12/23/2010-12/26/2010 Fairfield Inn, used to be 2* Fairfield Inn and Suites Ukiah/Mendocino County 1140 Airport Park Boulevard Ukiah, California 95482 707-463-3600 Your Offer Price Per Room, Per Night: $55.00 Subtotal: $165.00 Taxes & Fees: $28.08 Total Charges*: $193.08 I saw Hotwire 3* for $72/night and a 2* for $53/night, Expedia blind pricing in the same range, Priceline/Expedia listed Fairfield at $99/night and i've stayed here the last two of three years where the best price I got in the past was $70 from direct negotiating with the Hotel Mgr when Priceline and Hotwire didn't get me better pricing - mostly due to no units available when I looked. The place is nice, I think better than the 2* rating from the past, but I had hoped to get a 3* Hampton this trip. At least I got a good price! I bid $45/night which was rejected, jumped to $55/night when I added Willits which doesn't have a 2.5* and got the room.

OK, I bid on just about every class November 20 and then again November 22 for LIH 10-17 December 2010. If there is only one car class with a bid, I bid on it on 22 Nov and didn't remember what I bid on the 20th, and Priceline didn't show my history for that bid. Otherwise the first bid was on the 20th and second on the 22nd. The date and time are for my dates and arrival. This is what I got for Intermediate, company was Hertz! Your Offer Price: $15.00 (per day) Total Rental Days: 7 days Subtotal: $105.00 Taxes and Fees: $86.05 Total Charges: $191.05 Priceline bid history: 12/10/2010 12/17/2010 12PM LIH Intermediate $13 12/10/2010 12/17/2010 12PM LIH Intermediate $15 ACCEPTED = $191.05, saved $25 over what I found elsewhere, even more when compared to Hertz! 12/10/2010 12/17/2010 12PM LIH Standard $15 12/10/2010 12/17/2010 12PM LIH Full Size $15 12/10/2010 12/17/2010 12PM LIH Premium $22 12/10/2010 12/17/2010 12PM LIH Premium $25 12/10/2010 12/17/2010 12PM LIH Luxury $26 12/10/2010 12/17/2010 12PM LIH Luxury $27 12/10/2010 12/17/2010 12PM LIH Mid Size/Intermediate Sport Utility Vehicle $25 12/10/2010 12/17/2010 12PM LIH Mid Size/Intermediate Sport Utility Vehicle $27 12/10/2010 12/17/2010 12PM LIH Standard Sport Utility Vehicle $20 12/10/2010 12/17/2010 12PM LIH Standard Sport Utility Vehicle $27 12/10/2010 12/17/2010 12PM LIH Full Size Sport Utility Vehicle $30 no higher (I decided not to pay more than this)

Well, I think I forgot to click the PRICELINE link to do this, but my dad asked me to get him a room. I bid $70 which was declined, and I was taken to a page stating if I increase my bid to $85 my price will be accepted. Instead I added Morrow Bay to my criterion, which doesn't have a 3*, increased my bid to $80. I would have liked to bid $75 but I didn't want to wait 24 hrs if it was declined and another person got a decline (for a Sep reservation) below $80. My $80 bid was accepted! Room Subtotal: $80.00 (USD) Taxes and Fees: $17.36 (USD) Total Room Cost: $97.36 (USD) This was also for the 3* Apple Farm Inn, I'm curious to see if we end up in the motel unots or Inn units since I forgot to call the Inn today and Expedia doesn't list the motel units.

I looked at HOTWIRE and only saw one San Luis Obispo area Hotel with 3* or better for $114/night plus tax, had these amentities: Complimentary Breakfast included Fitness Center Laundry Facilities coin-operated High-speed Internet Access; an extra charge may apply. So I clicked thru to PRICELINE and bid half the $190 recommended median price for a 3*, $85, and won on my first bid. I received Apple Farm, which Expedia shows for $206 for my night! I saw some others started bidding 3* in September below $70 and ended at $77 and I figured since this was summer last minute I would end up bidding a few times and started higher than I normally would. Heck, I should have noticed the Sep Hotwire was about $10 higher than my July Hotwire and took a chance at a lower price! I planned to bid 3* SLO, then add Morrow Bay where there isn't a 3* for my dates - could bid twice a day but didn't want to spend the time! Apple Farm 2015 Monterey Street San Luis Obispo, CA 93401 805-544-2040 Room Cost (avg. per room, per night): $85.00 (USD) Number of Rooms: 1 Number of Nights: 1 Room Subtotal: $85.00 (USD) Taxes and Fees: $18.03 (USD) Total Room Cost: $103.03 (USD) The good news is, my parents are spending 4 nights and they just asked where I'm staying. I'll see if I can get them to let me PRICELINE and then see if I can get the rate lower!

IAD Full size, I got better deal thru Budget on the phone Granted, I'm using a Costco Discount and then coupon MUWZ042 for an additional $25 off. And I think the issue is that there are no Full Size cars available thru Priceline Budget over the phone: Full size 6-17 April 2010 $221 base = 283.31 with all taxes, -$25 coupon = $258.31 total for 11 days $221-$25 = $196 / 11 = $17.81/day base $258.31 / 11 = $23.48/day total On Priceline Your Offer Price: $15.00 (per day) Total Rental Days: 11 days Subtotal: $165.00 Taxes and Fees: $63.45 Total Charges: $228.45 Priceline Response: "Negotiation on Hold: Please Try Again - We were unable to find a Name Your Own Price

My Bad, doing too many things at once on a regular basis. Yes, my dates are actually October 16-18 2009. Thanks for the responses, they help! If this hotel was the Courtyard, the best conventional rate I found was $145 for the 16th and $150 for the 17th. HOWEVER today I won at $90 for Doubletree Guest Suites Santa Monica. I now undeerstand the higher rate, the Doubletree is of course more expensive than the Courtyard. The best conventional rate I could find for this resort was $177.65. Coincidentally the Doubletree is where my wife's conference is at so she's happy! Final Notes: Doubletree Guest Suites Santa Monica Santa Monica & Marina Del Rey 1707 Fourth Street Santa Monica, California 90401 Your Offer Price Per Room, Per Night: $90.00 Subtotal: $180.00 Taxes & Fees: $34.90 Total Charges*: $214.90 19-Sep-09 4* (Delfina?) "Small Chance your bid will be accepted" disappeared at $124, I bid $95, $97, and $101 without success 3.5* (Marriott Del Rey?) "Small Chance your bid will be accepted" disappeared at $124, I didn't bid 3* (Courtyard Del Rey?) "Small Chance your bid will be accepted" disappeared at $61, I bid $57, and $65 without success 20-Sep-09 3* (Courtyard Del Rey?) "Small Chance your bid will be accepted" disappeared at $57, I bid $65, and $69 without success 21-Sep-09 3* (Courtyard Del Rey?) "Small Chance your bid will be accepted" disappeared at $57, I bid $69, and $75 without success 22-Sep-09 3* (Courtyard Del Rey?) "Small Chance your bid will be accepted" disappeared at $57, I bid $75, and $80 without success 23-Sep-09 3* (Courtyard Del Rey?) "Small Chance your bid will be accepted" disappeared at $57, I bid $70, and $75 without success 24-Sep-09 3* (Doubletree Guest Suites Santa Monica) "Small Chance your bid will be accepted" disappeared at $57, I bid $84, then $90 with success!

So has anyone ever reported winning a bid below the "Small Chance" amount? I understand if it can't be used as a guage to start bidding close to the accepted price, but if no one wins when they bid below the "Small Chance" amounts THAT is a strong indication where not to start. When you ask "What is your maximum bid for this stay? (at each star level if different) What star level do you prefer? What is the best rate you're able to find thru conventional booking channels?" I feel the pricing thru conventional channels (while setting the max price to pay) is not my guide for Priceline bidding either. I guess you're saying a better gage of the winning threshhold price is the feedback provided by members of this site. Oddly though, I do not recal ever securing a successful bid as low as other people posting for similar star levels, locations, and sometimes dates. This is only my second or third time posting results of my bids but I have reviewed this site before bidding maybe a dozen times. Granted, I've never seen another post for the same dates I want at the same time I'm searching. But you'd think out of a dozen times I could get a lower price some of the time!

Sounds like I'm supposed to use the link to PRICELINE from BetterBidding. Does the link help with prices, or just to track my bidding? Anyway, I used the link to PRICELINE and I noticed the address has "Promo" in it so instead of bidding higher I bid lower; $70 and $76 ... still no successful bid. BTW, does anyone have any theories how the "Small Chance your bid will be accepted" message might indicate a price which will be accepted? I'd like to hear from some of you with info showing the price where this message goes away, the hotel rating, and the successful bid. My notes so far: 19-Sep-09 4* (Delfina?) "Small Chance your bid will be accepted" disappeared at $124, I bid $95, $97, and $101 without success 3.5* (Marriott Del Rey?) "Small Chance your bid will be accepted" disappeared at $124, I didn't bid 3* (Courtyard Del Rey?) "Small Chance your bid will be accepted" disappeared at $61, I bid $57, and $65 without success 20-Sep-09 3* (Courtyard Del Rey?) "Small Chance your bid will be accepted" disappeared at $57, I bid $65, and $69 without success 21-Sep-09 3* (Courtyard Del Rey?) "Small Chance your bid will be accepted" disappeared at $57, I bid $69, and $75 without success 22-Sep-09 3* (Courtyard Del Rey?) "Small Chance your bid will be accepted" disappeared at $57, I bid $75, and $80 without success 23-Sep-09 3* (Courtyard Del Rey?) "Small Chance your bid will be accepted" disappeared at $57, I bid $70, and $75 without success, even though I used BB link

I researched 3* Los Angeles (Santa Monica-Marina Del Rey) Courtyard Marina del Rey, I've seen people post they are getting the rooms for $70-$80/night, including Fri/Sat stays. I've been bidding for 9/16/09-9/18/09 for the 3* and as of today my highest bid of $80 is still rejected. Will be bidding more tomorrow ... BTW, does anyone have any theories how the "Small Chance your bid will be accepted" message might indicate a price which will be accepted? I noticed the Santa Monica 4* bid will have the notice for prices below $124/night and a lady posted she got the Delfina for $135. I of course am bidding on the 3* where the "Small Chance your bid will be accepted" message dissappeared on 19-Sep-09 at $61 and between the 20th to now it fell to $57. But I'm up to $80 on my bid without success which is a $23 premium over $57 whereas the lady won with only a $11 premium on the 4*. My notes so far: 19-Sep-09 4* (Delfina?) "Small Chance your bid will be accepted" disappeared at $124, I bid $95, $97, and $101 without success 3.5* (Marriott Del Rey?) "Small Chance your bid will be accepted" disappeared at $124, I didn't bid 3* (Courtyard Del Rey?) "Small Chance your bid will be accepted" disappeared at $61, I bid $57, and $65 without success 20-Sep-09 3* (Courtyard Del Rey?) "Small Chance your bid will be accepted" disappeared at $57, I bid $65, and $69 without success 21-Sep-09 3* (Courtyard Del Rey?) "Small Chance your bid will be accepted" disappeared at $57, I bid $69, and $75 without success 22-Sep-09 3* (Courtyard Del Rey?) "Small Chance your bid will be accepted" disappeared at $57, I bid $75, and $80 without success Technique I looked at each region to see the hotel ratings available. Santa Monica and most others listed all ratings levels Culver City had ratings 1, 2 and 3 Lawndale had ratings 1, and 2 Redondo had ratings 1, 2, 3 and 3.5 I could have used the three regions for bidding on the 4* I used Lawndale to allow me to double bid on the 3* each day

Well, I'm a bit bummed! I received an e-mail from Expedia about a hotel sale and needed one night 13-Sep-09 in Grand Cayman. I'm staying in a timeshare for 7 nights but my airfare was a lot less if I stayed 8 nights. Expedia "Last 5 days of the best hotel sale ever" - 4 Star 4.7 rated Grand Cayman Beach Suites 1 Bedroom Ocean View Suite $138 plus taxes (unit with balcony $50 more) - 4 Star 4.5 rated Grand Cayman Marriott Beach Resort 1BR Dlx (I can't tell what the view is, there are separate courtyard and ocean front rooms, so what is a Dlx room?) $160 plus taxes (Courtyard is $20 more and ocean front is $100 more, a f=refundable rate is another $30 more). I find it odd that the 1BR Dlx sounds better than a Courtyard room, yet it costs less. On the Marriott site there is a Jr Suite Ocean Front which is less then the Guest Room ocean Front but the Jr Suite sounds better! HOTWIRE - 3 star $101 plus tax/fees so I didn't do it. PRICELINE - 4 star is what I bid on - Bid $80, it was rejectd but Priceline said if I increased my bid $22 I could bid immediately. So I did $102. Normally I wait a day but lately I forget and then a week passes ... - I got the Grand Cayman Marriott Beach Resort - I'm bummed because even though this is $58 less than Expedia, I wanted the Grand Cayman Beach Suites since it sounds like a resort with rooms I'd rather stay at. Oh well, saved $36. - Offer Price Per Room, Per Night: US$102.00 - Taxes and Services Fees: US$25.79 - Total Charges: US$127.79