Priceline Hotel: 4* USE/Embarcadero Westin St. Francis

[antlori]

Need advice on bidding on S.F. hotel on Priceline. I saw postings on Fodors that people were getting Union Square East/Embarcadero 4* hotels for $45 to $58 per night (e.g. Park Hyatt, Westin St. Francis). This is exactly what I want for 2 nights June 20 & 21. I tried starting at $55 with just USE, then added FW and rebid at $60, then added SF Airport and rebid at $64 but still not accepted. Could this be because I'm looking for Fri/Sat? I'm thinking of adding Boutique to the 4* USE. What would you suggest?

[thereuare]

I believe weekend rates would traditionally be cheaper on the weekend, not more expensive (and a check for one date an random confirmed the above, but i could have picked a bad date to test the theory).

As per THIS POST from just a few days ago, bidding the same zone and for a weekend date, $65 was a successful bid, so bidding $64 may have left you just a little short. I compared the hotel's website rate for the 'win' at $65 with the rates for your dates, and they are the same, so when you have the opportunity to bid again, i would at least include $65 somewhere in my round of bidding (it doesn't have to start at that level if you have re-bids, but if you're willing to spend at least that much, i would make sure that i bid accordingly to include a $65 bid in the process).

Of course, still no guarantees, but as of now my best guess is that your $64 bid may have missed by $1. As well, i have heard of $65 bids rejected and $66 bids accepted in this zone, so if rejected at $65 for some reason, i wouldn't be raising my subsequent bids by too much after that point (certainly not $5 increments).

Let us know how it goes.

[zbenye]

Odd that you couldn't get a hotel for $64 for those dates. Expedia is showing relatively low rates for the Hyatts on that weekend (although you can't count on Expedia: often times the $47 Hyatt Regency bid fails when Expedia has it for just $117, and then the bid is accepted when Expedia wants $225 or more...) Also, Hotwire has a $64 rate for a 3* for that weekend - and PL always beats Hotwire in SF! But then you bid 4* and that $64 3* Hotwire hotel might be a PL Boutique.

I'd say try again in a few days, and if still rejected, consider going with Hotwire. I believe the 3* for $64 in the Embaracadero zone on Hotwire could be the Harbor Court, and the 3.5* for $69 could be the Hyatt Regency.

[antlori]

Thanks for the advice. I went back and tried $61, then $64 again and still not accepted. Then I tried $65 and got the Westin St. Francis. I can't believe it was rejecting for the sake of $1! It was a little more than I expected but still better than the 4* on Hotwire for $97 and the $129 my friends are paying at the Palace that same weekend.

[antlori]

Was trying for the Hyatt as I am a Gold Passport member but the Westin St. Francis looks very nice. Think I'll join the Starwood club. I've seen the other posts and hope they don't treat me like a second class citizen.

[thereuare]

Glad if finally worked out for you and that we were able to help!

It's funny how you can be off by $15 and Priceline will give you a counter-offer, yet you can be $1 away and have them not say a word!

Look forward to your review when you return to see how you feel you are treated.

Have a great trip.