DrGwat Posted July 6, 2005 Report Posted July 6, 2005 I am new to Priceline/Hotwire, Betterbidding.com (great site!), and also Washington DC. I would like to find a convenient 3* or 4* near the Mall and main Smithsonian museums. I'll be arriving Sunday afternoon and leaving Wednesday morning. July 10-13. I'd prefer keeping my maximum bid below $100, since I realize additional taxes and service fees will be added to that amount. Plus, I will also need a place to keep my car while there, so do expect to pay up to $25 per day additional for parking as well.Could someone please suggest a bidding strategy? I'm guessing that White House or Convention Center would be the two areas most convenient for my purposes. But I could also justify staying in Georgetown or Dupont Circle if this would increase my chances of finding a nicer or cheaper hotel room. I don't mind walking a bit more or taking the Metro for short distances.Also, does anyone know if my parking estimate is correct? Or perhaps, can I find a cheaper method for storing away the car? I don't plan to use it while there.I'd prefer to get my Priceline/Hotwire reservation take care of as soon as possible since I'll begin traveling tomorrow and may not have additional access to computers until my arrival in DC.I'll be extremely greatful for any assistance or suggestions. Thanks!
thereuare Posted July 6, 2005 Report Posted July 6, 2005 Welcome to BetterBidding!When bidding 4* in Washington DC you have five re-bid zones. If you're not familiar with re-bidding please read RE-BIDDING EXPLAINED and feel free to ask questions and/or confirm your re-bid zones with the board before proceeding.Select 4* Convention Center....Bid $70, if rejected add Downtown...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.We'll stick with your above zone preferences first and if rejected we'll then look towards the alternative zones you previously mentioned.Any questions feel free to ask.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
DrGwat Posted July 6, 2005 Author Report Posted July 6, 2005 OK, I'm getting the hang of this "re-bid zone" thing. However, I tried your specific strategy with no success, offered up to $100 for 4* in both Convention Center and Downtown.What strategy might you suggest now? At this point I am most concerned about getting cutoff from PL for 72 hours, since I really do need to have reservations scheduled before I leave town tomorrow.I think I would prefer staying in a Convention center or Downtown area 3* versus staying in a Dupont or Georgetown area 4* farther from Washington's Mall and main attractions.Any suggestions for how to best proceed with the next step? Also, I tried but was unable to access the PL site via your provided link.Thanks!
thereuare Posted July 7, 2005 Report Posted July 7, 2005 At the 3* level you have one re-bid zone...Select 3* Conventon Center...Bid $55, if rejected add re-bid zone...Bid $60, if rejected close browser and re-access priceline however you did previously.Select 3* Downtown...Bid $55, if rejected add re-bid zone...Bid $60, if rejected close browser and re-access priceline however you did previously.Select Convention Center and Downtown...Bid $65, if rejected add re-bid zone...Bid $70.Let us know how it goes. Please use this HOTWIRE and these PRICELINE LINKS: HOTELS, CAR RENTALS, and AIRFARE to begin your travel purchases
DrGwat Posted July 7, 2005 Author Report Posted July 7, 2005 Looks like they're playing hard to get tonight. I did exactly as suggested, except for kicking my last bid up to $75 (for a 3* in Convention Center, Downtown, and Springfield). Any more suggestions? Do I now use Dupont and Georgetown as areas of last resort? Or is there some way for me to offer a higher bid in my preferred areas, Convention Center and Downtown?I really can't wait for 72 hours.Thanks!
thereuare Posted July 7, 2005 Report Posted July 7, 2005 I think your option is to SPLIT YOUR BID or add the Dupont zone (i would add this sooner than the Georgetown area as i believe it is generally considered more convenient for the typical guest).If you want to split the dates you can repeat the above bidding strategies for different dates than you have already bid (ie 7/10-7/12 or 7/11-7/13).If you want to bid Dupont i would bid as follows for a 4*:Select 4* Dupont-WoodleyBid $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.In your situations, I do think that adding the Dupont zone gives you a greater chance of success than splitting your bid.Good Luck. Please use this HOTWIRE and these PRICELINE LINKS: HOTELS, CAR RENTALS, and AIRFARE to begin your travel purchases
DrGwat Posted July 7, 2005 Author Report Posted July 7, 2005 After other failed bidding attempts for a 4* in Convention Center or Downtown areas (explained in a prior post), I tried the following today:Select 4* Dupont-WoodleyBid $75, rejected, added re-bid zone...Bid $85, accepted by Omni ShorhamYour Offer Price: $85.00 Number of Rooms: 1 Number of Nights: 3 Subtotal: $255.00 Taxes & Service Fees: $44.85 Total Charges: $299.85
thereuare Posted July 7, 2005 Report Posted July 7, 2005 Glad to hear you finally had success.I believe the location of this property it ok for a 'tourist' as it is near a metro stop, so hopefully it'll work out well for your needs.You can read some Omni Hotel Reviews which also mention signing up for their 'frequent stay' program which comes with some perks... even on opaque purchases!Enjoy your stay and time in DC. Please use this HOTWIRE and these PRICELINE LINKS: HOTELS, CAR RENTALS, and AIRFARE to begin your travel purchases
DrGwat Posted July 7, 2005 Author Report Posted July 7, 2005 Thank you so much for your assistance. I got this reserved just in the nick of time. I'll add more to the site when I get a chance. :)
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