Priceline Hotel: 3.5* DC (Dupont Circle - Woodley Park) Washington Marriott Wardman Park

[belle01]

Hi there, thanks for the welcome to the board.

We will be in DC 4/11-4/14/2012 and need to stay in Bethesda as a first choice, 2 rooms at a 3 or 3 1/2 star property. I've unsccessfully bid from $65.00 to $75.00 over the past 24 hrs, starting out with the Bethesda and then adding in Woodley/Dupont for rebidding. These locations work for proximity to American University.

I read a recent post where the Bethesda bidder was declined. He added in Mt Vernon in his rebid, at which time Bethesda rebid went through. This seems like a great rebidding tool, but is there any chance at all a 3 or 3 1/2 star property in Mt Vernon could be won? It would be a disaster to be stuck so far away from my daughter's graduation!

It may be the dates I'm needing are simply commanding higher prices, or does adding a zone like Mt Vernon increase successful rebidding? Also, is there a time frame in which I can start over in my bid, instead of having to bid up from my current $75.00 bid currently on record for Bethesda?

Any ideas are appreciated!

Thanks for a great board and tips on bidding!

[belle01]

Thanks for bearing with my newness!

After further research, I see there is a 72 hour wait, usually, to begin bidding again. One can also look at what rankings exist in each zone, thus answering my question about inadvertently winning a 3 or 31/2 star hotel in Mt. Vernon.

My question then is, will rebidding with Mt Vernon over Woodley/Dupont increase the chance of a successful bid in Bethesda, or it using this zone a tool only to meet rebidding criteria?

Any opinions about my hope of winning a $65-$75 room in 3 or 3 1/2 star Bethesda hotel, or does it look like May 11-14 is just going to me more expensive?

Thanks, and I will post my next outcome.

[thereuare]

Welcome to BetterBidding!

Few comments:

After further research, I see there is a 72 hour wait, usually, to begin bidding again.

Currently the lock-out period is only 24 hours... not 72 hours.

...will rebidding with Mt Vernon over Woodley/Dupont increase the chance of a successful bid in Bethesda, or it using this zone a tool only to meet rebidding criteria?

Re-bidding is adding a zone that you know you can't win because it only contains star ratings lower than the star rating you've selected. Perhaps this will make it clearer:

Currently highest star rating offered in each zone:

Bethesda 3.5*

Mt Vernon 2*

Dupont Circle 4*

Therefore if you bid 3.5* and choose Bethesda and Mt Vernon, do you see how if you won the hotel would have to be in Bethesda since there are no Mt Vernon hotels at 3.5* or higher?

Likewise, if you bid 3.5* and choose Bethesda and Dupont Circle, you could receive a 3.5* in Bethesda, a 3.5* hotel in Dupont Circle, or even a 4* hotel in Dupont Circle (as your 3.5* bid can be upgraded to a higher rated property)

When bidding 3.5* in this region you actually have FIVE such re-bid zones. See Priceline Re-Bidding Explained and feel free to ask questions and/or confirm your re-bid zones (highly recommended) before bidding.

Any opinions about my hope of winning a $65-$75 room in 3 or 3 1/2 star Bethesda hotel, or does it look like May 11-14 is just going to me more expensive?

My guess would be that you're likely looking somewhere in the $75-$95 range, but if you let us know your maximum bid, and confirm your re-bid zones with the board, we'll suggest a strategy for you to follow.

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

[belle01]

Great news! Bid successfully on 2 rooms, 3 nights, May 11-14 at the Marriott Wardman, $72/night. I didn't think a 3.5 star in this zone would win over Bethesda! I love this hotel and am thrilled we can stay there.

I bid 2 days ago up to $68.00. Tonight I began at $72, added Mt.Vernon, bid was accepted right away. I also bid from another computer 2 days ago, starting at $70 (3 star, Bethesda), was rejected, went up to $75 adding in 3.5 star and Woodley/Dupont, rejected again.

Thanks for the tips, and the clarification about the rebid zones. Gotta love Mt Vernon!

[belle01]

Very happy with this outcome, bid in Bethesda and Dupont/Woodley.

[AaronJB]

Congrats on your success. :)

Definitely a good deal for this Marriott property! Glad you are excited about the stay.

Thank you for sharing your win and please use the site's PRICELINE or HOTWIRE links to start your purchases and searches.

Enjoy your stay.