rasmtsu Posted March 1, 2006 Report Share Posted March 1, 2006 I'm new to this whole bidding thing on Priceline. I think I have a pretty good grasp on how it works, but I do have some questions. First off, my planned vacation trip is for 15-19 May. Right now, I have issues at work (i.e. I may not get to go on these dates). As of now, I'm probably 90% certain I'll be able to go, but I'm don't want to place a bid until my work issues are resolved. BTW, my work is in the military, so there never really is a sure thing which leads me to my first question. Does Priceline offer any leniency to those in the military in case duty calls? I know many other businesses do offer this to the military, or are we simply out of luck? Second question, given my travel dates are over 2 months away is it too early to bid? I don't want to play the game where I keep low-balling bids in hope of getting lucky until I get within 10 days of travel. In other words, when I do make all my travel arrangements, I want them completely set in advance. I do realize that some hotels may release rooms closer to my travel dates, but I'm willing to risk that in order to lock up a good hotel at a reasonable price several weeks in advance (at the latest). If I can save $50-$75/night at a 3 or 4 start hotel, I'm willing take the risk of losing out on $100 by waiting until just before traveling. If I can't save the $75 or so now, I'd probably just stick with going to Travelocity"]Travelocity or Expedia.Now for my more technical questions. First off is there a more up to date list of hotels and their star rating-- i.e. what doe Priceline consider to be a 3 or 4 star in the MTW area? Secondly, is the Paramount the 3 star of choice in MTW for Priceline? I've done a lot of research and it seems the Paramount seems to be the one most people get when looking for 3 stars in MTW. Again after researching the hotels in the area, I've heard some negative things about the Paramount. To me, what I've read would make the Paramount be more in-line with being 2 or 2.5 hotel. If I do bid, this is one of the hotels I wouldn't want. In other words, this would not be the hotel I would choose if I knew the names of the hotels offered. In light of this, would I be better of bidding on a 4 star for piece of mind? If I did bid 4-star what would be a reasonable bid? I don't want to go over $225/night INCLUDING taxes and fees. Thanks in advance for any help. Link to comment
thereuare Posted March 1, 2006 Report Share Posted March 1, 2006 Welcome to BetterBidding!Priceline bids are non-cancellable and non-refundable... i know of no leniency towards those in the military. Often Priceline does show 'compasion' and has cancelled reservations that were do to mistakes or other unfortunate instances, but there doesn't seem to be any pattern to when they'll allow it and not... it seems to be the luck of the draw (and more often than not the requests are denied).You're certainly close enough to bid now, but i wouldn't do so until your plans are firm and you know that you'll be making this trip. Since bids are based upon current rates, i would wait until you know you'll be making the trip and at that point in time we'll suggest a strategy to follow (based upon the current rates).Our PRICELINE and HOTWIRE hotel lists are up to date and are constantly edited as new information is reported. Please use this HOTWIRE and these PRICELINE LINKS: HOTELS, CAR RENTALS, and AIRFARE to begin your travel purchases Link to comment
rasmtsu Posted March 25, 2006 Author Report Share Posted March 25, 2006 It looks like I'm ready to make my bid. Looking for 4* in MTW15-19 May (4 nights Mon-Thur)-- not interested in splitting bids/datesMax willing to spend is $180 before taxes Link to comment
thereuare Posted March 25, 2006 Report Share Posted March 25, 2006 You're also not willing to bid MTE or UM/CPS? Please use this HOTWIRE and these PRICELINE LINKS: HOTELS, CAR RENTALS, and AIRFARE to begin your travel purchases Link to comment
rasmtsu Posted March 25, 2006 Author Report Share Posted March 25, 2006 I'd prefer MTW. We want to be close to Broadway and Times Square. MTE and UM/CPS aren't the location we are looking for. If unable to get a MTW for our price range, we may consider MTE or UM/CPS. Thanks. Link to comment
thereuare Posted March 26, 2006 Report Share Posted March 26, 2006 When bidding 4* in NYC you have two re-bid zones available. If you're not familiar with re-bidding please read Priceline Re-Bidding Explained and feel free to ask questions and/or confirm your re-bid zones with the board before proceeding.Select 4* MTW...Bid $130, if rejected add re-bid zone1...Bid $140, if rejected close browser and re-access priceline however you did previously.Select 4* MTW and re-bid zone2...Bid $150, if rejected add re-bid zone1...Bid $160.If the above is rejected wait 24 hours and try:Select 4* MTW...Bid $165, if rejected add re-bid zone1...Bid $170, if rejected close browser and re-access priceline however you did previously.Select 4* MTW and re-bid zone2...Bid $175, if rejected add re-bid zone1...Bid $180.Any questions feel free to ask.Good Luck and let us know how it goes. Please use this HOTWIRE and these PRICELINE LINKS: HOTELS, CAR RENTALS, and AIRFARE to begin your travel purchases Link to comment
rasmtsu Posted March 27, 2006 Author Report Share Posted March 27, 2006 I've tried the strategy up to $160 with no luck. I'm now in my wait period. I'll let you know how things turn out. Link to comment
thereuare Posted March 27, 2006 Report Share Posted March 27, 2006 Since the above strategy went up to your maximum $180 bid, and all bids should have been able to be made, what bidding strategy/amounts did you use? Please use this HOTWIRE and these PRICELINE LINKS: HOTELS, CAR RENTALS, and AIRFARE to begin your travel purchases Link to comment
rasmtsu Posted March 27, 2006 Author Report Share Posted March 27, 2006 I've followed the first half of your strategy. So far this is what I've done:Select 4* MTW...Bid $130, if rejected add re-bid zone1...Bid $140, if rejected close browser and re-access priceline however you did previously.Select 4* MTW and re-bid zone2...Bid $150, if rejected add re-bid zone1...Bid $160.I'm in my 24 hour waiting period before being able to go up to my max limit. Thanks. Link to comment
thereuare Posted March 27, 2006 Report Share Posted March 27, 2006 You're right :) ... i had this thread confused with another strategy that i recently posted.Keep up updated. Please use this HOTWIRE and these PRICELINE LINKS: HOTELS, CAR RENTALS, and AIRFARE to begin your travel purchases Link to comment
rasmtsu Posted March 28, 2006 Author Report Share Posted March 28, 2006 Went as high as $195 with no luck. Now we are getting into a range where getting a 4 star gets painful. We want to stay in a decent hotel-- i.e. not a shoe box or thin walls. I'm hesitant to drop down to a 3 star even though the price would be more attractive; although, I'd appreciate a bidding strategy for 3 star. Guess I'll have to hold my nose and hope not to get a certain hotel. Thanks. Link to comment
thereuare Posted March 28, 2006 Report Share Posted March 28, 2006 How about a 1BR suite at the Beekman Tower for $188/nite?The reviews are good and the price is right relative to the alternatives. The hotel is a little out of the way in that it is just under a 10 minute walk or so to a subway, but there is a bus stop right near the hotel (which you can take the a subway), and in May the weather should be nice enough for a short walk to the subway. As well, it's cancellable up until 72 hours before your check-in date, so you can continue to try priceline or other resources between now and then (and don't need to take the chance on a non-refundable reservation someplace that you may not want).How does that work for you? Please use this HOTWIRE and these PRICELINE LINKS: HOTELS, CAR RENTALS, and AIRFARE to begin your travel purchases Link to comment
rasmtsu Posted March 30, 2006 Author Report Share Posted March 30, 2006 Thanks for all the advise. Looks like I'm going to be able to use my military discount to get a hotel (Sheraton, Sheraton Towers or Hampton Inn) for $200. Since my next bid would be in the $200 range, it makes no sense to continue bidding knowing I can get a gauranteed rate just as good-- if not better. Link to comment
thereuare Posted March 30, 2006 Report Share Posted March 30, 2006 We have links to all of those properties in our SUPPORT PAGE so please use the links there if you choose to book direct. Please use this HOTWIRE and these PRICELINE LINKS: HOTELS, CAR RENTALS, and AIRFARE to begin your travel purchases Link to comment
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