catnun Posted April 12, 2013 Report Posted April 12, 2013 Hi!New to this forum and first time user of Priceline. Visiting San Francisco for the first time between the 5th and the 8th of August, preference to stay in Union Square East; Union Square West but not really picky about location to be honest although I want to avoid Richmond and the ones even further away from the center. Preference for a 4 star but making it realist with my budget I'd like to still get a 3 star.Perfect would be to spend only 75$ per night but top budget is 100$.How should I go about it? Is it realistic or is it highly unlikely to happen?Any help is welcome!Many thanks in advance.
thereuare Posted April 13, 2013 Report Posted April 13, 2013 Welcome to BetterBidding!At current rates a 4* hotel in the USE or USW zone at under $100 is unlikely, however, we will suggest a strategy for whatever you would like to try. Did you want to try for a 4* fist including other zones outside of USE/USW or is your preference to bid these two zones at a lower star rating before considering other nearby 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
catnun Posted April 13, 2013 Author Report Posted April 13, 2013 Thank you.I don't mind staying in a different area, would avoid unsafe ones, it seems that Tenderloin is included in Japan Town-Civic Center North, so would avoid that.Budget is more important than stars however I would like to go for something as good as possible within the budget.So I would try for a 4* first including other areas.
thereuare Posted April 13, 2013 Report Posted April 13, 2013 So at the 4* level which zone(s), by PRICELINE name, are acceptable... or are you only looking to bid USE and USW at first? Your maximum bid for 4* bidding is $120?Please confirm and we'll advise accordingly? Please use this HOTWIRE and these PRICELINE LINKS: HOTELS, CAR RENTALS, and AIRFARE to begin your travel purchases
catnun Posted April 13, 2013 Author Report Posted April 13, 2013 4* maximum bid $100willing to stay in Civic Center South - Hayes Valley ; Financial District - Embarcadero ; Fisherman's Wharf ; Marina - Lombard Street ; SOMA - Moscone Center ; Union Square East ; Union Square West - Nob Hill Am I being a dreamer?
thereuare Posted April 14, 2013 Report Posted April 14, 2013 4* maximum bid $100willing to stay in Civic Center South - Hayes Valley ; Financial District - Embarcadero ; Fisherman's Wharf ; Marina - Lombard Street; SOMA - Moscone Center ; Union Square East ; Union Square West - Nob HillThere is currently no 4* bidding in the crossed out zones above so we won't include these in a bidding strategy, leaving just:FinancialFWSOMAUSEUSWI don't think that $100 will be successful, but if you want to give it a try, when bidding 4* in San Francisco you have SIX re-bid zones. If you're not familiar with re-bidding please read Priceline Re-Bidding Explained and feel free to ask questions and/or confirm your re-bid zones with the board before proceeding.Select 4* Financial, FW, SOMA, USE, and USW...Bid $80, if rejected add re-bid zone...Bid $85, if rejected add re-bid zone...Bid $90, if rejected add re-bid zone...Bid $93, if rejected add re-bid zone...Bid $95, if rejected add re-bid zone...Bid $98, if rejected add re-bid zone...Bid $100Any 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
catnun Posted April 14, 2013 Author Report Posted April 14, 2013 So my bidding history so far has gone like this:4star hotelszones12 - $5012/13 - $5512/13/9 - $6012/13/9/2 - $6512/13/9/2/1 - $7012/13/9/2/1/3 - $7512/13/9/2/1/3/5 - $8012/13/9/2/1/3/5/4 - $8512/13/9/2/1/3/5/4/6 - $90all refused so went down to 3 and 1/2 stars3 and 1/2 star hotelszones12 - $5512/13 - $6012/13/9 - $6512/13/9/2 - $7012/13/9/2/1 - $7512/13/9/2/1/3 - $8012/13/9/2/1/3/5 - $8512/13/9/2/1/3/5/6 - $9012/13/9/2/1/3/5/6/7 - $9512/13/9/2/1/3/5/6/7/11 - $100again all refused so went down to 3 stars3starsday 1zones12 - $5012/13 - $5512/13/9 - $6012/13/9/2 - $6512/13/9/2/1 - $7012/13/9/2/1/3 - $7512/13/9/2/1/3/5 - $8012/13/9/2/1/3/5/4 - $8512/13/9/2/1/3/5/4/6 - $90day 2zones12 - $8012/13 - $8012/13/9 - $8512/13/9/2 - $9012/13/9/2/1 - $9212/13/9/2/1/3 - $9412/13/9/2/1/3/5 - $9612/13/9/2/1/3/5/4 - $9812/13/9/2/1/3/5/4/6 - $100and still nothing at allWhat would be your recommendation??I really need to stick with the $100 budget...Can different days see different results? Do people find that bidding during the weekend has worse results than doing it during the week?Any help really appreciated!Thanks
Romelle Posted April 14, 2013 Report Posted April 14, 2013 Have you looked at MAPS and HOTELS.com under Tools above? In the Bonus Money Opportunities area there are some links that people have used successfully for $10/night toward their bids. Are further out areas workable for you? Sometimes they can be less expensive. You can explore this idea with the Maps and Hotels process I mentioned earlier. San Francisco has pretty decent public transportation, so there might be a less expensive neighborhood within the reach of that. You also have almost 4 months yet. You could reserve some cancelable back-up place, and then comfortably bid for a better deal up until the very last minute.I've never seen any mention or indication that bidding during the weekend produces better of worse results than bidding during the week. Romelle
catnun Posted April 15, 2013 Author Report Posted April 15, 2013 Thank you so much Romelle!Went for it again this time with the bonus money opportunitiesBidding history Day 34star zone 12 $75 + 10bonus4 and 3 1/2 starzone 12/13 $80 + 10 bonus12/13/9 $85 + 10 bonus4, 3 1/2 and 3 starzone12/13/9 $90 + 10 bonus12/13/9/2 $91 + 10 bonus12/13/9/2/1 $95 + 10 bonus12/13/9/2/1/3 $97 + 10 bonus12/13/9/2/1/3/5 $98 + 10 bonusAnd with that final bid I got 3 nights at the Best Western The Hotel California :DHope it doesn't disappoint even though from reviews I've read is close by to Tenderloin...Still happy with it though!Once again thank you for your help.
thereuare Posted April 16, 2013 Report Posted April 16, 2013 Congratulations on your success! Glad to see the bonus money was enough to put you over the top and land a nice deal for this trip.Thank you for sharing your win with the board and helping us update the Priceline Hotel List with the new star rating for this property. Please use the PRICELINE and HOTWIRE links on the board to begin your travel purchases. Enjoy your stay. Please use this HOTWIRE and these PRICELINE LINKS: HOTELS, CAR RENTALS, and AIRFARE to begin your travel purchases
Romelle Posted April 16, 2013 Report Posted April 16, 2013 Nice work!Maybe when you come back you'd take a few minutes and post a review in the Hotel Review area? While there are almost always reviews in places like tripadvisor, reviews from bidders who got a great bargain tend to have a little different perspective and are very helpful to other members here.The retail rate for your hotel on your dates is $170 plus. Also noticed your deal includes free breakfast and some sort of cocktail hour with snacks. Such a deal!Romelle
catnun Posted April 16, 2013 Author Report Posted April 16, 2013 Thank you Romelle, I will write a review it after I come back.I was really excited to see that breakfast is included, it will certainly help to keep us on budget! :D
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