Priceline Hotel: Help with bidding strategies for Lancaster East-Intercourse

[jessguo]

Hi,

I am looking for a hotel in the Lancaster East-Intercourse for 8/20-21. I wanted to wait until 8/19 to try my first bid, because I want to make sure my kids are okay to travel for the weekend.

I did some research on this forum and ideally, I would like to stay in either Red Roof Inn or Holiday Inn Express. Red roof inn has been identified by this forum as a 2 star, in Lancaster East-Intercourse. However, Holiday Inn Express is identified as 2.5 star, in Lancaster West. Of course, if I can get the 3* courtyard for the same budget, it would be nice.

Since I will only have 8/19 one day to bid, I'd like to know how to increase my free bidding zones, and not to have to wait for 24 hours later. Please correct me if I am wrong.

1. I will choose Lancaster East-Intercourse, 3*; if rejected

2. Add 2.5* in the same zone, add $ (no hotels are identified as 2.5* in this zone); if rejected

3. Add Lancaster-West as a free bidding zone, keep the stars at 3 and 2.5, add $. Hopefully I will get my ideal hotels by the third time.

Does my strategy make sense? Or am I understanding the bidding process and restrictions correctly?

Thanks in advance.

[thereuare]

Few flaws in your strategy...

I would like to stay in either Red Roof Inn or Holiday Inn Express.

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.

1. I will choose Lancaster East-Intercourse, 3*; if rejected

2. Add 2.5* in the same zone, add $ (no hotels are identified as 2.5* in this zone); if rejected

3. Add Lancaster-West as a free bidding zone, keep the stars at 3 and 2.5, add $. Hopefully I will get my ideal hotels by the third time.

As per the comments at the top of the Priceline Hotel List you shouldn't use the hotel lists to determine your re-bid zones, the only method to use is described here: Priceline Re-Bidding Explained.

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

Feel free to ask any questions you have and let us know how you'd like to proceed and we'll advise accordingly.

[jessguo]

Thank for your advice. I did the methodology you suggested and confirmed that both Lancaster East- Intercourse and Lancaster -West have 3,2.5, and 2 star hotels. How should I proceed if I want to avoid the 3 star in Lancaster West? Any hotels in East-Intercourse and the 2.5 star in West is acceptable.

[thereuare]

How should I proceed if I want to avoid the 3 star in Lancaster West?

You don't include this zone at all in your bidding... even at the 2.5* level you wouldn't want to include it since your 2.5* bid could be upgraded to a 3* hotel in this zone.

So if only bidding the Lancaster East- Intercourse zone, what star rating and budget do you want to try for?

Also, keep in mind that HOTWIRE can be an option if you're able to reasonably ID the hotel being offered (or identify that it's not the hotel you're trying to avoid)

Are you ready to commit now or are you still holding off for another day?

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

[jessguo]

I just tried tonight but failed.

I first put down 2 star in Lancaster East - Intercourse, $40, rejected

Added 1 star, offered $43 rejected.

I am going to wait until tomorrow.

My budget is around $75 for a 2 start or above.

[thereuare]

I first put down 2 star in Lancaster East - Intercourse, $40, rejected

Added 1 star, offered $43 rejected.

It's not usually recommended to lower your star rating and increase your bid at the same time, as explained here: If You Lower Your Star Rating then Lower Your Bid Price.

Do you really want a 1* rated hotel??

It's hard to wait until the last minute to bid and then try lowballing... what is the best rate you're able to find at an acceptable hotel thru traditional booking channels?

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

[jessguo]

Did not end up bidding with PRICELINE or PRICELINE EXPRESS deal.

[thereuare]

Thanks for closing this thread with your decision.

When concluding your threads it's more helpful to others if you post what you did do for the stay... not just what you didn't do.

When PRICELINE and HOTWIRE don't work for your needs for a given trip, please use the board's sister site MAPS and HOTELS.com for your regular rate purchases.

Thanks.