norsie Posted November 19, 2011 Report Share Posted November 19, 2011 I have read all the FAQs and the bidding process but I still could use a little help with a strategy for bidding on a one-night pre-cruise hotel in San Juan on Dec. 9th near the Pan American Pier. I would be most interested in 3.5 stars or higher (I'm assuming that includes resorts. Thanks! Link to comment
thereuare Posted November 19, 2011 Report Share Posted November 19, 2011 When bidding on PRICELINE, you have to be able to accept any hotel in the zone at the star level (or higher) that you choose... are you willing to accept a hotel anywhere within the shaded boundaries of the San Juan zone?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 how you'd like to proceed and if on PRICELINE, what is your maximum bid for this stay? Are you willing to pay more for a higher rated hotel OR is your goal the least expensive 3.5* or better for this stay?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 Link to comment
norsie Posted November 20, 2011 Author Report Share Posted November 20, 2011 When bidding on PRICELINE, you have to be able to accept any hotel in the zone at the star level (or higher) that you choose... are you willing to accept a hotel anywhere within the shaded boundaries of the San Juan zone? I am not very familiar with the San Juan area but from my understanding the "San Juan" zone is the best one to bid on when you are trying to get near the Pan American port. If other bidders have a different experience, I'm open since I don't have any prior experience. 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.I would like to use Priceline.Let us know how you'd like to proceed and if on PRICELINE, what is your maximum bid for this stay? Are you willing to pay more for a higher rated hotel OR is your goal the least expensive 3.5* or better for this stay?we would be willing to pay a little more for a higher rated hotel.Please use the PRICELINE and HOTWIRE links on the board to begin your travel purchases.Will do! Thanks! Link to comment
thereuare Posted November 20, 2011 Report Share Posted November 20, 2011 I am not very familiar with the San Juan area but from my understanding the "San Juan" zone is the best one to bid on when you are trying to get near the Pan American port.This is correct, but my point was that you can end up anywhere in the zone and there is no way to target a hotel closest to the pier vs. a any other hotel in the zone.we would be willing to pay a little more for a higher rated hotel.Do you want to try for a Resort property first, if so, up to what price before you lower your star rating and try for a 4*... at the 4* level up to what price before you lower your star rating to 3.5*... what is your maximum bid at the 3.5* level?Thanks for using the PRICELINE and HOTWIRE links on the board. Please use this HOTWIRE and these PRICELINE LINKS: HOTELS, CAR RENTALS, and AIRFARE to begin your travel purchases Link to comment
norsie Posted November 21, 2011 Author Report Share Posted November 21, 2011 I'm not sure how accurate the suggested bids are but I see that 3.5 median price is 135 and 4 median price is 196. Perhaps we were a little over anxious in saying a 4 star. That's a little more than we'd like to pay for one night. We would like the best hotel we can get for 140-150. If we can get a 4 star for that, great. If not, then the best 3.5. Is that helpful? I don't know how realistic my price range is for a 4 star. Thanks! Link to comment
thereuare Posted November 21, 2011 Report Share Posted November 21, 2011 Those are median 'retail' rates.. not suggested biding rates.At the moment i don't think your budget should be an issue.When bidding Resort in the San Juan area 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.Select Resort San Juan...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, if rejected add re-bid zone...Bid $90, if rejected add re-bid zone...Bid $95, if rejected add re-bid zone...Bid $100Any questions feel free to ask.If the above is rejected you can either re-try for a 4* hotel OR HOTWIRE has a 4* hotel in the San Juan area for $105 (your price may differ by a few dollars) with: Resort, Beachfront, Casino, Restaurant, Pool, Fitness, Hi-Speed Internet, Business, Golf, Tennis, Spa, LaundryThis is a match for the El San Juan Hotel and Casino so that would be my best guess for this one.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 Link to comment
norsie Posted November 22, 2011 Author Report Share Posted November 22, 2011 Wow! That sounds great! I will digest that information and start the bidding process. I'll make sure I understand and ask questions if I need to. I'll be back... Link to comment
thereuare Posted November 22, 2011 Report Share Posted November 22, 2011 Let us know if you have any questions.Thanks for using the PRICELINE and HOTWIRE links on the board. Please use this HOTWIRE and these PRICELINE LINKS: HOTELS, CAR RENTALS, and AIRFARE to begin your travel purchases Link to comment
norsie Posted November 26, 2011 Author Report Share Posted November 26, 2011 Let us know if you have any questions.Thanks for using the PRICELINE and HOTWIRE links on the board.So, we have an interesting update...we assumed that going through your link we wouldn't be able to use our bonus cash but that was fine with us because we figured we'd just budget the amount that Priceline gave us toward a hotel this time but actually use the bonus cash for spring break next year and it would all work out in the end. However, when we clicked through your link, we noticed that the bonus cash was available in the bottom right hand corner. We also noticed that it expired on 12/31 of this year (Priceline originally told us it would expire Dec of next year)! Then I searched to see if anyone else had used bonus cash through your link and found a post where you explained that we could. We were very excited! Using your suggestions, here were our results (if another user doesn't have bonus cash, I'm not sure how accurate this is going to be but at least it's an idea):Selected Resort San Juan...1 night-12/9/11Bid $141 (incl $140 bonus cash)=RejectedAdded re-bid zone $145(incl $140 bonus cash)=RejectedAdded re-bid zone $150(incl $140 bonus cash)=RejectedAdded re-bid zone $155(incl $140 bonus cash)=Rejected (starting to get worried :) )Added re-bid zone $160(incl $140 bonus cash)=ACCEPTED!So, we paid $20 plus $27.14 in taxes and fees and received:El San Juan Resort And CasinoWe are excited! We leave in a few weeks! Thanks for your help! Link to comment
thereuare Posted November 27, 2011 Report Share Posted November 27, 2011 Congratulations on your success! Glad to see you're pleased with the results and the deal you received.Thank you for sharing your win and using the PRICELINE links on the board to begin your bidding. Enjoy your stay and upcoming cruise.PS- you may be interested in, and please let other cruisers know about, our new site we just launched, Pre Cruise Hotels.com as it gives an excellent view of prices at each star level, how much you would save by staying in a different zone, etc, etc. Using the filters, price slider, sort functions allows to you customize the map and hotel lists based upon your needs. Please use this HOTWIRE and these PRICELINE LINKS: HOTELS, CAR RENTALS, and AIRFARE to begin your travel purchases Link to comment
norsie Posted November 30, 2011 Author Report Share Posted November 30, 2011 Wow! The Pre Cruise Hotels interactive map is very interesting! I will definitely share that. Thanks again for all your help! Link to comment
thereuare Posted November 30, 2011 Report Share Posted November 30, 2011 The Pre Cruise Hotels interactive map is very interesting! I will definitely share that.Glad you like it... and thanks for helping to spread the word of our latest project! Please use this HOTWIRE and these PRICELINE LINKS: HOTELS, CAR RENTALS, and AIRFARE to begin your travel purchases Link to comment
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