kcgriff Posted July 20, 2010 Report Posted July 20, 2010 Hi everyone..I'm looking for help in placing a bid via Priceline. My intent is to try to get the Marriot Hotel & Spa in Newport Beach, CA (right across from Fashion Island). My dilemma is that I'm planning my stay for 7-26-10 to 7-29-10 (very short notice). I've seen from recent winning bids with rates as low as $97.00. Right now, the current rack rate for those nights are $289.00. I'd love to be able to pay half of that. My concern is using the re-bid process as I have very little time. I've never bid before, so I'm very much a rookie on this. Do I do 5 star, 4 star?? Do I go with Newport Beach/Huntington Beach...Do I start at $90 or even higher/lower?? Is it possible to submit a winning bid on the first try? Of course, I will use the links from this site to start my bidding.Basically what I'm looking for his serious help from the experts here to guide me along. Any feedback/suggestions would be greatly appreciated.Greg
thereuare Posted July 21, 2010 Report Posted July 21, 2010 Welcome to BetterBidding!First 'warning' is that you can't target a specific hotel with PRICELINE, you have to be willing to accept any hotel in the zone at the star level (or higher) that you choose. If you're trying to target, or avoid, a particular property HOTWIRE may be a better option as you can often take an educated guess as to what you may receive based upon the amenities shown before your purchase. The trade-off is that HOTWIRE usually costs a little more than PRICELINE.If you'd like to proceed with PRICELINE you'll need to understand re-bidding, which is explained here: Priceline Re-Bidding ExplainedAt the 4* level in Orange County you have EIGHT re-bid zones. Please read the previous link and feel free to ask question and/or confirm your re-bid zones with the board. If you read the linked thread and are confused just post back and we'll break it down further for you.Once you have re-bidding understood let us know your maximum bid and we'll suggest a strategy for you to follow.Please use the PRICELINE and HOTWIRE links on the board to begin your travel purchases. Please use this HOTWIRE and these PRICELINE LINKS: HOTELS, CAR RENTALS, and AIRFARE to begin your travel purchases
kcgriff Posted July 21, 2010 Author Report Posted July 21, 2010 I think I have somewhat of an understanding of the re-bidding. As far as maximum bid, Ive seen a couple of wins here for the Newport Beach Marriot Hotel & Spa, as mentioned in my original post, for I believe $97.00 and even lower. As the rack rate for 7-26-10 to 7-29-10, is approx 290.00...i'd be pleased as punch with $125.00. I don't necessarily need the dead bottom price, just not the rack rate. My assumption, right or wrong, is that the Marriot is in the 4 star class. Any assistance would be appreciated.Greg
thereuare Posted July 21, 2010 Report Posted July 21, 2010 Yes, the Marriott Newport Beach is currently 4* rated by PRICELINE.At the 4* level you have EIGHT re-bid zones. If you're not familiar with re-bidding please read Priceline Re-Bidding Explained and feel free to ask questions and/or confirm your re-bid zones with the board before proceeding.(NOTE: 're-bid zone1' is not the same as priceline's Zone1, 're-bid zone2' is not the same as priceline's Zone2, etc, etc)Select 4* Newport-Huntington Beach...Bid $45, if rejected add re-bid zone1...Bid $50, if rejected add re-bid zone2...Bid $55, if rejected add re-bid zone3...Bid $60, if rejected add re-bid zone4...Bid $65, if rejected add re-bid zone5...Bid $70, if rejected add re-bid zone6...Bid $75, if rejected add re-bid zone7...Bid $80, if rejected close browser and use this link to re-access PRICELINESelect 4* Newport-Huntington Beach and re-bid zone8...Bid $85, if rejected add re-bid zone1...Bid $90, if rejected add re-bid zone2...Bid $95, if rejected add re-bid zone3...Bid $100, if rejected add re-bid zone4...Bid $105, if rejected add re-bid zone5...Bid $110, if rejected add re-bid zone6...Bid $115, if rejected add re-bid zone7...Bid $120Any questions feel free to ask.Please use the PRICELINE and HOTWIRE links on the board to begin your travel purchases.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
kcgriff Posted July 21, 2010 Author Report Posted July 21, 2010 Question for all....will I have time to do all this re-bidding if I need a hotel by Monday (7-26-10)??
yellowdog Posted July 21, 2010 Report Posted July 21, 2010 kcgriffThis can be done in one bidding session.Please read this link: Priceline Re-Bidding ExplainedJust post if you have any additional questions.Please use the PRICELINE and HOTWIRE links on the board to begin your travel purchases.Yellowdog.
thereuare Posted July 21, 2010 Report Posted July 21, 2010 You can do the entire bidding strategy above in one session.If you're confused we'll take a step backwards... are you able to identify your EIGHT re-bid zones using the technique outlined in the first post at Priceline Re-Bidding Explained?Please use the PRICELINE and HOTWIRE links on the board to begin your travel purchases. Please use this HOTWIRE and these PRICELINE LINKS: HOTELS, CAR RENTALS, and AIRFARE to begin your travel purchases
kcgriff Posted July 24, 2010 Author Report Posted July 24, 2010 I was able to ID the 8 re-bid zones. I used your PRICELINE link and followed your bidding suggestion today up to the $120.00 level. Still rejected. It now says I must wait 24 hours. Any other suggestions, or must I start the re-bidding tomorrow at $125.00?Thanks, Greg
thereuare Posted July 25, 2010 Report Posted July 25, 2010 Your previous bids are 'done' in the sense that they have nothing to do with your future bids... you can start your future bids at any amount you'd like, although keep in mind that since you were just rejected yesterday up to $120, the odds are low that you'd be accepted today at this level or less; you would need some hotel to have lowered its rate since the last time you bid. There is not a large window for that to have happened, but rates changes have to happen some time, so it's possible (but not likely)What is your maximum bid for the next round of bidding? Do you have a back-up plan/reservation anywhere if you're not successful with PRICELINE?Thanks for using the PRICELINE and HOTWIRE links on the board for your bidding. Please use this HOTWIRE and these PRICELINE LINKS: HOTELS, CAR RENTALS, and AIRFARE to begin your travel purchases
kcgriff Posted July 26, 2010 Author Report Posted July 26, 2010 Max bid maybe around 150. The rack rates for 4 stars in newport beach area are around $275-290 right now. I could possibly go to HOTWIRE and see what options they have for 4 stars in Newport Beach or even Dana Point. Any suggestions would be appreciated. Right now, I guess I would start at $125.00 and go up in $5.00 increments the same way I did yesterday when I started at $45.00.If anyone has better ideas, don't be shy as I'm leaving tomorrow morning.Greg
thereuare Posted July 26, 2010 Report Posted July 26, 2010 I would try again as follows:Select 4* Newport-Huntington Beach...Bid $95, if rejected add re-bid zone1...Bid $105, if rejected add re-bid zone2...Bid $115, if rejected add re-bid zone3...Bid $125, if rejected add re-bid zone4...Bid $130, if rejected add re-bid zone5...Bid $135, if rejected add re-bid zone6...Bid $140, if rejected add re-bid zone7...Bid $145, if rejected add re-bid zone8...Bid $150Please use the PRICELINE and HOTWIRE links on the board to begin your travel purchases.Good luck and let u now how it goes Please use this HOTWIRE and these PRICELINE LINKS: HOTELS, CAR RENTALS, and AIRFARE to begin your travel purchases
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