Latitudes

Thanks for the advice. I'll keep you posted on the outcome.

Hotel details: Location: Ka'anapali StarRating:4-star Check-on Date:Sat, Jun 19 Check-out date: Tue, Jun 22 Price summary: Hotel rate per night: $204.00 Nights: 3 Rooms: 2 Subtotal: $1,224.00 Tax recovery charges & fees: $180.60 Total price: $1,404.60 This hotel features the following amenities: Resort Beachfront Smoke Free Rooms Fitness Center Pool(s) Restaurant(s) Business Center Laundry Facilities High-speed Internet Access Golf Nearby Tennis Nearby Spa Services Children's Activity Program

Hi, First post after a long absence (May 2009). I just pricelined the Courtyard at JFK for $55 for one night on 4/4/10. Here's my bidding history. JFK 3* $45 - Rejected. Special offer to increase my bid by $13. Declined. + Bayside $50 - Rejected. + Elmhurst $55 - Accepted. Courtyard By Marriott New York JFK Airport 145 11 North Conduit Avenue Jamaica, NY, 11436 1-718-848-2121 Summary of Charges: Offer Price: $55.00 Taxes: $11.79 Fees: $7.58 Total Charges: $74.37

Booked two rooms in Edinburgh for a Friday and Saturday night in June. Bidding History: 4* City Centre - $76 - Rejected + West City Centre - $80 - Accepted Marriott Edinburgh 111 Glasgow Road Edinburgh, United Kingdom +44 (131) 334-9191 Check-In Date: Fri, Jun 19, 2009 / After 02:00 PM Check-Out Date: Sun, Jun 21, 2009 / 12:00 PM Beware! Priceline shows three zones for Edinburgh; City Centre, West City Centre, and Airport & Southwest. When I worked out my bidding strategy I had decided to stay in the city center and avoid the airport. However, I neglected to examine the maps closely and did not notice that 'West City Centre' includes part of the airport (as well as several industrial areas). The hotel I successfully bid is closer to the airport than it is to the city center. My mistake, and I'll have to live with it. So, beware when booking Priceline in Edinburgh not to choose 'West City Center' if you want to avoid the airport.

Have been trying for a few days and finally secured the Four Points by Sheraton at SFO. I didn't mind if I stayed at the airport or the city, hence the strange bidding strategy below. Bidding History - Yesterday 3* SFO - $48 - Rejected. Was offered a free rebid for a minimum increase of $14. Ignored. + Civic Center - $49 - Rejected. + USE - $50 - Rejected. + USW - $51 - Rejected. + Fisherman's Wharf - $52 - Rejected. Bidding History - Today 3* SFO - $53 - Accepted. Four Points By Sheraton San Francisco Airport 3-star Remote control TV w/ premium channels Radio Alarm Clock Business services Telephone w/ voicemail Iron and ironing board Hairdryer 24 hour front desk Restaurant Room service Check-In Date: Thursday, October 26, 2006 Check-Out Date: Saturday, October 28, 2006 San Francisco Airport (SFO) 264 South Airport Boulevard San Francisco, California 94080 650-588-4683 Your Offer Price: $53.00 Number of Rooms: 1 Number of Nights: 2 Subtotal: $106.00 Taxes & Service Fees: $23.25 Total Charges*: $129.25

Thanks for the information Chris. These dates span a Sunday night and a Monday night, so I decided to split my bids and first try for the Sunday night. 5* City Hall - Marina Bay - $73 - Rejected. + Riverside - $75 - Rejected. + Financial - $77 - Rejected. + Bugis - $79 - Rejected. + East Coast - $81 - Rejected. Since it looked as though the Conrad was offering the weekday rate for a Sunday night, I decided to include the Monday night into my bid. + 10/31 - $85 - Rejected. I'll try again in a few days. Perhaps I should try for a 4* instead? The trouble is, that severely reduces my rebid opportunities.

It looks as though $73 is the sweet-spot for a 5* hotel in City Hall - Marina Bay, for October/November weekends. 5* City Hall - Marina Bay $72 - Rejected. Counter-offer of +$22 = $92. Ignored. + Riverside $73 - Accepted! Check-In Date: Friday, November 3, 2006 Check-Out Date: Saturday, November 4, 2006 Hotel Name: Conrad Singapore Two Temasek Boulevard Singapore, Singapore 65-63348888 Summary of Charges Your Offer Price: US$73.00 Number of Rooms: 1 Number of Nights: 1 Subtotal: US$73.00 Taxes and Service Fees: US$19.74 Total Charges: US$92.74

Not as much joy with Singapore 5* for 10/29-10/31. 5* City Hall - Marina Bay $72 - Rejected. + Riverside $73 - Rejected. + Financial District $76 - Rejected. + Bugis $77 - Rejected. + East Coast $78 - Rejected. The Conrad's best price on their Web site is SG$340 (US$214) per night. Because this is a Sunday and a Monday night, am I better off splitting the bid into two? I'll try again in a couple of days. :)

With thanks to Chris26WI for his win in November, I also snagged the Conrad: 5* City Hall - Marina Bay $70 - Rejected. Counter-offer of +$22 = $92. Ignored. + Riverside $73 - Accepted! Check-In Date: Friday, October 20, 2006 Check-Out Date: Saturday, October 21, 2006 Hotel Name: Conrad Singapore Two Temasek Boulevard Singapore, Singapore 65-63348888 Summary of Charges Your Offer Price: US$73.00 Number of Rooms: 1 Number of Nights: 1 Subtotal: US$73.00 Taxes and Service Fees: US$19.74 Total Charges: US$92.74

4* USW - $69 - Rejected + Cathederal Hill - $71 - Accepted Your Price Has Been Accepted Prescott Hotel Check-In Date: Sunday, April 2, 2006 Check-Out Date: Monday, April 3, 2006 Union Square West 545 Post Street San Francisco, California 94102 415-563-0303 Check-In Date: Sun, Apr 2, 2006 Check-Out Date: Mon, Apr 3, 2006 Number of Rooms: 1 Number of Nights: 1 Subtotal: $71.00 Taxes & Service Fees: $17.74 Total Charges: $88.74

Success! 3* Oakland - $51 - Rejected; Free rebid of $14 - Ignored + Berkely - $54 - Rejected + Hayward - $57 - Accepted Your Price Has Been Accepted Hilton Oakland Airport Check-In Date: Friday, March 31, 2006 Check-Out Date: Saturday, April 1, 2006 Oakland 1 Hegenberger Road Oakland, California 94621 510-635-5000 Your Offer Price: $57.00 Number of Rooms: 1 Number of Nights: 1 Subtotal: $57.00 Taxes & Service Fees: $13.38 Total Charges: $70.38

Looks like $75 is the sweet-spot for a 4/ at USW: 4* USW - $69 - Rejected + Catherdeal Hill - $71 - Rejected + Civic Center Area - $73 - Rejected + South San Francisco - $75 - Accepted Your Price Has Been Accepted Hilton San Francisco Check-In Date: Wednesday, March 29, 2006 Check-Out Date: Thursday, March 30, 2006 Union Square West 333 Ofarrell Street San Francisco, California 94102 415-771-1400 Your Offer Price: $75.00 Number of Rooms: 1 Number of Nights: 1 Subtotal: $75.00 Taxes & Service Fees: $18.36 Total Charges: $93.36

Fantastic news! It's been a while since I last used Priceline (12/2005), so the shorter stand-down period is welcome news. :)

Thanks to the earler post by aglinka, I also snagged the CP for $86. 3* JFK - $81 - Rejected + Elmhurst - $86 - Accepted Crowne Plaza Hotel Jfk Airport Check-In Date: Thursday, March 30, 2006 Check-Out Date: Friday, March 31, 2006 JFK Airport Area 151-20 Baisley Boulevard Jamaica, New York 11434 718-489-1000 Your Offer Price: $86.00 Number of Rooms: 1 Number of Nights: 1 Subtotal: $86.00 Taxes & Service Fees: $23.02 Total Charges: $109.02

I'm flying out of OAK early in the morning of April 1st. The Oakland Hilton has a prepaid rate of $101. Priceline is selling properties at ~$60. Here is my bid history to date: 3* Oakland - $35 - Rejected + Berkeley - $39 - Rejected + Hayward - $45 - Rejected + Livermore - $49 - Rejected I'll wait the 72 hours stand-down period and try again.

Three attempts: 4* Loop - $45 - Rejected + Skokie - $50 - Rejected + Midway - $52 - Accepted Check-In Date: Monday, December 26, 2005 Check-Out Date: Wednesday, December 28, 2005 Hyatt Regency Chicago 151 East Wacker Drive Chicago, Illinois 60601 312-565-1234 Your Offer Price: $52.00 Number of Rooms: 1 Number of Nights: 2 Subtotal: $104.00 Taxes and Service Fees: $23.40 Total Charges: $127.40

First attempt: 4* SFO Airport - $40 - Accepted Check-In Date: Sunday, December 25, 2005 Check-Out Date: Monday, December 26, 2005 Sheraton San Francisco Airport 600 Airport Blvd Burlingame, California 94010 650-340-8500 Your Offer Price: $40.00 Number of Rooms: 1 Number of Nights: 1 Subtotal: $40.00 Taxes and Service Fees: $12.91 Total Charges: $52.91

Congratulations! :) I hope Better Bidding continues to grow and expand. It is a wonderful resource that I use often. Keep up the good work and thanks for your efforts.

I finally cracked this one! :) 4* Revere - Logan Airport $120 - Accepted Harborside Hyatt Conference Center And Hotel 101 Harborside Drive Boston, Massachusetts 02128 617-568-1234 Check-In Date: Friday, September 30, 2005 Check-Out Date: Saturday, October 1, 2005 Your Offer Price: $120.00 Number of Rooms: 1 Number of Nights: 1 Subtotal: $120.00 Taxes and Service Fees: $23.74 Total Charges: $143.74

Yup - an increase of $3 from a few days back. I was surprised when it came back as accepted; the Priceline recommended bid jumped from $159 to $339 in a matter of days. I figured availability was tighter and that I would have to bid much higher.

Still no success: 4* Revere - Logan Airport $105 - Rejected + Medford - Somerville $110 - Rejected + South Boston - $115 - Rejected + 3* $115 - Rejected

Hurray! I snagged it! :) 3* Revere - Logan Airport $125 - Accepted Four Points Boston Logan Airport 407 Squire Road Revere, Massachusetts 02151 781-284-7200 Your Offer Price: $125.00 Number of Rooms: 1 Number of Nights: 1 Subtotal: $125.00 Taxes & Service Fees: $24.35 Total Charges: $149.35 The prices on Starwood's site have an Internet prepaid rate of $145 plus taxes. I was holding a fully cancelable reservation at the Hampton Inn Boston-Logan Airport for a total of $156.98, so I have made on the deal. Only one more hotel to go and organizing this trip will be put to bed.

Update: 3* Revere - Logan Airport $120 - Rejected - Counter-offer for minimum +$22 - Ignored + Medford - Somerville $121 - Rejected + South Boston - $122 - Rejected I hope I'm getting close. This is ridiculous!

Update: 4* Revere - Logan Airport $90 - Rejected + Medford - Somerville $95 - Rejected + South Boston - $100 - Rejected + 3* $100 - Rejected

Success! 3* San Jose $48 - Rejected - Counter-offer for minimum of +$14 - Ignored + Redwood City - San Carlos $49 - Accepted Radisson Plaza Hotel San Jose Airport 1471 North Fourth Street San Jose, California 95112 408-452-0200 Check-In Date: Tue, Sep 27, 2005 Check-Out Date: Wed, Sep 28, 2005 Your Offer Price: $49.00 Number of Rooms: 1 Number of Nights: 1 Subtotal: $49.00 Taxes & Service Fees: $12.59 Total Charges: $61.59