djk

First bid was $32 for Galleria, rejected but offered rebid at $42. Declined and rebid at $32 for Buckhead, Perimeter, Marietta and Kennesaw, adding one are at a time since all those areas were convenient. Added free rebid zone and increased offer to $34 was accepted.

Dates were Labor Day weekend, Friday 9/3 and Sat 9/4.

Started at $30 for Southpoint-Butler Blvd, no hits up to $35, restarted at $30 adding SE Baymeadows.

You say you don't want to start too low but in Priceline bidding that is exactly what you want to do, so you don't leave any money on the table. For a 3* in Buckhead there are about 6 free rebid zones. I bid for 3* hotels in Atlanta quite often. I typically start at $30 and increase in $2 increments. I always hope to get the Hyatt Place which is generally what happens. Sometimes you get the Courtyard which is a nice hotel but costs about $15 for parking and doesn't include breakfast. Look also at adding Perimeter and Galleria. They are close and hotel shuttles will usually take you to Marta if you wish. There is no need to look at higher than 3*, there are many excellent 3* hotels and sometimes you'll get a hit from a 31/2 star anyway. You have a long time before your trip so you have plenty of time to make bids. The best prices will be closer to your travel dates but for me, I would not bid over $40. Hope that helps.

Well Yellowdog I think I just did. Anyway I keep forgetting to use your PRICELINE link. I'll try to do better in future. I love PRICELINE and enjoy your forum. Keep up the good work. I'll try to remember to use your links and post wins more often

Very nice hotel, very modern, stayed there a couple of weeks ago. Doesn't include breakfast but hotel breakfast was very reasonable. I think when I bid I offerred $40, came back with "you can bid again at $50" and chose to accept that because I was out of time for rebids. That was for a Wednesday night, mid July.

The Crowne Plaza is showing its age but it is OK, and very good for the price you paid. I have bid up to $150 for it without success - it all depends how many rooms are available on the days you are bidding for. If I were you I would keep the reservation you have. If you don't like your room they will move you to another. The staff there are very helpful.

No problems with this hotel. Ask for 2 bedded room, they are bigger than king bed rooms. Take MARTA from airport to Buckhead. Hotel is perhaps half a mile from the Marta station, easy walk. Many restaurants in local area and hotel shuttle will take you anywhere within 2 miles.

I'd recommend staying in Buckhead and bidding for a 3*. There is a very strong chance of getting the Hyatt Place for about $36. Lots of free rebid zones so you can start out bidding at $30 and work your way up. Short walk to Marta or get hotel shuttle to take you. Almost anywhere around Atlanta you can get the Hyatt Place for $30-36, including Perimeter, Galleria, airport, Duluth and Alpharetta. I have had Priceline success at all of them. It is an excellent value at that price. If you can avoid driving a car in Atlanta you should do so, use Marta instead. Just use the car if you want to go to Stone Mountain or Kennesaw.

You still need to learn to use free rebid zones. For example Jonesboro, Morrow, Forest Park and several other zones don't have 3 star hotels so they are free rebid zones. All you do is click on each zone by itself and see what is greyed out. if 3 star is greyed, it is a free rebid zone. Make sure you clear each box after viewing. Make a list of all the free rebid zones before you start bidding. I usually bid $30, then increase in $1 or $2 increments as I add free rebid zones. Often you will get an offer at a higher rate e.g. bid $8 more now. Don't fall for that. My experience is that you can always win it at lower than their offer. Also if you bid Perimeter you will likely get a hit at the Hilton Suites at $35, even though it is a 3 and half star. Good hotel but not as good as Hyatt Place and doesn't have free breakfast. Anyway, Priceline is great and you saved a lot of money.

Sorry to be a wise guy, but I think you paid too much for a 3* in Buckhead. I have won 3* all over the Atlanta area in the past few months through Priceline at Galleria, Airport, Alpharetta, Duluth and Buckhead. Winning bid has always been in $30-36 range and every time the hotel was Hyatt Place, which is a great hotel for that price. You still got great deal, $60 is great price for Residence Inn, but you could have got a much better price. Just for future reference, and I apologize if it sounds smug because it is intended only as advice, you need to learn to use free rebid zones. There are lots of them for a 3*, at least 6, and more for a 3 and half star or 4 star. You use your free rebid zones to bid low and creep up, not bid high and creep down. Also you should have started a completely new bid when you went down to 3*. Don't bid down in stars when using free rebids because it is dangerous. Just my advice, don't take it wrong.

Gateway or airport should get you hotel right next to I95. Lots of new hotels in both areas and you should get a great price. More restaurant choices at Gateway.

Travelling to Alpharetta but based on past experience thought Atlanta Perimeter would give best price. Bid 3* Alpharetta $30, came back with offer to rebid at $38. Bid $30 3 and half star, Atlanta Perimeter, same thing, offered rebid at $38. Bid $30 3* Atlanta Perimeter, rejected, added Lawrenceville as free bid zone and bid $32 for 3* Alpharetta, accepted at Hyatt Place.