phippsy Posted February 8, 2012 Report Share Posted February 8, 2012 Seeing as this board has help others score great bids, I am hoping to get a four star or 3.5 in Downtown Austin on the dates of 3/23-3/26 (1 room). My max bid is preferably $105. Have seen winning bids for the Omni Downtown in the 80's. This is the ideal hotel we wish to stay at. Downtown in the only zone we wish to stay in. Thanks in advance. Link to comment
thereuare Posted February 9, 2012 Report Share Posted February 9, 2012 If you haven't yet, please start by reading your messages.Are you willing to pay more for a 4* vs. a 3.5* OR is your goal the least expensive 3.5* or better for this stay? If you are willing to pay more for a 4*, did you want to first bid up to your limit for a 4* hotel, then if rejected start over for a 3.5*? I assume you're ok if you were to win a 4* hotel other than the Omni?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
phippsy Posted February 9, 2012 Author Report Share Posted February 9, 2012 Hi thereuare,I would first like to bid up to the limit for a 4 star, and then would try the same with a 3.5 star. Yes, we would be fine with any 4* hotels as long as it is downtown. Thanks for the reply! Link to comment
thereuare Posted February 9, 2012 Report Share Posted February 9, 2012 Not sure why, but rates look fairly high at the moment for these dates, but to give it a try:At the 4* level you have EIGHT re-bid zones, at the 3.5* level you have SEVEN 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 4* Downtown...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 $100, if rejected add re-bid zone...Bid $103, if rejected add re-bid zone...Bid $105, if the above is rejected close browser and use this link to re-access PRICELINESelect 3.5* Downtown...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 $100, if rejected add re-bid zone...Bid $105Any 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. Please use this HOTWIRE and these PRICELINE LINKS: HOTELS, CAR RENTALS, and AIRFARE to begin your travel purchases Link to comment
slruud Posted February 9, 2012 Report Share Posted February 9, 2012 To the OP...just to let you know, there are a couple of hotels listed in Priceline's Downtown zone that are no where near downtown. The AT&T Conference Center comes to mind. I'm not familiar with the relatively new W hotel and it's location.That being said, Lastminutetravel.com has the Sheraton Austin Hotel at the Capitol for $103/nite ...their rating 4*, Priceline rating 3.5*...which you could book as a cancelable backup. Good luck. Link to comment
austin_res Posted February 10, 2012 Report Share Posted February 10, 2012 Downtown in the only zone we wish to stay in. Thanks in advance.Adding on to slruud's post, you should also check HOTWIRE as you can take a guess as to what the hotel is. The new W hotel is a couple block from the heart of downtown Austin and is a good location for Austin's downtown nightlife. Link to comment
phippsy Posted February 11, 2012 Author Report Share Posted February 11, 2012 Thanks to you both, I will look into that. I have never booked a backup hotel before, why would one do this? Link to comment
thereuare Posted February 11, 2012 Report Share Posted February 11, 2012 I have never booked a backup hotel before, why would one do this?Because while you're waiting/hoping for rates to come down... they could go up. Booking a fully refundable back-up hotel now locks in the price now, so that you're not subject to rate increases. Should rates come down, you can re-book, win at PRICELINE or HOTWIRE, and cancel your refundable back-up.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
AaronJB Posted February 11, 2012 Report Share Posted February 11, 2012 A backup reservation would be something to consider if - for example - it's a busier date in the area and bidding may take a while (and prices can suddenly go up in the meantime) or you want to ensure that you have something and wait for a while to try bidding again, etc. Overall, it's an acceptable price/hotel that is fully and completely refundable that ensures you have a room while you continue to look or if the discount services don't come through. It appears to be the weekend causing the problem in this case - 3/23-25 are expensive, 3/25-26 is still a little on the high side, but doesn't appear as bad.Thank you for using the site's HOTWIRE or PRICELINE links to start your purchases and searches. Link to comment
phippsy Posted February 11, 2012 Author Report Share Posted February 11, 2012 Looked at lastminutetravel website, I am not seeing the hotel you speak of. Does that website constantly update selection and prices as well? Link to comment
phippsy Posted February 11, 2012 Author Report Share Posted February 11, 2012 All those bids were rejected! Hopefully the prices drop as the date approaches... I wonder why so expensive that weekend???? Link to comment
thereuare Posted February 12, 2012 Report Share Posted February 12, 2012 I don't know what is happening, but given current rates i'm sure something is happening that is driving up hotel demand.Keep us updated on your progress.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
rudy1987 Posted February 21, 2012 Report Share Posted February 21, 2012 Hello, just joined the site after hearing great things. I am looking for almost the exact same deal as OP but I need it the following weekend...3/30-4/1. It should be in downtown only and am looking for anything in 3.5* to 4*. I'm reading the BAB24 thread which is really helpful. Any other tips before I take the plunge? Link to comment
AaronJB Posted February 21, 2012 Report Share Posted February 21, 2012 rudy1987,Welcome to Betterbidding. :)Please start a new thread with the details of your trip (dates, desired zones, budget, star rating) and we would be happy to offer suggestions.Thank you for using the site's HOTWIRE or PRICELINE links to start your purchases and searches. Link to comment
phippsy Posted July 1, 2013 Author Report Share Posted July 1, 2013 Ended up renting a condo from a private owner, as the hotels were super expensive that weekend and PRICELINE wasn't getting me any discount worth using as the bids were over $110 a night and still no bites. Link to comment
AaronJB Posted July 1, 2013 Report Share Posted July 1, 2013 Thank you for closing the thread. Hope you enjoyed your stay. Link to comment
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