Priceline Hotel: Boston trip - 10/4/12-10/9/12 - Bidding Help!

[msuweirdo]

My boyfriend and I are heading to Boston for a Columbus Day wedding. I lived in Boston for 8 years, so I am familiar with the areas, but have never stayed in a hotel. We need to be near the T so we can get around and go to all the places I miss, but we can't afford more than $150 a night. We would prefer to save as much money as possible, since we've already ponied up for the plane tickets.

We have never used Priceline before, so we'd welcome suggestions on bidding schemes, what star level we are likely to get within our price range, etc.

Thanks!

[Romelle]

You can get a general idea of prices/areas/star levels/etc. with HOTWIRE (above left). Also the BiddingHelper.com under Tools (also above left).

As you know (probably better than me), Boston is expensive. Within PRICELINE, you can look at the zone maps and determine just how far out you are willing to stay to save a few dollars.

If you zoom in on the zone maps, the T stops are marked. So you can also see which zones work for that. It always is possible to get a hotel way out at the edge of a zone (speaking from experience here).

Also when on PRICELINE, under the map are listed several further-out zones. Some of them even have "Metro" in their names, so they might be a consideration for you.

Down at the very end of this site is Hotel Reviews. And there are many more reviews on www.tripadvisor.com. Do though read these with the proverbial "grain of salt", as things may not bother you that bother others (and vice versa).

When your bid is successful, your credit card is charged right then.

Do note the total of your bid, rather than just the bid amount. Taxes and fees add quite a bit. It varies from city to city, but I just bid on another city and the taxes and fees added about $15 per day to my base bid for a fairly inexpensive hotel.

FYI - I'm a member, not an official here, but thought I'd get you started on sorting things out so they can give you a more detailed bidding plan.

Romelle

[thereuare]

Welcome to BetterBidding!

What star rating are you seeking, as i think $150 for something decent and centrally located may be tough for these dates. Is SPLITTING YOUR PRICELINE BID an option?

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

Thanks.

[msuweirdo]

We are not very particular about the star level of the hotel, and I think most hotels in the downtown area are going to be 3* and above. We are willing to stay in Cambridge or Charlestown as long as we are within walking distance to the T. Do you think that $150 or less is possible with these criteria? If so, can you suggest a bidding scheme for this newbie?

Thanks!

[MrMan]

Boston is seriously expensive....I'd consider the brand new Hi Hostel in Chinatown - it's not ideal, but it is just a couple of months old and VERY centrally located - right by three different stops (Chinatown, Downtown and South Station).

As you know, if you stay too far out...transportation can become tricky.

I know that it goes against the interests of the board/admin..but this would be my advice...

[thereuare]

I'd consider the brand new Hi Hostel in Chinatown - it's not ideal, but it is just a couple of months old and VERY centrally located - right by three different stops (Chinatown, Downtown and South Station).

Is a hostel an option for you?

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

2x

[msuweirdo]

I don't think a hostel is an option we'd consider unless we completely strike out with our hotel search. I did check the availability of HI-Boston in terms of a private room, and they are sold out for the dates we need. I'm not sure we're up for the shared dorm experience during this trip. It is an option that I'll keep in mind, but I think we'll try to proceed with a Priceline/Hotwire search first.

That being said here is a list of the zones in Boston we'd consider staying in:

Boston Common - Theater District

Boston Harbor Front - Aquarium

Quincy Market - Financial District

Beacon Hill

Back Bay - Copley Square

Brighton - Brookline

Fenway Park

We'd ideally like 3* or above, but might consider 2.5* if we can't get anything around $150 a night.

Can anyone suggest some schemes to try? I'm really a newbie at this and I am a bit intimidated by the whole process. We just want a nice place to stay in for our visit so we can enjoy the wedding and not hate where we're staying.

I will make sure to use the proper PRICELINE and HOTWIRE links when I begin my bids.

[thereuare]

That being said here is a list of the zones in Boston we'd consider staying in:

Boston Common - Theater District

Boston Harbor Front - Aquarium

Quincy Market - Financial District

Beacon Hill

Back Bay - Copley Square

Brighton - Brookline

Fenway Park

There are no 2.5* or 3* hotels offered in the Fenway Park zone so we will not include that in your bidding.

At both the 2.5* and 3* levels you have ONE 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 3* Boston Common, Harbor Front, Quincy Market...

Bid $95, if rejected add re-bid zone...

Bid $100, if rejected close browser and use this link to re-access PRICELINE

Select 3* Beacon Hill, Back Bay, Brighton...

Bid $95, if rejected add re-bid zone...

Bid $100, if rejected close browser and use this link to re-access PRICELINE

Select 3* Beacon Hill, Harbor Front, Quincy Market...

Bid $105, if rejected add re-bid zone...

Bid $110, if rejected close browser and use this link to re-access PRICELINE

Select 3* Boston Common, Back Bay, Brighton...

Bid $105, if rejected add re-bid zone...

Bid $110, if rejected close browser and use this link to re-access PRICELINE

Select 3* Boston Common, Back Bay, Quincy Market...

Bid $115, if rejected add re-bid zone...

Bid $120, if rejected close browser and use this link to re-access PRICELINE

Select 3* Beacon Hill, Harbor Front, Brighton...

Bid $115, if rejected add re-bid zone...

Bid $120, if rejected close browser and use this link to re-access PRICELINE

Select 3* Boston Common, Harbor Front, Brighton...

Bid $125, if rejected add re-bid zone...

Bid $130, if rejected close browser and use this link to re-access PRICELINE

Select 3* Beacon Hill, Back Bay, Quincy Market...

Bid $125, if rejected add re-bid zone...

Bid $130, if rejected close browser and use this link to re-access PRICELINE

Select 3* Boston Common, Harbor Front, Brighton, Quincy Market, Back Bay...

Bid $135, if rejected add re-bid zone...

Bid $140, if rejected close browser and use this link to re-access PRICELINE

Select 3* Boston Common, Harbor Front, Brighton, Quincy Market, Beacon Hill...

Bid $135, if rejected add re-bid zone...

Bid $140, if rejected close browser and use this link to re-access PRICELINE

Select 3* Boston Common, Harbor Front, Brighton, Quincy Market, Back Bay, Beacon Hill...

Bid $145, if rejected add re-bid zone...

Bid $150

You can try the above and if rejected close the current browser, use this link to re-access PRICELINE, then try again at the 2.5* level.

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.