Priceline Hotel: 4* San Francisco (Financial District-Embarcadero) Hilton San Francisco Financial District

[binarystar]

Hi,

I've used the PRICELINE link here to post my bids...

I've been looking for a 4* hotel in Embarcadero for the 1/19.

The past few days, I've bid in $5 increments starting from $65 to $145. I thought I'd be able to win a bid at $110-115 tops, but have had no luck so far.

I've won bids multiple times in the past, typically at half the public rate. Now wondering if this is a poor weekend, but my dates are not flexible. Am I doing something wrong with my bidding strategy?

Any advise is appreciated, thanks!

regards,

binarystar

[AaronJB]

Welcome to Betterbidding. :)

Rates can vary substantially day-to-day and year/over/year. If you have bid up to $145 and bids have not yet been accepted, you are not doing anything wrong - unfortunately, at this time, there is no inventory at these price points. What would be your desired budget per night for this stay? I think you're probably not terribly far off.

Sharing any prior wins would be greatly appreciated, as the information does still help others.

Thank you for using the site's HOTWIRE or PRICELINE links to start your purchases and searches.

[binarystar]

Hi, thanks for the response.

My budget ideally is $150. On my last bid for $150, it offered to book a room at ~$183, but I held off for now.

Will plan to continue in $5 increment as I know I'm getting close. I know its a bit greedy but I also knew on other days a deal can be had for ~$110. Oh well, I'll give in to the law of averages. :) (not to mention "short" ramp til checkin)

I'll post any addt bids I do.

One other thing, wasn't sure for that price point if I should start including other area, such as the Union Squares or SOMA, strictly for 4*? I have an event in the embarcadero, but don't mind taking the taxi a lil father around the city.

Milan

[Romelle]

You don't mention it, but I'm hoping you know you have 6 free rebid zones? If you are not familiar with this process, there is discussion in the FAQs. And post back if you are still unsure about it.

Regarding the ~$183 counter-offer, all that tells you is there really is something between your last bid and that amount. Occasionally people are successful with only a dollar or a few dollars increment. Staying with your gradual increment is the right idea.

Romelle

[binarystar]

Yeah, I have a vague understanding of the 6 free rebid zones, haven't relied on it yet really.(Perhaps I haven't understood the main benefit of it...)

So, maybe I'm missing something, but the 6 free rebid zones only seem to be a time saver. Is that true?

Thanks for confirming my other idea.

binarystar

[thereuare]

I've won bids multiple times in the past...

It would be appreciated if you started to share your wins with the board so that others can benefit from the information. (think about if another user had already won a hotel for the same dates you're bidding but for whatever reason didn't post their win ;) )

Yeah, I have a vague understanding of the 6 free rebid zones...

Try the following...

1) Use the PRICELINE search box on the upper right of this page, enter 'San Francisco, CA' and your dates, and click "GO".

2) List each zone that is offered in this region.

3) Next to each zone list the highest star rating offered in the zone. The way to determine the highest star rating offered in the zone is by selecting the first zone i the list, then scrolling down to see the highest star rating selectable (ie- not greyed out). NEXT UNcheck the selected zone, place a checkmark in the next zone, and repeat the process for each zone in the region. Each time you take note of the highest star rating in the zone, make sure that only ONE zone is selected above.

4) post your findings and we'll take it from there

If you don't follow the above just post back and we'll break it down further.

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

[binarystar]

I'd like to post my previous bids but I was referring to some past bids from years ago.. I don't recall them anymore, I just know I've gotten about 70-90 around Burlingame. And around 70-130 in Frisco multiple times. Sorry, more details are not available anymore.

Civic Center - 3*

Financial Dist - 4*

Fisherman Wharf - 4*

Japan Town - 3*

Marina - 3*

Richmond - 2*

SFO N. - 3*

SFO Burlingame - 4*

SOMA - 4*

San Mateo - 4*

S. SF - 3.5*

Union Sq East - 4*

Union Sq West - 4*

[binarystar]

I take it that I'm totally missing some crucial advantage of re-bidding zones? :)

[thereuare]

Using the zone information you posted, let's assume that you bid for a 4* hotel in the Embarcadero and Civic Center zones and were to win... do you see how the hotel would have to be in the Embarcdero zone since the Civic Center zone has no hotel that met your 4* minimum threshold criteria?

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

[binarystar]

Yes, I do. But can this improve my chances of a lower bid winning? or rather a quick,easy way to rebid for a higher amount?

binarystar

[thereuare]

It enables you a quick way to bid again with a slightly higher bid price.

Always double check your re-bid zones just before bidding.

[binarystar]

Ok, thanks for the info. I shall return...

[binarystar]

Used this PRICELINE link.

Bid history: 130-135-140-145-150-153-155-157-160

Won at 160. Very pleased, considering the timeline.

Thanks,

bs

(193 including taxes)

[Romelle]

What hotel????

Regarding the free rebids - they can let you use sort of a "sweep" technique.

Say you've got lots of time so you are gradually creeping up on a deal with one bid a day - $100, 105, 110, etc.

Say you've gotten up to $130, and that day some hotel puts rooms into Priceline's inventory at $105. Your bid would of course be successful. But you would have overpaid by $25.

If you'd each day used a series of bids via the 6 free rebids - $100, 105, 110, 115, 120, 125, 130 you would have been successful at $105.

Somebody has to keep Priceline in business, but I'd rather my contribution was just their fees and not my over-bids.

Romelle

[binarystar]

Sorry, forgot to add that crucial data.. :)

Omni hotel @ $160 + taxes.

bs

[thereuare]

Congratulations on your success!

Glad to see you were able to win a hotel in your preferred zone and hopefully this is convenient for your plans this trip.

Thank you for sharing your win and using the PRICELINE links on the board to begin your bidding.

Enjoy your stay.