Priceline Hotel: 4* Sacramento Downtown - Hyatt Regency

[Welldone Rumproast]

Bidding Need and Strategy

This was a last-minute trip request. Downtown location was desirable.

Better Bidding had only a couple of reports, from last April. TOBB had more current hits, some as low as USD 40 (the "minimum" acceptable bid for a 4* according to TOBB). All hits were for either the Hyatt or the Sheraton (about three blocks apart, both near the State Capitol). The accepted bids ranged from USD 40 to 70.

Hyatt website showed a prepaid/non-cancellable rate of USD 94.00 per night for the first two nights, 162.00 for the third night (average of 116.67)

Sheraton site showed a prepaid/non-canc rate of 114.33 per night for all three nights

I noted five available free rebid zones for 5* (only Rancho Cordova includes a 4* besides DT)

Bid Progress

I approached the entrance to the Savings Barn. I was admited ONLY when I affirmed that I was *NOT* running for Governor of California :)

--- Initial Bid in the SACRAMENTO DOWNTOWN Zone

First Bid: USD 37 - Rejected (to test that $40 minimum)

--- Added 1st free rebid zone (Business I-80)

Second Bid: USD 40 - Rejected

--- Added 2nd free rebid zone (Folsom)

Third Bid: USD 42 - Rejected

--- Added 3rd free rebid zoe (Roseville Rocklin)

Fourth Bid: USD 44 - ACCEPTED!

Accepted Bid Details

Hyatt Regency Sacramento Downtown

1209 L Street

Sacramento, California 95814

916-443-1234

Check-In Date: Sun, Aug 31, 2003

Check-In Time: After 03:00 PM

Check-Out Date: Wed, Sep 3, 2003

Check-Out Time: 12:00 PM

Your Offer Price: $44.00

Number of Rooms: 1

Number of Nights: 3

Subtotal: $132.00

Taxes and Service Fees: $23.87

Total Charges: $155.87

The Hyatt website lists a tax rate of 12.00 percent

[thereuare]

As i've said before...

Well Done Rumproast :)

Thanks for contributing your posts... and for the humor you bring to the board.