Hotwire Hotel: Total Newbie....Seeking Help

[JennLH81]

Totally new to this whole bidding thing....

I'm making my second trip to Vegas 8/8-8/14. Last time I booked through an Orbitz package and got a great deal at Cosmopolitan. This time rates seem crazy and I can't figure out why. Maybe it's because I'm looking so far in advance???

I'd definitely like to stay in a 5* property directly on the strip, with a casino. Can anyone advise me on how to proceed? What should my first steps be??

Thanks!

[AaronJB]

Welcome to Betterbidding. :)

A few thoughts/questions:

1. If you bid on PRICELINE you have to be willing to stay at any 5* in the zone chosen. HOTWIRE is usually slightly-to-moderately more expensive than bidding, but you can make an educated guess as to which hotels are showing and have a better chance of getting something you may like. There have been few hotels reported, but the new PRICELINE Express service would be another "HOTWIRE-like" option.

2. Would Strip North or Strip South (or both?) be acceptable.

3. 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.

[JennLH81]

I'd be willing to stay in any 5* as long as it has a pool, casino, and is on the strip. Are some 5* better than others?

North or south would be acceptable. Do you ever get any in the center strip area? Like Bellagio or Cosmo?

I'd be willing to pay a maximum of $150 a night. Is that reasonable?? I assumed because it was the dead of summer the rates would be better??!

[AaronJB]

I see what appears to be the Palazzo or Venetian for $137 on HOTWIRE for these dates (so you can get something nice within your desired budget - let us know if this listing would be of interest and we would be happy to point it out on HOTWIRE, as you may see a slightly different price), as well as a couple of properties in the South Strip zone for $131 and $106, neither of which lists casino as an amenity. Bidding on South Strip on PRICELINE for these date/s would also not guarantee a hotel with casino and unfortunately, the 5* Express Deals listing on PRICELINE for these date/s does not note casino as an amenity.

Bidding 5* in the South Strip area would risk the possibility of not getting a hotel with a casino, but given rates, would I'm guessing likely take less than $100 and possibly would take in the $75-90 range.

Bidding in the North Strip shows casino as a "guaranteed amenity" (do note that you are seeing this as well, let us know if you have any questions before bidding) when selecting North Strip and based on rates I'm guessing a win may take $110-125, although I'd start lower ($80-85), given that this isn't a particularly busy period (at least traditionally) and you have time.

"Are some 5* better than others?"

Some certainly get better reviews, but people are going to have different experiences/different expectations and not every hotel is going to be everyone's cup-of-tea; when using either PRICELINE or HOTWIRE, there has to be some flexibility in terms of not knowing/guaranteeing what hotel you may get.

Let us know which route sounds most appealing and we would be happy to offer further suggestions.

Thank you for using the site's HOTWIRE or PRICELINE links to start your purchases and searches.

[JennLH81]

All sound like good options. Do you recommend I wait a bit. Do rates fluctuate as the dates get closer?

[AaronJB]

All sound like good options. Do you recommend I wait a bit. Do rates fluctuate as the dates get closer?

Much like Vegas, waiting is a bet. Rates can go both ways, as discussed in the FAQ. Given that this is traditionally a slower period, it's a bet with better odds, but there is the still the possibility that rates may go higher and/or inventory may change on the discount services. There is also a realistic "floor" that rates will not likely go under, even during a slow period.

I think the only issue at the moment in terms of waiting is that I'm not seeing a listing on HOTWIRE or PRICELINE's express deals side in the South Strip with a casino. You can bid and South Strip will likely be cheaper than North Strip, but no guarantee of a casino. If you are interested in one of the South Strip properties with casino, you can wait to see if HOTWIRE listing or PRICELINE Express deal shows up with a casino icon. If you would rather go for North Strip now, you can definitely get something w/casino in your desired range - whether HOTWIRE or PRICELINE.

Let us know your thoughts.

Thank you for using the site's HOTWIRE or PRICELINE links to start your purchases and searches.

[thereuare]

JennLH81,

Please read your messages and click each of these PRICELINE and HOTWIRE links before replying.

Thanks.