Tripped Out

Looking for some guidance on what my next strategy should be... I tried all the 4-star zones starting from $105 and increased it to $120. Saw some other lucky bidders out there get deals at this rate but no luck. I then added 3.5 star and dropped my bid down to $80 thinking I'll hit the Club Quarters Wall Street. Nothing. I then added the other four zones with hotels below 3.5 increasing my bid by $5 increments all the way to $100 and still nothing. I struck out today. What should be my plan of action tomorrow? Any help would be greatly appreciated. Thanks!

Holiday Inn Forum - Kensington 10/2-10/6 135/night Mayfair - 5 star for 135 - Failed Chelsea - 5 star for 135 - Failed Westminister - 5 star for 135 - Failed Bloomsbury - 4 star for 110 - Failed Regents Park - 4 star for 115 - Failed Kensington - 4 star for 120 - Failed Notting Hill - 4 star for 125 - Failed Wembley - 135 Accepted. Not thrilled about the hotel. Have seen tepid reviews on TA and other forum. But beggars cant be choosers right? Anyways thanks to all for the help! Much appreciated.

Given my time constraint I'd say max is $150 but I really think I could get a bid in the $120 range. Do you suggest I start with Kensington and Regents Park this time at $110 and then add the other zones that I bid on previously in increments of $5? This would take me up to $140.

Thanks Patrick. Looks like my bid will have to jump to around 120. On the Priceline Calendar on the site it shows bids in those zones (including Westminister) going from 95-110. I guess either the hotels are sold out or price has gone up. Unfortunate for us.

Hello Fellow Better-Bidders, Thanks to everyone's input on this board, I've tried (but failed) to bid on a 4-Star in London for 10/2-10/6. Failed because of my low bids. I've seen some bookings go in the $80-$100 range for 4-Stars primarily in Kensington and Regents Park and I was trying to get a similar deal. Here was my strategy. Westminister 100 added Bloomsbury 105 added Mayfair 110 added Chelsea 115 added Notting Hill 115 added Regents Park 95 added Kensington 100 added Wembley 105 all re-bids failed. So I'm out for the next 24 hours. What do you all suggest my strategy be tomorrow? My dates are quickly approaching so I don't think I can afford not getting a successful bid tomorrow. Please advise! Thanks!!

AprilMay.... We're you ever given the reply..."Well, an upgrade is $$$ dollars?" or...were they like "Sure, no problem!"

Asking for an upgrade is different from handing over 20$ for great service. I hope its industry standard that when a customer tips an attendant they upgrade the room. And the only reason I said..."I was hoping for a complimentary upgrade" was because I read LuvEurope's post...see below. "Thought I would add my 2 cents here on how to get a better room, 1-make sure you get a Hilton Honors card (apply online if you have time before you go) Let the check in person see that you have one, you wont get any miles, but it makes you seem like a Hilton regular. I dont know how many days you will be staying but I learned from Travelguy on this board about the $20.00 check in trick. Last month while in FL I asked for an upgrade to a suite/better room. I had a $20 on top on my check- in credit card. When the front desk person told me that the suite/room would be another $65 per night, I said nicely that I was hoping for a "complementary" upgrade and sort of looked at the $20. She whispered that she would she want she could do, and lo and behold upgraded me for all 3 nights. I thanked her for all her effort and quietly gave her the $20. Well spent $20 in my view. I never would have done this before and I have been traveling for many years. I told my friend who worked at the Ritz Cartlon front desk a long time ago about this and she laughed and said thats how they made all their money and were thrilled when people wanted to tip them. Have a great time in "the City"

So you fork over 20 and hope that they dont pocket your money and send you on your way with a big smile? Would you use the 20 dollar trick if a hotel is sold out?

I've seen this posted in a message of a previous poster. When checking in to a hotel you politely ask for a room upgrade and when they quote you some ridiculous price you coyly say "Oh I thought it was complimentary" while suggestively looking at the 20 in your hand with a hotels reward card underneath. The poster said he got the room upgrade. Has anyone tried this and did it work for you, or did you end up looking like a fool? Does it work for hotels without rewards cards?

I got the Courtyard though PL for $70 a night....5/25-5/29. Don't remember my bidding stategy but if you sift through the topics you'll find it.

1st bid.....4* FQ @ $70 - REJECTED 2nd bid....4* FQ & CBD @ $75 - REJECTED 3rd bid.....4* FQ & CBD & West Bank @ $80 - ACCEPTED I'm happy with this price...Same dates/hotel was going for $89 on HW & $200 on the hotels website. Swag got the same hotel for 73 but with longer dates, makes sense.

Priate Is there some sort of trick you used to get the Westin? All the four stars are in the downtown area, and it'd seem logical that Priceline would give you the Hyatt or Renaissance whose rates are considerably cheaper than the Westin.

Tnguye3...Thanks alot for your input...greatly appreciated. I ended up bidding for 85$ and got the 3* Sea Lodge in La Jolla. I also bid on a car rental for 25$ a day (a good deal IMO b/c I'm under 25). So...that wont be a problem either. Anyways...thanks!

Im staying there from 5/22-5/25. I checked on some convention and there a huge convention (approx 15,000 people) that same weekend. I think that's why the prices are so high right now. Can anyone tell me where to start bidding? I'd like to stay as close to downtown as possible bc we wont be renting a car and want to be close to the airport. And also I'd want to stay in a 3 star or higher. Thanks

From HOTWIRE: Sea World/MissionBay/Shelter Is, 3* $58 5/22-5/25 Amenities are restaurant, pool, fitness center, business, and laundry. Any help would be appreciated. Thanks

Checked on Hotwire and some other sites and most four stars are 90+. Started bidding in downtown on a 4* at 70 got rejected. Added Coronado and moved it to 75...got rejected. Added Ponto-Loma - Shelter Island - Old Town still on a 4* to 80...got rejected. Then dropped down...added 3 star at 70 and still rejected. What am I doing wrong?

I tried and tried to get a 4* in the same range. I wanted to avoid USW, because I thought I'd get stuck with the Hilton and I read some horror stories on this board and Trip Advisor about it. So the history... Day Before I started bid around 60 for a four star and went up to 75 but no dice. I then added Fishermans Wharf and dropped my price to 60 but still nothing. Today.... Changed the days of my trip started bidding at 70 for a 4* in USE...no offer. Added Civic Center and raised to 75....no offer. So then went 70 with a three star and came out with this. I'm happy but it feels I could of done better. I don't know how though bc I read all the info on this board. I think dates have played a factor bc this is right around the time of Carnival. I dont know...you guys think I came out ok? On Marriott's website, rooms were going for 198. Also...I never got free rebids...anyone know why?

The only other information Hotwire gives you is that the hotel has a restaurant. The hotel is a 'BEST VALUE' for $66 a night from 5/22-5/25. Sounds too good to be true and with Hotwire's inflated star rating I need some help from you guys...Any thoughts on which hotel??? :)

Starting off I am so lucky to come across this board before placing any bids...Im sure it'll save me $400+ on my trip. One question I had was the 'Guaranteed Late Night Arrival' that PL offers on check-in time. Does that mean that I might only be able to check in late at night or does that mean at worst, I will be given late night arrival? When you guys have booked hotels, what is your ususal check-in time?