Djsolly Posted July 26, 2013 Report Posted July 26, 2013 I have read all the FAQ's and researched for days on rebids etc. but am having my bids rejected while I am bidding more than recent posted wins. I am trying to land the Doubletree Hilton in Bloomington West that many people have won for $38 - $48 many times. I used rebids to start at $38 and using the CBSO went up to $54 still to be rejected. My travel dates are Aug 19th to Aug 24th. My questions are, is there a better day of the week to book? and how high should I keep going for this hotel? I know you can't exactly say but what I mean is I don't mind paying a bit more but don't want to wind up in a 4star hotel that I don't really want, like the Sofitel etc. This should be a slower time I would have thought with kids back in school and I am mystified how people have been getting this hotel for $40. Any ideas?
thereuare Posted July 26, 2013 Report Posted July 26, 2013 Welcome to BetterBidding!If you haven't yet, please start by reading your messages.Rates are date specific, so demand (and therefore prices) for your dates may be higher then when others have been able to win for less. Looking at the two 'known' 3.5* hotels in this zone i see rates are in the $125-$130 range which makes your $58 bids less then half of prevailing rates.Using MAPS and HOTELS.com if you search for 8/21-8/24 you'll see rates at each of these properties hovering just over $100 (and if you search for just 8/22-8/24 you'll see them under $100/nite)... these are likely more the rates when we see bids at $50 and under being accepted. Search for 8/19-8/22 and you'll see rates at $127/nite.Is SPLITTING YOUR PRICELINE BID an option (which the likelihood that you will need to change hotels and/or bid higher for the first few nites of your stay)... or do you want to bid higher or wait it out and hope for lower rates throughout your entire date range in the weeks ahead (with of course the risk being that the currently lower rates increase rather than the more expensive days decreasing)Thanks for using the PRICELINE and HOTWIRE links on the board. Please use this HOTWIRE and these PRICELINE LINKS: HOTELS, CAR RENTALS, and AIRFARE to begin your travel purchases
Djsolly Posted July 26, 2013 Author Report Posted July 26, 2013 Thank you very much! I was looking for specific dates but will give it a try with splitting my dates and using a different hotel for the first night. It had crossed my mind but I did not think hotel would be in high demand on a Monday. I appreciate the advice and I will let you know how it goes.
thereuare Posted July 26, 2013 Report Posted July 26, 2013 If you haven't yet, please start by reading your messages.2x...will give it a try with splitting my dates and using a different hotel for the first night.The higher rates are for more than just the first nite, you will likely need to split more than just the first nite vs. remaining 4 nites. If you'd like help with a bidding strategy let us know your maximum bid and we'll suggest a strategy for you to follow.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
Djsolly Posted July 28, 2013 Author Report Posted July 28, 2013 My maximum bid that I want to pay is $60.00 and I really want a hotel with a decent pool and hot tub if possible since we will have kids with us. If you can suggest bidding strategies that would be great. I tried bidding on the Thursday to Sunday ( aug 22 - 25) and stopped at $56 after starting at $40.00I would even be able to go to $70.00 if I was nearly certain to get the Doubletree Hilton. I would be disappointed if I got bumped to a higher star hotel without a pool.Thoughts? Strategies?
thereuare Posted July 28, 2013 Report Posted July 28, 2013 If you haven't yet, please start by reading your messages.3x...I really want a hotel with a decent pool and hot tub if possible since we will have kids with us.When bidding on PRICELINE there is no way to guarantee a hotel with a Pool... if this is a need (vs. a want) then you should use HOTWIRE or PRICELINE EXPRESS and choose a hotel that lists a pool amenity.You also now mention that you'll be traveling with kids, and assuming you only intend to purchase one room, be aware that PRICELINE only guarantees double occupancy, after that it's at the discretion of the hotel, and you could receive a room with only one bed. While you can call the hotel you win and request a room with two beds, the hotel may not be able, or willing, to honor your request. If this is not a risk you're willing to accept, HOTWIRE may still be an option as they allow you to search for up to quad occupancy and ensure sleeping accommodations for everyone you include in your search (although this usually means two beds, the second 'bed' could be a sofabed, rollaway, etc)If you can suggest bidding strategies that would be great. I tried bidding on the Thursday to Sunday ( aug 22 - 25) and stopped at $56 after starting at $40.00With only $4 between your maximum bid and your previously failed bids, i'm not sure you're leaving much margin for success, but please confirm that you're willing to accept the above risks associated with PRICELINE and we'll suggest a strategy for you to follow. As requested, please also read your messages before replying.Please use the PRICELINE and HOTWIRE links on the board to begin your travel purchases.Thanks. Please use this HOTWIRE and these PRICELINE LINKS: HOTELS, CAR RENTALS, and AIRFARE to begin your travel purchases
Djsolly Posted July 29, 2013 Author Report Posted July 29, 2013 I understand the risks of using PRICELINE and accept those risks. I always use the links at the top of the Bettterbidding page to book my hotel stays.
thereuare Posted July 29, 2013 Report Posted July 29, 2013 In re-reading this thread i'm seeing dates of 8/19-8/24 as well as dates of 8/22-8/25... what are the actual dates you need (or are your start/end dates flexible)? If the latter, how many days are you looking to be in this area?Thanks for using the PRICELINE and HOTWIRE links on the board. Please use this HOTWIRE and these PRICELINE LINKS: HOTELS, CAR RENTALS, and AIRFARE to begin your travel purchases
Djsolly Posted July 30, 2013 Author Report Posted July 30, 2013 Dates just became firm. Looking for 4 nights in Bloomington arriving Monday the 19th and checking out on Friday the 23rd of August. Friday we will be looking to spend in the Rogers/Albertville area for a single night stay.
thereuare Posted July 30, 2013 Report Posted July 30, 2013 Is $60 still your maximum bid, as i don't think that will likely be enough for your full date range, but if you want to give it a try, you can do so as follows:When bidding 3.5* in the Minneapolis area you have EIGHT 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 3.5* Bloomington West...Bid $40, if rejected add re-bid zone...Bid $43, if rejected add re-bid zone...Bid $45, if rejected add re-bid zone...Bid $48, if rejected add re-bid zone...Bid $50, if rejected add re-bid zone...Bid $53, if rejected add re-bid zone...Bid $55, if rejected add re-bid zone...Bid $58, if rejected add re-bid zone...Bid $60Any 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
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