Priceline Hotel: 3.5* San Francisco (SFO Airport-Burlingame) Embassy Suites

[Vikki_G]

I've used Hotwire a couple of times before but never Priceline - thinking of giving it a go in September as we're looking for a one night stay near the airport in San Francisco before driving out of the city the following day, so we're not that fussed on the exact hotel, location etc. I'm struggling to work out where to start though so would appreciate some help!

Details of the stay are as follows -

Dates: 09/17/10 to 09/18/10

Preferred Priceline area: SFO International Airport - Burlingame

Preferred Star Rating: Ideally 4* but would consider 3.5*

In terms of budget, I've been having a look around and it seems like the Hyatt & Hilton are the most common 4* Priceline hotels in the area - the Hilton can be booked via their own website for $99 advance purchase rate, the Hyatt for $149. The Doubletree, which appears to be the most common 3.5*, can be had for $79 booked directly. I've checked on Hotwire & could get a 4* that night for $89 (most likely the Westin Milbrae or the Embassy Suites) or a 3.5* (likely the Crowne Plaza) for $74, so using Priceline I'd like to think we could get something in the region of $60-$65 but would go to $70 maximum for a 4*.

I was thinking of starting with a bid in the low $50s and seeing what happened. Still trying to get my head around the re-bidding thing properly, but assuming we started off looking only for a 4* would I be correct in thinking that Civic Centre, Fishermans Wharf, Marina, SFO North or South San Francisco could all be used as free re-bid areas as they don't have any 4* properties when I select them on Priceline?

Any help with this would be most gratefully received!

Thanks, Vikki

[Colfax]

would I be correct in thinking that Civic Centre, Fishermans Wharf, Marina, SFO North or South San Francisco could all be used as free re-bid areas as they don't have any 4* properties when I select them on Priceline?

You've got your five rebid zones right, Vikki_G. If you bid for 3.5* later eliminate Fisherman's Wharf from the list (because FW zone has 3.5* hotels.)

PRICELINE usually beats HOTWIRE on price. If Hotwire's 4* is $89 it's possible you can get a Priceline 4* for $70 or less.

I suggest $55 for a 4*. Then add your rebids, one at time, upping $3 with each to your $70 limit.

Please use this PRICELINE link and let us know how it goes. Good luck!

[Vikki_G]

Thanks Colfax.

I didn't know it was relevant so didn't mention earlier, but I'm in the UK - can I still use PRICELINE.com? I gave it a go and it wasn't happy with me using a UK billing address so I couldn't get all the way through the booking. I just used the regular HOTWIRE.com site so hadn't even thought that this would be an issue.

[Vikki_G]

Ok, I got a bit over eager to get started so have had a go but with no luck so far in getting a 4*:

SFO International Airport - Burlingame - Start bid

[AaronJB]

Please take a look at this priceline non-US thread regarding non-US bidders using US PRICELINE.

Thank you for using the site's HOTWIRE or PRICELINE links to start your purchases and searches.

[katharry]

I just used my friend's address (with her permission) in the US (I'm in NZ) and it worked for me. Hopefully you know someone in the US?

Good luck

[Vikki_G]

Thanks for the link Aaron - I wondered whether there had been any discussion of the issue before but couldn't find anything myself.

Katharry I don't know anyone who lives in the US so it seems I will have to ajjust the format of my address to fit into the fields on PRICELINE.com.

[AaronJB]

Happy to help! :)

Please let us know what you decide and if you have any questions.

Thank you for using the site's HOTWIRE or PRICELINE links to start your purchases and searches.

[Vikki_G]

We decided for a one night stay to go down to a 3.5* rather than go to the top of our budget for a 4*, and managed to win the Embassy Suites in Burlingame for

[AaronJB]

Congratulations on your success.

I think this is a terrific deal, with the ES offering both free breakfast and evening reception! Glad you are pleased with the result on your first PRICELINE purchase! :)

Thank you for sharing your result with the board and please use the site's HOTWIRE or PRICELINE links to start your purchases and searches.

Enjoy your stay.