Noela

Hello,

I have to be in Arlington  (near Ballston Metro area) for two days, begining this sunday, 4/12.  I have been bidding for a 3.5* (min) hotel starting at $80 all the way to $110 without much luck. My max budget /night is $100.  Give that might travel date is so close, would it be better to look for a 2* hotel? 

If so, what bidding or express deal strategy will you advice?

thanks - Noela

Sure, it was a good win. Thanks to you all too.

Rgds. Noela

Thanks very much Aaron, for your useful advice.  I followed it, and was about to pull the trigger, but then decided that I should at least give my preferred area a try and bid to $100 for a 3* or 3.5* before settling for Tyson's corner.

So, I used the Price.line travel link available here, and bid  $90.  I was shocked that it was accepted for the Hyatt Arlington, a 4* no less.

And it is merely one or two Metro stops away from the Westin Arlington, where my event is being helod ....

Doing the happy dance:  Here are the details:

Deal type: Name Your Own Price

Offer price: $90.00 /night

Number of rooms: 1 room

Number of nights: 2 nights

Room subtotal: $180.00

Taxes & fees: $37.02

Total charged today: $217.02

Total charged: $217.02

Paid in full

Savings: You saved 67%*

Thanks again for all your support ...and advice.

cheers, Noela

Hello,

I have to be in Arlington, VA (near the Ballston Metro area) between March 22 - March 24.
I need a 1 room at the 3* or 3.5*level,  at a maximum budget of $100/per night.

For the past three days, I have been trying to get a 3.0* or 3.5* hotel, bidding from $65 to $85, exhausting all rebid zones but failed.

As I have done before, I wouldn't mind staying in the DC area itself - but wanted to check if there are other alternate bidding strategies available?

Should I just keep increasing my bids until I hit my max?

Thanks - Noela

Thanks -

Given your advice, I bid $80 for a 4* downtown DC hotel (in the Capital Hill area) and it was accepted.  A good deal (70%) savings, I think.

Details below.

4* The Liaison Capitol Hill An Affinia Hotel

3/23 -  3/25

Rooms:     1 room / 2 nights

Room Subtotal:     $160.00

Taxes & Fees:     $32.70

Total Charged to Card:     $192.70

And of course, I used the Price.line travel links available here.

With much much thanks

Thanks -
Given your advice, I bid $80 for a 4* downtown DC hotel (in the Capital Hill area) and it was accepted.  A good deal (70%) savings, I think.

Details below.

4* The Liaison Capitol Hill An Affinia Hotel
3/23 -  3/25
Rooms:     1 room / 2 nights
Room Subtotal:     $160.00
Taxes & Fees:     $32.70
Total Charged to Card:     $192.70

And of course, I used the Priceline travel links available here.

With much much thanks

The 'Capitol Hill - Convention Center' and 'Downtown - White House' zones are generally considered to be well located and have good access to the metro.

Check your travel dates on the landing page, but this 4* Priceline Express in the Capitol Hill-Convention Center zone for $93/nite seems to be the best deal (Pets Allowed, Restaurant, Free Internet in room, Business Center, Fitness Center). Although i'm not sure which property this is, it does have an 8.0/10 user review rating from previous PRICELINE guests... if the hotel ends up being in the western part of this zone there is a good chance you will have direct access to the Ballston metro station... if something in the east part of the zone it may require a transfer (not a big deal but may add 5 minutes on to your commute time)

Also note that using the discount code and link in my signature will give you an additional 5% OFF the $93/nite rate.

You can either go with the above or try bidding on PRICELINE, which if the latter you may want to also consider the White House zone and/or the Capitol Hill South zone (this second zone is a little bit more out of the way but it appears that the Orange lines runs thru it, so it should provide easy access to your event)

LASTLY, note that the metro in DC shuts down about midnite... not sure what event(s) you need to attend near the Ballston metro but hopefully they will end by this time.

Please use the PRICELINE and HOTWIRE links on the board to begin your travel purchases.

Let us know your thoughts and/or how it goes and we will advise accordingly.

PS-If/when you win a hotel, use the ADD REPLY and REPORT WIN button on the lower right corner of this page... this will enable you to edit the topic title and add a reply to your thread with the details of your purchase.

Thanks very much. 

I will like to consider DC hotels as you suggested.  What specific area should I be considering - Downtown?  And what bidding strategy should I use?

I've updated the previous threads as well.

Thanks - Noela

Ok.... I'm not sure how to edit the titles, but here is the result.  I did use the PRICELINE link on this site........  Thanks for the assistance.

======

3*  Courtyard By Marriott Meadowland Lyndhurst  9/13 -  9/14

Summary of Charges

Room Cost (avg. per room, per night):    $80.00 (USD)    

Number of Rooms:    2

Number of Guests Per Room:    2

Number of Nights:    1

Room Subtotal:    $160.00 (USD)

Taxes and Fees:    $33.86 (USD)

Total Charged to Card:    $193.86 (USD)

Thanks follks.  I have decided to postpone the trip to the fall, so I will be back with further questions and information.

rgds, Noela

Hi,

I've been trying to identify and book one of these priceline express deals.  Please help me identify them. 

I am travelling to Arlington, VA for two days:  3/23 -  3/25.  -- Thanks - Noela

4 Star Hotel in Arlington, VA Area for $175/night
Guest Score:     8.0 out of 10 (or higher)
Guaranteed Amenities:     

•     Indoor Swimming Pool
•     Pets Allowed
•     Restaurant
•     Business Center
•     Fitness Center

3½ Star Hotel in Arlington, VA Area for $118/night
Guest Score: 7.0 out of 10 (or higher)
Guaranteed Amenities:     

• Indoor Swimming Pool
• Outdoor Swimming Pool
• Restaurant
• Business Center
• Fitness Center

Hello,

I have to be in Arlington, VA (near the Ballston Metro area) between March 23 - March 25.

I need a 1 room at 3.5* or 4* level, at a maximum budget of $100/per night.

For the past three days, I have been trying to get a 3.5* or 4* hotel, bidding from $70 to $110, exhausting all rebid zones but failed.

What am I doing wrong here?  Can you suggest any alternate bidding strategy?

Thanks - Noela

Thanks Yellowdog for your willingness. Yes, I know specifics would help - here are some:

Dates: April 12 - 19 (a day before Easter).

Budget: Maximum of $1000 for accommodation, which breaks it down to about $80 max per room.

Downtime etc: Sure, we will spend sometime at the hotel, maybe about 3 hours per day, and we would at least need a fridge and a microwave so we can heat / prepare some light meals.

Preferred Areas:

-- Yes, close to Downtown Disney area would be good since we will spend most of our time - about 3 days visiting Disney parks;

-- and we will have a car, so visiting other attractions like Universal Orlando too

cheers, Noela

Hello Fellows:

I plan to visit Disney with my family (5 in all: 2 adults, 2 teenagers and a 9 yr old) later in April.

We will stay for 1 week, and need two rooms, with a star rating of about 3* to 3.5*

We want to stay as close (approx 5 miles) to the Disney resorts as possible (maybe within 5 miles).

I know we have a choice of on-site versus off-site accommodations. We will be driving in, and would therefore have access to our own car.

Generally, what are some of the things to consider as far as accommodation is concerned? What should I realistically budget for a room / night?

I know some of the questions are rather general at this time, but hopefully, with some input, I can re-focus and come back with more questions.

cheers, Noela

Thanks very much for all your support too ....

Noela

You were right - it is the Hyatt Regency -- got it for $55 (a total of $135) for two rooms / night.

Thanks for the suggestion - and I used the PRICELINE links. Should I post the win,given it was not a bid but through Express?

rgds, Noela

Thereuare,

Thanks very much. I am planning to stay on Nov 26-27 (1 night). Looking for two rooms.

Star ratings: 3.5* ideal; but 3* acceptable.

Budget: $60-$65 / night /room (before fees & taxes).

Hope this helps.

thanks - Noela

Hello,

I am visiting the area American University, DC (4400 Massachusetts Ave NW, Washington, DC ‎).

I am trying to bid for two rooms.

I am not sure what area to select for bidding: is Bathesda (zone 4) the most appropriate, and given that American University seems close to Baltimore area, would it be better to bid in the Baltimore region, if it would save costs?

Thanks - Noela.

Hello Fellows:

Won this deal last night.

-- Started with $60 for a 3.5*, got rejected.

-- Increased bid to $70, accepted and upgraded to 4*

Of course, I used Betterbidding PRICELINE links...

Thanks again for a good site.

cheers, Noela

Hello Folks,

Once again, thanks for an useful site.

Started bidding $70 for 4* hotel in Arlington. Rejects and gradual increases to $85 got me The Westin Arlington Gateway Hotel.

And the icing on the cake is that my meeting is being held at the same hotel, at a blocked room mate of approx $200. So, a good savings for me.

Thanks again, and of course, I used our associated PRICELINE link.

Cheers, Noela

Hello, I have to be in Manhattan area (Columbia Univ) for Friday night (9/13).

we are a family of 5, so we need 2 rooms.

my price range is no more than $100 per night per room, 3* or 3.5* preferred, 4* would be an icing on the cake.

any recommendations for places or areas within 30 minutes of NYC ..we thought of Jersey City but will welcome other suggestions.

cheers, Noela

Thanks - Noela

Visiting Hershey Park with the family and needed two rooms to house the 6 of us.

Bid 3.5 from $50 to $70 no luck; reduced star level to 3.0.

Rebid from $55 to $60, and was offered a deal to increase my bid to $76, which I rejected.

Rebid from $65 to a winning bid of $68.

Only catch is the 20 - 25 minutes drive to the park - - probably not a bad deal.

Of course, I used the Betterbidding PRICELINE links.

cheers, Noela

Hello,

Tried this one yesterday, starting from $80 to $100, using all 8 rebid zones without success.

But then tried again this evening, starting at $81.00 and was successful.

Offer Price: $81.00

Rooms: 1

Nights: 1

Room Subtotal: $81.00

Taxes & Fees: $18.97

Total Charged to Card: $99.97

This looks like a steal around this time ----

Thanks for the board, and of course, I used the associated PRICELINE link.

Rgds, Noela

Thereuare: thanks very much - I think I am not willing to bid higher than $100. My event is about one block away from the Ballston Metro stop, so I can either stay in the downtown DC or any other 3* hotel in the Arlington area (I have to ensure it is close to either the Hyatt or Westin).

Thanks - Noela

Hello,

I need to be in Arlington, VA to attend a meeting: need to stay close to the National Science Foundation, hence Hyatt & Westin's should be okay.

I believe there are 8 rebid zones, so I tried bidding from $80 through $100, exhausting all the rebids without success. I need to try again tomorrow. Can you please suggest a bidding strategy to help me here.

Of course, I used the PRICELINE link here.

thanks - Noela.