Priceline Hotel: Far future booking advice

[Don820]

Hi,

Long time lurker, first time poster.

I'm going to book Vegas for next summer 2012, late July for my 40th celebration, Sunday-Friday. I usually stay mid strip at places like Ph/NyNy/MGM and manage to get decent prices through their specials (~$69-$100 is my usual kind of range). Am hoping to go 5* this time. A few questions:

- How far in advance is usually best for bookings? I notice using the deal calendar that most people with deals in late July booked in Jan/Feb. Any other tips on timing?

- Given I am in no rush, and given that I am quite happy with any of the 5* locations noted in the sticky post for Vegas north (pallazo, venetian, wynn), I am going to take my time and make lowball bids over a period of time trying my luck. Any other tips given I'm in no rush(I know about the zone tricks, etc)?

- I don't want to end up at the Trump, so it's nice they pulled it out as "Condo" (that wasn't like that a couple years ago when I checked priceline) -- any concerns or gotchas there?

Thanks much for any tips.

(EDIT - this is in the FAQ - ignore as you will):

- The Priceline hotel list sticky post says not to use that list -- but it would have to be the best list available, right? I understand there's no guarantees, but just making sure I'm not missing some definitive list elsewhere. I don't see a "late updated" timestamp, but it seems current.

[thereuare]

Welcome (officially) to BetterBidding!

The hotel lists are updates whenever new information is reported to the board, so they are up-to-date based upon any new information posted.

Since hotel demand, new reservations coming into the hotel and cancellations for reservations already on the books, can't be predicted, there is no 'best' time to bid. Best advice is to 'know' what a good deal would be for your dates, then bid up to that point once a week or so... increasing your bid amount and the frequency of your bids as you get closer to your arrival date.

If you let us know the actual dates of your stay we'll try to give a current guestimate as to what it might take.

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

Good luck and keep us updated on your progress.

[Don820]

If you let us know the actual dates of your stay we'll try to give a current guestimate as to what it might take.

2012, July 22 - 27th (Arrive Sunday, depart Friday). Will be with wife, so looking at 5* / suite type accommodations in heart of the strip versus a simple crash-pad.

[thereuare]

Bump this thread (by adding a reply to it) in about a month as you can only book on PRICELINE and HOTWIRE up to 330 days in advance.

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