Priceline Hotel: 3* Philadelphia (Downtown) Hilton Garden Inn Center City

[CSquaredA]

I'm getting the hang of this - My best price yet via SavingsBarn.com / Priceline. This was my 2nd bid. First was $48 for 4*. Then I added 3* - same price and I got the win. Avg cost per night with taxes / fees - about $59.75. Best price on Hilton.com with prepay - $110.46.

[thereuare]

Congratulations on your win and thank you for using the SavingsBarn.com links for your bidding.

You have to be careful with the strategy you did above, as it's usually recommended to LOWER YOUR BID IF YOUR LOWER YOUR STAR RATING

Still plenty of money left over for cheesesteaks! :)

Have a great stay.

[dahammer]

Still plenty of money left over for cheesesteaks!

or Tony Lukes Roast Pork with aged Provalone topped with Broccoli Rabe sauteed in olive oil and garlic...the Hilton Garden Inn is also close to the Reading Terminal Market and DiNic's

[CSquaredA]

A couple of points: When I checked in to the Hilton Gardens today, the price on their paperwork said $46. Interesting - since my winning bid is $48 - another place that PL is taking some $$.

It is interesting that the moderator says I should have lowered my bid when I added 3*. I can understand the point however, I think my original bid of $48 for 4* was to low. I have to admit that I have learned that 3* in Philly Center City includes Marriott Convention Center, Wyndham and now Hilton Garden. All are fine properties and my previous winning bids of $58 and this outstanding win at $48 all serve to do one thing: They solve my problem which is to keep my cost low while I work in Center City. PL is still way less expensive than using regular reservations. The only negative of PL is that I'm not collecting those nice hotel points and the perks they give me as a Hilton Diamond and Holiday Inn Platinum. Oh well. I'll take it to the bank. I can't wait to see how I do next week.

[mccarthys5]

I had the same thing happen at the Hilton Garden when I stayed there a few weeks ago - my statement under my door said something different than what I actually bid on the hotel via Priceline - it was only off by a few dollars - and I knew what I had been charged for the room because it had already come out of my account - but that is interesting to know that Priceline is gleaning some extra $$'s off that as well.

What I did not like at the Hilton Garden (they did not tell me this upfront and now I know not to do this) is that I paid for my room via my debit card as opposed to my credit card, so that is the card I gave them at check-in. I monitor my checking account online and when I checked in, they immediately deducted $50 for "incidentals" from my account - they put it back a few days later (like about 4 days later.) This could mess up a person's account if they are not careful. I wish they had told me upfront when I was giving them the debit card to check in - I would've given them my credit card instead. After I got home and saw this online, I gave them a call and they said the money was on hold and would be refunded in the next 72 hours. It was, but still.

Just an FYI!

[dahammer]

but that is interesting to know that Priceline is gleaning some extra $$'s off that as well.

How do you think Priceline pays William Shatner's fee :)

Priceline's fee can be as high as 25%-30% after paying for room and tax. In this example, PL paid $46 plus local taxes of about 13%, or a total of $52 for room and tax. The difference of $7 is PL's fee, which is about 12%.

For example, lets assume that the next lowest 3* Hotel offer (that is, the minimum price that a hotel is willing to sell its room through PL, perhaps the Marriott in this example) is $58. If you bid $57 (with taxes and fees, the bid is $70) for a 3*, and it is accepted by the Hilton Garden, PL will still remit the same $46 plus tax of 13%. In this example, Priceline could make a fee of about $18 or 34%.