hollyc23 Posted August 17, 2005 Report Posted August 17, 2005 Hi all. I have been bidding on priceline for the last 6 weeks without any luck. 4 star SOBE and Miami Beach started at $50.00 and worked my way up to $90.00 as of today. I think I just now grasp re-bidding zones after finding this site and reading all of the info about them. If anyone has any advice on the following, I would really appreciate it.Zone MiamiSub-zone 1st Choice SOBESub-zone 2nd Choice Miami Beach1 Night, November 25th pre-cruise hotel4* (sobe for sure) would accept 3 on Miami BeachWilling to pay 100.00 for 4 star, but would obviously prefer less :) I hope I have all the info needed.BTW, bidding on 4 *, I believe my free zones are Dadeland, Miami Lakes, North Miami, and Southwest Miami. What about Key Biscayne which was listed as resort only? Thanks.
hollyc23 Posted August 17, 2005 Author Report Posted August 17, 2005 Do you think 100.00 is not enough?
thereuare Posted August 17, 2005 Report Posted August 17, 2005 Please clarify...You will take a 4* in South Beach or a 3* in Miami Beach... but not a 3* in South Beach? Would you bid $90 at the 3* level?You have already bid up to $90 in both South Beach and Miami Beach at the 4* level? (have you tried 3* in either zone yet?)You have your re-bid zones correct at the 4* level... Resorts are rated higher than 4* properties so Key Biscayne is not a re-bid zone. Please use this HOTWIRE and these PRICELINE LINKS: HOTELS, CAR RENTALS, and AIRFARE to begin your travel purchases
hollyc23 Posted August 20, 2005 Author Report Posted August 20, 2005 So Sorry it took me a few days to get back to you. I should be able to bid again this afternoon.I would prefer a 4* South Beach maximum bid at 100.00. Second Choice would be 4* Miami Beach bidding the same.Last Choice would be 3* Miami Beach, but not 3* South Beach. Would bid a 100.00 if I had to for 3 *. I have read some terrible reviews on a few that are listed 3* in South Beach. However, I would be willing to pay up to 80.00 and be satisfied in SOBE 3 * if my options ran out.I have tried 3* up to 80 dollars in both zones about a week and a half ago (before I read the reviews).I was hoping to get them for a little cheaper as I have read so many accounts of this on cruise critic, but from what I understand, traveling during Thanksgiving Break is not the best time to get great rates. What do you think?Thanks much for your help...I sincerely appreciate it :)
thereuare Posted August 21, 2005 Report Posted August 21, 2005 At the 4* level you have four re-bid zones, at the 3* level you have two... feel free to confirmyour re-bid zones with the board if you're unsure.Select 4* South Beach...Bid $65, if rejected add re-bid zone1...Bid $70, if rejected add re-bid zone2...Bid $75, if rejected add re-bid zone3...Bid $80, if rejected close browser and re-access priceline however you did previously.Select 4* South Beach and re-bid zone 4Bid $85, if rejected add re-bid zone1...Bid $90, if rejected add re-bid zone2...Bid $95, if rejected add re-bid zone3...Bid $100, if rejected close browser and re-access priceline however you did previously.Select 4* Miami Beach...Bid $75, if rejected add re-bid zone1...Bid $80, if rejected add re-bid zone2...Bid $85, if rejected add re-bid zone3...Bid $90, if rejected add re-bid zone4...Bid $95, if rejected add South Beach...Bid $100, if rejected close browser and re-access priceline however you did previously.If the above fails (which may be likely) report back and i'll advise on a 3* for Miami Beach (one of the reservation systems i use is currently down so i can't look at prices at the moment but should later).I would also suggest considering what time of day you arrive and how much time you'll have to use the facilities and see the area. The Miami Downtown zone may cost you half as much, the 3* and 4* hotels in the area get very good reviews, and is a frequent choice for pre-cruise stays.Good Luck and let us know how it goes. Please use this HOTWIRE and these PRICELINE LINKS: HOTELS, CAR RENTALS, and AIRFARE to begin your travel purchases
hollyc23 Posted August 22, 2005 Author Report Posted August 22, 2005 UPDATE: Tried the above bidding strategy and failed. I was suppose to do all of this in the same day...correct? And just to check to see if I did it right, I was suppose to completely exit out of priceline after each series of 4-5 rejections and then re-access...right? Meaning after I hit 100.00, I closed out of priceline completely and re-accessed through Savings Barn. I hope I understood correctly :) Thanks for your time in helping me with this. If the 3* Miami Beach Stategy does not work, I will definately consider downtown at a cheaper rate.Also, is there a chance this same stategy may work as time gets closer?
hollyc23 Posted August 22, 2005 Author Report Posted August 22, 2005 Also, I am flying into Ft. Lauderdale instead of Miami due to the price difference. My port is Miami. I would also consider staying in Ft. Lauderdale for the night if need be and taking a cab or shuttle to the port the next morning.
thereuare Posted August 22, 2005 Report Posted August 22, 2005 Try this for 3* where you have two re-bid zones....Select 3* Miami Beach...Bid $55, if rejected add re-bid zone....Bid $60, if rejected add re-bid zone....Bid $65.If the above is rejected i would wait 72 hours, retry the 4* strategy above again, and then try:Select 3* Miami Beach...Bid $65, if rejected add re-bid zone....Bid $70, if rejected add re-bid zone....Bid $75.At the moment getting a nice hotel in Downtown Miami within your budget shouldn't be a problem.You can stay in Ft. Lauderdale, but i always recommend staying as close to the pier as possible... makes the morning of embarkation easier not having to worry about the trip to the pier or if you'll hit traffic or have car trouble. As well, if you forget something back at the hotel, it's 10-15 minutes away (and easy roundtrip) instead of an hour (2 hours roundtrip). These aren't likely scenarios, but they do happen. Please use this HOTWIRE and these PRICELINE LINKS: HOTELS, CAR RENTALS, and AIRFARE to begin your travel purchases
hollyc23 Posted August 22, 2005 Author Report Posted August 22, 2005 Update: rejected 1st 3*Miami Beach strategy. Will try again in 72 hours and will keep you posted. Thanks.
hollyc23 Posted August 29, 2005 Author Report Posted August 29, 2005 Update: Went through same bidding strategy above but bumped up my prices and received Resort Sheraton Bal Harbor for 115.00 on Miami Beach (Last 4* Miami Beach try). Checked out the web and the rooms are going for 249.00 so I felt like I got a good deal. Thanks for all your help and I did bid through the SavingsBarn.com link.
thereuare Posted August 29, 2005 Report Posted August 29, 2005 Congratulations on your ultimately success... and thank you for using the PRICELINE links at SavingsBarn.com to start your bidding :) I supposed you were upgraded to a Resort class hotel from your 4* bid? What was the amount of your highest previously rejected bid? (if you recall)Enjoy your stay and have a great cruise. Please use this HOTWIRE and these PRICELINE LINKS: HOTELS, CAR RENTALS, and AIRFARE to begin your travel purchases
hollyc23 Posted August 29, 2005 Author Report Posted August 29, 2005 Yes, I was upgraded to resort on a 4 * bid and the last rejected bid was at 110.00. Thanks again.
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