Nautica3 Posted July 30, 2003 Report Share Posted July 30, 2003 Tried and rejected for the following (all for Aug 10-15):1) 2.5*, West Des Moines/Clive, $32/night2) 2*, WDM/Cl, $25/night3) 2.5*, WDM/Cl, $33/night (added DSM Airport area for instant rebid)4) 2*, WDM/Cl, $27/night (added NW DSM/Urbandale area for instant rebid)At this point I gave up and booked the Clarion via H/W for $35/night (details in Iowa Hotwire thread).I half expected this, as the Iowa State Fair is running that week. Glad I had H/W to fall back on. It's obvious that reservations are up that week, because the first 2 bids are old standards that have historically been successful many times (I've done them myself more than once), and the secondary bids are slightly higher. [Granted, I had some "relocation" risk w/ bid #4, as there are no 2* hotels in the NW DSM area, but there are 2.5* ones. Still, I figured I wasn't likely to have a 2.5* hotel pick up a $27/night bid, and even if they did, it's a decent area and only a 5-mile difference in distance, and a great rate for a 2.5*!]Nautica3 Link to comment
thereuare Posted July 30, 2003 Report Share Posted July 30, 2003 It used to be very rare for Hotwire to beat a Priceline rate, but it has been happening with much more frequently lately. Maybe each is tweaking their business model slightly and the price differences are becoming less and less. Please use this HOTWIRE and these PRICELINE LINKS: HOTELS, CAR RENTALS, and AIRFARE to begin your travel purchases Link to comment
Nautica3 Posted July 30, 2003 Author Report Share Posted July 30, 2003 Even if H/W can't *beat* P/L directly on price, it still works for me under certain situations.If I've tried a couple times on P/L, and can't get accepted on what I believe are reasonable offers, and H/W is offering a hotel at a fairly close price, I'll go with H/W, since it's a sure thing.I don't mind paying a buck or two more per night for the sure thing.Then again, I'm going for the same area over & over again, and I know all the hotels thatare likely to be involved, so I've got some pretty decent working knowledge of what to expect.This strategy won't work for everyone.Nautica3 <-- Hoping to find a job in St. Louis so I can stop travelling! Link to comment
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