Priceline Hotel: Help with Lauderdale 2.5*?

[jaxtobias]

Still new at this, but had a question - I want to reserve a room for the night of Jan 6, 2006 specifically at the Amerisuites in Ft. Lauderdale; however, I don't want to risk getting another 3* hotel instead. Is there a way to ensure that? Would I just follow the 2-bid at 3*, 3-bids at 4* strategy? Thanks - great website.

[thenewbie]

There are no guarantees on which hotel you will receive. You could receive another 2.5* level property or they can upgrade you as the level selected is your minimum quality level.

If you need to be at a particular hotel, PL is not the best option for you. It'd be best for you to shop around for discounts for your hotel.

[thereuare]

Or you could try to identify it on HOTWIRE.

(it's currently there, but not veyr cheap)

[jaxtobias]

Thanks for the advice. Do you think that if I just kept trying at 2.5* (every 72 hrs) that my chances would be favorable to "hit" Amerisuites, since it that is really the only one listed at 2.5* (for PL)? It is not absolutely critical that we only stay there, but really wanted to try for it. I could always just suck it up and pay the $160 reg. rate I'm finding, but wanted to give PL/HW a shot. Thx

[thereuare]

I would not be locking in a $1xx stay for January 2006 at this time (unless you know of some special event making this an extremely tough stay).... there is still plenty of time between now and your stay and is suspect that you will eventually be able to get a better deal (even if it's a different property... nicer for less which based upon your previous comments sounds like it would still be ok).

Along the same lines, bidding this every 72 hours will only likely cause you frustration and drive you crazy. Once every 3 weeks at this early point in time should be sufficient.

Where did you find the $160/nite rate?

[jaxtobias]

The $160 was thru the "shop and compare" at Priceline - and after further study find that taxes & fees were NOT included in that, so that is probably back up to the typical $180-90 range. Oh well, I will try every few weeks as you suggested. Thanks again!