MickMick Posted February 21, 2005 Report Share Posted February 21, 2005 Hi all! I have been lurking for MONTHS. But this is my first post (be kind to me :) ). I am trying to get a five star hotel (preferably the Venetian) the weekends of April 22 - 25 OR April 29 - 5/2. I will accept either weekend provided that the price is right. My boyfriend thinks that I can't do it for my budget of $175 per night.I am not sure how to "work" the free rebids. Can someone please help me with this? I have NEVER done this before and understand the concept (opening/closing the browser and searching for zones with no five stars). But I am TOTALLY petrified that it something will go horribly wrong :) .The current prices for the weekend of the 4/22 are: FRI SAT SUNExpedia NOT AVAILABLE???Travelocity $400.01/$220.01/$169.42 AVG- $263.15 Venetian.com $399.00/$219.00/$149.00 AVG- $255.66The current prices for the weekend of the 4/29 are:Expedia NOT AVAILABLE????Travelocity $300.01/$349.42/$169.42 AVG- $272.95Venetian.com $299.00/$349.00/$149.00 AVG- $265.66Another question...Does anyone have any information on the Hard Rock Hotel? Is it impossible to get a room there???? Every weekend is not accepting any bids.Thanks in advance!Micki Link to comment
thereuare Posted February 21, 2005 Report Share Posted February 21, 2005 Welcome to BetterBidding!With those prices this is going to be difficult for the Fri/Sat nites, but should be do-able for the Sunday nite of your stay. Are you willing to SPLIT YOUR BID? Please use this HOTWIRE and these PRICELINE LINKS: HOTELS, CAR RENTALS, and AIRFARE to begin your travel purchases Link to comment
MickMick Posted February 22, 2005 Author Report Share Posted February 22, 2005 I had to figure out what "splitting the bid" is. lol There is so much to learn.I would be interested in doing in splitting the bid. I think that I could get the Sunday night for $99. I will need to rework the budget and figure out my zones. I am going to start rebidding this afternoon. I will be back later to share the results. :) Link to comment
dahammer Posted February 22, 2005 Report Share Posted February 22, 2005 I have not stayed at the Hard Rock, but this property is off the strip and not convenient for walking, you will need a car or a cab to get anywhere. Link to comment
thereuare Posted February 22, 2005 Report Share Posted February 22, 2005 If you are having trouble with re-bidding, feel free to confirm your re-bid zones with the board.If you're totally lost on the concept (it doesn't sound as if you are), there are instructions near the bottom of PRICELINE 72 HOURS RULE:If you have made it to this point in the thread and still don't understand re-bidding, add a post/reply in the appropriate state/country category you are bidding and list every sub-zone in the region you're bidding along with the highest rated hotel offered in that zone. You can figure out the highest star rating in each zone as follows:The way to check what star levels are available in each zone is to open a Priceline page, check ONLY the zone you are inquiring about, and then proceed to the next page (as if you were going to select a zone)... this will give you the available star ratings in that area. You can then hit BACK on your browser, uncheck the current box, check the next box, and repeat the process. It is important to do this before EACH attempt at adding a zone that you really don't want, as new hotels can be added and the star ratings can change at any time. Please use this HOTWIRE and these PRICELINE LINKS: HOTELS, CAR RENTALS, and AIRFARE to begin your travel purchases Link to comment
MickMick Posted February 22, 2005 Author Report Share Posted February 22, 2005 Can anyone recommend a bidding strategy? I would like to spend no more than $550 for the three nights (not including taxes).Thanks in advance! Link to comment
thereuare Posted February 22, 2005 Report Share Posted February 22, 2005 Are you 'ok' on the re-bids? How many re-bid zones do you have at the 5* level? Please use this HOTWIRE and these PRICELINE LINKS: HOTELS, CAR RENTALS, and AIRFARE to begin your travel purchases Link to comment
MickMick Posted February 22, 2005 Author Report Share Posted February 22, 2005 I have made two bids for 4/22 - 4/25.Bid #1 - Las Vegas Strip - 99Bid #2 - Las Vegas Strip, UNLV - 105I have four more bids remaining. I have read that you shouldn't bid in the resort zones. So, I didn't do Henderson or Northwest.I have not started bidding for the weekend of the 4/29 - 5/2. Link to comment
thereuare Posted February 22, 2005 Report Share Posted February 22, 2005 Since you arewilling to accept changing hotels by splitting tour bid, i would recommend bidding for just the last nite first, which undoubtably has a lower rate than the other two nites. This prevents you from overpaying for the last nite (vs. if you combined it with the other 2 nites) and also gives you a 'locked-in' rate for the first nite so that you can increase you maximum bid for the other two nites (and keep you total below your maximum).If a win is possible for the complete stay it should be available individually as well; if not available for a complete stay, at least you get one nite at the Venetian taken care of.This is how i would bid (for the sole nite of the 24th or the 1st):Select 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 $102, if rejected add re-bid zone and...Bid $105.If the above fails for the first Sunday nite you try, then try for the other Sunday nite.Any questions feel 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 Link to comment
MickMick Posted February 23, 2005 Author Report Share Posted February 23, 2005 I was unsuccessful at winning for either hotel.I made reservations at the Aladdin through Westin.com . There is currently a promotion where the rooms are $159 per night. I guaranteed with my credit card, but I can cancel before 4/27 with no penalty. My boyfriend thinks this is a good rate. I feel that I can find better. I will keep you all updated. Link to comment
thereuare Posted February 23, 2005 Report Share Posted February 23, 2005 Did you bid any of the nites individually or only as 'complete' weekends? Please use this HOTWIRE and these PRICELINE LINKS: HOTELS, CAR RENTALS, and AIRFARE to begin your travel purchases Link to comment
MickMick Posted February 23, 2005 Author Report Share Posted February 23, 2005 I did Sunday night separately from Friday and Saturday. Tonight I will try to do every night separately. :) Link to comment
char540 Posted February 23, 2005 Report Share Posted February 23, 2005 The Mirage's website is show deluxe rooms for $186 per night for April 22-25 dates.Their site is www.mirage.comDo not activate the specials though. This only brings up suites at a hefty price.Hope this might help.Char :) Link to comment
thereuare Posted February 24, 2005 Report Share Posted February 24, 2005 Although i'm a fan of the Mirage... it's no deal at $186/nite.If looking to save money the Imperial Palace at $79/nite is a great value.If wanting to spend more the Monte Carlo at $169 is cheaper, newer, and more centrally located than the Mirage.Regardless, unless rates do change, i'm fairly confident you will be successful at the Venetian for either Sunday nite of your stay as your check-in date draws nearer. Don't bid the Saturday nite of your stay individually without winning another nite first (you dont' want to be locked in to just the middle nite of a 3 nite stay). Please use this HOTWIRE and these PRICELINE LINKS: HOTELS, CAR RENTALS, and AIRFARE to begin your travel purchases Link to comment
MickMick Posted March 6, 2005 Author Report Share Posted March 6, 2005 I booked the Aladdin through Westin.com (4/28 - 5/1). The going rate on Aladdin.com is $239/nite or 199 on hotwire.com . I got a refundable rate of $159 for 4/28 and $169 per night for the remaining days. It is fully refundable if I decide to bid (which I will probably do). If you are a Starwoods rewards member, you could probably use your points for this hotel. :)Another good thing...You can always 'double the difference' with Hotwire. Good luck!Micki Link to comment
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