Priceline Hotel: Need bidding help 4* Cleveland Downtown 4/15-4/17

[kmbb]

Hi there,

I intend on starting bidding on Friday 4/8.

I need bidding help to obtain a 4* in Cleveland Downtown for the dates of 4/15-4/17.

My budget is $50/night before taxes. I would prefer 4* but 3.5*, or 3* is also acceptable.

I would like to win the Hilton Garden Inn(3* on the list), because I'm attending a function in that hotel. Of course I can't target a specific hotel, but just for information sake --- if it would change the strategy.

I've seen recent wins in this zone in my budget.

Cleveland Downtown is the only acceptable zone.

Thanks

Keith

[thereuare]

My budget is $50/night before taxes. I would prefer 4* but 3.5*, or 3* is also acceptable.

I would like to win the Hilton Garden Inn(3* on the list)...

With PRICELINE there is no way to target a specific hotel, so did you want to try bidding first for a 4* up to your limit, then if rejected try for a 3.5*, etc, etc... OR did you want to bid for the lowest 3* or better in hopes of landing the Hilton Garden Inn?

I'll add that at first glance this looks like it may be a tough win at $50 or under.

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

[kmbb]

I looked at the other 3*'s listed, and they are both within 1/2 mile from my target hotel. That's very good.

I can sacrifice minor amenities for convenience. The downside is that parking is $16-20/day and might be valet as well. I prefer hotels that have their own onsite self-parking.

I'll start bidding at the 3* or better.

What price point should I start? The only free 3* re-bid zone is perhaps Cleveland (Brookpark - Brooklyn) right?

What strategy should I use? Do you think I'll have trouble with 3* at $50/night maximum bid? I think I saw some 4* wins under $50 for Cleveland Downtown!?

Thanks

Keith

P.S. will def use PRICELINE link

[thereuare]

At the 3* level you actually have THREE re-bid zones avaialble. Use the technique described in Priceline Re-Bidding Explained and confirm your re-bid zones with the board, or if you're confused post back and we'll break it down further for you. Once you're re-bid zones are confirmed we'll suggest a strategy for you to follow.

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

[kmbb]

Almost committed a faux pas by using the posted list as an indicator of which star hotels are located in which zone!

I see Brookpark, Elyria, and SE Cleveland now.

The 4* has, I think, 9 free rebid zones. Pretty crazy.

Maybe I'll try the 3*'s up to a certain amount, and then wait 24 hrs and then try to win the 4*'s. I don't want to overpay for a 3-star.

The recent wins on Priceline are 3*@75 (I think this is high), 3.5*@60, and 4*@150 (why is this person even using priceline?!) I think the average consumer is bidding too high initially, and immediately winning a hotel.

I'm going to start my bidding at $45 for 3*, and go up from there.

Thanks

Keith

[kmbb]

Status update:

$45 Cleveland Downtown 3*, declined.

$48 Downtown/Brookpark 3*, declined.

$51 Downtown/Brookpark/Elyria 3*, declined.

$56 Downtown/Brookpark/Elyria/SE Cleveland 3*, declined.

Given a posted win on priceline's site yesterday for 3.5* @ 60, I don't think I'm horribly out of the ballpark with my bids.

I'm surprised a 3.5* will accept $60 but a 3* won't touch $56.

Obviously my maximum bid is going up, due to the fact that I'm not winning. :)

This is freakin' Cleveland in April for god's sake! Who the heck wants to stay there?

Thanks

Keith

[thereuare]

This is freakin' Cleveland in April for god's sake! Who the heck wants to stay there?

Apparently you do... or as i like to say, "When you're stuck in traffic... you're part of the problem". :)

Given a posted win on priceline's site yesterday for 3.5* @ 60, I don't think I'm horribly out of the ballpark with my bids.

I'm surprised a 3.5* will accept $60 but a 3* won't touch $56.

You have to realize that rates are date specific so you won't necessarily be able to duplicate others wins on the board if rates for your dates are higher then when others have won. Likewise, you can't comment that somebody else's bid is too high unless you have seen rates for their dates... perhaps when the user won a 4* at $150 there was a major event in town and all hotels were either sold-out for selling for $300+ per nite... they may have been lucky (and thankful) to get something at $150.

With the date specific comment noted... look at rates at the Hyatt for the weekend before yours and hotel direct rates are just $85/nite... same hotel for your dates are $159/nite. Check the Crowne Plaza for the weekend after your dates and you'll see rates at $120/nite... your weekend is sold-out.

What is the best deal you're able to find at an acceptable hotel thru conventional booking channels for this stay?

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

[kmbb]

Apparently you do... or as i like to say, "When you're stuck in traffic... you're part of the problem". :)

Hahaha, I know. I was being facetious. :)

You have to realize that rates are date specific so you won't necessarily be able to duplicate others wins on the board if rates for your dates are higher then when others have won. Likewise, you can't comment that somebody else's bid is too high unless you have seen rates for their dates... perhaps when the user won a 4* at $150 there was a major event in town and all hotels were either sold-out for selling for $300+ per nite... they may have been lucky (and thankful) to get something at $150.

Right, but one can make assumptions that the hotel rates will go up as the weather gets better. I'd be willing to bet that the hotel rates go up during the summer when the kids are out of school. More people are likely to take vacations when the weather is better. So going forward, would someone be likely to book for next weekend, or would they likely be booking for three weeks, or a month, or longer from now?

My point is, if they can win a date in May or June for that price, then April should be cheaper.

I don't think this is that big of a leap of faith.

With the date specific comment noted... look at rates at the Hyatt for the weekend before yours and hotel direct rates are just $85/nite... same hotel for your dates are $159/nite.

I've got a group rate, possibly still available, at $99/night at the Hilton Garden Inn (3* on priceline). When I search the various sites for regular rates, I'm looking at $139-$170 given the same class of hotels.

Thanks

Keith

[thereuare]

There are seasonal factors, but there are also external factors (conferences, wedding at the hotel with a large block rooms going to out of town guests, conventions, etc) which effect demand (and prices) beyond seasonality factors. This is what is happening here, imo, given the weekends before your dates are very reasonably prices... whereas your weekend is almost double the price at one hotel and sold-out at another.

So yes, generally speaking April should be 'low season' and prices should be reasonable, but there is something taking place in the area on this weekend which is driving prices higher for this particular weekend.

I would look to see if the $99 group rate is still available at the Hilton Garden Inn, as i think that may be your best option at the moment... then bid up to whatever amount would make an opaque purchase worthwhile to you (given the $99 back-up rate, assuming it's still available)

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

[kmbb]

Yeah, I'm starting to see the hotels book up for whatever reason. I agree with you re: external factors. Somethin's going on. My conference has about 200 people, but most would likely stay at the hotel where it's hosted.

I bid $56, $61, $66, and $72 today. All declined.

I'm going to call the hotel and see if I can get still get the group rate.

Thanks

Keith

[thereuare]

Let us know how you make out with the group and what you end up doing for this stay or if we can be of further help.

Good luck.

[kmbb]

Thanks. So I ended up booking direct with an Extended Stay America for $60/night about 10 miles/15 minutes out of Cleveland downtown. There were other closer alternatives, but I like the area that the hotel is located in. Lots of restaurants, looks like little foot traffic, no residences, right off the highway.

I've never stayed at an ESA, but the reviews for the hotel were positive.

I think this will do the trick.

Thanks

Keith

[AaronJB]

Thank you for closing the thread. Enjoy your stay.

Please use the links in the Support/Travel section to start regular rate purchases. Thanks.