Priceline Hotel: 4* Palm Springs Renaissance Palm Springs Hotel

[edserran]

Any bidding strategies for Palm Springs?

I understand my stay will fall during Coachella, so I should probably book soon. Any help would be appreciated.

Looking for 3.5 or 4 star.

[AaronJB]

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.

[edserran]

probably 130 at most

[thereuare]

Please click each of these PRICELINE and HOTWIRE links, then reply to this thread and we'll have a closer look at your trip above.

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

Thanks.

[edserran]

i've clicked both of the links as requested

[thereuare]

Looking for 3.5 or 4 star.

Are you willing to pay more for a 4* vs. a 3.5* OR is your goal the least expensive 3.5* or better for this trip?

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

[allstamp]

If you haven't booked a hotel yet, wait till the end of March. Your date is out of season and you will probably be able to get a 3.5* for $55 (the Hyatt) or if not the Renaissance at about $70. They have loads of inventory and Sunday is a go-home day.

[edserran]

my primary goal is to find the least expensive 3.5*. That being said, if the difference is not too significant, then I would not mind paying a bit extra for a 4*

[thereuare]

Current rates look pretty high so i investigated further and there is a Coachella Music Festival this weekend (it's a 2 weekend event, the second weekend if April 19-21) that draws 150K people.

Do you want to wait as per allstamp's comments above OR do you want to bid up to your limit now given the large crowd expected for the event (although the event ends on Sunday, at least a percentage will likely stay one extra day to not have to go back to wherever 'home' is immediately after the concerts end)

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

Let us know your thoughts and we'll take it from there.

[edserran]

i'd like to bid up to my limit as soon as I can.

[thereuare]

Please click each of these PRICELINE and HOTWIRE links, then reply to this thread and we'll suggest a strategy for you to follow.

Thanks.

[edserran]

i've clicked both of the links as requested

[thereuare]

At the 4* level you have ONE re-bid zone... none at the 3.5* level.

I'll suggest a few options as i'm not sure how 'desperate' you feel about this stay given the music festival.

First, PRICELINE EXPRESS has a 4* hotel in the Palm Springs zone for $159/nite... use the link and code in my signature for an additional 5% and your cost down to ~$151/nite which given other prices i'm seeing doesn't seem like too bad of a deal. There is also a 3* for $76... so if 'push came to shove' i'm not sure if you'd prefer the lower priced hotel below your desired 3.5* rating OR the higher rated 4* hotel just above your budget.

If you'd sooner increase your budget to the 4* i would bid as follows:

Select 4* Palm Springs...

Bid $100, if rejected add re-bid zone...

Bid $120, if rejected close browser and use this link to re-access PRICELINE

Select 3.5* Palm Springs...

Bid $100

If the above wait 24 hours and re-try:

Select 4* Palm Springs...

Bid $130, if rejected add re-bid zone...

Bid $140, if rejected close browser and use this link to re-access PRICELINE

Select 3.5* Palm Springs...

Bid $120

If the above wait 24 hours and re-try:

Select 4* Palm Springs...

Bid $145, if rejected add re-bid zone...

Bid $150, if rejected close browser and use this link to re-access PRICELINE

Select 3.5* Palm Springs...

Bid $130

If all of the above is rejected i'd take the 4* PRICELINE EXPRESS property for $159 (less 5%).

If you're $130 budget is firm i'd bid as follows:

Select 4* Palm Springs...

Bid $100, if rejected add re-bid zone...

Bid $110, if rejected close browser and use this link to re-access PRICELINE

Select 3.5* Palm Springs...

Bid $100

If the above wait 24 hours and re-try:

Select 4* Palm Springs...

Bid $115, if rejected add re-bid zone...

Bid $120, if rejected close browser and use this link to re-access PRICELINE

Select 3.5* Palm Springs...

Bid $110

If the above wait 24 hours and re-try:

Select 4* Palm Springs...

Bid $125, if rejected add re-bid zone...

Bid $130, if rejected close browser and use this link to re-access PRICELINE

Select 3.5* Palm Springs...

Bid $120

If the above wait 24 hours and re-try:

Select 4* Palm Springs...

Bid $125, if rejected add re-bid zone...

Bid $130, if rejected close browser and use this link to re-access PRICELINE

Select 3.5* Palm Springs...

Bid $130

NOTE: that some while you're trying to save a few dollars by bidding over 3-4 days you run the risk of the 4* and/or 3.5* hotels in PRICELINE EXPRESS disappearing, which is a realistic possibility given the event in town. This is why i went up in mostly $10 increments since i'd rather get to your limit as soon as possible in order to lessen the chance of the PRICELINE EXPRESS hotels disappearing/selling out. If this is a concern of yours (again, not sure how 'desperate' you feel this bid is) you can start later in the suggested bidding cycle and/or increment at more than $10/bid in order to expedite getting to your maximum bid.

Hope that all makes sense but if a question about anything 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.

EDIT TO ADD: i also just found the Ingleside Inn for $180/nite and it is fully refundable up until a few days before your stay... if this is an option i'd book this as a back-up and then that takes some of the pressure off while you continue to try PRICELINE for a better deal.

[edserran]

I followed your directions and was rejected at a max bid at 150 for a 4 star. I ended up taking your advice and booking the PRICELINE EXPRESS deal for 159 + the 5% coupon code. The hotel name is Renaissance Palm Springs Hotel.

Thanks for your help

[thereuare]

Congratulations on your success!

Glad to see you locked in this deal as it appears to be a very nice discount compared to a conventionally booked room for this nite.

Thank you for sharing your win with the board.

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

Enjoy your stay.