Priceline Hotel: Help w/ 4* in USE

[Kelley]

I bid last night using the PRICELINE link from this site and this is the first time I've used free rebids. I'm looking for a 4* in USE for 5 nights 9/24/-9/29. I suspect that I started too low but wanted to get any suggestions. I would like to stay in the Union Square East location but I think quality of hotel and price are more important. I saw that Hotel Monaco just won for $95 and wonder if I should adjust my bidding to include that zone.

Here's what I bid:

$80 USE 4* 9/24-9/29

$85 USE + Civic Center 4* 9/24-9/29

$87 USE + Civic Center + Fisherman's Wharf 4* 9/24-9/29

$88 USE + Civic Center + Fisherman's Wharf + Marina 4* 9/24-9/29

$90 USE + Civic Center + Fisherman's Wharf + Marina + SFO North 4* 9/24-9/29

$93 USE + Civic Center + Fisherman's Wharf + Marina + SFO North + South SF 4* 9/24-9/29

Thank you!

[Kelley]

Today I rebid adding in USW and all of the above combinations with no luck at $95, $97, $100, $105, $110. Suggestions welcome!

[Kelley]

Hello! I've now bid up to $117 for 9/24- 9/29 in Union Square East, Union Square West, and Financial/Embarcadero. From all the forum posts and from checking inventory on other sites it seems like a tough time to find a deal. I'd like to stay under $150/nt with taxes to stay in a nice property in a safe, convenient area. I don't mind walking a few extra blocks so transportation doesn't have to be right at my doorstep.

What are your thoughts on moving my star preference down to 3.5 in USE, Financial, and USW? I'm a little leary about 3.5 in USW- should I be? Do you have any suggestions for other neighborhoods to consider?

Thanks for any thoughts- 1st trip to SF so I'm still learning the neighborhoods. :)

[thereuare]

Please keep all posts for the same stay in the same thread.

Rates are date specific, and your bids are likely too low for these dates... what is the best rate you're able to find for an acceptable hotel thru conventional booking channels? What is your maximum bid for this stay?

In regards to adding the USW zone, if the Monaco is the only hotel you're willing to accept in that zone then i would not include it in your bidding... but if you're willing to accept any 4* rated hotel in that zone then you can include it.

Let us know your thoughts and how you'd like to proceed and we'll take it from there.

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

[Kelley]

Thanks Thereuare. :) Rates are in the $175+ for 4* during the time I'm visiting so I've been slowly increasing my bid. I'm fine with a 4* in USW and I also included Financial/ Embarcadero in my bidding today up to $117. I'd like to stay at $150 or less w/ taxes so I'm thinking I might have to drop to 3 1/2*. Would you suggest only dropping to 3 1/2 in certain areas such as USE and Financial? I've heard that lower star properties in USW aren't recommended.

I think my strategy will be to rebid USE, USW, and Financial/ Embarcadero tomorrow. If all bids are rejected I'll probably bid on a request property through Lastminutetravel. I'm not sure how often the request hotels actually work out though.

Let me know if I'm missing anything! Kelley

[thereuare]

Is SPLITTING YOUR PRICELINE BID an option?

I think if you drop the first nite of your stay you have a chance... if you drop the first two nites you stand an even better chance. (so try dropping the first nite and bidding 9/25-9/29... if that is rejected re-try for 9/26-9/29)

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

Thoughts?

[Kelley]

That makes sense and I'm sure it would increase my chances at paying less but I'd rather pay more for the convenience of staying at one hotel. The second portion of our trip we"ll stay in 2-3 hotels as we drive to Big Sur and back so I want to stay in one place in SF. Appreciate the idea though.

[Gallus50]

Even if you take a night or two off your bid, you might still be able to stay in the same hotel. You could bid on the less expensive dates and procure hotel, then pay rack rate on the first night. You would still save money, but not as much. All depends on you comfort vs $$ quotient.