golionsgirl Posted February 16, 2011 Report Share Posted February 16, 2011 I'm a newbie on Priceline, but have been reading these boards lately and I think I shall give it a try!Here is what I'm looking for:4* in French Quarter (preferably) but will consider 4* Downtown4/1 - 4/5I think $150 will be my top bid, but if I could get something for under $100, that would be spectacular....(wishful thinking?)Any help would be appreciated! :) Link to comment
thereuare Posted February 16, 2011 Report Share Posted February 16, 2011 Welcome to BetterBidding!Rates are extremely high for these dates and there is limited availability at many hotels... do you know what is happening on these dates which is causing the increased demand?We can suggest a strategy for you to follow, but are you willing to pay more for a hotel in the French Quarter vs. Downtown or is your goal the least expensive 4* or better in either zone?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 Link to comment
golionsgirl Posted February 17, 2011 Author Report Share Posted February 17, 2011 The American College of Cardiology has their annual conference at that time. I do know that the blocked rooms should be released around 2/23....(at least that is when you can no longer reserve rooms through the ACC.)I would much prefer the French Quarter, but would be willing to stay either there or downtown if I could possibly get it for $150 or less. I would be willing to pay $150 for French Quarter even if there is something downtown available for say $100. I may consider going to 3* if it is a last resort. I'm thinking of waiting until 2/24 to bid..... Link to comment
golionsgirl Posted February 17, 2011 Author Report Share Posted February 17, 2011 or.....maybe I should bid a few days prior to 2/23 and stay ridiculously low.....maybe I'll do that anyway, just to get the hang of it......I'm "new" remember? :) Link to comment
thereuare Posted February 17, 2011 Report Share Posted February 17, 2011 See the related link in our PRICELINE FAQ regarding 'bid early or close to check-in' which although is slightly different then your situation above, the same philosophy applies. I wouldn't bid 'ridiculously low' as given the tight demand i think it would be a waste of time, but it does make sense to bid 'reasonably low' so that any bid you may get accepted would still be considered a deal should retail rates drop between now and your stay.To confirm... you first would like to try for a 4* French Quarter property up to your limit, then if that is rejected try for a 4* in the Downtown zone... then if that is rejected you'll determine your next course of action (lower star rating, raise bid amount, etc)If i have the above correct and you want to start bidding now, let us know your maximum bid at this time and we'll advise accordingly.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 Link to comment
golionsgirl Posted February 17, 2011 Author Report Share Posted February 17, 2011 I guess I'm thinking my maximum bid at this time is $85 (or do you think that falls into the ridiculously low category?) I did read the pros/cons of bidding late vs early and I just have a feeling that a lot of rooms are going to open up after 2/23......the registration for this conference is silly high, I just think they may not get the attendees they are hoping for. Link to comment
golionsgirl Posted February 17, 2011 Author Report Share Posted February 17, 2011 and yes, the strategy you have listed is what I would like to use..... Link to comment
thereuare Posted February 17, 2011 Report Share Posted February 17, 2011 I don't think $85 has much of a shot based upon current prices, but nothing to lose by trying and maybe you'll get lucky...At the 4* level you have FIVE 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* French Quarter...Bid $70, if rejected add re-bid zone...Bid $75, if rejected add re-bid zone...Bid $78, if rejected add re-bid zone...Bid $80, if rejected add re-bid zone...Bid $83, if rejected add re-bid zone...Bid $85, if rejected close browser and use this link to re-access PRICELINESelect 4* Downtown...Bid $65, if rejected add French QuarterBid $70, if rejected add re-bid zone...Bid $75, if rejected add re-bid zone...Bid $78, if rejected add re-bid zone...Bid $80, if rejected add re-bid zone...Bid $83, if rejected add re-bid zone...Bid $85Any 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 Link to comment
golionsgirl Posted February 17, 2011 Author Report Share Posted February 17, 2011 Thanks for your help!!!I will use the PRICELINE link and post my results in the Louisiana thread... Link to comment
thereuare Posted February 17, 2011 Report Share Posted February 17, 2011 Just continue this thread... we'll edit the topic title to reflect your win if/when necessarily.Thanks for using the PRICELINE links on the board for your bidding :) Please use this HOTWIRE and these PRICELINE LINKS: HOTELS, CAR RENTALS, and AIRFARE to begin your travel purchases Link to comment
LSU Posted February 18, 2011 Report Share Posted February 18, 2011 The French Quarter Festival is a big deal, but it doesn't begin till the 7th. I'm not sure what exactly is causing the inflated rates.tgolionsgirl I wouldn't hesitate to book in downtown. I probably make trips to the quarter about 5 or 6 times a year. We almost always stay downtown, and you are very conveniently located to a lot of stuff. Closer to the Casino, better restaurants, river walk, the trolleys, and easier parking, but literally maybe a couple more blocks off outside of the quarter. Also, the 3.5 stars in Downtown are very nice. I wouldn't hesitate to book a 3.5 star either. Link to comment
golionsgirl Posted February 18, 2011 Author Report Share Posted February 18, 2011 Thanks LSU....I was looking at some of the 3* Downtown and they do seem nice. It's ALWAYS better to have more options! Link to comment
golionsgirl Posted February 19, 2011 Author Report Share Posted February 19, 2011 Is the Hotwire price generally the same or similar to what you would have to bid on Priceline to get an accepted bid or does one have nothing to do with the other? i.e. The price on Hotwire for a 3* is $199, would I have to bid close to $199 on Priceline to have a chance at getting a 3* hotel?Thanks!!! :) Link to comment
AaronJB Posted February 19, 2011 Report Share Posted February 19, 2011 PRICELINE is a more opaque service than HOTWIRE - on PRICELINE, you are bidding for a certain star rating in a certain area and it could be any hotel at that star rating in that area. With HOTWIRE, you are given some information and could make an educated guess based upon what's showing. As a result, HOTWIRE is usually at least slightly-to-moderately more expensive than PRICELINE, although the degree varies upon the area and dates.Thank you for using the site's HOTWIRE or PRICELINE links to start your purchases and searches. Link to comment
golionsgirl Posted February 22, 2011 Author Report Share Posted February 22, 2011 I realize that all employers are different, but has anyone had any problems getting reimbursed for a business hotel stay with only a itemized receipt from Priceline and not a receipt from the specific hotel on hotel letterhead? Link to comment
thereuare Posted February 22, 2011 Report Share Posted February 22, 2011 I realize that all employers are different...Which is why you should discuss this with your employer. Please use this HOTWIRE and these PRICELINE LINKS: HOTELS, CAR RENTALS, and AIRFARE to begin your travel purchases Link to comment
golionsgirl Posted February 23, 2011 Author Report Share Posted February 23, 2011 Sound advice (of course!) and I did get confirmation that they will reimburse off of Priceline itemized receipts. so...used the PRICELINE link and tried my first round of bidding.....failed, but will try again when the rooms are releasedSelect 4* French Quarter...Bid $70, rejected added re-bid zone...Bid $75, rejected added re-bid zone...Bid $78, rejected added re-bid zone...Bid $80, rejected added re-bid zone...Bid $83, rejected added re-bid zone...Bid $85, rejectedI didn't try the downtown zone yet. I think I will wait until I bid again and then add it in then if I'm not successful..... Link to comment
coastalp Posted February 23, 2011 Report Share Posted February 23, 2011 You should be aware that 4* FQ is likely to give you the Marriott or Westin. 4* Downtown will be either the Sheraton or Hilton which are more likely to fit into your price range. The Sheraton is literally across Canal and a 3 minute wallk from the Marriott/Westin.The 4* Convention Center are further from the FQ and have a different vibe. If you don't want to spend over $100 per then you should start bidding on the 3.5* or 3* FQ or 4* CC, imho. Link to comment
golionsgirl Posted February 24, 2011 Author Report Share Posted February 24, 2011 I was told they released the hotel rooms this morning. I really would like a 4* FQ or DT so I'm going to go higher on my bid. I'm thinking my original thought of a lot of rooms being released may not be true and really, I'm just trying to get brownie points for a cheaper room.....its not coming out of my pocket! Hopefully I get something....starting at $140 for 4* in FQ and going up to $190, then the same strategy in DT......Wish me luck, I'll post my results! Link to comment
yellowdog Posted February 24, 2011 Report Share Posted February 24, 2011 golionsgirlGood luck with your bidding!Keep us updated.Please use the PRICELINE and HOTWIRE links on the board to begin your travel purchases.Yellowdog. Link to comment
golionsgirl Posted February 24, 2011 Author Report Share Posted February 24, 2011 Select 4* French Quarter...Bid $140, rejected added re-bid zone...Bid $150, rejected added re-bid zone...Bid $160, rejected added re-bid zone...Bid $170, rejected added re-bid zone...Bid $180, rejected added re-bid zone...Bid $190, rejected closed browser and used this link to re-access PRICELINESelect 4* Downtown...Bid $150, rejected added French QuarterBid $160, rejected added re-bid zone...Bid $170, rejected added re-bid zone...Bid $175, rejected added re-bid zone...Bid $180, rejected added re-bid zone...Bid $185, rejected added re-bid zone...Bid $190, rejectedyikes! now I'm getting a bit nervous! anyone have any thoughts? I'm thinking to try again with 3* tomorrow? I will only have 2 re-bid zones though. idk....maybe I should wait a couple weeks? any thoughts or ideas would be greatly appreciated! Link to comment
golionsgirl Posted February 24, 2011 Author Report Share Posted February 24, 2011 update: I decided to book a room in the FQ or DT district directly though the hotel, first making sure of their cancellation policy. This is apparently a VERY busy 4 days in NOLA! I ended up booking at The Cotton Exchange Hotel which had mixed reviews and a 2.5 to 3* rating depending on where you looked. They do have a 24hr cancellation policy though so I'm going to keep looking for that 4* FQ room on priceline.....I just won't be so nervous or desperate! BTW.....I booked the Cotton Ex for $189/night.....the prices are definitely jacked up! Link to comment
AaronJB Posted February 25, 2011 Report Share Posted February 25, 2011 Thank you for keeping us updated.I'd suggest continuing to look once a week or so to see if new (and hopefully cheaper) inventory has come online.Thank you for using the site's HOTWIRE or PRICELINE links to start your purchases and searches. Link to comment
golionsgirl Posted February 25, 2011 Author Report Share Posted February 25, 2011 I think my plan will be to bid every Tuesday and Friday except for the last week which I will bid on Monday and Wednesday to ensure I have time to cancel my Cotton Ex reservation if needed. I won't post my bids until I win or finally lose on the Wednesday before I go. Thanks for all of your help and feel free to chime in if you suddenly have some amazing bidding strategy I should try! Link to comment
yellowdog Posted February 25, 2011 Report Share Posted February 25, 2011 golionsgirlNo, we don't have any amazing bidding strategy unless you want to raise your budget or lower the star rating :) Good luck and keep us updated and let us know if we can be of further help along the way.Please use the PRICELINE and HOTWIRE links on the board to begin your travel purchases.Yellowdog. Link to comment
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