Priceline Hotel: Bidding 4* in Washington DC

[JonnyG]

So what do the experts have to say regarding setting your bid with Priceline for Washington DC

Given the rate will change by time of stay how do you make sure you don't overbid? For example there are two recent postings for winning bids in downtown Washington DC 4* category

4* JW Marriott - $110

4* Loewes Madison - $123

The JW is clealy the better deal. There are certainly 4* hotels that are better then others. Also there is not much data on successful bids for all time periods.

Plus if I am trying to book 4 nights the rates on the various travel sites will show the rate changes within that 4 day period. So how the heck do you bid that? If you bid against the highest day rate then you overpay for the other days.

My specific situation is trying to stay downtown DC from 1/20 to 1/24

Appreciate any help the more experienced can offer

[thereuare]

Welcome to BetterBidding!

Given the rate will change by time of stay how do you make sure you don't overbid? For example there are two recent postings for winning bids in downtown Washington DC 4* category

4* JW Marriott - $110

4* Loewes Madison - $123

The JW is clealy the better deal. There are certainly 4* hotels that are better then others.

Best course of action to handle the above is to first search conventional booking channels to determine your best deal (for the complete stay), then set a maximum bid based upon the best deal you can find, taking into account the 'unknown' factor of using PRICELINE.

As well, here are some other threads which touch upon other topics you mention within your question above:

Book Early or Close to Check-in

Don't Bid Higher for a Specific Hotel

Plus if I am trying to book 4 nights the rates on the various travel sites will show the rate changes within that 4 day period.

If the rate change is significant, is SPLITTING YOUR PRICELINE BID an option?

My specific situation is trying to stay downtown DC from 1/20 to 1/24

Which zone(s) are you willing to bid/accept? What is your expected budget for this stay?

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

Let us know the above and we'll take it from there.