deathcabforchristina Posted January 4, 2013 Report Posted January 4, 2013 I am looking to go to baltimore feb 12-16 and i really dont care what kind of place i stay, i just need it for sleeping as i am visiting a boyfriend. i am in college so cheap is best. what are the chances if i bid say $20 on a one star hotel on priceline, that i would get it? will it keep me in the vicinity i choose?
Romelle Posted January 4, 2013 Report Posted January 4, 2013 When you bid, you bid on a particular zone (or zones). You will only get a hotel within the shaded Priceline map(s) you are bidding. Do look those maps over carefully though, as you can get clear out to the most remote corners of them (speaking from experience). You can zoom in on them for further detail.The successful 1* bids tend to be places like ExtendedStayAmerica and Homestead. Pretty basic, but OK and definitely cheap. You might take a look at their web sites to see what you could get and what the rate would be for a direct purchase on your dates. You've got a enough time with the bidding to start fairly low and work up gradually. While it is unlikely you'll do much better than 50% off, a good starting point is about 60% off - just to make sure. $20 is pretty unlikely. I don't see any reported wins for Baltimore, but I've definitely seen them for other cities. I think the lowest I've seen is $27.RomellePS - you might also consider the youth hostels? Even those are more likely to be a bit higher than $20. But they usually throw in a basic breakfast.
thereuare Posted January 4, 2013 Report Posted January 4, 2013 Welcome to BetterBidding!If you using our BiddingHelper.com (at the top of this page) and enter 'Baltimore, MD'... looking at the PRICELINE tabbed page, which zone(s) are you willing to accept?Please use the PRICELINE and HOTWIRE links on the board to begin your travel purchases. Please use this HOTWIRE and these PRICELINE LINKS: HOTELS, CAR RENTALS, and AIRFARE to begin your travel purchases
deathcabforchristina Posted January 4, 2013 Author Report Posted January 4, 2013 I am looking at BWI and glen burnie, as they are fairly close to the airport. I don't want to do a youth hostel as my boyfriend would like to come stay with me. I saw ramada inn direct for $45 a night, which is my back up plan if I don't do the bidding thing.
thereuare Posted January 4, 2013 Report Posted January 4, 2013 There are two BWI zones... BWI East and BWI West, are both of these acceptable?Are you able to increase your budget more than $20? (i would think that even $25-$30 would still bring you in at less then the $45/nite rate at the Ramada)Please use the PRICELINE and HOTWIRE links on the board to begin your travel purchases. Please use this HOTWIRE and these PRICELINE LINKS: HOTELS, CAR RENTALS, and AIRFARE to begin your travel purchases
Romelle Posted January 4, 2013 Report Posted January 4, 2013 I am looking at BWI and glen burnie, as they are fairly close to the airport. I don't want to do a youth hostel as my boyfriend would like to come stay with me. I saw ramada inn direct for $45 a night, which is my back up plan if I don't do the bidding thing.You are off to a good start with a back-up plan! It is even cancelable!!You've got plenty of time. If your credit card can take the temporary hit, it would be a good idea to book that Ramada so that rate doesn't get away from you. Compared to what I saw for other hotels, it looks like a pretty good deal.Lots of ways to bid this, but an easy one would be to just try your $20 for the zones you like. First bid maybe for the 2*s just in case. Then add the 1* and bid again.The Ramada Limited is a 1* on Priceline, but other Ramadas in the area are 2*s. Next day try $21. etc. etc. If you get close enough to the $45 that going with a sure thing is worth it to you, just stop bidding.There has to be a full 24 hours between each bidding session. If you slip and try to bid a little early, that resets the clock and you have to wait another new 24 hour period. You could start a little higher than the $20 if you don't want to do so many attempts. Or you could increment by $2 or $3 to work through the range faster.If you are successful, be sure and cancel that Ramada back-up.An issue - Priceline requires bidders to be 21?? Please link to PRICELINE through this site each day you bid. Successful bids yield a bit of revenue back to this site, and that is what keeps in operational. Romelle
deathcabforchristina Posted January 4, 2013 Author Report Posted January 4, 2013 I am 27 so no worries there :)
thereuare Posted January 4, 2013 Report Posted January 4, 2013 There are two BWI zones... BWI East and BWI West, are both of these acceptable???? Please use this HOTWIRE and these PRICELINE LINKS: HOTELS, CAR RENTALS, and AIRFARE to begin your travel purchases
deathcabforchristina Posted January 5, 2013 Author Report Posted January 5, 2013 probably, however I ruled out glen burnie but baltimore west is good too. I want to be able to access public transit if i need to.
thereuare Posted January 5, 2013 Report Posted January 5, 2013 So please confirm... BWI East and BWI West are both acceptable? Any other zones? Note that you can end up anywhere within the shaded boundaries of the zone(s) you bid.Are you able to increase your budget more than $20? (i would think that even $25-$30 would still bring you in at less then the $45/nite rate at the Ramada)???Please use the PRICELINE and HOTWIRE links on the board to begin your travel purchases. Please use this HOTWIRE and these PRICELINE LINKS: HOTELS, CAR RENTALS, and AIRFARE to begin your travel purchases
deathcabforchristina Posted January 10, 2013 Author Report Posted January 10, 2013 so far i have done 20, 22, 27 and not been accepted.im doing bwi east and baltimore west.
thereuare Posted January 10, 2013 Report Posted January 10, 2013 What is your current maximum bid?If you're next best alternative is the $45 Ramada, i'll add that for $10-$15 more HOTWIRE has some sell reviewed properties in the Downtown-Inner Harbor zone that may be of interest if you're able to stretch your budget further as it might be a more active/lively area... as well, they have a $39/nite 2 star property in the BWI North and East zone (which after fees/taxes will likely be closer to the rate at the Ramada... so the 'unknown' may or may not be worth the risk depending upon how you feel about the Ramada).Please use the PRICELINE and HOTWIRE links on the board to begin your travel purchases. Please use this HOTWIRE and these PRICELINE LINKS: HOTELS, CAR RENTALS, and AIRFARE to begin your travel purchases
deathcabforchristina Posted January 11, 2013 Author Report Posted January 11, 2013 well i bid at 32 today, and it declined, it said if i would up my bid to 40, they'd let me rebid immediately so i did, and ended up at best western baltimore west for about $10 less than the ramada was going to cost me. soooo how does check in process work? same as a just booking a regular hotel room?
thereuare Posted January 11, 2013 Report Posted January 11, 2013 Congratulations on your success and thank you for sharing your win with the board.It would be appreciated if you used the requested PRICELINE and HOTWIRE links on the board to begin your future bidding, searches and travel purchases.Enjoy your stay. Please use this HOTWIRE and these PRICELINE LINKS: HOTELS, CAR RENTALS, and AIRFARE to begin your travel purchases
Romelle Posted January 11, 2013 Report Posted January 11, 2013 ... ended up at best western baltimore west for about $10 less than the ramada was going to cost me. soooo how does check in process work? same as a just booking a regular hotel room?Check in is exactly the same as a conventional booking. The desk clerk might mention "....you are prepaid". Might not, but you still are. I usually print out and carry with me a copy of the booking, just as a precaution. While Priceline doesn't reserve specific bed types - king/queen/twin, you can email or phone or ask at check-in. It is a request, but my experience has been that if they have it they will honor the request.Looks like you get free breakfast at the BW. While I haven't stayed at the Baltimore one, the ones I've stayed at have done a nice job on it.I'm glad it worked for you.Romelle
deathcabforchristina Posted January 11, 2013 Author Report Posted January 11, 2013 Congratulations on your success and thank you for sharing your win with the board.It would be appreciated if you used the requested PRICELINE and HOTWIRE links on the board to begin your future bidding, searches and travel purchases.Enjoy your stay. I thought I did, but i had multiple windows open, so perhaps i missed it somewhere?
thereuare Posted January 12, 2013 Report Posted January 12, 2013 Please use the requested links each time you access the respective PRICELINE or HOTWIRE site(s).Thanks. Please use this HOTWIRE and these PRICELINE LINKS: HOTELS, CAR RENTALS, and AIRFARE to begin your travel purchases
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