Priceline Hotel: Help for bidding Coral Gables Coconut Grove 4*

[sandyworks]

Hi:

I've always watch and read but have been "scared" to try this trip.

We are leaving for Miami on January 12 returning on the 16th (to see family.)

I have read all the questions and this is what I believe I need to do.

We want to stay at the 1) Sonesta, 2) Mayfair, 3) Westin (we really want to avoid the Hyatt Regency) WE ONLY want to stay in a 4*

Based on my research. Here is what I plan to do: I am willing to go to $125 to have success.

Start bid at $75 for 4* If rejected I hope to do $3 increments for each of those listed below.

add Hialeah (#8) only has 3* and below

add Dadeland (#3) " " " "

add Miami North (#10) " " " "

add Miami Southwest (#15) " " " "

add Miami West (#9) " " " " "

I am really nervous about doing this (I want success for my husband to BELIEVE!!!)

My questions are:

1) how are my starting bids (too high) I really want this done by today or tomorrow at the latest.

2) How are my rebids

3) Do I have the rebids correct to get my 4* Sonesta, Mayfair and Westin.

4) Any tips to get one of these and avoid the Hyatt Regency Coral Gable 4* (If I can't ...oh well)

Based on current rates, I would be happy at $125 top number...$99 would be great.

Please help a nervous senior.

Thanks a million,

Sandy

[AaronJB]

Welcome to Betterbidding. :)

There is definitely no way to avoid a particular property when using PRICELINE. If you select 4* for a particular zone, you have to be willing to accept any property in that zone - there is no way to ensure/increase the odds of a particular hotel.

HOTWIRE, where one can make an educated guess (not guaranteed) as to which hotels are showing based upon the information given may be a better choice in this case if you want to try to avoid a particular property.

Would you rather take a chance on PRICELINE or go for HOTWIRE, which is usually a little more expensive but may help avoid the Hyatt?

Thank you for using the site's HOTWIRE or PRICELINE links to start your purchases and searches.

[thereuare]

Welcome (officially) to BetterBidding!

At the 4* level you actually have SIX re-bid zones, please re-check and see if you can find the one you missed, if not, we'll break it down further for you.

There is no way to avoid the Hyatt, but if you're interested in the Mayfair Hotel i think that can be had for a little over your budget at $160/nite.

Please confirm your sixth re-bid zone with the board, as well as that you're 'ok' should you receive the Hyatt, and we'll suggest a strategy for you to follow.

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

[sandyworks]

Hi and Thanks for responding:

You said I missed one of the 6 rebid sites in Miami. Is that

Miami: North Miami Beach: number 11?

I would welcome any suggestions including going to $160-$175 and choosing the Hyatt If had too.

However, I may prefer to go to Hotwire as you suggested.

I did check on Hotwire and the same 4 hotels: have the same amenities except the:

HYATT has Golf and the

Mayfair has a Spa and is Smoke Free

Westin has Smoke Free

But these specifics are not listed on the amenities list.

Using BB link to HOTWIRE and entering Coconut Grove/Coral Gables I received the following:

$145 super saving 4* Amenities: 85% recommended

Fitness Center, Restaurant(s), High-Speed Internet Access, Pool(s), Business CenterRecommended by 85% of Hotwire customer

When I go to reveal hotels with prices the Mayfair Hotel is $217 per night, The Westin is $304 and the Sonesta is $339.

Is this what you meant by going to Hotwire.

I just read the Hotwire FAQ and I'm not sure what you mean about getting a price through Hotwire.

I really need to book this. The "only $145" at Hotwire only has 4 rooms left. Any idea or suggestions are welcomed.

Please give me advice. If Necessary, I will accept the Hyatt at Priceline, but wouldn't mind paying the $160 to $175 if I had to.

Thanks for your help. I have spent hours pouring over the FAQ's not sure if I'm just bleary eyed.

Thanks again for your experienced assistance.

Sandy

[thereuare]

You said I missed one of the 6 rebid sites in Miami. Is that

Miami: North Miami Beach: number 11?

No, North Miami Beach is NOT a re-bid zones when bidding 4* in the Miami region.

Try the following:

1) Use the PRICELINE search box on the upper right of this page, enter 'Miami' and your dates, and click "GO".

2) List each zone that is offered in this region.

3) Next to each zone list the highest star rating offered in the zone. The way to determine the highest star rating offered in the zone is by selecting the first zone i the list, then scrolling down to see the highest star rating selectable (ie- not greyed out). NEXT UNcheck the selected zone, place a checkmark in the next zone, and repeat the process for each zone in the region. Each time you take note of the highest star rating in the zone, make sure that only ONE zone is selected above.

4) post your findings and we'll take it from there

If you don't follow the above just post back and we'll break it down further.

Using BB link to HOTWIRE and entering Coconut Grove/Coral Gables I received the following:

$145 super saving 4* Amenities: 85% recommended

Fitness Center, Restaurant(s), High-Speed Internet Access, Pool(s), Business Center

When I go to reveal hotels with prices the Mayfair Hotel is $217 per night, The Westin is $304 and the Sonesta is $339.

Not really sure why you're checking retail prices, but if it's to find a match for the crossed out retail rate that HOTWIRE is showing with this listing, that price is the average price of 4* hotels in this zone, not the specific hotel you're being offered, so there is a good chance you won't find a match.

I really need to book this. The "only $145" at Hotwire only has 4 rooms left. Any idea or suggestions are welcomed.

I see this offer too, but unfortunately the amenities of Restaurant, Pool, Fitness, Internet, Business are very common in this area and doesn't narrow down the choices and matches all four 4* hotels in this zone.

If Necessary, I will accept the Hyatt at Priceline, but wouldn't mind paying the $160 to $175 if I had to.

If you change your search to 3adults/0children do you then see a different 4* hotel offered in this zone with: Restaurant, Pool, Fitness, Smoke Free, Hi-Speed Internet, Business, Tennis, Spa? This matches previous reports for the Mayfair Hotel and would be my best guess for this one.

Let us know if the above points you in the right direction, or if you want to try PRICELINE, please follow the steps we've outlined to determine your re-bid zones and we'll take it from there.

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

Thanks.

[sandyworks]

Hi:

Thanks so much for all of your help. I really learned a lot and feel more confident. I did figure out the zones and how to do it correctly for PriceLine. I was anxious about the time and my husband was nervous. So I followed your advice and used your the better bidding link to HOTWIRE and added the 1 child and got "smoke free" instantly added to the amenities. With one child, the recommended % went from 85% to 90% at Hotwire. And only Mayfair and Westin had the smoke free rooms when I researched. I went with the $163 rate which I was happy with and learned a lot more from your help.

I will go and list my "win." in Hotwire wins forum. Considering it is a holiday weekend in high season, I still feel I got great savings...more than if I had gone through the hotel or Expedia etc. I compared and it was a huge savings.

Thanks for your help.

Sandy

[thereuare]

Congratulations on your success!

No need to create a new post, simply click the "EDIT TO REPORT WIN" button on the lower right corner of the board, then fill out the form on the ensuing page (making sure to choose 'hotwire' under Service Used) and upon posting this thread will automatically be moved to the HOTWIRE section fo the board.

I'm glad to hear you're pleased with the results and that the board was helpful with your purchase... looking forward to seeing which hotel you received (and in your post please include the full set of amenities associated with the property you won... you can still view this information by going to HOTWIRE and clicking the MY ACCOUNT link near the top right of their home page)

Thank you for sharing your results and using the HOTWIRE links on the board to begin your purchase.

Enjoy your stay.