Priceline Hotel: Bidding Assistance for Atlantic City 08/27-08/28

[goodricb]

I clicked around and it looks like i have 8 bids in 72 hours. any suggestions on starting point, ending point and increments?

Absecon 3*, 2*, 1*

Atlantic City Area 3, 2, 1

Atlantic City West 2, 1

Cape May 4, 3, 2

Somers Point - Ocean City 2.5, 2, 1

Vineland - Millville 2.5, 2, 1

Bid 1 Atlantic City Area

2 Atlantic City Area, Atlantic City West

3 Atlantic City Area, Somers Point - Ocean City

4 Atlantic City Area, Vineland - Millville

5 Atlantic City Area, Atlantic City West, Somers Point - Ocean City

6 Atlantic City Area, Atlantic City West, Vineland - Millville

7 Atlantic City Area, Somers Point - Ocean City, Vineland - Millville

8 Atlantic City Area, Atlantic City West, Somers Point - Ocean City, Vineland - Millville

[goodricb]

right, I just couldnt wait.

I tried the following and got rejected on all 8. so sad. I am willing to go higher considering our current reservation at the sands is $185/night. any advice?

1Atlantic City Area $41

2Atlantic City Area, Atlantic City West $46

3Atlantic City Area, Somers Point - Ocean City $51

4Atlantic City Area, Vineland - Millville $56

5Atlantic City Area, Atlantic City West, Somers Point - Ocean City $61

6Atlantic City Area, Atlantic City West, Vineland - Millville $65

7Atlantic City Area, Somers Point - Ocean City, Vineland - Millville $70

8Atlantic City Area, Atlantic City West, Somers Point - Ocean City, Vineland - Millville $75

[thereuare]

What star level are you bidding?

A saturday check-in during the summer in Atlantic City is going to be a tough win.

[goodricb]

I am shooting for a 3* in the "Atlantic City Area" Zone. Right I realize that fact.

[dahammer]

be careful about bidding in Vineland-Millville, it is about a 45 minute drive with no traffic into AC. Saturday check in's are tough at the Jersey Shore because many hotels want a two night stay, the season is short, only about 10 weeks and they want to maximize revenue. Checking Hotwire, there is a 3* in West Atlantic City for $154 per night, so if you're at the Sands for $185, that seems like a good deal.

[goodricb]

Vineland-Millville doesnt have a 3* option, so if I only bid for 3* I shouldn't get one in that zone. I think I have been spoiled by priceline in the past.

[goodricb]

I was wrong. Our friend booked our back-up option at the Sands is $350, for the one night. I need to find a better rate.

[dahammer]

$350 sounds about right for a casino hotel. Heck, the Econo Lodge and Comfort Inn get $250 per night on Saturdays during the Summer due to the one thing that AC has that Vegas doesn't: the Atlantic Ocean :) Then again, come January, it gets mighty cold on the beach!!

It looks like Hotwire has a 2* property with a pool and breakfast for $182 per night, but you could end up in a smoking room with one double bed. This property has not yet been identified. I used Savingsbarn.com to access the Hotwire. If you proceed with a reservation directly with a or want to check rates with the big three Orbitz, Expedia, or Travelocity, can you use the Travel Links to Help Support BetterBidding ? :)

[goodricb]

I tried again upto $110 with no success. When I get rejected, priceline doesnt even offer me to up my bid right away. Instead they offer available hotels at retail price. Is that normal? Or is that indicitive of a lack of inventory.

[dahammer]

What zone and star level did you place your bid?

[thereuare]

The counter-offers are somewhat random, a pattern has not been determined yet.

Regarding your own bidding, your not even bidding half of the best deal you can get otherwise... this is 'the season' for the casinos, so there is little reason for them to substantially discount their rates if they are likely to get full rates on their own.

[goodricb]

I am still shooting for a 3* in Atlantic City. I tried the following with no success.

1Atlantic City Area $120

2Atlantic City Area, Atlantic City West $130

3Atlantic City Area, Somers Point - Ocean City $140

4Atlantic City Area, Vineland - Millville $150

5Atlantic City Area, Atlantic City West, Somers Point - Ocean City $160

6Atlantic City Area, Atlantic City West, Vineland - Millville $165

7Atlantic City Area, Somers Point - Ocean City, Vineland - Millville $170

8Atlantic City Area, Atlantic City West, Somers Point - Ocean City, Vineland - Millville $175

Its not that I havent recieved a counter offer, the initial bid rejection screen doesnt prompt me to try another bid by modifying "at least one of the parameters." Instead it offers the only the view/purchase priceline option, with only a small link in the corner to try another bid. When I click on the link none of the star level of city area fields are shadded in, based on my previous bid(s). Is that normal? In the past it would usually have you place a new bid by adding onto your original bid.

Thanks in advance for any assistance.

[goodricb]

I tried again and again and with a $160 bid I got a counter-offer for $299. I think I am going to go with $325 at the Sands, or $349 at Ballys. This time its not worth the gamble (bad pun) to be at the holiday inn or the sheraton.

[dahammer]

or the Econo Lodge :) @ $249 per night.....