Sota327

Booked this today around 3:00 p.m. CDT. I was bidding 4 * downtown, started at $40 and recieved immediate counteroffer at $53, declined, and started adding free rebid zones increasing each bid by $1 and finally won at $49. I was thinking I would get the Westin (I got that for $53 back in April) but this is good, too. And less expensive. Here are the details: The Hotel Minneapolis, Autograph Collection Downtown Minneapolis 215 4Th Street South, Minneapolis, MN 55401 Offer Price: avg. per room, per night $49.00 Rooms: 1 Nights: 1 + Add nights for the same rate! Room Subtotal: $49.00 Taxes & Fees: $14.83 Total Charged to Card: $63.83 Used PRICELINE link on this forum for all searches and bids.

Booked this the night of the stay around 5:00 p.m. Starting bidding Madison West area, 3.5 at $40, up to $46 using free rebids. At one point I got a counter at $57 and I concluded a win was probably around $50 and I had more rebids left, but decided to try for somethingg less expensive. bid 3.0 in West area, up to $46 with no luck. bid 2.5 in West area at $35, got counter at $42. There are no free rebids for 2.5 star, so I added the Southwest zone (this would have been fine) and bid $40 and got the win. Here are the details: Country Inn And Suites Madison West Madison West - Middleton 2212 Deming Way, Middleton, WI 53562 Offer Price: avg. per room, per night $40.00 Rooms: 1 Nights: 1 + Add nights for the same rate! Room Subtotal: $40.00 Taxes & Fees: $13.11 Total Charged to Card: $53.11 The free breakfast makes this a great deal! Used PRICELINE link on this forum for searches and bids.

Just following up to close out this thread. Our actual travel dates are 8/30-9/3. My back-up was the Embassy Suites La Jolla, which I originally booked for $189/ni for the first three nights; and possibly staying the last night at the Sheraton Hotel and Marina (travelzoo deal, was able to reserve a suite for $134/ni) because we have an early flight the next morning and its proximity to the airport (and free shuttle) were appealing. While the rates were highter than we usually spend for hotel rooms, this is kind of a special trip so I was prepared to splurge if I couldn't find a better alternative with Hotwire or Priceline. I should note, we need a room for 5 people, my husband and me, our two small children and our au pair. So the Embassy Suites (and the suite at the Sheraton for one night) works well for us because we get some privacy in the bedroom with the kids and the au pair can have her own sleeping space on the couch. Anyways, just yesterday (8/23, 7 days before our arrival), I was checking rates against (I've often been able to get the same reservation at a lower rate as the arrival date approaches) and discovered that the rate at the Embassy Suites La Jolla dropped from $189/ni to $159/ni (and even lower to $139 for the first nigth of our stay). So, I quickly changed the reservation to take advantage of the new rate (for all four nights) and I think this is where we will stay and I won't have to worry about whether or not we get a room that comfortably accomodates all of us (I wasn't too concerned about getting enough beds because I had resigned myself to use Hotwire (versus Priceline) for this trip and I had been searching for 2 adults and 2 kids, so I knew I would get bedding for 4 and then I would just get a crib for the baby, I was simply more concerned about comfort and space). Its nice at the end of a long sightseeing day to be able to put kids to bed in a bedroom with a closed door and still be able to enjoy the rest of the evening in a separate space, which the Embassy Suites provides. Plus, when you factor in the free breakfast and the 2-hour manager's reception, I can totally justify these rates. So, that is our plan. Used PRICELINE and HOTWIRE links for searches and bids. p.s. found a great service called san diego travel baby on the web and was able to rent a stroller and childs areo bed that they will deliver to/and pick up from the hotel. This is the first time I've done anything like this, so I'm really excited about having less stuff to haul to the airport and check, so I hope this goes well. Kids require ALOT of stuff!

Can you please help me identify this hotel on Hotiwre? $109 night for 8/30-9/2 (search for 2 adults and 2 kids) Amenities are as follows: Indoor pool(s) Smoke Free Rooms Fitness Center Pool(s) Restaurant(s) Business Center High-Speed Internet Access Accessible for the blind Accessible for the deaf Accessible path of travel In-room accessibility Accessible bathroom Handicapped parking Roll-in shower Recommended: In 85% of Hotwire customer reviews. 3.5/5.0 on Tripadvisor Looks like a match for the Sheraton Suites. If you think so too, is this the Sheraton Suites San Diego At Symphony Hall (it looks to have about 3.5/5.0 on Tripadvisor too) or some other Sheraton Suites? thanks for helping. I used HOTWIRE link on this forum for searches. Thans, again!

Just booked this for tonight (8/19/12). Stayed at Marriott Cleveland airport on Friday and that was pretty nice, but was $60 and more than I wanted to spend. I was hoping for something a little less expensive for tonight's stay so today I bid the airport south area. Started bidding 3.5* (hoping for Crowne Plaza, as reported and still showing at Priceline 3.5* in that area). Started at $40, worked way up adding free rebids, at $48 I got counteroffer from Priceline for $67, so I assumed a win was somewhere between $58-60. I kept adding free rebids up to $54 with no luck. At this point I have more 3.5* rebid zones, but was wondering if I could get something for less. So I researched reported 3* wins in the Airport South area and thought they looked good (Priceline guaranteed 8.0 rating and I thought I would get Courtyard or Holiday Inn (which boasts recently rennovated)). So, I started bidding 3* and got the Holiday Inn on my first bid of $40. I guess I could have started for less, but I am fairly confident I wouldn't have saved more than a couple of bucks. I'm very happy with this win. Here are the details. Holiday Inn Cleveland-Strongsville Cleveland Airport South (CLE) 15471 Royalton Rd, Strongsville, OH 44136 440-238-8800 Offer Price: avg. per room, per night $40.00 Rooms: 1 Nights: 1 + Add nights for the same rate! Room Subtotal: $40.00 Taxes & Fees: $13.69 Total Charged to Card: $53.69 Used PRICELINE link on this forum for all searces and bids.

Just reporting failed Priceline attempts. Was looking for one night (8/18/12) stay in Niagara Falls zone. I tried bidding yesterday and again today. I bid 4*, 3.5* and 3* levels in the Niagara Falls zone, starting at $75 for each star level and using various free rebid zones going up to $128 at the 4* and 3.5* level and $120 at the 3* level, with no luck. I had more rebid zones avialable, but after adding in taxes to those bid amounts, the total was approaching $160 and I knew all wins in that zone/star level would require us to pay for parking (usually about $20), so we were quickly approaching $180 total and that was way more than we wanted to spend for one night. So, I cashed in 4,000 starwoods points and booked the Four Points Sheraton in Niagara Falls, NY (the rate for the room w/o points was $245/ni). Its not right at the falls like I was hoping, but apparently has wonderful views of the river and is a short drive to the falls. We plan to go to the Canadian side, too. This hotel also has free internet and parking, so this ends up being a great value and a good time to cash in points. I guess this is the high season in Niagara Falls. p.s. At no time did I get any priceline counteroffers, so I have no idea what a winning bid would have been. I also bid up to $100 for a 3* on the NY side, with no luck. Used PRICELINE link on this forum for all searches and bids.

Booked this today, 8/16. I started at $35 bidding in the Airport Vacinity zone and went up to $50 using all free rebid zones. I then did the same for downtown zone, starting at $40 and up to $50 using all free rebid zones. I then did a session bidding 3* near the airport, starting at $35 and going up, when I hit $44, I got a counter at $58 (which probably means a win at $50), I used the last rebid at $46 and was declined (I didn't really want to pay more than $46 for a 3*). At this point I started bidding Airport Vacinity and Downtwon zones together, starting at $52, and then using the 3.5* free rebid zones again. At $52, I got a counter offer for $68. I declined and kept adding free rebid zones and won at $60. Here are the details: Cleveland Airport Marriott Cleveland Airport Vicinity (CLE) 4277 West 150Th Street, Cleveland, OH 44135 216-252-5333 Offer Price: avg. per room, per night $60.00 Rooms: 1 Nights: 1 + Add nights for the same rate! Room Subtotal: $60.00 Taxes & Fees: $17.20 Total Charged to Card: $77.20 Used PRICELINE link on this forum to search and bid.

Booked this tonight (8/9) around 9:00 EDT. Flights cancelled, needed one night stay. Bid 3.5* starting at $60 up to $95 using free rebid zones (there was a 3* on Hotwire for $106 so was trying to save off that rate), with no luck. Bid 3.0* at $70, got counteroffer from Pricline at $89, figured $80 would do the trick. Husband logged in and bid 3.0* at $80 and secured Crowne Plaza. Very pleased for this last minute emergency hotel need (very few options when an 8:50 p.m. flight cancels at 9:00 p.m. and 90% of all other flights out of EWR are cancelled, hotel options are going to be slim). Here are the details: Offer Price: avg. per room, per night $80.00 Rooms: 1 Nights: 1 + Add nights for the same rate! Room Subtotal: $80.00 Taxes & Fees: $20.04 Total Charged to Card: $100.04 Used PRICELINE and HOTWIRE links on forum to search and bid.

This was a very nice hotel, conveniently located across from the train station and 1.5 blocks to the "Old Town" area of St. Gallen. We were given what I gather was the "standard" room with the two twins beds together as is pretty common in Europe. The room didn't have A/C, just a fan, but thankfully it wasn't too hot during our stay. We were given passwords for unlimited free internet. And, we did get the free Swiss breakfast (even thought it wasn't identified as an amenity on the Hotwire amenity list) and the spread was pretty good. The in-room coffee was amazing! Some of the best we've ever had. Nice hotel and a great stay @ $126/ni. I would highly recommend.

Decided late on Thursday, August 2nd to head to Zurich that evening versus the next day. Logged on to Priceline around 7pm local time that evening to see if I could activate the "extend your stay" feature for the night of 8/2 (changing the check in to 8/2 as opposed to 8/3). Made the request and it was granted (was very happen given the time of day and the need for a room that night). So, we ended up staying 2 nights @ $95. Excellent value for this Marriott hotel. Only small snafu was that while the Priceline confirmation # was the same and it seemed as though priceline was confirming the one reservation for two nights, the hotel still had us down for two separate one night stays (with apparently pre-assigned and different room #s for each night). When the clerk said "for one night," we corrected him and he was quickly able to get us the same room # for both nights (because the night of the 3rd was reserved first, I think they had already assigned the room number, this probably soesn't happen when you extend your stay by changing your check-out date). This is an excellent property for this rate. We had a nice king size bed (not the traditional two singles put together as is pretty common in Europe). The view wasn't antying special, but we were in the room to sleep so the view didn't matter. We would defintely return!

Today (7/23), I finally secured the Zurich Marriott for $95 for the night of August 3rd (hopefully the forum moderator will change the title for this thread). Since receiving the first $109 counteroffer last week, I have subsequently bid $88, $90, $92 and tonight at $95, waiting 24+ hours between bids and each time receiving a counteroffer at either $108 or $109. Tonight I got it for $95, which is consistent with another reporated win for the night of August 4th. Here are the details: Zurich Marriott Hotel Central Neumuehlequai 42, Zurich, Switzerland 41-44-360-7070 Offer Price: avg. per room, per night US$95.00 Rooms: 1 Nights: 1 + Add nights for the same rate! Room Subtotal: US$95.00 Taxes & Fees: US$14.87 Total Charged to Card: US$109.87 Very happy with this win. This hotel has great reviews on Tripadvisor and my husband knows several airline crew type that have lots of experience in Zurich hotels and this is reportedly one of the best, according to them. Used PRICELINE link on this forum for all searches & bids.

Yes, you run the risk of getting the Doubletree. Do NOT bid higher trying to avoid the Doubletree. I stayed at the Doubletree Virginia Beach this last Friday night (I posted my $95/ni win on this forum, see here: Priceline Virginia Beach), and found it to be a very nice hotel, despite its lack of proximity to the beach. And, while I didn't use it, they offer a shuttle service to the beach all day, I believe the last return from the beach was around 10:00 p.m. We stayed on the beach Thursday night (Hampton Inn Virginia Beach Oceanfront - South, using HH ponints) and moved to the Doubletree late Friday afternoon, before the storms hit. Because we got rained out on Friday, having been on the beach wouldn't have made any difference for this trip, I was traveling with 2 small children and we would have been stuck in the hotel, regardless of the location! If you want to bid this area, even at any star level you run the risk of getting the Doubletree because PL can upgrade you to a 3*, even if you bid 2 or 2.5*. I think you have to be OK with the prospect of getting the Doubletree if you want to bid this area and I would bid accordingly, preparing for the worst (even though it isn't really so bad) and hoping for the best.

I'm ususally a Priceline girl, but this area cannot be bid on Priceline. So, I tried Hotwire and was able to determine that I could save a few bucks of the hotel's direct rate. I searched Snkt. Gallen, Switzerland and was given one result, a 4* "hot rate" hotel at $126 and a regular 4* hotel at $156, which was identified as the Best Western Hotel Walhalla. I was able to determine that there was another hotwire hotel in St. Gallen, the Radisson Blu, but Hotwire's vacation package showed it as a 4.5*, so I was fairly certain when I accepted the $126 hot rate that I would get the BW Hotel Walhalla and I did. Here are the posted amenities: Business Center, Laundry Facilities (self-service), High-Speed Internet Access & Free Internet. The hotel website also says it has a restaurant, brasserie and free breakfast (which I assume that we will also get, even though it wasn't identified as an amenity). Here are the pricing details: Rate per night:$126.00 Nights:2 Rooms:1 Tax recovery charges & fees:$36.45 Subtotal: $288.45 Trip total: $288.45 Rate on hotel's webiste was $160/ni, so I saved a little. I also have an Entertainment Book "rebate" that I can submit to get a credit on my credit card, I think that is $20 on any 2+ night stay. I'm very happy, given limited options and the ability to be fairly certain about the hotel I would win. Used HOTWIRE link on this forum to search & bid.

It's looking more like we will only get one night in Zuirch; Friday, August 3rd. So today I bid 5* Central Zurich @ $85 and received the following counteroffer: "We searched hundreds of options to find your hotel room, however we can't accept your offer of $85 per room, per night. Your credit card has not been charged for Request Number zzz-zzz-zzz-zz. If you are willing to raise your price by $23 to $108 per room, per night, you can try the same request again right now. " So, I'm guessing I could get the room for $95-100 and I'm trying to decide whether to accept the counteroffer of wait another day. I'm fairly certain this is the Marriott Zurich, and that hotel's website says that night is 245CHF. I think I'll wait the 24 hours and try to do better than the $108.

I don't think the part of taxes/fees is still valid as it appears that Priceline's NYOP feature now includes taxes and fees. If I bid $500 for ZHR to MSP, the total price is $500, including airline taxes & fees. I have however, observed that when inputing airport to airport the priceline fee is higher ($14.95) than if I input cities (Zurich to Eagan, Minnesota) and then chose the airports (ZRH and MSP) the fee is only $7.95. Can't figure out why that is.

Booked this today (7/13). St. Paul (Zone 11) was only desired win zone. 3.5* was only acceptable hotel rating as my husband didn't want the Kelly Inn (3.0*) as he needs the room for the bar exam which is at Roy Wilkins Auditorium, next to Xcel Center and he wanted to be able to walk. I was fairly cetain the Crowne Plaza would be the winning hotel as its the only reported 3.5* NYOP win and the only 3.5* hotel when searching regularly on priceline. I bid yesterday and the day before up to $55 with no luck. Today I decided I would go as high as $65 per night because at that rate for 2 nights its about the same price as one night booking outright and I didn't want to run the risk of waiting too long and avialability filling up. So, today I bid as follows: zone 11, bid $40 rejected zone 11 + zone 1, bid $42 rejected zone 11 + zone 1, + zone 3, bid $44 rejected zone 11 + zone 1, + zone 3, + zone 4, bid $45 rejected zone 11 + zone 1, + zone 3, + zone 4, + zone 5, bid $46 rejected zone 11 + zone 1, + zone 3, + zone 4, + zone 5, + zone 8, bid $48 rejected zone 11 + zone 1, + zone 3, + zone 4, + zone 5, + zone 8,+ zone 9, bid $50 rejected zone 11 + zone 1, + zone 3, + zone 4, + zone 5, + zone 8,+ zone 9, + zone 11, bid $51 rejected closed browser and restarted new sessions via PRICELINE link on this forum (to give myself more rebid combos): zone 11 + zone 12, bid $52, rejected zone 11 + zone 12, + zone 13, bid $53, rejected zone 11 + zone 12, + zone 13, + zone 15, bid $54, rejected zone 11 + zone 12, + zone 13, + zone 15, + zone 16, bid $55, rejected zone 11 + zone 12, + zone 13, + zone 15, + zone 16, + zone 18, bid $56, rejected zone 11 + zone 12, + zone 13, + zone 15, + zone 16, + zone 18, + zone 19, bid $57, rejected zone 11 + zone 12, + zone 13, + zone 15, + zone 16, + zone 18, + zone 19, + zone 1, bid $58, rejected zone 11 + zone 12, + zone 13, + zone 15, + zone 16, + zone 18, + zone 19, + zone 1, + zone 3, bid $59, rejected zone 11 + zone 12, + zone 13, + zone 15, + zone 16, + zone 18, + zone 19, + zone 1, + zone 3, + zone 4, bid $60, rejected zone 11 + zone 12, + zone 13, + zone 15, + zone 16, + zone 18, + zone 19, + zone 1, + zone 3, + zone 4, + zone 5, bid $61, rejected zone 11 + zone 12, + zone 13, + zone 15, + zone 16, + zone 18, + zone 19, + zone 1, + zone 3, + zone 4, + zone 5, + zone 8, bid $62, rejected zone 11 + zone 12, + zone 13, + zone 15, + zone 16, + zone 18, + zone 19, + zone 1, + zone 3, + zone 4, + zone 5, + zone 8, + zone 9, bid $63, ACCEPTED FWIW, my last rebid combo before exhausting combos today would have been: zone 11 + zone 12, + zone 13, + zone 15, + zone 16, + zone 18, + zone 19, + zone 1, + zone 3, + zone 4, + zone 5, + zone 8, + zone 9, + zone 11 bid $65 There are 13 straight rebid zones for 3.5* in this area. By closing the browser and restarting halfway through my session, I was able to add 8 extra rebid combos (21 total) over simply adding one rebid zone (total of 13) in one session. I know there are other methods by which I could have created more combos (by closing the browser more requetly and breaking it up into more sessions), but this was all I needed for today's max at $65, starting at $40. Here are the details: Crowne Plaza Riverfront St. Paul 11 East Kellogg Boulevard, Saint Paul, MN 55101 651-292-1900 Check-In: Mon, Jul 23, 2012 / After 03:00 PM Check-Out: Wed, Jul 25, 2012 / 12:00 PM Rooms: 1 room / 2 nights Offer Price: avg. per room, per night $63.00 Rooms: 1 Nights: 2 + Add nights for the same rate! Room Subtotal: $126.00 Taxes & Fees: $26.92 Total Charged to Card: $152.92 Used PRICELINE link on this forum for all bids and searches.

This is a great hotel. After I secured the win, I called the hotel to request to queens. I was told they would add the request to my reservation, but that they were -5 on 2Q rooms. We were able to check-in about 2 hours before check-in time, although not immediately when we arrived. That was fine by us because the receptionist said we could get 2 queens. So, we grabbed a coffee at the Starbucks at the hotel, made plans for the rest of the day and within 45 minutes the room was ready. The staff was very nice and the renovations to this hotel are great. We are very pleased with the win (although this is alot for an airport hotel, one of the highest prices I've ever paid for any airport hotel on priceline (and in the past we've usually been able to get 4* near ORD for around $60), but I assume there are factors at play that dictate the rate). And, because I know some people like to know bid strategy, I have to correct a typo above. On my last bidding session, I was bidding 3.5*, not 3*, so it should have read as follows: closed browser, restarted session for 3.5* Midway + zone 11 + zone 3, bid $84, rejected Midway + zone 11 + zone 3 + zone 1, bid $86, win. I hope this helps.

Forgot to mention that I used PRICELINE link on this forum for all searches and bids. Please do your part and report your winning bids!

Booked this at 9:30 a.m. today (6/7/12) for stay tonight. We were only looking to stay near Midway airport and were willing to accept 3.5, 3.0 2.5 or 2.0* hotels, but were nervous about getting the Clarion (a 3* and the former Four Points -- forum moderators, please update the Priceline Hotel list for Chicago Midway area as the Clarion has been reported on this forum, but is not yet on the list). So, my husband bid on his account last night up to $65 using all free zones avaialable per star level. At both 2.5 * and 3*,when bidding $60, wewe received counteroffers at $86. We declined both times and used last free rebid zones at $65 with no success, deciding to wait until this morning to see if more would become available at a lower price. $86 is where we ended up today, but at a much nicer hotel, I think. This morning I bid on my account at follows: 3.5 Star Midway, bid $40 rejected Midway + zone 1, bid $45 rejected Because price was the primary concern, versus star level, I closed the browser and restarted new sessions bidding the same as above at 3*, 2.5* and 2*, all rejected Back to 3.5 Star Midway + zone 6, bid $50 rejected Midway + zone 6 + zone 1, bid $55 rejected Again, because price was the primary concern, versus star level, I closed the browser and restarted new sessions bidding the same as above at 3*, 2.5* and 2*, all rejected Back to 3.5 Star Midway + zone 3, bid $60 rejected Midway + zone 3 + zone 1, bid $65 rejected Again, because price was the primary concern, versus star level, I closed the browser and restarted new sessions bidding the same as above at 3*, 2.5* (no free rebid in zone 3 for the 2*, so I'm no longer bidding 2* hotels), all rejected. Back to 3.5 Star Midway + zone 6 + zone 3, bid $70, received counteroffer at $96, I declined Midway + zone 6 + zone 3 + zone 1, bid $75 rejected Again, because price was the primary concern, versus star level, I closed the browser and restarted new sessions bidding the same as above at 3*, 2.5* (when bidding $70 for both 3 and 2.5*, I got counteroffer for $92, I declined and getting nervious it was the Clarion, I bid $77 in response to counter at 3*, rejected and started with $75 at 2.5 *, but all rejected and I opted to save my final free rebid as I would rather pay a little more for the reported 3.5* hotels than have gotten stuck with the Clarion) Back to 3.5 Star (as I know $96 is a win, I'm now only increasing by $2 per bid and I have 8 free rebid combinations left) Midway + zone 11 bid $80, received counteroffer at $96, I declined Midway + zone 11 + zone 1, bid $82, rejected closed browser, restarted session for 3.* Midway + zone 11 + zone 3, bid $84, rejected Midway + zone 11 + zone 3 + zone 1, bid $86, win. Here are the details: Chicago Marriott Midway Midway Airport Area (MDW) 6520 South Cicero Avenue, Chicago, IL 60638 708-594-5500 Offer Price: avg. per room, per night $86.00 Rooms: 1 Nights: 1 + Add nights for the same rate! Room Subtotal: $86.00 Taxes & Fees: $21.53 Total Charged to Card: $107.53 Rooms are apparently all recently renovated and tripadvisor reviews are good. Parking is $12, but I was prepared for that. Given the apparent high cost in this area for tonight, I'm happy with this win and glad to pay the $12 for parking to be closer to Midway (we plan to park and take the shuttle to airport and train into the city for the day/evening). I'm not sure why tonight is so expensive in this area, but it seems odd that some won the Palmer House Hilton for $84, but that the Marriott Midway was $86. Downtown wasn't really an option for us this trip as we were driving (going to Soccer game at Toyota Park tomorrow) and its at least $40 to park at most hotels downtown. In the end, I think we did the best we could. Price at Marriott's website for standard room was $179 before taxes/fees. So we definitely saved money!

Sure, August 1st is National Swiss Day, so I am prepared that rate could be more expensive. The good thing is that we are taking our Swiss au pair back home to visit her family and we have a place to stay. I'm just hoping that my husband I can get a hotel for the last 1-2 mights of our stay. I will follow up if we secure something.

I'm planning to be in Switzerland late July - early August and I'd like to spend 2 nights or so in Zurich (right now I'm contemplating 8/1-8/3, two nights, in Zurich). The Marriott (5* central Zurich zone, previously reported wins on this forum for around $100) for around $100/ni would be a good win in my book. But, it appears bidding in Zurich is really a one shot deal because there are only 2 zones and both have 5* properties. Is there any strategy that I might be missing? Or am I stuck just bidding daily around $100 until I can secure a win? Thanks in advance.

I'm not contemplating a date-specific stay at this time. Just gathering information as I am in NYC a couple of times/year and have stayed at this hotel in the past.

Can you post the amenitites, please? I'm assuming one of them was "suite." I don't use hotwire too often, but if I felt pretty confident that I could get this hotel I would defintely try. Yes you did an awesome job. I stay at this hotel often for business and always pay at least $400/ni. You will totally enjoy the accomodations & the location!

booked this today (6/14/12). I'm not really very happy with this win but it is my own mistake. I thought I had confirmed that all reported wins in this area were much closer to the beach (at least a couple weeks ago when I started bidding and I know I could still get something not previously reported, but to get a reported win and not have realized it was this far away from the beach makes me mad at myself -- the point is to be educated and I didn't fully educate myself with all of the great information on this forum). I couldn't find anything "oceanfront" for less than $225 (the oceanfront inn was my back up @ $199/ni, $225 out the door). I was bidding much lower but today decided I would try up to $100. I bid as follows: Virginia Beach Area, bid $60 rejected Virginia Beach Area + zone 1, bid $65 rejected closed browser, restarted with Virginia Beach Area + zone 2, bid $70 rejected Virginia Beach Area + zone 2 + zone 1, bid $75 rejected closed browser, restarted with Virginia Beach Area + zone 9, bid $80 rejected Virginia Beach Area + zone 9 + zone 1, bid $85 rejected closed browser, restarted with Virginia Beach Area + zone 9 + zone 1, bid $90 - got priceline counter offer @ $109 (thought this was awesome thinking all were "oceanfront" or across the street, but alas my error, it should have caused me to look at the reported wins again, but in any event I declined an opted to used my last free rebid) Virginia Beach Area + zone 9 + zone 1 + zone 2, bid $95, accepted. Don't get me wrong, I love a Doubletree Hotel, I was just really hoping for something on the ocean for this one day/night stay with two little kids. This hotel is only 8 blocks from the beach and it does have a complimentary shuttle. If it was only my husband and me, it would be just perfect and would could spend the day the beach enjoying adult beverages with a free (& sober) ride back to our hotel room. But, for this particular stay, I was really hoping to have everything close by (in the hotel room on the beach) so that I didn't have to haul all the stuff you take when you travel with kids, "just in case." I guess if I had ot make a "mistake" I could have found myself much worse off. Here are the details: Doubletree Hotel Virginia Beach Virginia Beach Area 1900 Pavilion Drive Virginia Beach, VA 23451 Offer Price: avg. per room, per night $95.00 Rooms: 1 Nights: 1 + Add nights for the same rate! Room Subtotal: $95.00 Taxes & Fees: $22.42 Total Charged to Card: $117.42 Used PRICELINE link on this forum for all searches and bids. I'm farily certain I "overpaid" in terms of a Priceline win for this hotel. The "best avaialable rate" online was $179/ni, so I didn't even saye 50%. Keep bidding & keep reporting, it helps us all.

I've used Priceline "name-your-own-price" for one-way rentals several times in the last year and the bid price (plus stated taxes and fees) is all that I have ever had to pay. To be more clear, I have NEVERR been charged an additional "one-way drop off fee" over and above what I prepaid with Priceline. Oneway rental car bookings are relatively new to Priceline and are not always available. I recently tried to book a one-way car rental with pick-up at LAX and drop-off as Las Vegas (LAS) and Priceline said: "Name Your Own Price is not available for the itinerary you requested. The best available rates are shown below." So it seems to me that the one-way rentals still have some limitations. In Florida, I have always been able to book one-way rentals between all the cities we have ever travelled using Priceline, e.g., I've booked RSW-TPA, I've booked RSW-MCO and I've booked MIA-FLL. And, I've always been able to use it in the NYC area, often picking up at one airport but dropping off at another (e.g., EWR - HPN; or LGA - EWR). So, it is definitely worth it to try "name-your-own-price" for your oneway rental.