Priceline Hotel: Pricing strategy for 3* Los Angeles (Redondo - Manhattan Beach)

[Chl]

Hi, a complete newbie to PL here. would love to book a 3* in Manhattan Beach area for 1 night post cruise, Sep 30 - Oct 1, 2012. It appears that most bidders got upgraded to the 3.5* CrownePlaza in the area. We target on 3* because we are not planning to rent a car but to use the free shuttle provided by the 3* hotels to the nearby (with 2 kids, spending some time on the beach is good enough). B)

Any advices on bidding a 3* on Manhattan are much appreciated. :)

Many thanks!

PS any ideas for the 3* price range? As I noticed 3.5* crowne plaza range from $50-70.

[thereuare]

Welcome to BetterBidding!

Few comments before you begin...

If you haven't yet, please start by reading your messages.

PRICELINE only guarantees double occupancy, after that it's at the discretion of the hotel, and you could receive a room with only one bed. While you can call the hotel you win and request a room with two beds, the hotel may not be able, or willing, to honor your request. If this is not a risk you're willing to accept, HOTWIRE may still be an option as they allow you to search for up to quad occupancy and ensure sleeping accommodations for everyone you include in your search (although this usually means two beds, the second 'bed' could be a sofabed, rollaway, etc)

If you decide to go with PRICELINE, the star rating you choose is the minimum you are willing to accept and PRICELINE will always try to upgrade you, if possible, to a higher rated hotel. So even though you bid the 3* level, it's possible that you get upgraded to a 3.5* (or higher) hotel which in this instance may not have the amenities you're seeking for this stay.

Based upon the above let us know how you'd like to proceed and we'll take it from there.

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

[Chl]

Thanks for the kind reminder. Yes, we are willing to take the risk to go with PL. Kids are 3 and 1 so if hotel can only offer one bed, we are ok with that. The 3* hotels are ideal with the free shuttle but if we got bumped up to a 3.5*, ESP crowne plaza, we can live with that too... Just want to make sure we don't overbid and get 3.5* or higher instantly which isn't our 1st priority.

Thx again for your help. Your expertise is much appreciated.

[thereuare]

When bidding 3* in the Los Angeles region you have THREE 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.

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 3* Redondo-Manhattan Beaches...

Bid $45, if rejected add re-bid zone1...

Bid $50, if rejected close browser and use this link to re-access PRICELINE

Select 3* Redondo-Manhattan Beaches and re-bid zone2...

Bid $55, if rejected add re-bid zone1...

Bid $60, if rejected close browser and use this link to re-access PRICELINE

Select 3* Redondo-Manhattan Beaches and re-bid zone3...

Bid $65, if rejected add re-bid zone1...

Bid $70, if rejected close browser and use this link to re-access PRICELINE

Select 3* Redondo-Manhattan Beaches and re-bid zone2 and re-bid zone3...

Bid $75, if rejected add re-bid zone1...

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.

[Chl]

Thank you very much! Will need to review rebid explained and give it a try in the weekend.

[thereuare]

If you're new to re-bidding it's highly recommended that you confirm your re-bid zones with the board before bidding.

Please use the PRICELINE and HOTWIRE links on the board to begin your travel purchases... (and please click each of these links before replying)

Thanks.

[DLJD]

Hi

I'm also looking at Redondo-Manhattan. However, I'm a bit confused...by re-bidding using the three re-bid Zones (1,2,or3), would it be possible that you might win a 3* hotel in those zones as there are 3* star hotels available in these zones. I had thought a re-bid zone would help if they only had a higher class of hotel (in this case 3 and 1/2 stars or higher). Please help.

Thanks

Don

[thereuare]

Welcome to BetterBidding!

'Re-bid zone1' is not the same as priceline's Zone1, 're-bid zone2' is not the same as priceline's Zone2, etc, etc. If you listed your re-bid zones on a piece of paper, re-bid zone1 would be the first zone in your list, re-bid zone2 the second zone in your list, etc, etc.

If you'd like help with your own stay feel free to start a NEW TOPIC.

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

[DLJD]

Thank you for the clarification. I will certainly use the links on the board.

Best

Don