Priceline Hotel: REJECTED: Philadelphia Airport (PHL) 10/13

[candicno]

Bids today for Philadelphia airport for Oct 13, 2005:

3* Philadelphia Airport (PHL)--$50--rejected

Free rebid w/ Stadium added--$53--rejected

Free rebid w/ Gloucester added--$55--rejected

It looks like these hotels aren't going as low they were before Was crossing my fingers for the PHL Marriott, but it doesn't appear its going to happen. Right now the PHL Marriott is quoting $239/night on their website. I thought this was a normal price, and in the past we've been able to get it for around $50. Oh well...try again later I guess.

[thereuare]

Welcome to BetterBidding!

$239/nite for the Marriott is not unheard of, but it's certainly higher than 'normal'.

[candicno]

Just rebid and I did $55-57-60 and got nothing. I'm beginning to think there isn't any inventory for these dates, or else the bid price is very high. I still can't figure out what is so special about that Thursday and Friday though. There is a big concert (Weezer/Foo Fighters) over at Wachovia that Thursday night, but I don't think that effects hotels that much. I know people have gotten 3 stars for the Friday after for around $50.

I think I'm going to wait a few weeks and try again later.

[thereuare]

Your current maximum bid is only 25% of the Marriott's hotel-direct rate.... hard to conclude at this point that there is "no inventory".

[candicno]

Geez...I thought that was why I used the word OR. No inventory OR not as cheap as it once was. BTW, by my last check, my $60 bid is over 50% of the rack rate of the other 3* hotels, and they have not come up either. We're not just talking about bidding on the Marriott. I read elsewhere that the $50-60 range was not hitting on 2.5* either---thats why I said "I'm beginning to think" this is the case. I never CONCLUDED anything, it was just an observation...

[dahammer]

going down to the 2.5* or 2* level might be your best option unless you want to wait it out. The hotels reported at this level include the Marriott Courtyard, Sheraton 4 Points, and Holiday Inn (which is in Essington, a few miles south). All good properties.

By the way, is there any reason that you want the Marriott, besides being able to set your alarm to go off about an hour before your flight and walk from the hotel lobby right into the airport terminal :) ??

[candicno]

By the way, is there any reason that you want the Marriott, besides being able to set your alarm to go off about an hour before your flight and walk from the hotel lobby right into the airport terminal :) ??

Nope, thats it!!

We are going to a concert at Wachovia that night---the concert starts at 7 pm. Our flight is 6:45 am the next morning to Florida for vacation. Yikes...I know we are crazy.

We live 20 mins from the airport in Jersey, so its not like I am desperate for a room or anything. I just thought we'd try for a cheap room so we could save a little driving time and enjoy ourselves more.

The reason we are trying 3* is so that we have the possibility of getting the Marriott. We will have to park in the extended stay lot, which I'd rather do the night before. I've had really bad expereinces with that lot for early morning flights. It is always so busy at that time and catching a bus is like being a cow on the way to slaughter. I'd rather be able to park in the airport lot the night before, as it will be less busy around 11-midnight when we'd get there after the concert.

...I'm just not willing to pay $239 for that luxury. So priceline is/was worth a shot. We could look for a park and fly at one of the area hotels, but I've read some bad reports about them lately (not being able to leave the car, busses not running for the early flights, etc). For that inconvience we might as well sleep in our own bed.

[dahammer]

We are going to a concert at Wachovia that night

gotcha, it may take a while to chill after the Foo Fighters!! :)

The only problem bidding with Priceline at the 3* level is that you could end up getting the Hilton or Sheraton Suites, so you would still need to find a long term parking lot. You would need to book directly with an airport hotel to get the park and fly rate, so PL may not be an option for you.

I fly out of PHL once in awhile but never park in the airport's long term lot, the shuttle to and from the terminal is spotty at best. I try to go with a private lot, the shuttles are more timely, less filled, and I rarely have to wait.

You have some time on your side and flexibility, so just keep in mind that daily parking is about $9 a day so factor the cost for parking when placing your bid.

[nfahey]

I have been bidding for a 3* for 10/7/05 unsuccessfully for a few weeks now. I recently checked the hotel websites and most are showing no availability. When I called the hotels I was informed there was a dental conference in town for a week. I'm not sure when that week begins or ends, but it may encompass your date as well.

Good luck...

BTW...I was told they are releasing the hotel rooms that were on hold but not officially booked on 9/25.

Nancy

[candicno]

Just wanted to post my failed bids so others to see. I've been bidding on the airport zone for about a month now for this date with no luck. Oh well, it's a very popular Thursday night before the Friday morning airport rush.

Today I bid:

2.5* Philadelphia Airport Zone (PHL)

10/13/05- 1 night

$50-rejected

Added Stadium $55-rejected

I have been trying for 3* for about a month with a range of $50-75. Hope others are having better luck than me.

I guess it all works out, because I just realized the Marriott Airport offers a military/gov't rate that I qualify for. So, I ended up with the attached airport hotel for $125/night. At least that is better than the $239 rack rate!!

No priceline for me this time! Hope someone can use this information, that's why I posted.