Hotwire Hotel: When to bid

[jniffer]

I have a few questions:

1. How much in advance of a trip should you start bidding especially for Las Vegas?

2. Looking at the bidding process it says that they can't guarantee your bed selection and you must call the hotel. Has anyone ever gotten a room with less than 2 beds when they were traveling with 2 adults and 2 children?

3. Which is a better choice to use Hotwire or Priceline?

Thanks in advance....

We are in need of a room in Las Vegas the 6th - 7th of Aug. We are actually going to a convention the 7th - 11th and already have a hotel for that period. (Venetian)  I would really like to stay at either the Palazzo or the Bellagio but since I am a newbie I'm not sure where to begin. Any help would be greatly appreciated

[thereuare]

Please start by following-up your previous Hotwire Washington DC thread from last year with whatever ended up doing for that trip, then reply here and we will have a look at your trip above.

 

Please remember to follow-up your threads with your wins/decisions as you make them (even if you don't ultimately use PRICELINE / HOTWIRE, cancel the trip, book direct, etc) as this help keep the board better organized and more useful for everyone... as well as being a courtesy to anyone who took the time to help with your travel plans.

 

Please remember to return to BetterBidding and use the PRICELINE and HOTWIRE links on the board to begin your travel purchases... or thru our sister site MAPSandHOTELS.com for your regular rate purchases.

 

Thanks.

[jniffer]

I followed up on previous thread. Thanks

[thereuare]

All PRICELINE guarantees is a room that will accommodate double occupancy... after that it's at the discretion of the hotel and as long as they assign you a room that will accommodate two people they are within the terms of their contract.  As well, in Las Vegas most hotels (especially at the higher star ratings) consider rooms with two beds to be an upgrade from 'standard' and charge more for rooms with two beds and/or more than double occupancy.

 

If you're not willing to take the risk occupancy risk you can use HOTWIRE which allows you to search for up to quad occupancy per room and guarantees accommodations for everyone you include in your search (although the second 'bed' could be a rollaway brought into the room, a pullout sofabed, etc)

 

As well, PRICELINE EXPRESS (and a few HOTWIRE properties) will show a 'Bed Choice' option and if you can find one that offers 2 beds in the room i think you would be fine (at least that would be a risk i'd be willing to take 10 out of 10 times as i think the chances of any issues is very minimal)

 

Keep in mind that if you do search for 2adults/2chidlren you will likely see higher prices, since as per my comment above, most Las Vegas hotels are now charging more for anything over double occupancy.

 

To get started let us know your thoughts on the 'issues' above, and more importantly, your expected budget for this nite as this will be the most deciding factor in what options you have.

 

Please remember to return to BetterBidding and use the PRICELINE and HOTWIRE links on the board to begin your travel purchases... or thru our sister site MAPSandHOTELS.com for your regular rate purchases.

[jniffer]

I am interested in a 5* but not trump... have stayed there before and it's just toooo far off the strip and there is no casino. I would prefer to stay at the Palazzo, Venetian or Bellagio. Up to 200.00 but I'm also wondering how far in advance I should bid since the stay is not till beginning of Aug. Is there a standard advance time that you should work within... say 14 days, 1 month or ? Thanks for info on beds that will help a lot when I actually get to the bidding process.

[thereuare]

For 'When to bid' see the related link in our PRICELINE FAQ.

 

However, if you're not willing to accept The Trump as a possible outcome then you shouldn't bid for this stay at all (or at least don't include the Strip North zone in your bidding) as there is no way to avoid, or target, a specific hotel when bidding on PRICELINE... you need to be willing to accept any hotel in the zone at the star rating (or higher) that you're willing to accept.

 

To avoid the Trump you would need to use either PRICELINE EXPRESS or HOTWIRE and choose an offer that shows Casino as a listed amenity (since the Trump doesn't have a casino you can be assured of not receiving that hotel).

 

I am currently seeing what looks to be The Venetian for your dates for $232/nite and The Palazzo for $280/nite, but will add that i'm not sure why you prefer the Palazzo for this stay since you're already staying at the Venetian for the rest of your trip and the two hotel rooms are almost identical.  If you're looking for something different i would not necessarily choose the Palazzo (since it's not really that different at all)... if you're looking to stay in this immediate area (or if one of your other hotel choices is not offered for this nite) then i would take The Venetian for convenience and not needing to change hotels after just one nite.

 

Please remember to return to BetterBidding and use the PRICELINE and HOTWIRE links on the board to begin your travel purchases... or thru our sister site MAPSandHOTELS.com for your regular rate purchases.

Once you're ready to move forward and commit to this trip let us know how you would like to proceed (given the occupancy issue and confirming which hotels you're hoping for) and we will advise accordingly.

[jniffer]

Quote

moving forward

Yes after some thought it would be easier to stay at the Venetian which we are already booked at. If that can't be achieved the Palazzo or Bellagio would be ok also. Moving would be a pain in the neck but would be doable if necessary. Thanks again for all your help.

[thereuare]

On HOTWIRE, thru the EASY VIEW tab at BiddingHelper.com, there is a 5* Strip North property (searching 2adults/0children) for $232/nite with:

Resort, Casino, Suite, Restaurant, Pool, Fitness, Free Internet, Hi-Speed Internet, Business, Laundry, Golf, Tennis, Spa, Free Parking, Blind Accessible, Deaf Accessible, Travel Accessible, Room Accessible, Bathroom Accessible, Handicapped Parking, Roll-in Shower

==> this would most likely be The Venetian

(NOTE: if you search for 2adults/2children the rate for the same property increases to $253/nite which is consistent with the additional charges i mentioned above for 2beds and/or quad occupancy)

 

Please remember to return to BetterBidding and use the PRICELINE and HOTWIRE links on the board to begin your travel purchases... or thru our sister site MAPSandHOTELS.com for your regular rate purchases.

 

Let us know how it goes or if we can be of further help.