Priceline Hotel: Ft Lauderdale

[joe c]

I'm a new member. I am looking for 2 rooms in Ft Lauderdale for March 14 and 15, 2012. Looks like Priceline section 2 would be my choice because I'm going on a cruise. I'm looking for 3-4 stars. What range should I bid?

[thereuare]

Welcome to BetterBidding!

Please use the zone names, and not numbers, as the numbers will change if/when PRICELINE renames the zones over time (as well, i know what "Downtown" is off the top of my head... i don't know what "Zone 2" is without the need to look it up ;) )... i assume it is indeed Downtown which you're looking at?

This is a two nite stay, correct? So we don't suggest a strategy that goes higher than you're willing to spend, and to make sure your expectations are realistic, what is your maximum bid (per room per nite) for this trip?

Let us know the above and we'll advise accordingly.

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

[joe c]

I'm staying for two nights. I picked the area of downtown Ft Lauderdale because it is close to the cruise terminal but the area just south of downtown would be OK too. I don't want to pay extra for a place on a beach because we will be visiting friends in FtL and won't be spending much time at the hotel. I think that my max bid would be about $90. Being new at this I have no idea what the hotel will be like or where it will be and I would feel much safer if I could bid in the $65 to $75 range.

[thereuare]

...the area just south of downtown would be OK too.

What area is this? Is it covered by a PRICELINE zone? Are you willing to accept a hotel anywhere within this zone?

I don't want to pay extra for a place on a beach...

But if the beach area is also acceptable you can include in order to get more bidding opportunities. For example, assuming the Beach zone is acceptable, if you bid the Downtown and Beach zones together, let PRICELINE determine which is the least expensive and have that one accept your bid. The Ft Lauderdale Beach zone is often similarly priced to Downtown and not necessarily more expensive. As well, you may also want to consider the Airport zone which is close to the pier as well, and often offers one of the better values in the area.

I think that my max bid would be about $90... I would feel much safer if I could bid in the $65 to $75 range.

Give your stay is 5 months away, how high are you willing to bid at this time? Also, while i don't think you're budget is currently enough for a hotel higher in the star range, things can change over time, so please also let us know if you are wiling to pay more for a 4* vs. a 3.5 vs. a 3* OR if your goal is the least expensive 3* or better for this stay.

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

Let us know the above and we'll take it from there.

[joe c]

What area is this? Is it covered by a zone? Are you willing to accept a hotel anywhere within this zone?

I looked at a map again and I will stay anywhere in Priceline zone 2,3,4,5-Downtown, 2 airport zones and beach.

Give your stay is 5 months away, how high are you willing to bid at this time?

Seeing that I have a long time to bid, I think that I can bid up to $75 at this time and increase it as the time gets closer if I must.

Also, while i don't think you're budget is currently enough for a hotel higher in the star range, things can change over time, so please also let us know if you are wiling to pay more for a 4* vs. a 3.5 vs. a 3* OR if your goal is the least expensive 3* or better for this stay.

I think that the least expensive 3* or higher would be my goal.

[thereuare]

At the 3* level you there are no re-bid zones, but with multiple zones you're willing to accept, you can try as follows:

Select 3* Downtown...

Bid $50, if rejected close browser and use this link to re-access PRICELINE

Select 3* Beach...

Bid $50, if rejected close browser and use this link to re-access PRICELINE

Select 3* Airport...

Bid $50, if rejected close browser and use this link to re-access PRICELINE

Select 3* Airport North...

Bid $50, if rejected close browser and use this link to re-access PRICELINE

Select 3* Downtown and Beach...

Bid $55, if rejected close browser and use this link to re-access PRICELINE

Select 3* Airport FLL and Airport North...

Bid $55, if rejected close browser and use this link to re-access PRICELINE

Select 3* Downtown and Airport FLL...

Bid $60, if rejected close browser and use this link to re-access PRICELINE

Select 3* Beach and Airport North...

Bid $60, if rejected close browser and use this link to re-access PRICELINE

Select 3* Downtown and Airport North...

Bid $65, if rejected close browser and use this link to re-access PRICELINE

Select 3* Airport FLL and Beach...

Bid $65, if rejected close browser and use this link to re-access PRICELINE

Select 3* Downtown and Beach and Airport FLL...

Bid $70, if rejected close browser and use this link to re-access PRICELINE

Select 3* Downtown and Beach and Airport North...

Bid $70, if rejected close browser and use this link to re-access PRICELINE

Select 3* Airport FLL and Aiport North and Downtown...

Bid $73, if rejected close browser and use this link to re-access PRICELINE

Select 3* Airport FLL and Aiport North and Beach...

Bid $73, if rejected close browser and use this link to re-access PRICELINE

Select 3* Downtown and Beach and Airport FLL and Airport North..

Bid $75

Any questions feel free to ask.

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

Good luck and let us know how it goes.

[joe c]

It looks like I won't be using priceline to book a hotel in Ft Lauderdale. The friend that we will be visiting wants us to stay in a hotel near where he lives. He lives south of the city. He has a friend who is the Manager of a hotel near him. She said that she would give us a deal if we stayed at her hotel.

Thanks for all of the suggestions. I'm sure that I learned something even if I didn't bid this time.

[AaronJB]

Thank you for closing the thread, and we look forward to helping with future stays.