wallbounce

I used this forum's PRICELINE link for my bid. 1st attempt: Bid $42 for 4* Disneyland - Anaheim South - Orange Re-bid $45 for 3.5* Re-bid $47 by adding Disneyland - Anaheim North Re-bid $48 by adding Anaheim Hills Re-bid $49 by adding Buena Park Re-bid $50 by adding CypressRe-bid $51 by adding Laguna BeachRe-bid $52 by adding Lake ForestRe-bid $53 by adding North HuntingtonRe-bid $54 by adding Seal BeachRe-bid $55 by adding San Clemente - rejected [closed window] 2nd attempt: Bid $57 for 3.5* Disneyland - Anaheim South - Orange Given this option: "If you are willing to raise your price by $15 to $72 per room, per night, you can try the same request again right now. Normally you are required to change additional items (add zones, star level, or dates) in order to try your request again. However we are able to extend this one-time opportunity to you because of the zone, quality level and dates you requested." - DECLINED since I can get this Express Deal (no bidding required) for less: Disneyland - Anaheim South - Orange - Garden Grove Area ($118 similar hotels) $67 per night ($164.58 total) 3.5* Rated 8.0 out of 10 (or higher) This Hotel has: Free Internet | Indoor or Outdoor Pool | Restaurant | Business Center | Fitness Center Mandatory fee: $14/night <-- guessing this is Crowne Plaza Resort Anaheim Re-bid $58 by adding Anaheim Hills Re-bid $59 by adding Buena Park Re-bid $60 by adding Cypress Re-bid $61 by adding Laguna Beach Re-bid $62 by adding Lake Forest Re-bid $63 by adding North Huntington - ACCEPTED CROWNE PLAZA RESORT ANAHEIM Offer Price (per room, per night): $63 Rooms: 1 Nights: 2 Room Subtotal: $126 Taxes & Fees: $24.34 Total Room Cost: $150.34 Resort Fee: $14 per day (includes self parking, Disney Hotel Shuttle, fitness center, in-room Internet, and WiFi in public areas) Valet parking: $16 per day I don't consider Crowne Plaza to be a resort, but $14/day seems to be the normal cost of parking in any hotel near Disneyland. My goal was to get a reasonably priced hotel near the Honda Center for an upcoming concert. I'm happy that I won this hotel for less than the Express Deals price. Thanks, BetterBidding.com!

Sorry for the late post. I used this forum's PRICELINE link for my bid. 1st attempt: Bid $35 on Commerce 3* - REJECTED Re-bid $45 by adding Glendora - REJECTED Re-bid $48 by adding Pasadena - REJECTED 2nd attempt: Bid $52 on Pasadena 4* - REJECTED Re-bid $58 by adding Commerce - REJECTED Re-bid $62 by adding 3.5* - REJECTED Re-bid $65 by adding 3* - REJECTED Re-bid $74 by adding Glendora - REJECTED 3rd attempt: Bid $72 on Commerce 3* - REJECTED Re-bid $75 by adding Pasadena - ACCEPTED WESTIN PASADENA Offer Price (per room, per night): $75.00 Rooms: 1 Nights: 1 Room Subtotal: $75.00 Taxes & Fees: $17.65 Total Room Cost: $92.65 Valet parking for $14 per day (24-hour period) with in/out privileges or self-park for $9 per in/out. I was actually aiming for San Gabriel Valley (Commerce - Norwalk - Rosemead) to add an extra room at a previous hotel booked thru hotwire), but I messed up and ended up winning Pasadena 4*. On my third attempt, I should've started with Pasadena 4* to end with Commerce 3*. I got a very spacious room with two queen beds so I couldn't complain too much about my stay. Thanks, BetterBidding.com!

Sorry for the late post. I used this site's HOTWIRE link to book the following hotel: Area: Downey - Commerce - Norwalk 3.5* Amenities: Fitness Center, Pool, Restaurant, Business Center, High-Speed Internet Access, Accessible for the blind, Free Parking, Accessible path of travel Rate per night: $80.00 Nights: 2 Rooms: 1 Subtotal: $160.00 Tax & fees: $36.26 Total: $196.26 I ended up getting the Doubletree Los Angeles Commerce, which is what I wanted. This location is conveniently located by the I-5 and across the parking lot from the Citadel Outlets! Thanks, BetterBidding.com!

Based on my previous November 2010 priceline hotel win, I used this forum's PRICELINE link for my bid on another hotel in Pasadena. 1st bid $60 on Pasadena 4* - REJECTED Re-bid $65 on Pasadena 3.5* - REJECTED Re-bid $67 by adding Monrovia - Duarte 3.5* - REJECTED Re-bid $70 by adding Commerce - Norwalk - Rosemead 3.5* - REJECTED Re-bid $72 by adding Glendora 3.5* - REJECTED Re-bid $75 by adding West Covina 3.5* - ACCEPTED SHERATON PASADENA Offer Price: $75.00 Rooms: 1 Nights: 2 Room Subtotal: $150.00 Taxes and Fees: $28.08 Total Room Cost: $178.08 Transportation: Parking with in-and-out privilege is $15/day at this location; complimentary shuttle within 3-mile radius of hotel. Thanks again, BetterBidding.com!

Admin: FYI, this post seems to be linked in the California - Los Angeles - Hotwire January 2012 calendar.

I used this forum's PRICELINE link for my bid. First bid $65 on LA-San Gabriel Valley (Pasadena) 3.5* - REJECTED Asked to add $20 to buy for $85 - NO Re-bid $70 by adding LA-San Gabriel Valley (Monrovia) 3.5* - ACCEPTED SHERATON PASADENA Room Cost (avg. per room, per night): $70.00 Number of Rooms: 1 Number of Nights: 2 Room Subtotal: $140.00 Taxes and Fees: $26.22 Total Room Cost: $166.22 I saw what appeared to be the Sheraton Pasadena on HOTWIRE for $89/night so I am pleased with my bid. Thanks, BetterBidding.com!

My friend said that he had an awesome stay and loved everything about the Wynn. The rooms were down the hall from each other, and he was able to get two double beds in each room. I hope to do as well when I book through PRICELINE for future Vegas stays. Thanks!

Just following up on my stay at Holiday Inn French Quarter. We called ahead of time to reserve two beds and tried to check in early. Rooms weren't available for early check-in, but we lucked out. When we came back in the evening to check in, they had given us a Double-Bed Smoking room. We wanted Non-Smoking, and the only available Non-Smoking room was a King Suite with Queen Sofa pull-out! We prepaid less than $60 via PRICELINE and didn't have to pay any additional fees for this upgrade. Thanks!

Just following up to let everyone know that our stay at Astor Crowne Plaza was enjoyable. We called ahead of time to reserve two beds in each room and were able to secure this with early check-in on arrival date. We received our first room key at noon. When we asked for the rooms to be near each other, Reception assigned the adjacent room, which was ready at the regular 4pm check-in time. The hotel was busy enough that they didn't bother taking notice of our four guests per room. They even allowed us to have more than two keys per room when we left secondary guest names with Reception. Each room was fully stocked with four sets of towels, and we didn't have to pay any additional fees. They also allowed late check-out until 2pm without charge. Thanks!

It was the exact same price, $180.73 (2 nights at $79/night + taxes) for a 3-Adults room. I was sharing the price difference between a 2-Adults room ($82/night) and 3-Adults room ($79/night) as an FYI. Thank you!

An extra person is joining my trip so I used the exact same process and booked a second room at this hotel for the same price via this site's HOTWIRE link. A room for 2 people would've been $82/night, whereas a room for 3 people was $79/night. Admin: Do I need to start a new thread to have this second win posted on the Los Angeles - Hotwire calendar? Thanks again!

Thanks for the clarification on "hot rates". I did use this site's HOTWIRE link, as mentioned in detail at the bottom of my original post, to support BetterBidding.com. :)

When I searched outside a major city with weekday return, Hotwire showed me the car rental agency and non-airport locations. I was given daily rates, agency, and locations that matched information on the agency website. Instead of being charged, I was able to make a standard reservation with the agency via Hotwire. Example: Comparing San Francisco, CA Car Rental Options (sorry if this information is already in the forum): Compact Car San Francisco, CA Fri-Mon (3 days) Hotwire hot Rate: Agency Unknown Location: SFO Airport Daily rate: $33.95 Estimated total: $151.66 Why are Hotwire hot Rates special? * You're guaranteed a car from a major car-rental agency: Alamo, Avis, Budget, Enterprise, Europcar (International only), Hertz, or National. * You save big because you agree to learn the name of the car rental company after you book. Once you make your booking, we immediately complete your reservation and show you the rental agency name and details. Know before you go * Your account will be charged at the time of booking for the full rental amount, including all tax recovery charges and fees. * The rental agency will require a credit card or debit/check card in the primary driver's name. Sufficient credit must be available for a deposit. Funds used for debit card deposits cannot be accessed until the car is returned. Amount of available credit required depends on car type, rental period, and optional items. * Bringing you rock-bottom priced rental cars means bookings are final (no refunds, no changes, non-transferable). * You will have the option to add additional drivers to your contract at the rental counter for an additional charge. Specific Rental Agency Rate Location: non-airport Daily rate: $35.49 (higher than hot Rate) Estimated total: $117.27 (lower than hot Rate total) Know before you go * Your account will not be charged for this reservation. Rental charges will be billed by the agency when you return the car. * Reservations may be cancelled at any time without penalty. * The rental agency will require a credit card in the primary driver's name. Sufficient credit must be available for a deposit. Amount of available credit required depends on car type, rental period, and optional items. Rental agency does not accept debit/check cards for deposit. * You will have the option to add additional drivers to your contract at the rental counter for an additional charge. Since the reservation price for my desired car rental was the same as quoted on the agency website, I booked the following through Hotwire: Compact Car Colma, CA Fri-Mon (3 days) Booking rules * Rental charges are billed by the agency when you return the car. Reservations may be cancelled at any time without penalty by visiting My Account. Review our Terms of Use for more information. Summary of costs Rental Agency: Enterprise Rent-A-Car Car daily rate: $19.99 Rental days: 3 Subtotal: $59.97 Estimated taxes and fees: $5.91 Estimated total*:$65.88 *Estimated total is based on the agency's published rates, taxes, and fees. Enterprise will bill you when you return the car.

Thanks for the suggestions. I looked into the hotel in Van Nuys (possibly Airtel Plaza Hotel based on amenities and TripAdvisor rating) and decided to stick with Burbank. I used this site's HOTWIRE link to book the following hotel: 7/2/10-7/4/10 1 Room; 2 nights; 3 Adults 3* Los Angeles (Glendale-Burbank-Universal City) for $79 per night Amenities: Shuttle, Fitness, Pool, Restaurant, Laundry, High-speed Internet Recommended in 90% of customer reviews TripAdvisor rating 3.5 out of 5 Holiday Inn Burbank-Media Center Hotel rate per night - Hotwire hot Rate: $79.00 Nights: 2 Rooms: 1 Subtotal: $158.00 Tax recovery charges and fees: $22.73 Total price: $180.73 Note to Admin: Please update the title of this thread to 3* Los Angeles (Glendale-Burbank-Universal City) Holiday Inn Burbank-Media Center, $79 ... 7/2/10-7/4/10 for the calendar and move to the LOS ANGELES - Hotwire section. Thanks!

I need to book one room for three people. If I don't name my own price, I can book the following through Priceline for $99/night: Hilton Glendale Double Room - Non Refundable This Room Is Furnished With 2 Double Beds. Maximum Occupancy Is 4 Guests When booking by listed price, is there a preference (more affiliate earnings) between using Priceline, Expedia, or Hilton? Also, for my Enterprise rental car, is there a preference between reserving through Hotwire or Enterprise? Since there is no payment due, I made reservations through both sites for the same price.

Regarding a room with only one bed, the most I can do is call the hotel ahead of time to note a preference for two beds. I'll find out how well that preference sticks when I check into my Priceline-booked rooms next weekend! If Hotwire shows a 3* in Glendale - Burbank for $83, what are my chances of getting two 3* rooms via Priceline for less than $60 each? I know that I can't bid on a specific hotel. The Priceline lists have been pretty accurate, and the Los Angeles - Priceline list shows only one 4* in the following category: Los Angeles - San Fernando Valley (Burbank - Universal City - Glendale) 4* Hilton Glendale and Executive Meeting Center (previously 3*) Would there possibly be other 4* hotels in that area? I wouldn't mind winning this or a different 4* hotel for less than $100, haha.

Thank you both for the quick responses. I keep getting new responses as I'm typing this! I'm traveling with 2 other people. Only I will be attending the wedding in Somis so they thought that they could drop me off in Somis and spend their day in San Gabriel. By having a more centrally located hotel, it would be easier for me to catch a ride back from Somis. I know...complicated. Here's the information I've compiled so far. Budget: The hotel will be split between 3 people so budget would be around $120/night before tax. Burbank/Glendale Hotels: 4* Hilton Glendale (TripAdvisor #3 of 14 Glendale hotels, 70% rating) - $18/day parking, $99/night via Hotels 3* Marriott Burbank Airport & Convention Center (TripAdvisor #9 of 17 Burbank hotels, 68% rating) - $14/day parking; $89/night via Marriott 3* Holiday Inn Burbank-Media Center (TripAdvisor #10 of 17 Burbank hotels, 60% rating) - free parking, spotted on Hotwire for $83/night Not in Priceline or Hotwire list: Courtyard by Marriott LA Burbank Airport (TripAdvisor #3 of 17 Burbank hotels, 90% rating) - free parking, $119/night via Hotels Out of the above choices, should I start by bidding on Hilton Glendale, and what would be a reasonable starting bid? Burbank is the only zone in LA - San Fernando Valley with 4*. The other 5 zones do not have 4*. Thanks!

I will be driving to LA for the 7/2/2010-7/4/2010 weekend and need to visit both Somis/Camarillo (for a wedding) and San Gabriel. While looking at different areas, I thought that Burbank/Glendale, Westwood, or West Hollywood might be a good compromise since each is about an hour drive to Somis and half an hour drive to San Gabriel. I noticed that on PRICELINE, Burbank/Glendale is grouped under LA San Fernando Valley whereas Westwood and West Hollywood are grouped under LA Central so should I focus on one bid at a time? Are there any other areas that I should look at? Also, since I would like complimentary parking during my stay, should I go for 3* hotels (via HOTWIRE instead) since those tend to offer complimentary parking as opposed to 4* hotels? Thanks in advance!

Post-vacation update: Due to a conference at this hotel, Marriott Wardman Park told me at check-in on 4/9/2010 that they were moving me to Renaissance Washington, which is in a different area than I had wanted. I don't see Renaissance Washington under the Hotel Reviews section so I'll include my overall impression of both hotels here. Marriott Wardman Park - Marriott was not able to call me to notify me of the location change due to Priceline not showing my phone number. - Front desk was courteous, provided me with a note to present to the transfer hotel (no additional costs for stay), and asked if I wanted to take the Metro or a cab. The metro station elevator was down so I opted for cab. Marriott provided me with $20 cash, which was plenty for the cab ride from National Zoo to Chinatown. - #80 on TripAdvisor index Renaissance Washington - Front desk was welcoming and gave me great customer service. - Renaissance is under renovation, which obstructs part of the entrance area, and is located 3 blocks from the Chinatown Gallery metro station. - Room was clean and spaceous with 2 beds. - #68 on TripAdvisor index Tip: call hotel before check-in when booking through Priceline or other 3rd party.

Yellowdog, For some reason, I see this in the calendar in Jan, Feb, Mar, and all the way through April 24th. I don't know how far back it goes since I only checked random weeks and noticed that they all link to this post. Just letting you know.

I used this PRICELINE link to bid for a friend. Seeing that others got 5* Strip North for $77, I bid $60. A $133 one-time deal was offered. Closed window. Selected 5* Strip Vicinity North and Boulder Strip for $65. A $133 one-time deal was offered. Closed window. Selected 5* Strip Vicinity North and Fremont St for $70. A $133 one-time deal was offered. Closed window. Selected 5* Strip Vicinity North and Henderson for $75. A $133 one-time deal was offered. Closed window. Selected 5* Strip Vicinity North and LAS for $77. A $133 one-time deal was offered. Closed window. Selected 5* Strip Vicinity North and Convention Center for $80. A $133 one-time deal was offered. Closed window. Selected 5* Strip Vicinity North and NW Las Vegas for $85. A $133 one-time deal was offered. Closed window. Selected 5* Strip Vicinity North and Near Strip East for $90. A $133 one-time deal was offered. Closed window. Selected 5* Strip Vicinity North and Nellis for $95. A $133 one-time deal was offered. Closed window. Selected 5* Strip Vicinity North and Summerlin for $100. A $133 one-time deal was offered. Closed window. Selected 5* Strip Vicinity North and West of Strip for $110. Add $22 to rebook. Closed window. Selected 5* Strip Vicinity North, Boulder Strip, and Fremont St for $115. Add $22 to rebook. Closed window. Selected 5* Strip Vicinity North, Fremont St, and Henderson for $120. ACCEPTED WYNN LAS VEGAS Your Offer Price Per Room, Per Night: $120.00 Rooms: 2 Nights: 2 Subtotal: $480.00 Taxes and Fees: $74.04 Total Charges: $554.04 I was determined not to pay the suggested "one-time" $133 price, especially if it ended up being for Trump, and was pleasantly surprised to have won a stay at the Wynn. Thanks, BetterBidding!

I used this PRICELINE link for my bid. I was trying to get another 3* French Quarter hotel for Sun 5/16/10 night to accommodate extra guests and did not get the same hotel as my previous priceline win. Bid $43 on French Quarter 3* - rejected Re-bid $48 by adding Garden District - rejected Re-bid $55 by adding NO East - ACCEPTED BOURBON ORLEANS Room Cost (avg. per room, per night): $55.00 Number of Rooms: 1 Number of Nights: 1 Room Subtotal: $55.00 Taxes and Fees: $16.02 Total Room Cost: $71.02 Thanks, BetterBidding.com!

You're welcome. I don't think my second night 5/2/09 showed up on the calendar because my topic description shows 5/1/09-5/2/09 instead of 5/1/09-5/3/09. I did include 5/1/09-5/3/09 in the body of the post, though. Sorry for the typo!

Seeing that HOTWIRE had no 3.5/4* available and a 3* in French Quarter for $59, I used this PRICELINE link for my bid. My first bid of $45 on French Quarter 3* for 5/16/10-5/17/10 (Sunday night) was ACCEPTED. HOLIDAY INN NEW ORLEANS FRENCH QUARTER Room Cost (avg. per room, per night): $45.00 Number of Rooms: 1 Number of Nights: 1 Room Subtotal: $45.00 Taxes and Fees: $14.28 Total Room Cost: $59.28 Thanks, BetterBidding.com!

I used this PRICELINE link for my bid. DAY ONE Bids for 4* in French Quarter were rejected. Seeing that HOTWIRE had no 4* available and a 3.5* in French Quarter for $144, I realized that I couldn't get a 4* close to $100-120. DAY TWO I went after 3.5* in French Quarter. After multiple re-bidding sessions, highest bid of $120 was rejected. DAY THREE Bid $110 on French Quarter 3.5* - rejected Re-bid $120 by adding MSY Airport - rejected Re-bid $130 by adding NO West Bank - ACCEPTED ASTOR CROWNE PLAZA Room Cost (avg. per room, per night): $130.00 Number of Rooms: 2 Number of Nights: 2 Room Subtotal: $520.00 Taxes and Fees: $94.44 Total Room Cost: $614.44 Thanks, betterbidding.com!