Timing of your bidding - does it matter?

[DebbieV76]

New to all this, so please forgive if this is common knowledge.

Does the day of the week and time of day you are bidding matter?

Last Friday before lunch, I was exploring a one night stay (for 8/11/10) at a 2.5* hotel near the Cleveland airport using the name your own price option. The average price shown was $69. Since I had never done this before, I decided to go home and go through the process with my hubby in tow. When I tried again, the average price had jumped to $94 for the same zone, same date...

I was wondering if it had anything to do with time of day, and that we were now officially in "the weekend." This afternoon it is $76. Not as low as that early Friday average... but I'm still wondering how often these averages change that affect where I would start with my bidding.

Thanks in advance for any insights you might be able to give! :)

[AaronJB]

Welcome to Betterbidding. :)

Inventory and rates may change, but there is not a predictable pattern that can be followed in terms of day of the week. Rates overall can vary significantly from day-to-day, especially in larger markets. In terms of where to start bidding, it's really a case-by-case situation.

Please use the site's HOTWIRE or PRICELINE links to start your purchases and searches.

[crito]

New to all this, so please forgive if this is common knowledge.

Does the day of the week and time of day you are bidding matter?

Last Friday before lunch, I was exploring a one night stay (for 8/11/10) at a 2.5* hotel near the Cleveland airport using the name your own price option. The average price shown was $69. Since I had never done this before, I decided to go home and go through the process with my hubby in tow. When I tried again, the average price had jumped to $94 for the same zone, same date...

I was wondering if it had anything to do with time of day, and that we were now officially in "the weekend." This afternoon it is $76. Not as low as that early Friday average... but I'm still wondering how often these averages change that affect where I would start with my bidding.

Thanks in advance for any insights you might be able to give! :)

Another thing you may not realize, if you're completely new:

That 'average price' is the off-the-rack price, or avg. of Expedia, Travelocity, etc.

The Priceline price is going to be much lower than that for a 2 1/2 * at Hopkins International. (On Hotwire I see one for $38, and a 3* for $45.)