marta323 Posted February 25, 2013 Report Share Posted February 25, 2013 Hi there. Wondering if anyone can give me any tips for bidding on a hotel room in Clearwater Florida. I have been bidding for over a week with no luck. Looking to stay walking distance to the beach..So only checking off one area. The highest bid for 3 star I have bid so far is $117-Median being $235. Highest for 3.5star was $125-Median being $303. Any tips/advice? Have booked quite a few times and payed 60% or even less off median. Not working this time? Thx Link to comment
thereuare Posted February 25, 2013 Report Share Posted February 25, 2013 Welcome to BetterBidding! Please start by reading your messages and clicking each of these PRICELINE and HOTWIRE links... then reply to this thread and we'll have a look at your post above. 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 Link to comment
marta323 Posted February 25, 2013 Author Report Share Posted February 25, 2013 ok. i have gone through the links... Link to comment
thereuare Posted February 25, 2013 Report Share Posted February 25, 2013 Have booked quite a few times and payed 60% or even less off median.The median rate typically shown by PRICELINE is not that accurate and i wouldn't use this information to base a bidding strategy or limit. Regardless, this is Spring Break season for many colleges and demand (and therefore rates) are likely higher then usual. When you've won at 60% off retail rates in the past what were the suggested rates and what was your winning bids amounts... were the retail rates starting in the mid-$200's and your winning bids over $100?Using MAPS and HOTELS.com what is the best rate you're able to find thru conventional booking channels at an acceptable 3* or better in this zone?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 Link to comment
marta323 Posted February 25, 2013 Author Report Share Posted February 25, 2013 There is a 3star at 235. 3.5star at $303. 4star $288-$399. Thats what I am assuming-that because of Spring break prices are higher. Example-last year for our March Break we booked the Hilton resort in Orlando for $83/night-and it was low-mid 200's using priceline. Many hotels in Buffalo for 45-70 a night for a 4star. We also booked a 3.5 star condo resort in Orlando in march this year for $53/night. Link to comment
marta323 Posted February 25, 2013 Author Report Share Posted February 25, 2013 actually pier house 60 is a 3 star on hotels.com for $214... Link to comment
thereuare Posted February 25, 2013 Report Share Posted February 25, 2013 You can't take the percent discount received in one area for a given stay and apply it to the discount you expect in a different area and for an entirely different set of dates, each hotel market is unique and may offer deeper (or shallower) discounts then some other area. For example, in Orlando there are LOTS of hotels and competition is very strong, so hotels may be willing to discount more then, for example in rural areas where there is much less competition and hotels don't need to discount as heavily as there are few hotel options available.As well, when hotel prices go up there is more margin for the hotel, but they may actually be willing to discount less in such situations. The higher prices indicate strong demand and hotels may be able to sell most of their rooms on their own, so there is little reason to offer deeply discounted inventory to the opaque suppliers, and what they do offer, may not be discounted as deeply.Given the prices you're seeing what would be your maximum bid for this stay? Are you set on this particular zone OR would you consider a different destination?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 Link to comment
marta323 Posted February 26, 2013 Author Report Share Posted February 26, 2013 ok. and given all that, what amount do u think 3-3.5 star will go for? Link to comment
Romelle Posted February 26, 2013 Report Share Posted February 26, 2013 For your dates, a HOTWIRE 3* in the Clearwater Beach area (with "beachfront property" as an amenity) is $192. One can typically do a little better via PRICELINE bidding (although not always), but that might give you a general idea.A 3* in the airport area is $85.Romelle Link to comment
marta323 Posted February 26, 2013 Author Report Share Posted February 26, 2013 Thanks Romelle :) Link to comment
thereuare Posted February 26, 2013 Report Share Posted February 26, 2013 At current rates if only bidding the Clearwater Beach zone i would guess it might take something in the $175+ area to be successful, but i would of course start lower and work your way up using re-bid zones (if available)What is your maximum bid for this trip? What about staying in a nearby zone or a different region entirely?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 Link to comment
Kgauger30 Posted February 28, 2013 Report Share Posted February 28, 2013 Just to let you know, it is Spring Training for the Phillies in Clearwater right now and the time you are requesting, also Spring break is getting ready to begin. That could be why you are having a hard time getting a cheap deal. Everything is booked solid for the most part. We have a hard time straight up booking this time of the year in Clearwater.. Link to comment
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