agiga Posted January 3, 2011 Report Posted January 3, 2011 Looking to bid on a 4* Tampa area hotel from Jan 29 - Feb 6 and based on other reported wins I have tried bidding upto $55 in all zones but no luck. Any suggestions on how high I would need to go?
Romelle Posted January 3, 2011 Report Posted January 3, 2011 Look at HOTWIRE, one day at a time. Typically Hotwire is a little more expensive than PRICELINE, but it will give you a good general idea. I do know even the 4* airport hotel on HOTWIRE is $99 for your dates, and airport hotels tend to be the least expensive. The more areas you are willing/able to bid, the better your chances of success at a reasonable rate.I did look in the Priceline and Hotwire Calendar of Wins (center of page just above), and there weren't any Tampa reports for your dates. Normally that is one of the first places to check. Romelle
thereuare Posted January 3, 2011 Report Posted January 3, 2011 agiga,Please follow-up your previous Hotwire Toronto and Orlando SeaWorld threads with whatever you ended up doing for each of those stays... then reply to this thread and we'll further comment on your stay above.Please use the PRICELINE and HOTWIRE links on the board to begin your travel purchases.Thanks. Please use this HOTWIRE and these PRICELINE LINKS: HOTELS, CAR RENTALS, and AIRFARE to begin your travel purchases
agiga Posted January 3, 2011 Author Report Posted January 3, 2011 Absolutely that's fair. I've provided replies to both threads, thank you. It seems the prices are much better through priceline thank hotwire and we've had great luck so far thanks to the great info on this site!
AaronJB Posted January 4, 2011 Report Posted January 4, 2011 I'm guessing there may be something going on on these dates in downtown Tampa - the only listing showing on HOTWIRE in the downtown zone on these dates is a 3.5* for $289. A number of other properties in the downtown area are either expensive regular rate or unavailable for the whole period. Are any other zones in the area acceptable?Thank you for using the site's HOTWIRE or PRICELINE links to start your purchases and searches.
agiga Posted January 4, 2011 Author Report Posted January 4, 2011 I took a look at HOTWIRE and the Tampa Airport/Westshore area is showing a 3.5* for $59 and a 4* for 99. So I would hope I could get a 4* in that zone through PRICELINE for less. But I guess not as low as $55.
thereuare Posted January 4, 2011 Report Posted January 4, 2011 What is your maximum bid for this stay? Did you want to bid up to your limit for a 4* and then, if rejected, try for a 3.5*... OR is your goal the least expensive 3.5* or better?Let us know the above 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... and your searches too! (please click this PRICELINE link before replying) Please use this HOTWIRE and these PRICELINE LINKS: HOTELS, CAR RENTALS, and AIRFARE to begin your travel purchases
agiga Posted January 4, 2011 Author Report Posted January 4, 2011 I would say my goal is to get a 4* for the best price possible. There are lots of 3.5* options but I don't like some of them so I'd prefer the 4* hotels and since there are only 4 hotels that are 4* in all of Tampa and they are located in 2 zones, I can do multiple bids the same day which is great. I just don't know if it's a better strategy to up my bid now or wait until closer to our dates when perhaps the hotels might be more inclined to drop their rates.
agiga Posted January 4, 2011 Author Report Posted January 4, 2011 I took at a look at the 3.5* Tampa airport/westshore hotel on hotwire for $59 and based on the amenities listed, it appears to be the embassy suites hotel. This is a great deal and includes a full hot breakfast at an all suite hotel. My only concern is there is a review on trip advisor that talks about the loud construction. I called the hotel and they said the construction should be complete by the end of the month. Is it true that hotwire and priceline bookings tend to get the least appealing rooms at the hotel? I'm worried about being near the construction if it is still ongoing and I'm travelling with an infant and don't want to end up on the only smoking floor at the hotel.
AaronJB Posted January 4, 2011 Report Posted January 4, 2011 What are the amenities showing with the listing?There have been instances where PRICELINE or HOTWIRE customers have had subpar rooms, but it may be an issue of availability on a busy day; if it's not, you can always call the service or ask at the front desk. Personally, I've never been offered what I considered a "subpar" room and in fact have gotten a number of very nice ones. There are always going to be good/bad experiences at hotels, but I think most people are pleased/satisfied with the result when using discount services.What are the amenities showing with the listing in question?Thank you for using the site's HOTWIRE or PRICELINE links to start your purchases and searches.
thereuare Posted January 5, 2011 Report Posted January 5, 2011 Thank you for using the site's HOTWIRE or PRICELINE links to start your purchases and searches.Please click this HOTWIRE link before replying.Thanks. Please use this HOTWIRE and these PRICELINE LINKS: HOTELS, CAR RENTALS, and AIRFARE to begin your travel purchases
agiga Posted January 5, 2011 Author Report Posted January 5, 2011 Please click this HOTWIRE link before replying.Thanks.Clicked on the HOTWIRE link. Amenities are suite, airport shuttle, complimentary breakfast, fitness center, pool, restaurant, business center, and high speed internet.
agiga Posted January 5, 2011 Author Report Posted January 5, 2011 Clicked on the HOTWIRE link. Amenities are suite, airport shuttle, complimentary breakfast, fitness center, pool, restaurant, business center, and high speed internet.Using the PRICELINE link from this site I tried all zones in Tampa for a 4* hotel for upto $60 and still no luck.
thereuare Posted January 5, 2011 Report Posted January 5, 2011 Your at about 40% less than HOTWIRE rates and PRICELINE is usually not that much cheaper... what is your maximum bid for a 4* in this zone? Given your 4* rejection at this price what are your thoughts on the 3.5* HOTWIRE property, which assuming it's the Embassy Suites, would you take the 'construction risk'?Thanks for using the PRICELINE and HOTWIRE links on the board for your purchases. Please use this HOTWIRE and these PRICELINE LINKS: HOTELS, CAR RENTALS, and AIRFARE to begin your travel purchases
agiga Posted January 5, 2011 Author Report Posted January 5, 2011 I based my bid on what others had posted successful 4* bids. My max would be $70 so I can continue bidding up to that amount but I'm wondering if there's a better chance closer to the dates I need it or does it not make a difference how early/late I book?I don't think I'd take the chance on the construction risk and would rather opt for a property that is not under construction and the 4* options all look great.
thereuare Posted January 5, 2011 Report Posted January 5, 2011 I based my bid on what others had posted successful 4* bids.Rates are date specific so you won't always be able to replicate another winning bid on the board if demand for your dates is greater then than the dates of the win you're trying to replicate....I'm wondering if there's a better chance closer to the dates I need it or does it not make a difference how early/late I book?It's all based upon supply/demand and the amount of time remaining for the hotel to sell unused rooms. If the hotel has more reservations on the books then currently expected and is near full occupancy, you could see rates move even higher as you get closer to your check-in date. See the related 'bid early or close to check-in' link in our PRICELINE FAQ.To confirm, you're including both Airport South-Westshore and Airport West in your bidding?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
agiga Posted January 5, 2011 Author Report Posted January 5, 2011 Thanks. Yes I am using both Airport South-Westshore and Airport West in my bidding. I'll up my bid and give it a try.
thereuare Posted January 5, 2011 Report Posted January 5, 2011 Based upon current rates I think you'll need to be someplace between $65-$85, but if you want to try with a $70 maximum bid i'd bid as follows:At the 4* level in Tampa you have SEVEN 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.Select 4* Airport South-Westshore and Airport West...Bid $55, if rejected add re-bid zone...Bid $58, if rejected add re-bid zone...Bid $60, if rejected add re-bid zone...Bid $62, if rejected add re-bid zone...Bid $64, if rejected add re-bid zone...Bid $66, if rejected add re-bid zone...Bid $68, if rejected add re-bid zone...Bid $70Any 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
agiga Posted January 10, 2011 Author Report Posted January 10, 2011 Based upon current rates I think you'll need to be someplace between $65-$85, but if you want to try with a $70 maximum bid i'd bid as follows:At the 4* level in Tampa you have SEVEN 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.Select 4* Airport South-Westshore and Airport West...Bid $55, if rejected add re-bid zone...Bid $58, if rejected add re-bid zone...Bid $60, if rejected add re-bid zone...Bid $62, if rejected add re-bid zone...Bid $64, if rejected add re-bid zone...Bid $66, if rejected add re-bid zone...Bid $68, if rejected add re-bid zone...Bid $70Any 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.Thanks very much for the great feedback and strategy. Unfortunately even going upto $85 for a 4* hotel did not work. I tried for a 3.5* instead and was able to get the Doubletree Hotel Tampa Westshore Airport for $54 after several failed tries for lower bids. Fairly pleased with the hotel as it has great reviews and was recently updated in 2009. I called the hotel and reserved a pack and play for my baby. The hotel also reserved a king size pool view room for us. Though internet is not included in the rooms, there's a free 24 hour business center with 4 computers and 2 printers which is fantastic!Thanks BetterBidding!
AaronJB Posted January 11, 2011 Report Posted January 11, 2011 Congrats on your success.Quite a nice deal for this Doubletree property! Glad you were able to work out room details with the hotel, plus free cookies at check-in.Thank you for sharing your win and please use the site's HOTWIRE or PRICELINE links to start your purchases and searches.Enjoy your stay.
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