allybunnie

Lulubee...are you flying into Boston & then renting your car? We visit Boston occasionally & drive from CT. We never park in the city as it is very pricey to park your car when you will not use it! We park at one of the " T" stations & take it into the city....Boston is easily accessible around the city by the public transportation & walking. I am pretty sure the "t" /public transportation is run by MBTA.....you can get a visitors pass for the subways etc....for great prices!......if you are flying into Boston, hold off in renting a car until you need it, if you are traveling via car after Boston to other areas.....if you are coming into the city with your rental car & then flying out, seriously consider just returning the car before your Boston stay. You can spend the money you will use to park your car on either a nicer hotel or dinner etc....u will not use the car!...why pay huge $$$ to park a car u will not need...

Hi - wanted to give you a heads up on the Sheraton East Hartford 100 E. River Dr.....this is on your list of priceline hotels...I personally have won this hotel thru priceline & this forum website. Unfortunately the have just changed the sign to Hartford Plaza Hotel which probably means Sheraton has sold off this property.....It's too bad as it is a great hotel that a lot of people report winning, as it is very clean & you almost always could win it for a very good price :)

Colfax - Yes I do think it was a great deal.. :) ...many thanx to YOU for all of your help in planning this trip & Thereuare for givin me the heads up on the Adagio deal!! That sounds like a great idea of asking for the upgrade...I have never done this before...should I ask in advance or I am guessing I should wait until check in to ask..... MANY thanx again...Allie

Thereuare - OK....I figured I would 1st try bidding on my original choice in Fin Dist....I really didnt think it would go thru due to the pricing I was seeing, but why not try....but declined up to 140.00 Love the idea (& suggestion...TY... :) ) of savin the $50.00 to jump on the 3.5* Hotwire USW - Nob Hill....so....yup I did it!!... :) U were right, it was the Adagio...it has mixes reviews thru tripadvisor....some loved it, some not so much...my biggest concern is that because it is a Hotwire purchase, we will get a "hotwire" room. But then again, my thoughts are that if it gets a recommendation of 95%....they can't treat the hotwire peeps to badly...(I hope) anyhow...thanx for the tip & yes I used the HOTWIRE link..... If anyone has stayed here can u add a reply of how you liked it??? please???

Hi - for right now we would like to target ONLY Fin Dist to see how we make out....that is our 1st choice for areas to stay in....later, in a few weeks if unsuccesful, i might add USW, but will ask how to add that into our bidding strategy, as I have still not been able to get that strategy learned, using 2 zones... :) ...I am thinking the following strategy would be what i should try??? I can adjust the $$ amounts higher as/if needed... "At the 4* level in San Francisco you have SIX re-bid zones. If you're not familiar with re-bidding please read Priceline Re-Bidding Explained and feel free to ask questions and/or confirm your re-bid zones with the board before proceeding" Select 4* FIN Dist... Bid $120, if rejected add re-bid zone... Bid $125, if rejected add re-bid zone... Bid $130, if rejected add re-bid zone... Bid $135, if rejected add re-bid zone... Bid $140, if rejected add re-bid zone... Bid $145, if rejected add re-bid zone... Bid $150 I'm sure its a long shot being the prices are $300 now p/n...but u dont know till u try???? :)

great outcome....I drive by this area frequently.....The Fairfield just went thru renovations....plus it was nicer than the LaQuinta even BEFORE the renovations......u got the better hotel for sure... :)

Looking for a bidding strategy for a 4* in the SF Financial Dist for 9/26 - 9/30 - this area was recommended to us from a couple of people from this forum - right now the conventional pricing for this area & these dates for the 4*'s are running a whopping approx $300.00 p/n :) .....not sure why....maybe because its NOT a weekend, & I checked the SF Convention website & there is no major conv then.....maybe because its so far in advance???? - I figure with lots of time on my side I could try & win something for hopefully no more than $150.00 p/n?? I know that is LOW, but I actually had luck one time low-balling a hotel once & was SURPRISED it came thru....(yes I did it thru here...)I can always adjust the $$ amounts higher, or if I continue to have no luck I will ask for a new strategy using Fin Dist & USW.....as far as I can see I still see 6 "rebid"zones available for use.... Any thoughts/info/help appreciated!! Allie... :)

Thanx Colfax.... It does seem that the hotels arond SFO have GREAT prices.....plus the car rental from Burlingame is a little cheaper than from Union Sq...I have reserved At U Sq...but I will reserve @ Burlingame also...Great idea... :)...the agent a U Sq was pretty surprised the difference in price was 300.00 renting there vs SFO airport location!!! crazy.. :) !!!...we arent even too fussy about dinner....we will probably be pretty tired anyhow with travelin all day & the time change...... I will start a new thread with the Fin/USE area part of trip first as that is definate....just getting some comparable conventional prices together for when I ask for bidding strategy....TY..... :o

Hi again...just a few more questions before I finalize the dates for a bidding strategy....After looking at the hotels around SFO that we could possibly win when we arrive on Sunday, it seems as tho they are kinda "isolated", as in when we got there, we would not have any options of getting dinner except for @ the hotel... :) ...for all my SFO helpers, is that true?...if so, we were thinking of this as a plan B....take the Bart up to Powell station which is 2 blocks from the in town Enterprise office @ Union Sq that is open on Sunday (Burlingame isnt, very few of the in town offices are), pick up the car & then travel east out of SF to (according to Enterprise office suggestions to Oakland, Concord, Stockton, Modesto), & stay the night out there & on Monday we can get up & continue on to Yosemite..... The obvious CONS on this are that I dont want to "bid" & lock myself into a hotel in advance for that night in the event that our flight gets delayed & we dont get to Enterprise by the 4pm close time....we have a non stop from the east coast due to arrive @ 12:45...but that still only leaves us a "3 hr cushion"...I would have to bid that day & try & get something...i know...its risky & stressful...right? The PRO'S are that when we are done with the car & are coming back to SF, the Enterprise office is right near the Financial Dist/USE area, either zones would be ok w/ us to stay & Enterprise says they will drop us @ our hotel after we return the car..... We are open to any suggestions on this....we know nothing about the SFO area....I guess if there are choices to maybe get a bite to eat or something near those SFO hotels, we could bid in advance, not worry about what time the plane gets in & get up Monday & rent the car from Enterprise in Burlingame.... :) when we are done with the car we can back to SFO or the Bart station via cab or something, & then just take the BART up to Powell then...... The last question is...we are splitting up our stay with two different areas /dates in & near SFO...when I ask for bidding strategy, should I start a new thread for either of the stays or do them all on this one??? TY again ....

Colfax - I have just finalized the Yosemite part of the trip....will get together the days need in SF, along with some current pricing to get bidding strategy.....last time I looked retail/conventional pricing for the days we are looking to be in SF for a 4* in Financial dist were PRICEY!!! 200 - 300 p/n... :)

Colfax... THANK YOU for all of your help....u r right...was kinda just goin "downtown" to spend night & rent the car....that sounds like a great plan to stay near SFO & get the car from Burlingame....now I just have to decide how long we should plan on staying in the Yosemite area....the prices to stay in the park are $$$pricey....getting better pricing to stay outside in maybe mariposa etc...but then will have to travel into the park daily....almost toying with the "curry village tent cabins" or "housekeeping tent cabins" for 2 nights or so to focus on the Yosemite valley...then move outside to somewhere nicer... :) ...like a nice rental cabin or something near the south entrance for 3-4 days.....then we are going to go back to SF for sure & stay probably in either Fin dist or USE for the final 3 - 4 days...... Anyone know how many hrs it is from SF to Yosemite???my map says just over 200 miles, but some of it is back roads... :) ... Thanxs again for all of the GREAT help!!!...Allie

OMG!!! Thanx Colfax....just rechecked Enterprise web site & they DO have offices downtown!!!! The price is drastically cheaper & it says "they pick you up"....never used that option as we have always rented from an airport location....I am VERY grateful for your suggestion!!!! We havent even started trying to find hotels yet, but based on austin_res suggested areas I am assuming we are going to try for the Embarcadero?Financial for the most 4* options....or possibly Union Sq East...I see an Enterprise office for Union Sq...will have to try & figure out which one is Embarcadero.... EXCELLENT!!!! no need to drag our butts out to OAK for the car!!!! U r all the BEST!!!!... :)

Hi all... Thanx for everyone helping me...I really appreciate the feedback... :o ....as for the dates....they are the same as the 1st post...more specifically 9/26 - 30...according to the SF convention calendar, that is right after a huge dental convention, hence our decision to head to Yosemite 1st & then come back to the city.... have checked hotwire, but will get stuck with a rental company not interested in using....If we get ourselves out to OAK airport, the same rental car from Enterprise is $300.00 cheaper!!!! :) ...I do like the idea of reserving now in OAK & seeing if the SFO rates come down closer to travel dates.... as far as the transport, yes i do see how you mean it is going to take 3 barts to transfer over... :) ...i am guessing that a 30.00 for two shuttle like Lori's would be the easiest & probably work the best...I dont see an office listed for Enterprise listed in downtown SF tho...I will look again....TY Allie

Hi again.... Running into a situation with car rentals out of SFO.....trying very hard NOT to rent from one of the "low budget" rental car companies for our rental car....the problem is that anything reputable has a huge price tag out of SFO...so here is my (hopefully) option???? Looked at the BART website - seems they run from SFO to Oakland Colisseum area for about 9.00....then to get to OAK airport they have the "AIR BART" for another 2.00....is this a reasonable plan to go here to rent car instead?? Dont plan on having too much luggage 1 + carryon for each of us....PLUS the rates to rent the car from OAK with the rental car company we prefer are 1/2 the amount as from SFO....i know its probably a pain...BUT....at least I wud have the peace of mind with the rental car..... may be hop an airport shuttle bus from SFO to OAK is a reasonable option???? help..... :)

austin_res Excellent!!! Thank you so much for your advice....I really appreciate the help!!! :) ...Allie

Hi!! Hubby & I are going to SF last 2 weeks of Sept...well actually flying into SF...heading out to Yosemite for a week or so...then coming back into SF last week of Sept....1st time visitor, so looking for info /advice about where to bid/stay etc....would rally prefer to try & eventually bid at least 3.5 to 4* hotels.... 1. Hoping to drop rental car off when we get back to SF & use "public" trans to get around city...seems crazy to pay huge $$ to park a rental car at hotel, when I can only assume there is plenty of ways to explore the city via cable cars etc????? 2. Have no clue about SF at all....can anyone recommend an area to focus our sights on to stay which would allow us to explore city & be in a great section of town to base out of??? 3. What would b our best option to get back to airport when we need to fly home, as we wont have the car anymore...flying a red-eye on a friday night out of SF at approx 9:00 PM 4.Is Napa a must see area or shud we spend the last 5 or so days exploring SF when we come back from Yosemite??? any thoughts or info are appreciated!!!! - Thanx...Allie

Just returned home from a week's stay in New Orleans at the Sheraton Downtown. Booked this hotel thru Hotwire - called a week before & politely asked if we could "request" a king bed on an upper floor overlooking the city. When we arrived at hotel, we were treated just as any other guest, with no mention of Hotwire, & were granted a room on 36th floor overlooking the city. Rooms overall were roomy, with very comfy bedding & sheets...Bathroom was "run of the mill" - nothing fancy & a bit cramped with the way the door opened into it, but served its purpose just fine. Rugs in room were stained here & there, TV was just OK....the channel choices are limited, you dont spend much time in room watching TV. Pool area was on the small side, but I do believe that is the norm for this area, most of the pools seemed to be roof deck type size. I went 3 days in a row, never had a problem getting a chair, & it suited me just fine for relax time in between sightseeing etc.... Elevators CAN be a bit slow during busy days if there is a conference or something going on, but when hotel isnt real busy they were just fine. The "free" computer access is in the lobby down behind the bar on both ends...most times had no problem using a computer, but this also can be busy if there is a conference going on. The computers are hooked up to a printer, so we made good use of buying a few Restaurant.com certificates while we were there. Location is excellent!! right on Canal St - a short walk to the French Quarter, museums, shopping, & the Superdome (if the Saints happen to be playing a home game while you are there, GO!! it is FUN!!). The trolley car is right in front of the hotel, & the bus stops are very close to hotel also. We did NOT rent a car...no need to if you are happy staying in city & seeing all it has to offer...parking is VERY expensive to have a car when u wont really use it. Took a cab to & from the airport - $33.00 each way/2 ppl - We did do a swamp tour one day & they do offer hotel p/up to bring you out to the swamps...that was fun!! must do's....Cafe Dumond for coffee & beneigts (donuts)....walk on Bourbon St at night for the party & music, ghosts & legends tour - best at night when dark out so you get the spooky ghost feel.....Unique Market for the dollar beers to walk with (also has a 99 cent ATM there - be careful using ATM's down there - most charge a 4 - 5 dollar fee ON TOP of the fee's your bank charges!!), carraige ride thru french qtr, Voodoo cocktail at John Lafittes blacksmith bar...haunted, spooky & fun - its actually a grape slushy drink made with whiskey & everclear 190 proof, & no u CANNOT taste the alcohol in it so beware!! shopping @ the French Market, & so much more!! Great restaurants we found - Fluer de Lis on Chartres - great breakfast!! - Mona Lisa (on Royal?) just ask someone - GREAT Italian with great prices - locals love it - Gumbo Pot - I liked the Po Boy I had here.... would recommend the Sheraton by all means, treated very nicely, & had no complaints at all ....ENJOY!!

Here is my update....not thrilled on not being able to identify possible HOTWIRE choices.....bid on PRICELINE for 4* up to $101.00 and rejected :) used BEAV's method on their post about being able to identify hotels on Lastminutetravel & was able to fully identify over 6 hotels for same time frame... :) Booked the 5* Ritz Carlton for an amazing price of $106.00 p/n :o !!!! Could not pass that up....WOW...!! :) If there is a link on here that helps support this site using Last Minute Travel...please tell me.....I will use it next time!! Thank you again for ALL of your help.... :D

Just used your method!!! Identified 6+ hotels in New Orleans & was able to choose which one to buy....Ritz Carlton!! what a great method you have shared....bid for 4* hotel on PRICELINE for same dates up to $101.00 & rejected....used your method & got the 5* Ritz Carlton for $106.00!!!! absolutely incredible!! THANK YOU!!!!!!!!!.... :)

wanted to try & guess...what do u think? French Qtr - 3.5* - 89.00 p/n - Fitness, pool, Business Ctr,laundry, High speed int access - 85% of customer reviews Astor Crowne Plaza? Downtown - 4.0* - 72.00 p/n - Pool, Business Ctr, High speed int access - 85% of customer reviews Hilton/ St Charles... :) ?? still wondering about priceline acct question above....it looks as tho on the general questions this has been asked...as long as I fill in the correct area's for her as the occupant of room & I pay on my C/C on my account this will work...yes she will be traveling with a C/C....I can just get her to pay me for total if I win on my acct or my hubby's....gives me 3 accts to work with if this is ok to do!!!

ouch...my bad...SORRY....u r right...no fitness on 4* downtown :) ...I apologize.....have updated what i see available today below.... French Qtr - 3.5* - 89.00 p/n - Fitness, pool, Business Ctr,laundry, High speed int access - 85% of customer reviews Downtown - 4.0* - 72.00 p/n - Pool, Business Ctr, High speed int access - 85% of customer reviews these seems like good prices, depending on what hotels they are....

hi...so far no luck....tried: Select 4* French Quarter... Bid $70, if rejected add re-bid zone... Bid $75, if rejected add re-bid zone... Bid $80, if rejected add re-bid zone... Bid $85, if rejected add re-bid zone... Bid $90, if rejected add re-bid zone... Bid $101....rejected says "avg" median price for 4* is 130.00...so I am not far off that price.... as for HOTWIRE hotels...this is really weird...rechecked them again...for 12/11/10 - 12/14/10 3 nights these are still there...... :) French Qtr - 3.5* - 89.00 p/n - Fitness, pool, Business Ctr,laundry, High speed int access - 85% of customer reviews Downtown - 4.0* - 72.00 p/n - Fitness, Business Ctr, High speed int access - 85% of customer reviews the 136.00 p/n hotel is still there also, but not interested in going that high, as the Marriott is showing available on "non opaque" section of priceline for 129.00 p/n....that is on Canal in good location....there is the Hilton St Charles showing on same section for under 100.00, (87ish??) but rooms got reveiwed as very small, PLUS there is road construction going on there now 24/7....they even chase bicyclists away from going down the street.... hmmmm gotta think this thru....i dont feel I am that far off the priceline amount that would win...maybe u have a different opinion?? :)

hi...i guess i wasnt clear on this...the two hotels I see on Hotwire are listed as Downtown New orleans....I guess I'm confused as the Sheraton I bought on Hotwire is in "downtown", but on your Priceline hotels list, it is in french Quarter...so there 2 Hotwire hotels are Downtown 3.5* - 113.00p/n - amenities - Fitness, Business Ctr, High speed int access - 90% of customer reviews 4.0* - 72.00 p/n - amenities - Fitness, Business Ctr, High speed int access - 85% of customer reviews 4.5* - 136.00 p/n - amenities - Fitness, pool, Business Ctr, High speed int access - 90% of customer reviews this hotel is listed as French Quarter - 3.5* - 89.00 p/n - amenities - Fitness, pool, Business Ctr,laundry, High speed int access - 85% of customer reviews all of these are for 1 room - 2 adults - 0 children.... If I can identify any of these...I may go with one as I can tell where they are in relation to FQ......but I am leaning towards Priceline bidding first & if unsuccessful, will possibly go right for the hotwire result...so bidding strategy please :) ??

Hi - Just got home from New orleans trip & had a blast...now my friend is going & I am helping her get her hotel thru your site & links...I will be doing it for her... 1. - want to get them into a 4* hotel French Qtr area or even Canal st area...we stayed at the Sheraton on Canal & it was great...just want to get them into same "walking" distance option to Bourbon St etc....so I think I want to only win on French Quarter zone but need strategy with free rebids...(yes I do know how to check the rebid zones.... :o ...you have taught me well.... :) )....I see 5 rebid zones....? 2 - Priceline...can you give me a bidding strategy for 4*?? there is only 1 recent win 12/15 - 52.00 - sheraton canal st...I would like to say or hope a $100.00 max bid would win a great place?....based on the 1 win above I am thinking I would like to max at 75.00 - 80.00 to start ( or lower if u think :) ...)- I can adjust $$ if needed for further rebids if not succesful....does this sound logical & reasonable? 3. - Hotwire - can u identify....might do hotwire if these following hotels can be indentified..... 3.5* - 113.00p/n - amenities - Fitness, Business Ctr, High speed int access - 90% of customer reviews 4.5* - 136.00 p/n - amenities - Fitness, pool, Business Ctr, High speed int access - 90% of customer reviews Love this site as always...TY for your time & help....Allie

woke up this morning to find that the airfare had dropped $50.00!! Had been watching this for about a week....needless to say I scrambled to hurry & purchase the trip before I left for work, as I knew the low price would be gone when I got home...... decided to forgo the bidding & "jump" on the 4* Downtown HOTWIRE property for $86.00 p/n - 10/20 - 10/27...yes you were right...it was the Sheraton!! couldnt see spending an extra $50.00 p/n for the 4.5* when the Sheraton seems to be getting some good feedback!! Plus if I bid I might have ended up with a property with no pool... :) of course by the time I got home from work, the lower airfare was gone, so I am GLAD i was a "little" late for work & jumped on everything this morning... Thank you again for helpin!!... :)