Priceline Hotel: First time bidding through betterbidding

[ahart98]

Hi, I just tried my first bid on betterbidding for a 4* Orlando zone 12 (Universal). I have some time before I leave (I'm driving up from Fort Myers), so I low-balled by bidding $70 first. When that bid was rejected, I added zone 2 (Disney main gate Celebration). Rejected again. I'll raise the price tomorrow.

The 4* hotel in Universal area that I stayed in last time I used Priceline (before I discovered betterbidding) was Crowne Plaza, and I got the room for $80/night on May 14. The prices have soared to over $300 since then, but we liked it so much that we thought we'd try staying there again.

I know it seems crazy that I bid so low, but the most common theme I see in these posts is that bidders bid too high. Will keep trying. Might end up dropping the star level.

[AaronJB]

Welcome to Betterbidding. :)

Very nice deal for the Crowne Plaza, and glad you enjoyed your stay! It would be greatly appreciated if you could post the details of that win in a separate thread.

As for this stay, what would be your desired budget per night? Rates can definitely vary significantly from day-to-day and seasonally.

Additionally, in terms of re-bidding, please read this thread for information: re-bidding.

Thank you for using the site's HOTWIRE or PRICELINE links to start your purchases and searches.

[Romelle]

Do follow up on AaronJBs suggestion to learn re-bidding. If I managed to count on my fingers right, you have 9 additional zones you could use for additional bids! But after you think you've got it, I'd recommend posting back here with your understanding so somebody can double-check. There are a couple tricky issues in Orlando with regard to free-rebidding.

Romelle

[thereuare]

...you have 9 additional zones you could use for additional bids!

Currently at the Resort star level there are 12 re-bid zones... at the 4* level there are nine.

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

[ahart98]

Thanks, Aaron. I posted the information I could remember about the last bid.

I'm aiming for $80-90, though have reserved a backup room at a Disney value resort with a FL resident rate for $100. That includes buses to the parks, extra magic hours, etc. So, I'm on the fence about whether to try Priceline again.

I might give it one more go for the Crowne Plaza Universal. Just reread the rebidding info. I bid the first time in a 4* zone (Universal zone 12), then if it's rejected, I can resubmit the bid after adding another zone that has lower than 4* hotels. I think zones 1, 3, 5-10, 13 and 14 apply. So, I could rebid 10 times, adding one of these zones at a time, and that raises my chances of getting a room 4* room in the Universal zone?

I actually did read all this before, but didn't take the plunge and try it. Thanks for your help!

[ahart98]

Thanks, Romelle. I think I'm figuring it out, slowly but surely.

[Romelle]

Take another look at Downtown Disney-LBV (3) . Clear at the bottom of the star listing. Resorts act like 4 1/2*s. Higher than 4*s. One can get upgraded to a Resort when bidding 4*. That is why you find 10 rather than the 9 AaronJB and I suggested.

Otherwise, you are OK. But I'm really glad you checked back first.

The whole free rebid concept is a little head-twisting. And then something clicks.

Romelle

PS - even though it is more typing, it is better to refer to the zones by their names. Priceline slips new ones in and/or combines old ones. The names still communicate, but the numbers can change.

[thereuare]

If you decide to move forward with PRICELINE let us know your maximum bid for this trip and we'll suggest a strategy for you to follow.

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

Let us know whatever you decide to do for this stay or if/how we can be of further help along the way.

[ahart98]

Thanks! I see now. I was looking at the top of the list every time.

I'd like to pay no more than $80/night for a hotel (including fees), and I'd like to stay at the one of the 4* hotels in Universal Orlando Resort Area - Intl. Drive North). I did this in May successfully through Priceline, but prices have risen since then to $236.50/night for that time.

Currently, I have a backup reservation at Disney's All Star Music Resort with the FL resident discount, paying $103.20/night. This is more than I'd like to spend, but it includes bus service to the parks, extra magic hours. If I can use Priceline or Hotwire to get a better deal on a Disney hotel, I'd welcome a strategy for that.

I'm open to other ideas, and let me know if you need any other information. Thanks so much for your help!

- Anne

[thereuare]

At the moment I think your $80 all-in budget may be tough for a 4* hotel if only bidding the Universal-I-Drive North zone.

However, to clarify a few things...

1) what is your maximum bid price (before taxes and fees)?

2) earlier you mentioned $80-$90, is this now $80 all-in (no longer willing to go as high as $90?). Also, you have already bid at $70 and were turned down, doesn't a $70 bid price put you over $80 all-in?

3) above you had also bid the Celebration zone, is this zone no longer acceptable?

Let us know the information above so we can provide the most complete strategy and we'll advise accordingly.

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

[ahart98]

I think you're right about $80 being tough that particular week for a 4* in Universal area.

To answer your questions:

1) $80

2) no, not including taxes and fees. I've got a reservation at the Disney value resort for $103 including taxes and fees, though, so I wouldn't want to go elsewhere unless I could save some money.

3) I don't know enough about the 4*s in the Celebration area to make a good judgment. Priceline shows three 4* hotels in Walt Disney World Resort, but that's not the same zone as Disney - Maingate Celebration, I suspect. I can't tell what I'm bidding for, which makes me reluctant to add a zone at a higher bid (higher than $70, my starting bid the other day that was rejected).

Thanks,

Anne

[thereuare]

You can look at our Priceline Hotel List to see which hotels have been reported to the board in the (Disney Maingate - Celebration) zone. However, be sure to read the comments regarding that the hotels listed are only those reported to the board and that star rating changes can happen at any time.

After reading the hotel list please confirm if we should/shouldn't include this zone in your bidding and we'll suggest a strategy accordingly.

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

[ahart98]

Please do not include the Celebration area in the bidding strategy.

Thanks!

[thereuare]

When bidding 4* in the Orlando region you have NINE 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* Universal-I-Drive North zone...

Bid $58, if rejected add re-bid zone...

Bid $60, if rejected add re-bid zone...

Bid $63, if rejected add re-bid zone...

Bid $65, if rejected add re-bid zone...

Bid $68, if rejected add re-bid zone...

Bid $70, if rejected add re-bid zone...

Bid $73, if rejected add re-bid zone...

Bid $75, if rejected add re-bid zone...

Bid $78, if rejected add re-bid zone...

Bid $80

Any 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.

[ahart98]

Checking in before bidding, since this is my first time using a rebidding strategy.

I'm going to bid through the BiddingHelper above.

Select 4* Universal-I-Drive North zone...

Bid $58, if rejected add re-bid zone Casselberry-Fern Park

Bid $60, if rejected add re-bid zone Kissimmee

Bid $63, if rejected add re-bid zone Maitland

Bid $65, if rejected add re-bid zone Ocoee

Bid $68, if rejected add re-bid zone Orlando Airport East

Bid $70, if rejected add re-bid zone Orlando East

Bid $73, if rejected add re-bid zone Orlando International Airport

Bid $75, if rejected add re-bid zone West Disney area

Bid $78, if rejected add re-bid zone Winter Park

Bid $80

Will report back what happens.

Will wait for your reply before bidding.

[Romelle]

Assuming you didn't put it in just to see if somebody was reading carefully ?? - your $68 bid should be "West" instead of "East".

Otherwise, everything is fine.

Good luck!

Romelle

[ahart98]

Thanks for checking the list - I had written that zone down wrong and probably would have gotten confused midstream. I followed the strategy, but the final bid of $80 was rejected. It was worth a try. Many thanks for your help! I'll stick with the back-up reservation this trip, and consult you again in the future.

[Romelle]

The only other thing you could try is a last minute swing at it. Just before your back-up reservation is no longer cancelable. Obviously a long shot, but sometimes rates do drop. Your choice.

If not - see you next trip.

Romelle

[ahart98]

Good idea! I may try that.

Thanks again to all,

Anne

[thereuare]

Let us know if any changes to your plans.

Have a great trip.