headtrip

Was this a priceline win? Also, were you able to get any refund from the additional nights or was it a total wash of $210.00 plus? I am curious if they gave you any flexability.

I certainly don't like to disagree with the moderator...bad manners and all, but the proof will be if she gives it a try. We can always revise the strategy if she isn't able find a hotel. I got some great rates for midweek stays in August under $80 for 3 stars, althrough not through priceline. Also, because she wants to book Friday through Sunday, I think that helps her chances too versus a one night stay, but it would be interesting to see the statistics on that. Any thoughts thereuare? Also, thereuare, about the convention checker, your link is more complete, but I don't like that you can only check one venue at a time. Anyways, let's all see what happens next.

Having a backup hotel reservation takes most of the angst out of the bidding process, allowing you to use time to your advantage assuming you have time to research and bid a few times without success before you get the price you want. I think it's easily a good tradeoff saving $50 per night for an hours worth of research, unless your earning big bucks and it don't matter. But for now, I'm still just a working stiff and loving every dollar I can save.

I salvate anytime I see a win in New York for under $125 dollars a night. I guess I need to plan a trip there soon...hehehe

Yep, congratulations on a really good deal. I would like to come to New York again for the US Open. Was there about 10 years ago and it was a fabulous experience. And with Hotel prices that good, I'll have to give it a try.

I think most zones in Vegas have 3 *** hotels with the exception of Nellis to the North, limiting the amount of rebids you can use. That's why most people will bid 4 or 5 stars in Vegas, to allow for more rebidding zones.

Hi and welcome to better bidding. You can look at the LV convention schedule on your own at Las Vegas Convention Schedule Sept 2006 and there are not any big conventions, so your chances of getting a hotel under $100 from priceline are excellent. As far as bidding multiple rooms, I think it won't really hurt your chances on this particular weekend because of 2 reasons: 1. Not a major convention week. 2. It's the weekend after Labor Day, when many people usually plan a Vegas mini-vacation, meaning it will be less crowded the following weekend. If it were me, I would go for the 5 ***** Venetian because it's a known quantity and one of the best hotels on the strip. In that case, I would bid $100, $105, $110, $115, $120 using 4 free rebid zones (basically any other Las Vegas Zones). If you don't win, wait a couple of days and try the same itinerary again. I think it can be had for about $120. If you are interested in 4 *** below $100, I would use the following bidding strategy: Bid $65, 69, 72, 75, 79 starting with Las Vegas Strip and adding re-bid zones. If you don't mind staying off strip to save a few bucks, you can add the Convention Center too (but add it earlier to get the best priceline rate) which also has some nice 4 star hotels. Again, don't be afraid to wait and bid again, because rooms do become available if the hotel(s) are underbooked. Just make sure you have your confirmed backup hotel, in case our bidding stategies fall through. Good luck on your bidding!

I thought the era of $twenty-something hotel stays in the US were history. You proved me wrong. I don't think I have paid under $30 a night for a hotel room since I paid $29 in Marble Falls, TX during one of the worst tornado systems I ever saw in February of 1989. Now, if I could ever find some reason to go to Jacksonville...hehehe

I just checked another Vegas request for this weekend, and rooms will be in short supply because the Magic Expo starts the following Monday at the LV Convention Center, with annual attendence of over 100,000. I agree with thereuare is that you better look at other alternatives as most major hotel properties will be booked.

Well, you made me curious and I checked for you.

You don't really have much chance of winning your dispute, even if you think the quality of the Holiday Inn doesn't merit 3 stars. That's because really the difference between 3 stars or lower usually is nothing more than a picture in the room, some wallpaper, and a chandelier in the lobby. I've been to some horrible Holiday Inns myself that didn't deserve 3 stars, and you just learn to be more careful (and a betterbidder) when bidding in zones where undesirable properties lurk so you can bid around them instead of winning them.

Sorry for not explaining Mission Valley. Mission Valley is the I-8 freeway Corridor which has many hotels in an area called Hotel Circle, and another area by Qualcomm stadium. There are a few very nice priceline hotels there, but also a few not so great ones...such as the Handley Hotel and Holiday Inn. I normally am very cautious when bidding a 3* or lower in that area as you may win your bid at a less than desireable location.

Well, I can help you break it down a bit. If you want to spend a night or two in Carlsbad, near Legoland, you should be able to find a nice 2.5 doubletree or Extended StayAmerica in the $35 to $65 range per night. If you are willing to do a 20 minute commute from Del Mar to San Diego, you might find 3* and 4* Hilton or equivalent in the $50 to $90 range for your date. But if you really want to be in San Diego, your bidding zones would be Downtown San Diego, Point Loma-Shelter Island, Mission Valley (which includes some flea traps), Coronado and Coastal San Diego (the last two being very high rent/rebid zones). You should be able to bid a 4* for $80-$110 and 3* from $70-$100. I assume you are aware of the priceline policy of promising only one bed since you said you have kids. Hope this helped.

Just curious, was there a reason to do all the hotel hopping? 3 different hotels on the same trip seems like alot of moving around.

On a visit to Las Vegas for a wedding a few years ago, I inadvertantly left my Italian suit in the closet when I checked out. I didn't realize my misstake until I was already home, but the hotel staff was very helpful and quickly reassured me that they had found my suit and would send it to me, no additional charge. I recieved it back 2 days later. It was the King 8 hotel by the way, not a big hotel, but actually had very nice mini-suites with wicker furniture. Anyways, all my experences have been good like this one. I always leave a tip for good service too.

Most priceline experts will warn you....Unless you don't mind bringing an inflatable mattress in case you win a room with only one bed. Therefore, it really is a gamble...proceed at your own risk. There are lots more information on the subject via the link below: http://www.betterbidding.com/index.php?s=&...ost&p=79992

It's a very good hotel for only a few dollars more than most other 2* hotels in San Diego, so sure I am pleased. The previously rejected bid was $90, and yes it was in the Downtown-Harbor Island district. I used the same bidding strategy as before, starting with 3*** Also, I think I can get a deal on parking also, because there is a city lot at 6th and K, which advertises $6 max parking and free parking on Sundays, althrough if there is a game at Petco Park, the event parking price is $10 for the game. The lot is immediately behind the hotel, but I still need to see what the limitations are, such as overnight parking.

I bid again tonight starting at $75 and bidding $4 increments up to $94, just shy of the Hotwire Price to see what I would land. I got upgraded to the 4* Omni for only $94!! Just wish I could save a few bucks over their valet parking. Does anyone know any discount parking lots in that area? Check-In Date: Sunday, August 13, 2006 Check-Out Date: Monday, August 14, 2006 Hotel Name: Omni San Diego 675 L Street San Diego, California 92101 619-231-6664 Summary of Charges Your Offer Price: $94.00 Number of Rooms: 1 Number of Nights: 1 Subtotal: $94.00 Taxes and Service Fees: $18.72 Total Charges: $112.72

If you want both rooms at the same hotel, I highly reccomend that you bid on both rooms together, because if you win one bid at a certain hotel, there is no guarentee that the 2nd bid will be won at the same hotel. Or possibly the room you win at the hotel is the last "priceline" room available, thereby locking out your chance of getting a 2nd room on priceline at the same hotel. About increasing your chances, it makes no difference to priceline, as long as your bid is over the minimum amount that the hotel has set as it's priceline rate, and anything you bid above that is pure profit for priceline.

3* San Diego (Mission Valley-Hotel Circle) Help needed, $95 or $104 for same amenities 8/13/06 I have never used Hotwire before, mostly because I never had trouble booking properties through priceline, but apparently such is the case this August that I am looking at Hotwire as an alternative. Anyways, while searching Hotwire, I noticed when I listed 2 adults only as occupants, I got this result: 3*** $95 (Best Value) Fitness, Restaurant, Golf, Pool, Internet When I listed 2 adults and 2 children (what I am bringing), I got: 3*** $104 Fitness, Restaurant, Golf, Pool, Internet My thought is that it is the Town and Country for both, but I was curious why no best value was listed by the 2nd hotel. Any thoughts?

ahhhh, so that's the secret. Thanks :)

Hi, It seems from other posts that it is possible to revise the topic title and description after you win your bid, but when I look at the edit screen, I don't see where you can do that. Is there a way to update it with the winning information?

What dates did you request? What zones did you choose? What were your losing bids before you won? It will help me with my San Diego stay...thanks!

CrimsonBane , Did you win it on Priceline? If you did, you should create a separate post to show your win. Because I have been bidding 2 1/2 properties, I have been avoiding Mission Valley so I wont get the Handlery Hotel, which has a bad reputation. Maybe I'll try 3 star next time. Also been reading the threads about bidding in advance...I've seen other properties being won at prices below what I'm bidding, so I know I am in the ballpark. I would like to see if more inventory becomes available because I have already been rejected at the same price, and that would show if more rooms did become available on priceline in the interim. I feel I would like to save at least $25 over what I would pay for a conventional hotel where I have all the details in advance, so I think I will keep my bidding under $80.00.

Bid again, started at $65 and progressed up to $79 same zones as before with no luck. Also tried a 2* and $60 bid for all of the above zones....rejected.