warzbiz Posted February 19, 2005 Report Posted February 19, 2005 I am, in every sense, a BetterBidding Newbie and would really appreciate some help with bidding strategy.I am meeting 3 (possibly 4) friends in Las Vegas. We are planning to arrive Friday 3/25/05 and leave Monday 3/28/05.As a backup, I have booked 2 rooms at the Luxor (through their Web site) at the following rates: 3/25=$159 3/26=$1693/27=$79Avg. Rate = $136 per night. They are fully refundable if cancelled 48 hrs. prior to check-in.I have read lots of BetterBidding posts and have learned a lot but would really appreciate some help with a specific strategy. I'd love to get a great deal at the 5* Venetian. We're looking at a budget of around $140 average, per room, per night.I've read about "Splitting Your Bid" to avoid overpaying when the rate goes down during your stay (as ours will for Sunday night) and a mid-stay move wouldn't be a problem.Hotwire shows what I believe to be the Venetian (5*, Customer Favorite! with High-Speed Internet Access) at $211 for each of the 3 nights.The Venetian's Web site shows the following rates for the Venezia Bella 2-Queen Suite for our nights:3/25=$299 3/26=$2193/27=$149Avg. Rate = $222 per night.When and how should I bid? Should I bid for each day separately?Sorry this message is so long and thanks in advance for your advice. This forum is so helpful!
thereuare Posted February 20, 2005 Report Posted February 20, 2005 I'm currently showing $219/nite for each of these nites.I'm doubtful that you can currently win a complete stay, but assuming you have some extra time on your hands, i would try for the complete stay before breaking it up (as sometimes you'll get lucky).You have 8 re-bid zones when bidding 5* in Vegas, if you're not familiar with re-bidding please read PRICELINE RE-BIDDING EXPLAINED and ask any questions that you may have and/or confirm your re-bid zones with the board. You have 8 re-bid zones when bidding 5*, although some people just aren't comfortable using zones with Resorts (for fear that the rules may eventually change) and they'll be upgraded from a 5* to a Resort. I've included the resort zones in your re-bid strategy, but if you're not comfortable doing so just let us know and we'll revise accordingly.3/25-3/28Select 5* Strip...Bid $100, if rejected add re-bid zone and...Bid $105, if rejected add re-bid zone and...Bid $110, if rejected add re-bid zone and...Bid $115, if rejected add re-bid zone and...Bid $120, if rejected add re-bid zone and...Bid $125, if rejected add re-bid zone and...Bid $130, if rejected add re-bid zone and...Bid $135, if rejected add re-bid zone and...Bid $140.If rejected close your browser and re-access priceline however you did previously.3/26-3/28Select 5* Strip...Bid $100, if rejected add re-bid zone and...Bid $105, if rejected add re-bid zone and...Bid $110, if rejected add re-bid zone and...Bid $115, if rejected add re-bid zone and...Bid $120, if rejected add re-bid zone and...Bid $125, if rejected add re-bid zone and...Bid $130, if rejected add re-bid zone and...Bid $135, if rejected add re-bid zone and...Bid $140.If rejected close your browser and re-access priceline however you did previously.3/27-3/28Select 5* Strip...Bid $80, if rejected add re-bid zone and....Bid $85, if rejected add re-bid zone and....Bid $90, if rejected add re-bid zone and....Bid $95, if rejected add re-bid zone and....Bid $99, if rejected add re-bid zone and....Bid $105.(i think you'll be successful with the above for the lone nite of 3/27, but if not, i'd stop at $105)Any questions free free to ask.Good Luck and let us know how it goes. Please use this HOTWIRE and these PRICELINE LINKS: HOTELS, CAR RENTALS, and AIRFARE to begin your travel purchases
warzbiz Posted February 20, 2005 Author Report Posted February 20, 2005 Thanks for the advice and for replying so quickly. I've got a couple follow-up questions:You mentioned that it's unlikely I'd currently win the complete stay. Is it too soon to start bidding on the complete stay? Would I be better off waiting until it's closer to our travel date?In an effort to avoid breaking-up the stay, should I follow the bid progression for the complete stay, then wait 72 hours and try the same progression again (before bidding on a partial stay)?With regard to including the two Las Vegas "resort-zones" in the re-bidding process. Have people reported winning a resort when bidding for 5* on PL? How big a risk do you think it is? (I'd sure hate to end up so far from the strip.)Thanks again.
thereuare Posted February 21, 2005 Report Posted February 21, 2005 Current rates are more of a problem for you at this point than the amount of time before your stay.The rate changes over your stay also will likley prevent you from getting the "best price" if you bid this all together, so there is another advantage to splitting the bid.Given the ease of targetting the V, i wouldn't be too concerned about splitting the bid and i would have no problem 'piece-mealing' this reservation together by whatever means possible.I don't know of anyone that has ever received a Resort hotel on their 5* bid, but i think in the past there was a question on the board about the hierarchy levels (since Priceline lists the Resort class in their list under the 1* properties). I received an email from Priceline as discussed in this PRICELINE POST which discusses their rating system and its heirarchy, but as rules and systems are always subject to change, some still choose not to bid the resort class levels, as they dont' want to be the first to report a change in the system.If you don't want to choose the resort properties, i would bid as follows for the dates that include the weekend:Select 5* Strip...Bid $100, if rejected add re-bid zone and...Bid $110, if rejected add re-bid zone and...Bid $120, if rejected add re-bid zone and...Bid $125, if rejected add re-bid zone and...Bid $130, if rejected add re-bid zone and...Bid $135, if rejected add re-bid zone and...Bid $140. Please use this HOTWIRE and these PRICELINE LINKS: HOTELS, CAR RENTALS, and AIRFARE to begin your travel purchases
warzbiz Posted February 21, 2005 Author Report Posted February 21, 2005 As you suggested, I used SavingsBarn's link to PRICELINE and took a shot at the complete stay but struck out.I followed the bidding progression that didn't include resorts (I'd risk it if it was just me but not when spending other people's money too). Here's how it went:I selected 5* Strip for Check-in on Friday 3/25 and Check-out on Monday 3/28:Bid $100, was rejected and received a counter-offer of $190 which I turned down. I added a re-bid zone and...Bid $110, rejected -- added a re-bid zoneBid $120, rejected -- added a re-bid zoneBid $125, rejected -- added a re-bid zoneBid $130, rejected -- added a re-bid zoneBid $135, rejected -- added a re-bid zoneBid $140, rejected.Do you think it's worth waiting 72 hrs. to try again or would you bid each night separately?This is exciting! I'm gambling and I haven't even gotten to Vegas yet :)
thereuare Posted February 21, 2005 Report Posted February 21, 2005 I would proceed with the dates presented above... i really don't think there is a current chance of success until bidding for the sole last nite on it's own.Given that this stay will most likely be needed to be split in order to get the best rates possible, i would have no problem splitting the bid (using the dates presented above)... the only nite i would bid individually at this point is the nite of the 27th (but bidding the nites of the 25th and 26th together is fine as well... basically as presented above).Thanks for having used the SavingsBarn.com for your bids. :) Please use this HOTWIRE and these PRICELINE LINKS: HOTELS, CAR RENTALS, and AIRFARE to begin your travel purchases
warzbiz Posted March 6, 2005 Author Report Posted March 6, 2005 Here are a couple updates which you can retitle/relocate as needed.On 2/21/05 I bid on 2 rooms, 5* strip, for Sunday night 3/27. Followed your suggested progression above using free rebids: 80, 85, 90, 95, 99.I won the Venetian for $99 + 14.60 taxes & fees (total of $113.60 per room).Today, I bid on 2 rooms, 5* strip, for Saturday night 3/26.Venetian.com Rate = $239Hotwire.com Rate = $234I bid $110 and was rejected. Received counter offer of $215.Used free rebids in $10 intervals. My final bid of $170 was rejected.Not willing to go over $170 since that's what my back up at Luxor is costing us. I'll wait 72 hrs. and try again.
thereuare Posted March 6, 2005 Report Posted March 6, 2005 Glad to hear of your partial success... please start a new thread for updated on the balance of your stay.Thanks. Please use this HOTWIRE and these PRICELINE LINKS: HOTELS, CAR RENTALS, and AIRFARE to begin your travel purchases
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