Priceline Hotel: New user looking for some advice

[skayleef]

Been browsing this site for a total of 5 hours now and decided to join. I have been doing some research in trying

To get a 5 star north strip preferred but would also take a south strip. Looking at express deals at around 120ish, I am debating waiting till my trip gets closer in hopes that I can snag a nifty deal at let's say 80-100 for one of these 5 stars. I figure this is feasible considering it's a weekday and there aren't any big events going on during the week that I could find. I am wanting to stay 3/12 checkout 3/13. Any help formulating a bidding strategy for my budget would be appreciated.

If anyone thinks my budget is to low than I guess I will be just staying at 20 dollar a night hotel. It's not the end of the world :)

[thereuare]

Welcome to BetterBidding!

Las Vegas hotel rates fluctuate, both up and down, more frequently than any other market in the country, but unfortunately nobody can say if rates will come down to within your price range in the next 10 days or not.

PRICELINE EXPRESS does have a $111/nite hotel in the Strip North zone (Outdoor Pool, Restaurant, Free Internet in room, Business Center, Casino), but using the discount link and code in my signature takes an extra 5% off bringing this down to $105/nite, just over your $100 limit above.

If your budget is firm and this is over the threshold of what you're willing to spend for this nite, i would at least start bidding now as anything sub-$100 would appear to be a very good deal, and i would think your odds are better trying every day than just trying once/twice in the 2 days prior to your arrival (it's always possible that the hotel is within your range 5 days before arrival but not the day before arrival ;) )

Please use the PRICELINE and HOTWIRE links on the board to begin your travel purchases.

Let us know whatever you decide to do for this stay or if we can be of further help.

[skayleef]

Ok here's my dilemma, and my questions. I've been trying to figure out exactly how those taxes and fees work with regards to bidding and express deals. It's been the major speed bump in me not attempting to do these deals yet. They are extremely steep! We're talking like 20+ dollars of money that I'm not completely sure how it works. If I start the bidding process, and decide to go with a PRICELINE EXPRESS deal instead do I lose that few or does it count towards my booking? Can you help me understand this extremely well?

[yellowdog]

You pay a booking fee for about $7-8 and you'll pay the taxes to PRICELINE. If the hotel got a resort fee, like most hotels in LV have should you pay this directly to the hotel. The resort fee isn't included in the fee's you're paying to PRICELINE

You'll only pay a booking fee when your reservation is complete. So you can use the bidding service as much as you want and then book a room with the PRICELINE EXPRESS deals.

I hope this answer your question?

Let us know how we can help you further with your stay.

Yellowdog.

Please use the PRICELINE and hot.wire links on the board to begin your purchases and searches.

[skayleef]

let me double check to see if I understand. If I use the bidding service, and get declined (lets say I made a reasonable offer) I am refunded my full ammount of money without being charged the 20+ odd dollars int he "taxes and fees" bracket to priceline? Or are they going to keep some money just for me trying to win a hotel with a bid... 

[thereuare]

If you place a bid and your bid is rejected your credit card is not charged at all.

If you place a bid and your bid is accepted, your credit card is charged the full amount and you are shown the name of the hotel that accepted your bid.

==> there is no fee for placing bid... you are only charged a booking fee if/when your bid is accepted.

I think that answers your question(s) but if anything further feel free to ask.

Please use the PRICELINE and HOTWIRE links on the board to begin your travel purchases.

Let us know how you decide to proceed, or if you decide to take a PRICELINE EXPRESS deal, and we'll try to assist further.

[skayleef]

yes, it does. On my way to make a bid as we speak :)

[thereuare]

Great... if you need help with a bidding strategy just let us know.

Please use the PRICELINE and HOTWIRE links on the board to begin your travel purchases.

Good luck!

[skayleef]

Well, I finished planning my trip... Not quite my expected outcome, but an awesome one none the less. I didn't end up booking from priceline OR hotwire... Heres what I DID get: A spa suite in the monte carlo for 98 dollars a night (booked through the poker room) because I play alot of poker, called them up because I heard they had decent spa suite and always wanted to try it. I have no idea where the best spa suites in vegas are, but I figured being in a spa suite would be similar to staying in a 5 star regular rate room. No clue, never stayed in either so heres to the adventure! And thanks for the help, even though I wasn't able to win a room after 5 unsuccessful bids.

[thereuare]

Glad you found something that works well for your needs.

Please use the requested PRICELINE and HOTWIRE links on the board for your future bidding, searches, and travel purchases.

Enjoy your stay.