Peepers Posted April 23, 2011 Report Posted April 23, 2011 Hey Guys,Second post here and I'm again for some help / bidding advice.On our way home from Thailand honeymoon, we'll be connecting in London and we'll be planning on staying two nights. I've been to London before and would prefer to stay at the Inter-Continental Park LaneOur dates are: Checking in June 30, 2011 and checking out July 2, 2011I see that the Inter-Continental Park Lane is listed here:Priceline Hotel List and Hotwire Hotel list thus I'm assuming it's an active hotel?Any advise on a bidding strategy? Should I use HOTWIRE or PRICELINE? How do I ensure we'll actually book this specific hotel as there are many 5* listed in this area (Mayfair - Soho)?Any advice would be greatly appreciated!Thanks guys!Peepers
thereuare Posted April 24, 2011 Report Posted April 24, 2011 Welcome to BetterBidding!There is no way to know if/when a given hotel stops (or resumes) participating with PRICELINE or HOTWIRE... no announcements are made. At times we don't see a hotel for an extended period of time and then it suddenly appears again (and at times appears often)You can't bid on a specific hotel when using PRICELINE, you have to be able to accept any hotel in the zone at the star level (or higher) that you choose. With HOTWIRE you can often take an educated guess as to what is being offered based upon the amenities associated with the property, but it's still a 'best guess' and no guarantees you will receive the hotel you're hoping for. As well, HOTWIRE only shows one hotel at each star level per zone, so there is a chance the hotel you're hoping for isn't the one which is offered for your particular dates.Are you able to accept any 5* hotel in this zone OR only the Inter-Continental?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
Peepers Posted April 25, 2011 Author Report Posted April 25, 2011 I think we're open to any 5* hotels that are of the same caliber as the Inter-Continental. It would be ideal if we were able to book that specific hotel. Any advice on the next steps to take?
yellowdog Posted April 25, 2011 Report Posted April 25, 2011 PeepersPlease post your max budget/night before tax/fee.And please read this link: Priceline Re-Bidding Explained Yellowdog.Please use the PRICELINE and HOTWIRE links on the board to begin your travel purchases.
Peepers Posted April 25, 2011 Author Report Posted April 25, 2011 I would say the max we would want to spend per night is $190 US
thereuare Posted April 26, 2011 Report Posted April 26, 2011 Based upon current prices i'm not sure if $190 will be enough for a 5* but to give it a try:At the 5* level you have SIX 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 5* Mayfair-Soho...Bid $130, if rejected add re-bid zone...Bid $140, if rejected add re-bid zone...Bid $145, if rejected add re-bid zone...Bid $150, if rejected add re-bid zone...Bid $155, if rejected add re-bid zone...Bid $160, if rejected add re-bid zone...Bid $165If the above is rejected wait 24 hours and re-try:Select 5* Mayfair-Soho...Bid $170, if rejected add re-bid zone...Bid $175, if rejected add re-bid zone...Bid $180, if rejected add re-bid zone...Bid $183, if rejected add re-bid zone...Bid $185, if rejected add re-bid zone...Bid $188, if rejected add re-bid zone...Bid $190Any 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
Peepers Posted April 30, 2011 Author Report Posted April 30, 2011 So far after two days of 5* level with SIX re-bid zones I'm up to $195 and no luckI'm sure if I go to day three and add another (max $30 - 6 zones) to my bid I'll land a hotel. Do you think I'm bidding too far in advance thus not landing anything under $190 where others have reported getting the Inter-Continental Park Lane (Mayfair - Soho) for around $180-$190?Thoughts?
thereuare Posted April 30, 2011 Report Posted April 30, 2011 A reminder that you're not specifically bidding on the Inter-Continental, but to use that property as an example, hotel direct rates start at $600/nite... so your $190 bid is less than 1/3 of prevailing rates, which doesn't give you a very high probability of success.As to whether rates will come down between now and your stay nobody can say with any degree of certainty, but it would appear (at least at this property) rates would need to come down substantially for you to have a shot at under $200/nite. How high are you willing to bid and at what point do you decide that a 4* is sufficient?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
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