Hotwire Hotel: Bidding Assist Request (Priceline)

[boberonicus]

Hi,

I'd like some Priceline bidding advice for this itin:

• Date: 3/16/12 (one Night)
  
• Zone: EWR
  
• Travelers: 2
  
• Free Rebid Zones: 4 [Newark (City) Secaucus, West Jersey, W. Orange]
  

Similars

• Hilton Newark Airport: $109
  
• Newark Liberty Int. Airport Marriott: $149
  
• Hotwire: $92
  

Attempted (failed) Strategy using your PRICELINE link:

$39, $45, $51, $57, $63

Given the added fees, these are getting fairly close to just booking a conventional room, so I have a backup reservation on points. Thanks for any advice!

Robert

[thereuare]

Given the added fees, these are getting fairly close to just booking a conventional room...

Not really... you're still about 30%+ less than a conventionally booked room.

The level of discount needed to make an opaque purchase worthwhile is different for everyone, given your scenario above, how high are you willing to bid before resorting to a room on points. However, and not sure if you're loaded with points or not (and just as everyone places a different value on an opaque purchase, everyone places a different value on their points), but if i could get a room for $100 i wouldn't be wasting my points for this stay unless it was an insignificant number of points... i prefer to use any point balances for when rooms are in the $200's and no other viable options (or a hotel that i specifically want)

Also, do your plans need you to be in this immediate area or do you have an early flight departure... perhaps there are other options in a nearby zone (which may also offer more to do during any downtime you have). Will you have any free time? Will you have a car?

Thanks for using the PRICELINE and HOTWIRE links on the board.

[boberonicus]

> if i could get a room for $100 i wouldn't be wasting my points for this stay unless it was an insignificant number of points

Agreed.

> Also, do your plans need you to be in this immediate area

Early flight on day of departure. Happy to pay for the convenience of an airport hotel.

> Will you have a car?

No

Thanks for your ideas. I was also hoping a bidding strategy.

[thereuare]

Let us know your maximum bid for a 3.5* property we'll advise accordingly.

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

[boberonicus]

I guess $90 for the base bid? Its never clear to me how much I'm paying in fees to PL. I just went up to $74 with no luck.

[thereuare]

On a one nite stay PRICELINE's booking fee is ~$7-8 and the per nite cost tends to go down on longer stays... the rest of the 'Taxes and Fees' line on your PRICELINE confirmation are taxes, which you would be paying on a hotel direct booking as well (except assuming the hotel direct booking is more expensive, the dollar amount of taxes would be higher as well ;) )

When bidding 3.5* in the Newark region you have FOUR 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 3.5* EWR...

Bid $73, if rejected add re-bid zone...

Bid $78, if rejected add re-bid zone...

Bid $80, if rejected add re-bid zone...

Bid $83, if rejected add re-bid zone...

Bid $85

If the above is rejected post back and we'll revise to try again in 24 hours.

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

Good luck and let us know how it goes.

[boberonicus]

Went up to $88 with no luck. Will think about it for a bit...

[thereuare]

Let us know whatever you decide to do for this stay or if we can be of further help along the way.

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

[boberonicus]

Went up to $97 ($120 including tax & fees) with no luck. Booked an advance payment (no refund) room at SpringHill Suites for $129. The extra $9 gets me:

• A room at a known hotel (no remodeling, etc.)
  
• A king sized bed
  
• Marriott Reward Points
  
• Ultimate Reward Points (4X points for hotels.com booking)
  
• One "stay" for Marriott status.
  

Thanks for your help.

[thereuare]

Glad to see you found something that works for your needs this trip and are happy with the decision.

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

Enjoy your stay.

[boberonicus]

Final addendum: Since the booking was made via "a wholesale outlet" (hotels.com), Marriott will NOT provide Marriott points or credit the stay towards Marriott status. This is news to me, and a bit disappointing, but no big deal, I just need a place to stay before a flight!