purplelotus

On 5/2, I made several unsuccessful bids for hotels in Secaucus, Jersey City, and New York City for 5/25-6/2. NYC bids are posted on the New York Priceline forum. I bid $69 for a 2.5-star in Secaucus which failed. (Last year I won the LaQuinta Inn & Suites for $64 for almost the identical period. I posted that win.) I was also unsuccessful with a $76 bid for a 3-star and $94 for a 3.5 star in Secaucus. I then tried bidding on a 4-star in Jersey City. Bid up to $101 and no luck there either. Ultimately booked the Hilton Garden Inn in Chelsea for $137/nt AAA rate. Did use links.

Thanks, but we don't drink, and we don't really like sushi either. Chinatown has good cheap eats -- lots of vegetable and tofu dishes.

On May 2, I made several bids unsuccessful bids for NYC hotels, 3,3.5 and 4 star for 5/25-6/2 (8 nights). I bid up to $96 for a 3-star in Chelsea and Empire State areas. For 3.5-star I bid up to $110 for Midtown East and West, Times Square, Lower East Side, and Downtown. I also bid up to $110 for a 4-star and added Chelsea, SoHo, and Empire State to the 3.5-star list. I bid in New Jersey (Secaucus and Hoboken areas) and was unsuccessful there too. Will post those bids in that area. A few days later I booked the Hilton Garden Inn in Chelsea using my AAA discount for an average nightly rate of $137. I get free breakfast there with my Hilton status so I thought that was a good deal. (Internet is free for everyone.) If anyone has any inexpensive restaurant suggestions in Chelsea or up by the Metropolitan Museum of Art, please let me know. We like healthy food. Eat lots of Asian. Go to Chinatown a lot when we got to New York. No burgers or pizza (unless it's vegetarian with whole wheat crust). Thanks. Used links to bid and also used Hilton link to book a Hilton.

I read somewhere that this hotel adds a $15 resort fee to the Priceline price. Just wanted to let you know so you can check it out and not be surprised. I would complain to Priceline if this is true. This is why I didn't bid for a 4*. Didn't want to be socked with additional fee.

I bid three days ago for a 3.5* hotel in same area. Highest bid was $54. Rejected and no counter. Today I started at $56 (my cost was $51 since I had $5 off email from Priceline) and bid up to $75 using free re-bid zones. All rejected and no counters. So I thought I'd try a 3*. First bid was $55 (my cost $50) and was accepted so maybe I overpaid. (I thought that was a lowball offer.) Total cost was $180.15. Nevertheless, I think it's a good deal, and I checked the hotel's web site. Cheapest room is $93 and that's a non-refundable rate. AAA rate was $99. Also pleased that hotel has free airport and area shuttle and free wifi. Don't plan to rent a car -- will use public transport -- so parking fee at hotel not a concern. Used Better Bidding PRICELINE link.

Started bidding at $44. Rejected, no counter. Added rebid zone and increased to $48. Also rejected with no counter. Added another free rebid zone and increased bid to $51 and voila, the Hilton Arlington. AAA rate for hotel on Hilton website was $126. Better yet, I only paid $41 since I had a $10/day bonus from doing a Priceline survey a while back. Total cost to me was $104.40. I am very pleased with this win.

Total cost was $141.64 for the 2 nights. Won yesterday. I started out bidding at $44 and increased bids by $2 using free re-bid zones. When I bid $56, I got a counter for $67. Rejected that of course, and used my final re-bid zone and increased bid by another $2 to $58, and voila, got the Hilton. I've stayed at this hotel a couple of times before (got it on either Priceline or Hotwire), but it was several years ago. It was nice then so I hope it still is. I could have reserved the hotel for $85/night (AAA refundable rate) on Hilton's website so deal is decent, but worse than average for Priceline even though I know I didn't overpay. Hard to know where to stay in LA since attractions are spread out -- I'm familiar with the city since I lived there a short while -- but I like that there is public transport (bus) near this hotel. Cheap too -- only $1.50. I used the Better Bidding PRICELINE link. I like the new look of the site and the no-brainer format to enter one's wins -- maybe it will encourage more people to post.

Bid from 9/30/11 to 10/3/11. Highest bids were $50 ($461 total) for 3.5* in both areas, $44 ($407 total) for 3* in both areas, and $38 ($352 total) for 2.5* in Willowbrook area only. All were unsuccessful. I did get a counter one day for a 3.5*. I bid $47, and counter said to raise offer by $25-$72. Used PRICELINE link for all bids. Seems like prices have gone up a fair bit in past year. Stayed at LaQuinta in Willowbrook for $58 ($500 total) -- AAA rate. I like the free breakfast there and I get points in their program. The hotel was renovated earlier this year, and the rooms are considerably improved. I'd rate it a 2.5* although the forum listing gives it a 2*. It is considerably better than the Extended Stay in this area which is listed as a 2*. I've stayed at both hotels several times.

Just needed a hotel at the airport for one night while waiting for a connecting flight. Tried bidding on Priceline from Sept 5-9 several times. Bid as high as $71 ($90 with tax and fee) for a 3.5* hotel and $58 ($74 with tax and fee) for a 3* hotel but was unsuccessful. Used the PRICELINE links to bid. Ultimately booked a pre-paid room with Hilton Newark Airport (a 3.5* hotel) for $95 ($111 with tax) since I get points plus free breakfast for two from credit card. When I checked in at Hilton, I was told they were sold out for the night so maybe that is why I wasn't winning anything on Priceline. Hilton was fine, and I was glad to get a good breakfast since airlines don't serve free food any more.

Won this two days ago. Started at $65, increasing by $5 using free re-bid zones. $85 bid rejected, but got counter of $20-$100 so raised by $5 to $90 using free re-bid zone and got this. Noticed that someone on TOBB got same hotel and same dates for $80 the day before. I only paid $85 since I used my $20 Club Entertainment Priceline coupon. Total cost $406.36. Also bid for hotel on North Michigan Avenue with same strategy since either area was acceptable. Bid up to $90 but never got counter or hotel. This is a bit far south given the weather looks crappy this weekend, but it's fine. I'm Hilton Gold so hopefully I'll get upgraded. Grew up in Chicago and lived there most of my life but hate the weather so I moved. Used Better Bidding PRICELINE link.

Total cost $156.96 ($129.00 + $27.96). Used Better Bidding PRICELINE link. Started bidding yesterday. Made numerous bids for 3.5*,3*, and 2.5* hotels using free rebid zones when available. Bid up to $58.67 ($52 plus $6.67 Club Entertainment Bonus) for 3.5* in Austin South - Airport and Downtown zones. No luck and no counteroffers. Then bid up to $56.67 ($50 plus $6.67 bonus) for 3* in same zones. No luck or counteroffers there either. Started my bidding today for 2.5* in Austin South - Airport at $39. (Club Entertainment bonus only good for 3* and above so couldn't use it.) Got counter from Priceline of $54 ($15 additional). This has happened to me many times before, and I have never had to pay the full amount of the counteroffer. So I added downtown zone and increased bid by $4 to $43, and bingo, got Springhill Suites. Am very pleased with hotel. They have a good free breakfast, and rooms are large. Was $94 (AAA rate) on Marriott website so more than half off. This is an excellent site. I wish there would be more posts on lower-rated hotels, eg, 2*, 2.5* and 3*.

Won yesterday. Used $25 bonus money from PRICELINE so cost to me only $60/night. Total cost including taxes and fees is $501.62. Used Better Bidding link. Won on first bid so possibly overpaid a bit. However, bonus money was expiring last night, and there were no rebid zones. Nevertheless, I think it's a great deal. Hotel gets a good rating on Hotels.com, and LaQuinta has decent free breakfasts. Made several other unsuccessful bids at higher star levels and more money over the course of three days (when I first got bonus money). Bid up to $80 ($83.57 with bonus) for 3.5* in both Secaucus and Jersey City zones. Bid up to $77 ($80.57 with bonus) for 3* in Secaucus and Jersey City. Never received a counteroffer. Have won both Holiday Inn and Hyatt Place in previous years in Secaucus zone at lower prices. We like that area since there is a bus to Port Authority for about $4 which takes 15-30 minutes depending on traffic and runs frequently. Decided to go down to 2.5* since I was reaching the limit of what I wanted to spend. This is a great area to stay in for visiting New York City and keeping one's costs down.

I would certainly try calling Priceline. In 2007 I "won" a 3* hotel in Boston (Copley Square) from Priceline. AAA only gave the hotel 2 diamonds (2* equivalent). I called Priceline. They told me that if I could find two online sites that gave it a 2* rating they would do something for me. This is so long ago that I can't remember if they said they would cancel the sale and refund my money or give it to me at a lower price. Unfortunately, I could not find any other sites (eg, Expedia, Travelocity, Orbitz, etc.) that gave the hotel a 2* rating. They all gave the hotel a 3* rating. You have found two other sites so if they haven't changed their policy, you should be able to get some concession. In my case AAA was correct. The hotel was old and frumpy and nowhere near a 3* level. I wrote a letter to the manager. The hotel was scheduled for a major renovation according to him. I haven't been back, but I did notice the next year AAA said the hotel was scheduled for a major renovation. I was disappointed that Priceline wouldn't do anything for me. On at least 3 occasions Hotwire has given me some money back or refunded my purchase entirely when the hotel was not rated properly. I was in Tokyo in November. I was unsuccessful bidding on Priceline. I ended up getting a 3.5* hotel on Hotels.com, Monterey Hanzomon, for about $130 including taxes and fees. It was fine, very clean as almost everything in Japan was. And it was right across the street from a subway station. Hotels.com also has a good reward program. You may be very familiar with Tokyo, but if you are not and have a question, I'd try and help.

I first bid $70 for 2 nights ($182.58 with taxes and fees) for a 4* property in Copenhagen . This was rejected with no counter. I then added the 3* level and lowered my bid to $50 per night ($132.34 with taxes and fees.) This was also rejected with no counter. Used BetterBidding link for bids. I searched on Hotels.com and found the Radisson Blu Scandinavia hotel, a 4* property near the center of the city, for $128/night which included tax (total $255.40). This was an advance purchase non-refundable rate.(weekend special with 20% off). I know Radisson has a policy that they guarantee radisson.com has the best rate, and if one finds a cheaper rate, one can submit a claim and get 25% off the cheaper rate. I then looked at radisson.com to see if they had the same rate as Hotels.com. Radisson's cheapest advance purchase rate was 876 Danish krone (DKK) which is about $160. I was not sure how to make a claim with an advance purchase rate in a different currency. I called Radisson customer service and after an unsatisfactory conversation with an agent, I asked for a supervisor. I waited about 10 minutes for a supervisor. However, she was worth waiting for. First she told me I had to find a lower rate in the same currency, but she told me Hotels.com might have a Danish site. Sure enough, they do (da.Hotels.com), and better yet, they had the same 20% off special which was 701DKK (876 less 20%). This site is in Danish, but the format was very similar to the US Hotels.com site so I was able to figure this out even though I don't speak Danish. She told me to book a refundable rate on radisson.com and submit the claim. She said to mention in the comment section the advance purchase rate on both sites. She also told me to take screen shots of the da.Hotels.com site in case Radisson couldn't find it. This morning I got an email saying my claim was approved, and I am able to purchase the room for 525.6DKK or about $96US. I had to call Radisson and prepay for the room. It is an advance purchase non-refundable rate which is only fair given the deal I'm getting. I called Radisson this afternoon, and the agent notifies the hotel which will send me a confirmation. I have not received this yet. This is only about $5/night more than my Priceline bid of $70 so this is equivalent to a Priceline bid of about $75 for a 4*. I doubt I would have been successful at $75 plus I get Radisson reward points. I hope this helps someone since it took a fair amount of my time, but I think I am getting a fabulous deal. I occasionally find cheaper rates on Hotels.com than on the hotel websites so this strategy could work for others. Just remember book a REFUNDABLE rate on the hotel website.

Won this hotel on 1/7, the night before and left on vacation so didn't post earlier. Total cost was $46.35 Would not recommend this hotel after staying there. Property is run down. Carpet worn and dirty. Chair dirty. Phone dirty. Bathroom floor had burn marks on it. Fortunately it was only for one night. Made several other bids using rebid zone on the same night before I won this hotel. All were rejected. Bid $47 for 3* in Airport and Downtown zones. Bid $45 for 3* for Beach, North, and Hollywood zones. Did get one counter in North zone of $60 which I thought was too much. Also bid $43 for 2.5* in Airport, Airport North, Beach and Hollywood zones and $39 for 2.5* in North zone. Bid $36 for 2* in Airport and Airport North zones. Used Better Bidding PRICELINE link for all my bids. Would have posted last week but have been unable to access site for almost a week.

A friend of mine booked this hotel while I was helping him on the phone. He booked it for 2 adults and 1 child at this price. Amenities for the property are Breakfast, Pool, and Internet. Total cost was around $92. This hotel is not on your list. It was too complicated to get him to use your HOTWIRE link, but I'll try next time. The full hotel name got cut off. It is Buena Park Anaheim InnSuites.

Just returned home from our stay at L'Enfant Plaza in DC. Hotel worked out very well. Even though check-in clerk mentioned Priceline, he gave us a room on the top floor (15th) which had a balcony and a fabulous unobstructed southern view. Room was large and nicely decorated. King bed was very comfortable. Room had small refrigerator so we were able to store milk for breakfast cereal. Location is ideal for museum-going on the mall. One can walk to most of the Smithsonian museums. Four lines of the DC metro stop underneath the hotel (one doesn't have to go outside) so if one wants to travel elsewhere, it is very convenient. Also underneath the hotel is a small mall with a few restaurants and shops. One could get an inexpensive breakfast or lunch there on weekdays. It's closed weekends and evenings. Hotel serves free lemonade in lobby in afternoon during summer. There's a business center with 3 computers and a printer which is free. Internet in the room is pricey -- $11/day. Hotel clientele is mixed -- tourists, business people, conventioneers. There are not many restaurants near the hotel, but we hopped on the metro for dinner in other areas or walked to Chinatown (a bit over a mile). Front desk clerks weren't responsive when two computers weren't working in business center, but when I raised the issue to management, I got immediate action. A manager told me hotel is going to be renovated. Some of the lobby furniture seemed a bit worn, but the hotel was generally clean and functional. Price may rise with the renovation. We'd be happy to stay here again. No complaints for price we paid.

Just finished our stay here. I highly recommend this hotel. Rooms are huge -- separate area with couch, desk and wet bar. Also have refrigerator. Breakfast is excellent -- healthy options. Lots of fresh fruit and freshly baked bagels from a nearby bagel shop. Similar to other Hyatt Places we have stayed at. Bus to New York City (Port Authority) right outside hotel for $3.95 each way. Only takes 15 minutes in non-rush hour. Runs frequently. Also runs very late and very early. My only criticism is hotel management. Hotel could be better run. Tables are seldom cleaned at breakfast, and room had a couple of minor maintenance problems. Housekeeping could improve too. Talked to manager but not sure how much will happen. Nevertheless, for what I paid, this was a fabulous deal. An equivalent hotel in Manhattan would cost twice the price on Priceline, and I'd get a smaller room. I'd much rather stay here and commute and save a big chunk of change.

Just want to finish this thread here since I don't need any more help. Tried bidding for a 4* at Heathrow airport for $44 ($59 with taxes and fees). Rejected, no counter. Booked the Ibis at Heathrow airport for $55 (which includes all taxes and fees -- the Priceline bids didn't include these) on Hotels.com. Was non-refundable rate just like Priceline. It's my tenth night so I'll be eligible for a free night after my stay. It's very convenient for the airport, and we're flying out the next morning. Reviews were good enough, and I've stayed at several Ibis hotels around the world and find them acceptable although basic.

My husband and I are flying to Tokyo arriving 11/5. We want to stay there for 6-7 days and then head off to Osaka, Kyoto, Nara and Hiroshima. (Plan to buy a rail pass before we leave.) Will also need a hotel for last two days of our stay, 11/16-17 (Leaving 11/18). There is very little information on the site about bids in Tokyo. We are willing to stay in any district in the city as long as we are relatively near a subway/train. Want to stay at a decent hotel (3 star minimum) but as cheaply as possible. Also don't want to get stuck with one double bed in room (want at least a queen or two twins) which I think could happen at 3 star hotels. I've perused Hotels.com and several discount Asian sites (xcessasia.com, ctrip.com, asiahotels.com). I do a lot of bidding on Priceline and have been very successful at securing cheap accommodations in US and Europe. Also use Hotwire for these areas with success. However, when I've bid in China and Australia in previous years, I've found that I find better deals on other sites -- such as the ones above. I wonder if Priceline doesn't have much inventory in that part of the world so the deals aren't vey good. Hotwire doesn't offer any inventory in Tokyo. Priceline has nothing in Osaka on their name your price option. Any suggestions would be helpful for Tokyo and/or Osaka. I've never stayed at a hotel in Tokyo. I haven't bid yet on Priceline.

You can get the Renaissance on Hotels.com for $117 total ($108 plus $9 in Taxes/fees). It's non-refundable but sounds better than the HOTWIRE option. Also, if you want to stay in the center of the city, it is easy to get to the airport on public transportation.

Started bidding on 7/25, bid again on 7/29 and won this today (7/31). Total cost is $327.60. Bid in several districts: Bloomsbury, Westminster, Chelsea, Mayfair, Kensington, City and this one, Regents Park/Baker St. Did multiple bids. Started at $65 and gradually increased bids. Kept getting Priceline pop-up saying I had only a small chance of getting hotel, but this stopped around $80. Never got a counter from Priceline. First bid tonight was $85 for Westminster. Rejected. Added Kensington and upped to $87. Also rejected. Then I started a new bid of $87 in Bloomsbury. Rejected. Added Regents Park and upped to $88. Rejected. Added Chelsea and upped to $90, and I won the Hilton! I am pleased with hotel since it is right at Tube stop. Also, I think this hotel was on Hotwire for $99 today. Was going to purchase that if I didn't get anything from Priceline tonight for less money. Read earlier today that the Pope will be in London on 9/18 so I think the prices are a bit higher and thought they may go up more as date gets closer. In March of last year I won the 4* Holiday Inn in Kensington for $77. Used PRICELINE link on Better Bidding. This is a great site! Still need a hotel for night of Oct 4 in London. Have bid up to $83 for 4* and haven't won anything yet. Bid up to $62 for 3* and didn't win either. I'll post my win whenever I get something. If anyone has any thoughts about bidding on 3* hotels in London, please let me know. I'm leery since some of the reviews for hotels are a bit dicey.

Thanks Romelle for the info. It was helpful and nice. I am glad you like the hotel so I feel better about that. Good to know we can walk to restaurants. I noticed the bus on Marriot's website too so I will call soon and ask about it. Once I finish my stay, I will post my impressions and the transportation options. Sorry we'll miss you. Marriott wanted over 100 pounds (I think 115 or something like that -- which would be about $190) so at $68 with fees, it looks like a good deal.

I got this hotel on my first bid of $55 yesterday (7/25). Total cost was $202.92 for 3 nights. However, I wanted to stay in the city center and accidentally checked the airport box along with the city center so I am disappointed. We're going to Manchester to see the sights so this hotel will be very inconvenient. I did a little research on TripAdvisor and found out that there is no free shuttle to the airport and not much around this hotel unfortunately. The only redeeming feature is the price which is reasonable. Hotel reviews are fair to good. If anyone knows anything about this hotel and how to get to the center cheaply (we're willing to walk to bus stations a mile or so), please let me know in a reply. I plan to call the hotel and ask also. I realize this is my fault so I can't blame anyone. This happened one other time to me where I checked the wrong box. Priceline let me out of the deal for $25 plus I had to book another hotel for the same dates which I did. I don't feel like going through the hassle of doing that again. I'll just live with my mistake and commute to the center as cheaply as possible. I did use the PRICELINE link.