Priceline Hotel: Need Help Bidding Buffalo 6/22/12-6/23/12

[mysteriousbox]

I have been bidding in the downtown area of Buffalo for the last two days for a 3* hotel. My bids ranged from $ 38-54.

All have been rejected even after I have re-added 2 free bidding zones. Also Hyatt for some odd reason is not listed as available for that day and I really hoped to get that hotel.

Please provide me with a bidding strategy to obtain a 3* hotel in downtown Buffalo without going over 65$ plus taxes (median rate is 135). I have looked at the past rates and many are in the 40s range yet I submitted a 54$ bid and got rejected. Help!

[thereuare]

Welcome to BetterBidding!

Rates are date specific, and the fact that the Hyatt is showing sold-out should be a clue that perhaps something is happening in the area for this nite which is causing increased demand for hotel rooms, which would make a win more difficult for this nite (at least more difficult at the rates that others have won in the past)

Taking into account your previously rejected bids, and using your TWO re-bid zones i would try:

Select 3* Buffalo Downtown...

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

Bid $62, if rejected add re-bid zone...

Bid $65

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.

[mysteriousbox]

I will try that. ALSO I look at their previous winning bids and a 3* in DT Buffalo went for $90 4 days ago... is this an indication of the prices they are expecting because that is too expensive especially for Buffalo?

I checked if anything is going on that weekend and besides a garden convention and a Buffalo city holiday nothing is going on... oh and a sabres draft party. Holiday Inn is going for 99 and last hotel booked in 3* was for 90... where are the savings?

[mysteriousbox]

Went up to 68 with all the rebid zones and still got rejected. I am getting nervous as to why the prices I pick are not going through.

[thereuare]

...I look at their previous winning bids and a 3* in DT Buffalo went for $90 4 days ago... is this an indication of the prices they are expecting because that is too expensive especially for Buffalo?

Again, rates are date specific, so you can't necessarily apply winning bids for dates that are different than your own as to what will be needed for your own stay.

It's not important what is happening on any given, only that you're aware if there is an imbalance of supply and demand. Given they Hyatt is sold-out (for whatever reason, it could simply be a hotel-only event such as a wedding or conference that is only effecting demand for hotel rooms at this particular property) it's possible that the other hotels in the area aren't yet releasing deeply discounted inventory to PRICELINE or HOTWIRE in hopes of getting 'overflow' business from people who would otherwise be trying to book the Hyatt. It's impossible to know if hotels won't release deeply discounted inventory to the opaque suppliers until closer to this arrival date OR if they won't give deeply discounted inventory at all. With 2 weeks to go before arrival i wouldn't panic too much, but you could try to find a fully refundable back-up reservation which may put your mind at ease a bit (as well as protect you from rates rising from here).

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

Keep us updated on your progress and let us know if we can be of further help.