AlaskaTrekker Posted January 5, 2013 Report Share Posted January 5, 2013 OOPS!! I read the posts in this Read BEFORE posting section but Thought I'd clicked on the Questions & Suggestions drop down choice. Apparently not and think this ended up in the wrong section. Don't know how to change it. Sorry!Have stayed at the Hyatt Regency before (9/25 - 10/2/12) and got a killer deal on PL for $60/night. Need to go back to Cancun 1/14 - 1/21 to have implants finished but the prices for Hyatt Regency Cancun have skyrocketed far beyond that now. I realize it's the high season and I AM going to have to pay more but hoping to get it it for a much more reasonable price then I've been getting back with all my research and efforts so far. (And will do my further searches using the links on this forum now that I know about it!! : > )SO... before blundering off Thinking I can do it on my own, I realize this board is a GREAT resource and believe in the theory that 2 or more heads/ideas/strategies are better then 1 and am reaching out for ideas and strategies now. Getting a bit nervous at waiting too long, but know it takes patience....I've made my little chart of all the different areas/zones and *'s so I can do some re-bidding strategies and will keep being persistent. Am more familiar with, but still a newbie at PL but pretty in the dark of any of the best strategies for HotWire.Thanks for any help anyone can give me. Link to comment
Romelle Posted January 5, 2013 Report Share Posted January 5, 2013 I'm a member, not anyone official, but thought I'd do what I could here. Your post will get answered and moved when one of the moderators reads it. And they do read and answer all posts.Regarding HOTWIRE - it is very simple. No bidding. Just either take the offer or not. It can be slightly higher priced than PRICELINE. But an advantage is in the listed amenities. You can pick for "airport shuttle" or "free breakfast" or "beach front" or whatever. And if you want, you can post the list of amenities here and someone can make an educated guess as to what hotel you might receive. HOTWIRE can be a little more generous than PRICELINE with stars. Perhaps a half star. There are plenty of examples of that, but also some of no difference and some of a full star difference. When comparing the two options, you need to keep the star difference in mind. No need to start a new thread if you start exploring Hotwire. This board keeps everything about a particular trip in one thread, so subsequent readers will have the full picture. You might post your list of free rebids so somebody could double check it? What star level are you hoping to start bidding for? And how high are you willing to bid before trying a lower star level? Romelle Link to comment
AaronJB Posted January 5, 2013 Report Share Posted January 5, 2013 There is no way to increase the odds or guarantee a particular property when bidding. If you select a 4* (for example) in a particular zone, you have to be willing to accept any 4* in the zone, or be upgraded if there are higher star options. With HOTWIRE, one can make an educated guess based on the information given, but multiple hotels may show with the same information and the information hotels show with may change at any time. Both services are more geared towards flexibility in terms of getting *a* hotel instead of a specific hotel (although if one happens to get a hotel they like/were hoping for, all the better.) There are lists linked at the top of every state HOTWIRE/PRICELINE subsection as to which hotels have been reported to the board so far. New ones/changes are reported all the time.If you have won the Hyatt before, it would be greatly appreciated if you could share the details of the win as a separate thread, as even information regarding prior wins does help others.What would be your desired budget per night for this stay?Thank you for using the site's HOTWIRE or PRICELINE links to start your purchases and searches. Link to comment
AlaskaTrekker Posted January 5, 2013 Author Report Share Posted January 5, 2013 Romelle (& Aaron)Thanks for your replies. Gives me enough info and courage to try HOTWIRE as well. I realize that one can't pinpoint WHAT hotel one might get with PL or HW but the moderator that sends the welcome letter and info out said that it's worth posting here to get help with some strategies to at least better one's chances at pinpointing the possibility of getting a particular one. According to the list of PL Hotels in Cancun, there's only been 3 hotels listed for the Cancun - Cozumel (Hotel Zone).I Know it's not a complete list but one would think if others on here had bid and won at other ones in that zone that they would have posted. (are these lists kept updated to reflect such posts/wins?) Since all 3 on the list are 4 & 5*, would think whatever I might be able to win a bid on would be good and seems to be many more Hyatt 'wins' then for either of the others. So... if I bid first just using that Zone and then add in a few of the other Zones that I know don't have any 3.5 or higher * levels in their Zone for rebidding strategy, Seems that would help narrow the chances. Yes, no??? Will scour HOTWIRE and LMT a little more too. As I said, I got spoiled with my Sept win at PL for $60/night and realize I have to go higher now for High season but still hoping to score a win for under $85/night. Otherwise I already have some alternate places in mind that fit that budget. Just wouldn't be AS nice or right on the beach or as familiar. So think I'll start doing some bidding and rebidding today to get things rolling before it gets too late. Any additional suggestions or strategies welcome & appreciated! Link to comment
AlaskaTrekker Posted January 6, 2013 Author Report Share Posted January 6, 2013 OKKK. The more I read in different areas of this great site, the more I learn. Getting ready to start bidding on PRICELINE (and check LMT and HOTWIRE) For my PL strategy and rebid strategy: From the chart I made, looks like I will have 4 rebid zones. Select 4* Cancun Hotel Zone...Bid $60, if rejected add re-bid zone...AirportBid $65, if rejected add re-bid zone...North BeachBid $70, if rejected add re-bid zone...TulumBid $75, if rejected add re-bid zone...Playa MujeresBid $80, if rejected wait 24 hours, start at the $75 mark and wash and repeat for a few days. After that if I haven't had any success with this or HW or LMT.....Add Cancun Hotel Zone SOUTH to 4* bids above and continue same type of strategy increasing bid prices each step...Bid $85, if rejected add re-bid zone...Bid $90, if rejected add re-bid zone...then start adding in lower * ratingsDoes this make sense? Any suggestions or comments? Wish me luck! Thanks! Link to comment
thereuare Posted January 6, 2013 Report Share Posted January 6, 2013 Does this make sense?If i'm understanding your post correctly it's not the most optimized strategy... To confirm, you first want to bid the Hotel Zone up to $80, if that is rejected then you want to increase your bidding and include the South zone? If correct, this would be a better option, using your FOUR re-bid zones:Select 4* Hotel Zone...Bid $60, if rejected add re-bid zone...Bid $65, if rejected add re-bid zone...Bid $70, if rejected add re-bid zone...Bid $75, if rejected add re-bid zone...Bid $80, if rejected close browser and use this link to re-access PRICELINE...Select 4* Hotel Zone SOUTH...Bid $60, if rejected add re-bid zone...Bid $65, if rejected add re-bid zone...Bid $70, if rejected add re-bid zone...Bid $75, if rejected add re-bid zone...Bid $80, if rejected close browser and use this link to re-access PRICELINE...Select 4* Hotel Zone and Hotel Zone SOUTH...Bid $85, if rejected add re-bid zone...Bid $90, if rejected add re-bid zone...Bid $95, if rejected add re-bid zone...Bid $100, if rejected add re-bid zone...Bid $105Any 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. Please use this HOTWIRE and these PRICELINE LINKS: HOTELS, CAR RENTALS, and AIRFARE to begin your travel purchases Link to comment
AlaskaTrekker Posted January 6, 2013 Author Report Share Posted January 6, 2013 Thanks for your input. The reason I didn't add in South Zone earlier is that I really would like to increase my chances of getting Hyatt before opening up to the numerous other possibilities that South would add to the mix. Call me old fashioned or getting older! and in less need for change or new adventures, but once I find something I like, I tend to stick with it. Thus the extra cycle with just Hotel Zone since it Appears there's really only 3 4 or 5* hotels utilizing PL there and the Hyatt seems to grant bids most frequently of the 3. Who knows, may still end up with a surprise and adventure and that will be fine too since it will still meet my budget and can't go too wrong with a 3.5 or 5*. I'm a firm believer that things work out the way they do for a reason, one way or the other! Thanks again for your help. I'll keep you posted. Going to PL now (through the PRICELINE links here on BB!) Link to comment
AlaskaTrekker Posted January 6, 2013 Author Report Share Posted January 6, 2013 YAHOO!!!!! 2nd try and bagged Hyatt Regency for $65 + $7 bonus cash added in. Will also post using Post a Win button so it ends up in right section as well! Great area with nice beach, got to know the friendly & helpful staff there last time and LOVE their matching double your food/beverage credit program. An excellent deal for a quality hotel especially during high season!!1st Bid - Cancun Hotel Zone 4* $60 (+ $7 Bonus $) NO GO2nd Bid - same parameters, only change - upped bid price to $65 (+ $7 Bonus $) ACCEPTED!!!Excellent hotel, excellent price especially for high season.Interesting that so many travel guru's advise contacting the Hotel directly to try to negotiate a better price than can be found with usual methods, for increased customer PR and loyalty, saving them commissions etc..... When I tried that (2 x's - different times, different people) both were adamant that they did not have ANY leeway to quote anything but their published in house rack price @ a big whopping $240/night. Is that the Very best you can do???? Yes. Why?? We are very busy during that period so only a few left at that rate. Glad I knew better and at least tried with PL. Can't be TOO busy and overbooked and then get such an excellent PL rate!! Sure glad I'm on the "in the know" and savings side vs. those who blindly pay the going rate side of things!!! Thank goodness for and gotta LOVE PL for those who could never afford a vacation at the regular/going rates!Until the next need for Hotel - Happy & Successful Bidding everyone! Off to get my teeth fixed and enjoy the Cancun sun/warmth at the same time!! (and from Alaska that means a LOT!!!) price and weather wise!! Link to comment
thereuare Posted January 6, 2013 Report Share Posted January 6, 2013 Congratulations on your success! Glad to see you received a great deal for this week long stay and are pleased with the results.Thank you for sharing your win and using the PRICELINE links on the board to begin your bidding. Have a great trip! Please use this HOTWIRE and these PRICELINE LINKS: HOTELS, CAR RENTALS, and AIRFARE to begin your travel purchases Link to comment
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