Priceline Hotel: Bid question

[cntrfieldsmom]

Opinion please? I placed a PL bid for *2 1 night for 32.00. Average listed rates were about $60-75. There is 1 zone and only 1 & 2 stars. I got the "if you add $8" screen. Since I had time to do it again in 72 hours, I passed. Should I add the $8 next time if offered, or just make my first bid $35?

[thereuare]

When is your stay?

[cntrfieldsmom]

Sorry, June 30th

[thereuare]

Personally i would take the counter-offer... what if the hotel pulls rates opaque rates for same day reservations (which it seems like you'd be bidding same day if you wait).

Assuming yo'u'd be successful at $35, you'd save an additional $5 by waiting... not worth it in my book for a one nite stay. If it was a multi-nite stay it might be a different situation, but i'd rather overpay $5 for a room than risk having to overpay $30 (which is what would happen if the $40 rate disappears). If you still have the email of "you can bid again immediately if you bid $40..." it is probably still usable.

If the email isn't available, i would probably bid the $40 next time around as it is your only chance (or $39 if you subscribe to the philosophy of "the counter offer can always be undercut"... but then you get into the question of whether it is worth the extra $1 to not have to be concerned about it).

Of course if Hotwire has anything competive than i would re-think the plan based upon the alternate back-up.

Others may play it differently, but i usually look at things from a risk vs. reward perspective.

[cntrfieldsmom]

Thanks for the reply theruare. It's a moot point now, since we can't leave a day early, but it did look like I could still add the $8 from the email I got. That's what I would've done, because you're right, with a one night stay it was such a small amount.