Bigsleepsbee Posted March 28, 2013 Report Posted March 28, 2013 I am looking for a 4* room in Boston Back Bay from 8/28/2013- 30/8/2013 ( 2 nights). PRICELINE EXPRESS has a Copley Square hotel for $173. Westin / Lenox own websites come in at $267-$290 per night. My limit is $200 per night (including all taxes/ fees).I have not used Priceline or Hotwire before but have read the FAQ/ read this 1st section of forum so understand the concept. If I cannot find anything at a suitable price in Back Bay I would consider Quincy Market as a rebid option. Still 5 months away so time to have a couple of attempts I would think?Thanks in advance for your helpBec
thereuare Posted March 28, 2013 Report Posted March 28, 2013 Welcome to BetterBidding!Are you familiar with 'true' re-bidding which is adding a zone you don't want but which you can't win since there are no hotels in that zone which meet the minimum star rating criteria that you designate? See this Priceline Re-Bidding Explained thread and feel free to ask question and/or confirm your re-bid zones with the board and we'll take it from there. Note, when bidding 4* in Boston you have SIX such re-bid zones. If you read the previous thread and are still confused just post back and we'll break it down further for you.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
Bigsleepsbee Posted March 29, 2013 Author Report Posted March 29, 2013 Thanks for your response. PRICELINE did not have any hotels that were available for my dates that were 4, 5 star, resorts or unrated in the following areas:Medford- SomervilleChestnut- BrooklineLexington- Burlington-WoburnNeedham-DeedhamQuincy So these are the areas that it is safe to re-bid knowing I will not be given a hotel in that area as none is available that is a 4-star or better
thereuare Posted March 29, 2013 Report Posted March 29, 2013 NO... you don't want to be on the 'retail' side when checking your re-bid zones, you should be on the name your own price bidding page. The retail side uses different zones as well as a different universe of hotels.Try this:1) Use the PRICELINE search box on the upper right of this page, enter 'Boston, MA' and your dates, and click "GO".2) List each zone that is offered in this region. 3) Next to each zone list the highest star rating offered in the zone. The way to determine the highest star rating offered in the zone is by selecting the first zone i the list, then scrolling down to see the highest star rating selectable (ie- not greyed out). NEXT UNcheck the selected zone, place a checkmark in the next zone, and repeat the process for each zone in the region. Each time you take note of the highest star rating in the zone, make sure that only ONE zone is selected above.4) post your findings and we'll take it from thereIf you don't follow the above just post back and we'll break it down further. Please use this HOTWIRE and these PRICELINE LINKS: HOTELS, CAR RENTALS, and AIRFARE to begin your travel purchases
Bigsleepsbee Posted March 29, 2013 Author Report Posted March 29, 2013 NO... you don't want to be on the 'retail' side when checking your re-bid zones, you should be on the name your own price bidding page. The retail side uses different zones as well as a different universe of hotels.Try this:1) Use the PRICELINE search box on the upper right of this page, enter 'Boston, MA' and your dates, and click "GO".2) List each zone that is offered in this region. 3) Next to each zone list the highest star rating offered in the zone. The way to determine the highest star rating offered in the zone is by selecting the first zone i the list, then scrolling down to see the highest star rating selectable (ie- not greyed out). NEXT UNcheck the selected zone, place a checkmark in the next zone, and repeat the process for each zone in the region. Each time you take note of the highest star rating in the zone, make sure that only ONE zone is selected above.4) post your findings and we'll take it from thereIf you don't follow the above just post back and we'll break it down further.Ah okay I get it now, thanks Brighton-Brookline highest = 3 star Dorchester = 2 starFenway Park = 2 starMedford -Somerville = 3 starnorth Cambridge- Arlington = 3 starsouth Boston = 3 star
thereuare Posted March 29, 2013 Report Posted March 29, 2013 Yes, you have your re-bid zones correct, but always double check them just before bidding to make sure that nothing has changed since you last looked (as new hotels can be added and upgraded/downgrades happen often)So using your SIX re-bid zones i would try as follows:Select 4* Copley-Back Bay...Bid $125, if rejected add re-bid zone...Bid $130, if rejected add re-bid zone...Bid $135, if rejected add re-bid zone...Bid $140, if rejected add re-bid zone...Bid $145, if rejected add re-bid zone...Bid $148, if rejected add re-bid zone...Bid $150The above may prove to be too low, but with time on your side i would try this first, then if rejected post back and we'll revise to try again in 24 hours.Any questions 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. Please use this HOTWIRE and these PRICELINE LINKS: HOTELS, CAR RENTALS, and AIRFARE to begin your travel purchases
Bigsleepsbee Posted March 30, 2013 Author Report Posted March 30, 2013 Happy with this price. Expedia / Hotelclub had same hotel for $600+
Bigsleepsbee Posted March 30, 2013 Author Report Posted March 30, 2013 Okay I had failed to read the small print & didn't realise you cannot pay with a credit card that is not billed to a US/ Canadian address. I am in Australia. I ended up booking the 4* star Westin Copley Place for $165 a night through HOTWIRE. With taxes it came still came in under budget so all good. I followed the link on this website to HOTWIRE, and have posted my win in the Boston HOTWIRE forum. Thanks for your help. Now to get the rest of my NYC accommodation sorted.....
yellowdog Posted March 30, 2013 Report Posted March 30, 2013 BigsleepsbeeCongratulations on your success!Thanks for using the HOTWIRE links on the board :) We hope you're satisfied with the outcome and will like the Westin.Can you please add a reply to this thread confirming the complete list of amenities associated with this property... you can still view this information by going to HOTWIRE and clicking the MY ACCOUNT link near the top right of their home page.Enjoy your stay.Yellowdog.
Bigsleepsbee Posted March 31, 2013 Author Report Posted March 31, 2013 BigsleepsbeeCongratulations on your success!Thanks for using the HOTWIRE links on the board :) We hope you're satisfied with the outcome and will like the Westin.Can you please add a reply to this thread confirming the complete list of amenities associated with this property... you can still view this information by going to HOTWIRE and clicking the MY ACCOUNT link near the top right of their home page.Enjoy your stay.Yellowdog.AmenitiesIndoor pool(s) Smoke Free Rooms Fitness CenterPool(s) Restaurant(s) Business CenterHigh-Speed Internet Access
yellowdog Posted March 31, 2013 Report Posted March 31, 2013 BigsleepsbeeThanx for the follow-up :) Yellowdog.Please use the PRICELINE and HOTWIRE links on the board to begin your travel purchases.
Recommended Posts
Register now, we have a huge community of travel enthusiasts to answer any questions you might have.
Sign up for a new account in our community. It's easy!
Register a new accountAlready have an account? Sign in here.
Sign In Now