Priceline Hotel: Bidding assistance San Francisco Sept. 9-14

[Skrekel]

Hello,

I am looking for a hotel in San Francisco for five nights, starting 9 September. I studied a couple of pages, but I do not know what to do. I prefer to stay in the area of Fisherman's wharf, of the financial district. I allready bid two times at priceline, $ 55 and $ 62. I looked at the winning bids, and saw that someone had Tuscan inn for $ 65.

What should I do? keep on bidding, of wait for a while?

Could you please help me with my strategy?

best regards,

Sacha

[Gallus50]

Please read FAQ's - they will help a lot. Learn about re-bids (Priceline Re-Bidding Explained) and then prioritize what your goals are. Saving more money or spending a bit more to get what you want. Also look at HOTWIRE or rack rates to see if prices are particularly high during that time.

[Colfax]

Welcome to the board, Skrekel.

I'll second Gallus50's suggestion about reading the FAQs and asking questions.

When you bid up to $62 in Fisherman's Wharf and Financial District-Embarcadero was that for 4*? 3.5*? 3*?

Rates are date sensitive, so you may or may not be able to get the same price somebody else won for different dates than yours.

Please use these HOTWIRE and PRICELINE links for your puchases.

[Skrekel]

The bid of $62 was for a 3*. Furthermore, yesterday I tried several bids, also in USE and Fisherman's Wharf for $80 and $85 (I thought to make sure it was a winning bid), but even that amount was not accepted. If I bid any higher, I think I can as well book a hotel on a 'normal'website. Do you have any suggestions? Thanks

[Colfax]

If I bid any higher, I think I can as well book a hotel on a 'normal'website.

What are some rates you're finding on 'normal' websites for hotels in Financial-Embarcadero and Fisherman's Wharf?

Based on those rates someone can suggest if you're bidding too early or too low.

[Skrekel]

I found the Comfort Inn Fisherman's Wharf for $110-$115 incl. taxes. In the Financial-Embarcadero, the prices where around $ 120, but then you could chose bedtype etc.

In addition to this, and reading this (really great!) forum, I think it should be possible to stay in a 3.5*-4* for around $70-$90...Within 3 hours, I can rebid again :)

[thereuare]

I found the Comfort Inn Fisherman's Wharf for $110-$115 incl. taxes. In the Financial-Embarcadero, the prices where around $ 120, but then you could chose bedtype etc.

Are you referring to the Comfort Inn by the Bay as this property is only 2* rated by PRICELINE (click the previous link to see rating) so not really an apples-to-apples comparison for your 3* bidding (and i'm not showing any availability at this property for your dates)

Were your USE zone bids at the 3* level too?

HOTWIRE does have a 3* Boutique hotel in the USW zone for $89. It has not yet been reported to the board (same amenities as the Hotel California but i have reason to believe it's not that property, although could be) and has a respectable 4.0/5.0 Tripadvisor rating... if this is of any interest to you? (although be aware, and somebody local to the area can confirm, that part of this zone includes the 'terderloin' which some people don't like and try to avoid)

Please use the PRICELINE and HOTWIRE links on the board to begin your travel purchases.

[Skrekel]

I am referring to the comfort inn in the Fisherman's Wharf area. Furthermore, I also tried bidding at the 3* in the USE, without any succes. Because I still have some time, and allready have a backup, I want to keep trying the USE and Fisherman's Wharf for a while, and leave USW for now. I will start bidding for 3,5*-3* in FW and USE in one hour or so. Any suggestions are more than welcome.

[Gallus50]

With free rebids, you can make a lot more bids than two, so give yourself some wiggle room.

September is a popular time to travel to SF, so prices may not be very low yet. If you have a backup, you can keep plugging away. Odds are that you can get a significantly nicer hotel for less than that Comfort Inn.

[thereuare]

Where and how much is your back-up?

Are you bidding USE and FW at the 3.5* level up to your maximum and then lowering to 3* if rejected... or bidding for the least expensive 3* or better in either of these zones? What is your maximum bid at each star level?

Please use the PRICELINE and HOTWIRE links on the board to begin your travel purchases.