Priceline Hotel: 4* Vancouver Westin Bayshore

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I did not get my first bid on Priceline and cannot change the dates or area. Why do you have to wait 72 hours to rebid? Is the bidding over you rebid? Should I now try hotwire since my time is running short before my trip?

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I placed a $70 bid for a 4 star hotel in the the Vancouver area (downtown) which was rejected. I know need to wait 72 hours. Should I wait the 72 hours (though my time is getting shorter before our trip); try a 3 star in the same area (I really don't want to be outside of this area) or go to hotwire? Suggestions would be helpful as this is my first experience doing this.

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[thereuare]

Welcome to BetterBidding!

What are the dates of your stay?

What is the price/star rating of the hotel you would take on Hotwire (or have you not yet searched there?)

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We will be arriving in Vancouver from a cruise on Sept 17 and leaving on a flight Sept 19, so we cannot change the dates. We have heard that you should stay with 4 star hotels in Vancouver and we prefer to stay in the downtown area since we don't have a car.

I appreciate your help.

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I just got onto Hotwire and found several hotels in downtown Vancouver. Do any of these seem like a good idea? Do you recognize any of them? Here they are:

Vancouver Entertainment Center

4 star - $184 - Restaurant, pool, fitness center, hight speed access in room, business center

3 1/2 stars - $138 - boutique hotel,Restaurant, fitness center, hight speed access in room

3 star - $99 - restaurant

Vancouver West

4 1/2 stars - $128 - Restaurant, pool,fitness center,spa services,tennis courts nearby,buiness center

customer favorite rating

3 star - $102 - suites, pool, kitchenette, business center

Thank you

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[thereuare]

Did you only make the one bid for $70 at the 4* level or did you use any RE-BID ZONES? (of which you have three when bidding 4*)

Let us know and we'll advise how to proceed.

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I only made that one bid. I was reading some of the comments by others and looked at the rebid prospect but was unsure how to proceed, so I went to hotwire and looked at those options. What would be your recommendation?

Also, just a note - when I went back to Hotwire the 4 1/2 star hotel had gone up from $128 to $133.

Thank you

[thereuare]

Why not try to learn how to use re-bid zones (and ask for help, that's what we're here for) rather than just say "forget it".

List all of the Vancouver zones and the highest star rating available in each:

The way to check what star levels are available in each zone is to open a Priceline page, check ONLY the zone you are inquiring about, and then proceed to the next page (as if you were going to select a zone)... this will give you the available star ratings in that area. You can then hit BACK on your browser, uncheck the current box, check the next box, and repeat the process. It is important to do this before EACH attempt at adding a zone that you really don't want, as new hotels can be added and the star ratings can change at any time.

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Fear! If I was booking only for myself, I would give it a shot; but I am getting a room for my cousin and his wife, too. However, he said as long as it had a roof that didn't leak, he would be happy for anything under $200. I figured he would forgive me if it didn't work out, so I am going to give it a try.

Thanks for your help, I will let you know what I get.

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[thereuare]

So are you going with Priceline or Hotwire?

It sounds as if your cousin would be happy with just about anything... we can explain and walk you thru the re-bid process, it just take a little time/effort to grasp it... we have yet had anyone that didn't understand it after asking for additional help.

If you're going to wait it out and only bid once per 72 hours, what will be your next bid amount?

.... or do you just intend on going with Hotwire?

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I talked myself into going for the rebid on Priceline. I reviewed the areas and chose one that was 1 and 2 stars only (Delta area) with the Vancouver downtown area; marked 4 stars only and put in a bid for $100. They came back with a message that said if I upped my bid $22, I could have this one time opportunity to make a second bid (they said they were giving me this unusual opportunity because of the areas I requested and the dates). I decided to up it to the $122 bid as the best deal I got on hotwire for a 4 star hotel was $128 (which I had decided after reviewing hotels on your website and Expedia review list was the Westin Bayshore) and they had upped that to $133 when I went back into Hotwire a few hours later. They came back and said I had won the bid and it was the Westin Bayshore (which I was wondering if it wouldnt't be that)!

Thank you for your help.

Now any suggestions for Anchorage, Alaska. They don't have any additional zones for rebid. I guess that leaves only the alternative of waiting 72 hours?

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[thereuare]

Glad you got it settled.... but when you receive a counter-offer you should report back to the board as you could have done even better than you had.

Please start a NEW TOPIC for your Alaska stay and also read thru THIS POST?

Enjoy your stay.

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How can I check the board before accepting the special bid offer? Would I minimize the Priceline page and go to this board or close out the Priceline page and go back in after getting a reply from the board - would the offer still be availble when I came back? I am all for saving money, so if it can be done, I'm willing to do it.

I will start a new thread for my Alaskan question. I also reviewed the Support page - thank you for letting me know about it. I will definitely use it.