Priceline Hotel: 4 or 5* Hotel in Sydney, Australia

[nanbill47]

Will be in Sydney in Jan. 2006 for 4 nites. Wondered if anyone has had success bidding on priceline for hotels here. Have used hot Wire but not priceline. The hotels on Expedia all sound very expensive. Since we are staying for 4 nites would like to find something a little reasonable.

[thereuare]

What are the actual dates of your stay?

What is considered 'reasonable' in your eyes?

[nanbill47]

Our dates for Sydney are Jan.4th thru the 7th. Since we will be there for 4 nites I would like to find something around $100. How do you find out what hotels Price Line uses?

[AEmgee]

Both WAVTAM and I paid $134 for the 5* Sydney Marriott Harbour for similar dates:

Sydney Marriott Harbour

[thereuare]

nanbill47,

Do you want to try above your stated maximum for the 5* hotel above or do you want us to suggest a strategy within your previously stated budget?

[nanbill47]

That's a tough question. Would like a 5* hotel. There probably is a stratagy for doing both. Is $134 the total amount that will have to be paid, or do they add on tax to that? Would like to hear your stratagy in any event.

[thereuare]

There are strategies for 5* properties and (different) strategies for 4*... if you simply try for both (at once) then you risk overpaying for a 4*.

I think you need to decide what is more important to you... star rating or price.

Let us know what you decide along with your maximum bid and we'll suggest a strategy to try.

[nanbill47]

After reading all of the other posts about Sydney, I don't think we are going to do much better that the $134 that the others are talking about. It seems that the 4* is about the same price. So what is the stratagy for 5*?

[thereuare]

Your dates begin one day earlier and ends one day earlier than the win linked above. Rates are the same throughout the entire period, so i'm doubtful you'll have any luck beating the $134 rate.

However, given the amount of time before your stay, and no re-bid zones, i would try for a 5* at $100 just to give it a shot; if rejected wait 72 hours and try again at $134

Any questions feel free to ask and let us know how it goes.

[AEmgee]

Note that my bid was back in September and after taxes and fees it ended up being about $152/night.

Prices for Priceline inventory are typically quite static but it should be close to $134 (maybe +/- $1-3).

[nanbill47]

I have been rejected at $100. so will wait the required time and try again. If I can't get a 5* does anyone have any idea what the 4* hotels are?

[AEmgee]

The 4* Menzies Hotel was a recent win for $100. Other possible 4* properties include the Four Points, the other Marriott, and the Novotel. There aren't a lot of bids for Sydney so there are probably a lot more 4* properties available to Priceline that we don't know about.

Good luck with your bid, and maybe WAVTAM and I will run into you at the hotel!

[thereuare]

If I can't get a 5* does anyone have any idea what the 4* hotels are?

Cross that bridge when you get there... it is very likely you will be successful within a few dollars of $134.

[nanbill47]

Went in today and tried the $130 bid with priceline but was turned down and would be accepted if I raised the bid 22.00. Didn't think fast enough, [although that is really more than I wanted to pay] and so I tried for a 4* at $100. They then wanted $22.00 more for that one. I'm discouraged. Have to wait 3 more days to try again. :)

[thereuare]

... it is very likely you will be successful within a few dollars of $134.