LoneStar Posted March 2, 2006 Report Posted March 2, 2006 From reading the bids, Tampa looks like a tougher market than you'd think. I'd like to stay in the Airport zone, and I bid up to $70 for a 4-star, $50 for a 3 star and $45 for a 2 1/2 star, all without success. I do have a back up (use frequent stay points at an airport hotel), so if patience doesn't pay off (along with another 10 bucks), I'll pass. For a Sunday night, though, these numbers should work. Hotwire is showing stuff out there, but at around $100 for a 3.5 or 3 star.
LoneStar Posted March 6, 2006 Author Report Posted March 6, 2006 I raised my bids $5 and didn't get anything interesting, until on my 2.5 star $50 bid priceline said I could rebid if I went up $14. I suspect this hotel is the Airport Amerisuites that has been discussed in the context of Hotwire bidding. No way to know for sure, of course.Is there any wisdom on how much you have to raise your bid when priceline wants an extra $14? Or is it totally random? 2.5 star bidding is annoying in Tampa because there are no free rebids.
thereuare Posted March 6, 2006 Report Posted March 6, 2006 It's fairly random, but now that you can re-bid in 24 hours (instead of 72 hours) i'd just do a couple of dollars ($2-3) each time... you'll have this down within a week :) Please use this HOTWIRE and these PRICELINE LINKS: HOTELS, CAR RENTALS, and AIRFARE to begin your travel purchases
LoneStar Posted March 6, 2006 Author Report Posted March 6, 2006 Thanks for the heads up -- 24 hour rebidding will be very helpful is markets and categories (like this one) without lots of free rebids.What I think I will do here is wait until about 2 weeks before my arrival to see if any of the 3 or 4 stars add inventory. If they don't, with the 24-hour rebid, I won't have to worry about having enough rebidding opportunities to slooowly bid up the 2.5 star category at the end.
LoneStar Posted March 7, 2006 Author Report Posted March 7, 2006 OK, well I raised my 2.5 star bid two bucks to $52 and got -- surprise -- the Residence Inn Tampa Westshore/Airport. It looks like a very nice hotel, with a 4-star trip advisor rating. The cheapest published rate on the Marriott website is (gasp) $227 with AAA. I can't believe there are still people out there NOT using priceline! :) The only mild annoyance for me is that there is no airport shuttle, so it may cost me an extra rent-a-car day. And I hope I can get that free breakfast before my early morning flight!
dahammer Posted March 7, 2006 Report Posted March 7, 2006 And I hope I can get that free breakfast before my early morning flight!as well as check in early enough so as to not miss the Managers Reception :)
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