Priceline Hotel: When to start bidding? London September 2012

[Seraphim122]

As you might have guessed, I'm a newbie :). I was wondering when was th best time to start my Priceline bids for London for my stay from Sept 11-16? I've heard different advice as in "you're too late!" to "oh you have plenty of time" and that worries me. :)

So, any help would be appreciated

[Romelle]

There is a good discussion on timing of bidding in the F.A.Q.s (Frequently Asked Questions) above.

The more London zones you are willing to consider, the better rate you'll likely find.

If you've been to London before, you'll notice rates have clearly gone up. The place is still worth it though, IMHO.

Romelle

[thereuare]

Welcome to BetterBidding!

Please start by reading your messages and clicking each of these PRICELINE and HOTWIRE links... then reply to this thread and we'll have a look at your post above.

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

[vanpoodle]

I'd start as soon as my trip is booked, I would start bidding at the low end of the range and slowly work my way up, being willing to take a month or two to do it. Occupancy levels can change at any time. My only caution is that the Paralympics are still underway at the beginning of September, so the first couple of nights might be the expensive ones. I have found that I tend to do better in London splitting up my stay since weekends seem to be where the deals are. I am quite happy to be able to stay in a couple of different zones and see different parts of the city and I tend to save money that way.

Hotel rooms are perishable inventory and if occupancy levels are low great deals can be had just before your trip. But you can get burned that way if it is a busy time, too. The deals seem to come up even 8-10 months ahead. I suspect that if hotels aren't at their target levels even that far out they'll make rooms available to PL at a good price.

[Seraphim122]

I want to keep my bids for a 4 star in London from $90 to at most $120. I'm getting a little worried seeing winning bids way above that for September

Should I be discouraged or try for a 3 Star?

[thereuare]

I'm getting a little worried seeing winning bids way above that for September

Then you should definitely start now, assuming your plans are firm, as any win near $120 would be considered a 'good deal' relative to other wins for around this time frame.

I want to keep my bids for a 4 star in London from $90 to at most $120.

Whether this will be enough depends upon which zone(s) you're willing to accept, but based upon your comments above, it does seem that this may be a tough win for this time frame around this price point. Which zone(s) are you willing to accept? Using the BiddingHelper.com Hotels.com tab, what is the best deal you're able to find at an acceptable hotel in one of these zones?

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

[vanpoodle]

Try for a 4* and see what happens. I wouldn't chance a 3* in London. I have found weekend nights at the end of Sept this year for about $100 for 4*. I have found that I tend to do better in London splitting up my stay since weekends seem to be where the deals are. I am quite happy to be able to stay in a couple of different zones and see different parts of the city and I tend to save money that way.

Be sure to click the links that thereuare requested, and use the PRICELINE link above to throw in some low bids to get started and see if anything gets accepted. Try your whole trip first, then consider splitting to 2 and 3 nights if you don't mind changing hotels. I'd say the nights from Thursday to Sunday will be less expensive, just based on experience, though this year may be a bit of an anomaly.

[Seraphim122]

I'm completely willing to accept even zones like Docklands which are further out. Also , I have no qualms on bidding on a 3* if I can't get a 4 as these are mainly chains which may be ordinary but aren't dumps.

But I'll start with central locations first within my range.

If all else fails , I can stay with a friend in Stanmore although that is way out :)

Van poodle , thank you! I had been hesitant about breaking up my stay before this but I'm not so dyed in the wool about it now

[vanpoodle]

My husband gets a little ticked at me for splitting up stays since he hates changing hotels, but because there are so many different zones, one zone might have something with a better deal on the weekend, while another zone might have better weeknight pricing as they serve different clientele. Try the whole stay first because it could work, then try that strategy. 3* in Europe can be a little dicey -- it's not for me. I've posted recently about bidding in London in a fair bit of detail, if you search my posts you can get more information there, too.

[thereuare]

I'm completely willing to accept even zones like Docklands which are further out. Also , I have no qualms on bidding on a 3* if I can't get a 4 as these are mainly chains which may be ordinary but aren't dumps.

But I'll start with central locations first within my range.

So to get started, at the 4* level which zone(s), by PRICELINE name, are you willing to accept and what is your maximum bid? We'll then suggest a strategy for you to follow.

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