Priceline Hotel: 4* Miami (South Beach-Ocean Drive) Crowne Plaza Z Ocean

[Offthebeatenpath]

Hi,

I need some help bidding on my stay in Miami. In the past, I was able to see past posts and determine a bidding strategy. But this time around I am lost.

We are going on a cruise and will fly into Miami October 7, 2011. We want to stay downtown near the port of Miami staying in a 4 star, paying no more than $100.

After the cruise, we want to stay in Southbeach October 13 to 15, 2011. We are looking at 4 star and do not want to pay more than $150. Is this price realistic?

Any help would be of great assistance.

Thank you!

[Offthebeatenpath]

I did forget to add one more issue in my original post.

Adding to my confusion is that the hotel areas in the drop down menu (8 hotel areas) do not match the name your own price ones (15 hotel areas) :)

[thereuare]

Please use separate threads for each leg of your trip. We'll use this thread for your pre-cruise stay, please start a NEW TOPIC for your South Beach stay.

The 'retail' side of PRICELINE and the 'name your own price' side of PRICELINE use a different universe of hotels, as well as different zone names and boundaries. If you're trying to use the retail listings to determine what you will get when bidding, this is not recommended since, as noted above, the two services use a different universe of hotels (for more info see the related link in our PRICELINE FAQ). If you're trying to determine your re-bid zones you don't want to use the retail side of their site, you want to use the approached discussed here: Priceline Re-Bidding Explained

If you're ready to start bidding, at the 4* 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.

While this may fall short, with time on your side, i would bid as follows:

Select 4* Downtown...

Bid $55, if rejected add re-bid zone...

Bid $60, if rejected add re-bid zone...

Bid $65, if rejected add re-bid zone...

Bid $70, if rejected add re-bid zone...

Bid $75, if rejected add re-bid zone...

Bid $80, if rejected add re-bid zone...

Bid $85

Any questions feel free to ask. If the above is rejected (quite possible/likely) post back and we'll revise to try again in 24 hours up to your maximum bid.

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

Good luck and let us know how it goes.

[Offthebeatenpath]

Thank you thereuare for all of your help! :)

I read your comments and the two links as you suggested.

I was able to determine that my six rebid zones were:

Aventura

Dadeland

Miami Lakes-Hialeah

Miami West

North Miami

Southwest Miami

Was offered a $25 credit by PRICELINE and the minimum bid with the iphone app is $66. Thus, I tried the following and was unsuccessful.

$66, Miami Downtown

$70, add re-bid zone

$75, add re-bid zone

$80, add re-bid zone

$85, add re-bid zone

$87, add re-bid zone

$90

I guess I will try again tomorrow and slightly increase my first bid.

Thank you once again. Have a great long weekend!

[thereuare]

Thanks for the update.

Please use the requested PRICELINE and HOTWIRE links on the board to begin your future bidding, searches and travel purchases.

[Offthebeatenpath]

Hello,

I wanted to follow-up on my recent bidding.

My bid of $215 for the Crowne Plaza Z Ocean was a success for Oct 13 to Oct 15/11.

Thank you for all of your help!

[thereuare]

Congratulations on your success!

Hope you're pleased with the results and this works well for your needs.

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 this leg of your trip.