Priceline Hotel: Star rating (auto add resort)

[south1246]

Today, I was bidding for a 4* in San Juan for January 2012. I carefully selected only the 4* option and when I got to the bid rejection, I noticed priceline had auto added resort. I am trying to stay clear of the conrad as I have stayed there and would like to get something else but it seems to be the routine choice for most bidders.

Any thoughts??

[yellowdog]

Welcome to BetterBidding!

Please post your dates and the amount for your rejection.

I noticed priceline had auto added resort.

Yes, this is very clear in the PRICELINE rules. And it's very common in this zone with so many resorts. Most of the bidders that select 4* get's a resort here. If you by no means want to stay at Conrad so go with HOTWIRE.

If you're trying to target a specific property then HOTWIRE can often be a better option if you're successfully able to identify it based upon the star rating and amenities shown before your purchase... the trade-off is that HOTWIRE usually costs a little more than PRICELINE, so you need to decide what is most important to you for a given stay, the lowest possible price OR the ability to take an educated guess as to the property you may receive.

Let us know how we can help you further.

Yellowdog.

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

[Romelle]

Another way to possibly avoid those resorts could be to bid the 3* and 3 1/2* hotels very carefully, working up gradually ($1 at a time) from a very low bid. No guarantees, but the more $$ distance you put between yourself and the resort prices, the less likely you will get one of them by default.

I'd guess since you are bidding so far out, you are looking for pre- and/or post-cruise stay(s)?

You can see the list of hotels other bidders have reported as wins in the very first post in this Priceline-Puerto Rico and Other area. If they are acceptable to you, this might be a different strategy.

Romelle