ukmonkey Posted May 30, 2011 Report Posted May 30, 2011 Hi,I'm very new to Priceline, but initial impressions seem favourable. As such, I'm also new to the BetterBidding forum. This looks to be a great forum, so I'm hoping you can help me please...I'm trying to get as low a price as possible for [ideally] the Rosen Inn at Point Orlando (9000 International Drive, Orlando, FL 32819)I'd be happy with another hotel close-by. I say that as I have stayed at 9000 I-Drive in the past, so I'm pretty familiar with the surroundings, though not overly familiar with what other hotels are in the vacinity.I'm looking for tips on how I can target one hotel in particular. I don't even know whether my hotel is listed on Priceline though!HELP! :-)
thereuare Posted May 30, 2011 Report Posted May 30, 2011 Welcome to BetterBidding!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.Let us know if/how you'd like to proceed and we'll take it from there.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
ukmonkey Posted May 31, 2011 Author Report Posted May 31, 2011 Thank you for the reply. Ok, i think location-wise, I'm happy to target any of the 3.5* hotels in the "Orlando (SeaWorld - International Drive - Convention Center)" zone.These are:3.5* Doubletree Resort I-Drive (10100 International Drive) International Plaza Resort and Spa (previously 2.5*) Sheraton World tripadvisor review3.5* Embassy Suites 3.5* Rosen Centre REVIEW3.5* Rosen PlazaI'd prefer not to get the doubletree, but i understand that, as you say, you can't guarantee which hotel, so I'd not be too upset if I ended up with that one.So, looking at the lists on this forum, my free bid zones are:Orlando (Sand Lake Corporate Park)Orlando (Kissimmee)Orlando (East)Orlando (Sand Lake Corporate Park)Orlando (Winter Park)I'd apreciate some advice as to where to start my bidding. I want to get the hotel for as little as possible. My limit is around $250-$270 for the duration of my stay.
thereuare Posted May 31, 2011 Report Posted May 31, 2011 Few things before bidding... As per the comments at the top of the Priceline Hotel List the hotels listed are only those reported to the board, so they can't be considered finite... you could receive a hotel not yet reported or a hotel already listed but at a different star level (if the star rating has changed since last reported to the board)You don't want to use the hotels lists on the board to determine your re-bid zones, use the method described here: Priceline Re-Bidding Explained. Then confirm your re-bid zones with the board and we'll take it from there (you do have FIVE re-bid zone avaialble, but above you listed Sand Lake twice, and this isn't even a PRICELINE zone anymore... which is just one example why you don't want to use the hotel lists to determine your re-bid zones)Please confirm your re-bid zones with the board and we'll then suggest a strategy for you to follow.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
ukmonkey Posted May 31, 2011 Author Report Posted May 31, 2011 Ok, so here are my findings after searching using the Priceline searchbox on your site:Disney Maingate - Celebration1-4* + ResortsDowntown Orlando1-4*Kissimmee1-2.5*Lake Buena Vista - Downtown Disney1-3.5* + ResortsMaitland - Altamonte Springs1-3.5*Ocoee - Orlando West1-3*Orlando Airport West - FL Mall Area1-3.5*Orlando East1-3*Orlando International Airport (MCO)Best deal1-3.5*Sea World - Intl. Drive - Convention Center1-4*Universal Orlando Resort Area - Intl. Drive North1-4*West Disney Area1-3*Winter Park1-2*-There, based upon my desired choice of a 3.5* hotel, my rebid zones are:KissimmeeOcoee - Orlando WestOrlando EastWest Disney AreaWinter Park
thereuare Posted May 31, 2011 Report Posted May 31, 2011 You have your re-bid zones correct, but always double check just before bidding to make sure nothing has changed.Using your 5 re-bid zones as the 3.5* level i'd bid as follows:Select 3.5* I-Drive South...Bid $38, if rejected add re-bid zone...Bid $40, if rejected add re-bid zone...Bid $43, if rejected add re-bid zone...Bid $45, if rejected add re-bid zone...Bid $48, if rejected add re-bid zone...Bid $50Any questions feel free to ask (if the above is rejected HOTWIRE has a well reviewed 3.5* property for $52 which we'll explore further)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
ukmonkey Posted May 31, 2011 Author Report Posted May 31, 2011 Just to be clear, you said: Select 3.5* I-Drive South...I assume you mean "Sea World - Intl. Drive - Convention Center" ??
ukmonkey Posted May 31, 2011 Author Report Posted May 31, 2011 Ok, I've started my bidding at a very ambitious $25.So, bidding on a 3.5* hotel in:Sea World - Intl. Drive - Convention Center @ $25 = rejectedSea World - Intl. Drive - Convention Center + Kissimmee @ $26 = rejectedSea World - Intl. Drive - Convention Center + Ocoee - Orlando West @ $27 = rejectedSea World - Intl. Drive - Convention Center + Orlando East @ $28 = rejectedSea World - Intl. Drive - Convention Center + West Disney Area @ $29 = rejectedSea World - Intl. Drive - Convention Center + Winter Park @ $30 = rejectedI will be back tomorrow to repeat the process, starting at $31I do hope you don't take offence at me starting lower than you advised, it is just that I really am wanting to get the hotel as cheaply as possible, and I'm more than happy to "waste" a day's worth of bids.My final question for today is; what time does the clock "reset" on my bids. I mean, I can only bid once per day per zone per date, bu when does that "day" expire? Is it 24 hours from my bid? Is it at 0001hrs? If so, which timezone?EDIT: I see from this thread that it is 24 hours. That's fine with me.Thank you so much for your help thus far. This really is a terrific forum.
thereuare Posted June 1, 2011 Report Posted June 1, 2011 Good luck and keep us updated on your next round of bidding.Thanks for using the PRICELINE links for your bids. Please use this HOTWIRE and these PRICELINE LINKS: HOTELS, CAR RENTALS, and AIRFARE to begin your travel purchases
thereuare Posted June 1, 2011 Report Posted June 1, 2011 The dates are in the sub-topic descrition... July 1-July 6Please 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
ukmonkey Posted June 1, 2011 Author Report Posted June 1, 2011 Sea World - Intl. Drive - Convention Center @ $31 = rejectedSea World - Intl. Drive - Convention Center + Kissimmee @ $32 = rejectedSea World - Intl. Drive - Convention Center + Ocoee - Orlando West @ $33 = rejectedSea World - Intl. Drive - Convention Center + Orlando East @ $34 = rejectedSea World - Intl. Drive - Convention Center + West Disney Area @ $35 = rejectedSea World - Intl. Drive - Convention Center + Winter Park @ $36 = rejected
thereuare Posted June 2, 2011 Report Posted June 2, 2011 Since you're only bidding one zone you can just update:Bid Sea World-Intl. Drive-Convention Center from $32-$36 and was rejected.It will be easier for your to type and easier for others to read.Good luck on the next round. Please use this HOTWIRE and these PRICELINE LINKS: HOTELS, CAR RENTALS, and AIRFARE to begin your travel purchases
ukmonkey Posted June 2, 2011 Author Report Posted June 2, 2011 Sea World - Intl. Drive - Convention Center @ $37 = rejectedSea World - Intl. Drive - Convention Center + Kissimmee @ $38 = rejectedSea World - Intl. Drive - Convention Center + Ocoee - Orlando West @ $39 = rejectedSea World - Intl. Drive - Convention Center + Orlando East @ $40 = rejectedAt this point I got a message saying: We searched hundreds of options to find your hotel room, however we can't accept your offer of $40 per room, per night. Your credit card has not been charged for Request Number xxxxxxxxx. If you are willing to raise your price by $15 to $55 per room, per night, you can try the same request again right now.I simply continued bidding...Sea World - Intl. Drive - Convention Center + West Disney Area @ $41 = rejectedIf you are willing to raise your price by $15 to $56 per room, per night, you can try the same request again right now.Nope...I'll just carry on thanks...Sea World - Intl. Drive - Convention Center + Winter Park @ $42 = rejected And surprise surprise...If you are willing to raise your price by $15 to $57 per room, per night, you can try the same request again right now.I'll be back again at the same time tomorrow :)
ukmonkey Posted June 3, 2011 Author Report Posted June 3, 2011 Just a thought guys, but would it work if I did one run through bidding with 3.5* ticked, using the above re-bid zones, and then went through again, bidding for 3.5* AND 4* in my desired area? Would that give me another bit of the cherry in the same 24 hours??
ukmonkey Posted June 3, 2011 Author Report Posted June 3, 2011 Sea World - Intl. Drive - Convention Center @ $43 = rejected (asked me to bid $15 more)Sea World - Intl. Drive - Convention Center + Kissimmee @ $44 = rejected (asked me to bid $15 more)Sea World - Intl. Drive - Convention Center + Ocoee - Orlando West @ $45 = rejected (asked me to bid $15 more)Sea World - Intl. Drive - Convention Center + Orlando East @ $46 = rejected (asked me to bid $15 more)Sea World - Intl. Drive - Convention Center + West Disney Area @ $47 = Congratulations, your price of $47 was accepted by Doubletree By Hilton Orlando At Seaworld.
dutchtoo Posted June 4, 2011 Report Posted June 4, 2011 Looks like a nice place, tried to get the same deal for July 20 -23 but no luck.
thereuare Posted June 4, 2011 Report Posted June 4, 2011 Sea World - Intl. Drive - Convention Center + West Disney Area @ $47 = Congratulations, your price of $47 was accepted by Doubletree By Hilton Orlando At Seaworld.Congratulations on your success!Hope you're pleased with the deal you received at this property, and although not the hotel you were originally seeking, hope you feel the savings is worth the flexibility of being open to the hotel you receive... and at least this hotel gives you chocolate chip cookies as check-in! :)Thank you for sharing your win with the board.Please use the PRICELINE and HOTWIRE links on the board to begin your travel purchases.Enjoy your stay.Just a thought guys, but would it work if I did one run through bidding with 3.5* ticked, using the above re-bid zones, and then went through again, bidding for 3.5* AND 4* in my desired area? Would that give me another bit of the cherry in the same 24 hours??This wouldn't work since the star rating you select is the minimum you're willing to accept, so when you bid for 3.5* rated hotels, you're also bidding for 4* (and Resort and 5* if offered) hotels too. Therefore adding 4* after your 3.5* bidding would be kicked out as a duplicate bid.Looks like a nice place, tried to get the same deal for July 20 -23 but no luck.dutchtoo,Welcome to BetterBidding!Rates are date specific so you may not be able to replicate another user's winning bid if their dates are different then your own. If you'd like help with your own stay feel free to start a NEW TOPIC.Please use the PRICELINE and HOTWIRE links on the board to begin your travel purchases.Thanks. Please use this HOTWIRE and these PRICELINE LINKS: HOTELS, CAR RENTALS, and AIRFARE to begin your travel purchases
ukmonkey Posted June 4, 2011 Author Report Posted June 4, 2011 I'm a little disappointed that the rooms don't have refrigerators nor free internet, but not the end of the world. It looks a pretty nice place, so I'm happy overall.Huge thanks to you, thereuare, for your help with this.
thereuare Posted June 5, 2011 Report Posted June 5, 2011 Refrigerator are not something i expect in a hotel room unless it's an all-suite type property... free internet is usually found at the lower rated properties.Glad to see that although lacking the two amenities above, that you're still pleased with the results (and hard not to be at under $50/nite :) ) Please use this HOTWIRE and these PRICELINE LINKS: HOTELS, CAR RENTALS, and AIRFARE to begin your travel purchases
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