Priceline Hotel: 3* San Francisco (Airport SFO) Holiday Inn

[FlyConcorde]

I have been trying to bid for 4 and 3 * hotels in the airport area for the night of the 21/22 March up to $50 without any success so far. Is there a major event in town that day?

This is the very first time I am not being successful finding a hotel in the airport area. :)

Your suggestions and ideas will be most welcome. Thank you very much.

[thereuare]

The Hyatt is sold-out for your dates and given your prior rejections i think you'll need to go up to $55-$60 to have a shot at a 4* property. If that fails, then i would try for a 3* up to $60 as well, which should at least get you very close.

Although rates are higher than usual, they're not astronomically expensive. If you don't want to raise your bid amount you could probably find something at the 2.5* level at $50 or below.

If you need a more detailed strategy let us know your thoughts on the above (ie- raising bid, lowering star rating, etc) and we'll advise more specifically.

Let us know what you decide or if we can be of further help.

[FlyConcorde]

A more detailed strategy for a 2.5 or 3 * property would be highly appreciated. I would prefer the Burlingame area but I will follow up on what you are advising. Thank you very much. :)

[thereuare]

To clarify...

It seems as if you want to stick with your $50 budget (and not increase to $60) but that you have already tried bidding for 3* hotels up to $50... which would imply that you only really have a chance at 2.5* properties (unless inventory has changed).

Is that correct, or were you willing to bid up to $60?

[FlyConcorde]

It seems that a lot of hotels are fully booked that night. I had a look at Expedia out of curiosity and this is how I found out about this. Is there a major event that day? Why is it that the rates have suddenly gone up? I got the Doubletree from 36 to 39 + taxes several times...

[thereuare]

It seems as if you want to stick with your $50 budget (and not increase to $60) but that you have already tried bidding for 3* hotels up to $50... which would imply that you only really have a chance at 2.5* properties (unless inventory has changed).

Is that correct, or were you willing to bid up to $60?

If you'd like us to suggest a strategy we'll need clarification on the above.

[FlyConcorde]

I am willing to bid up to 60 (if possible: a 4 * property). Thank you very much for your help.

[thereuare]

At the 4* level you have two re-bid zones, only one at the 3* level. 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* SFO...

Bid $50, if rejected add re-bid zone1...

Bid $56, if rejected close browser and re-access priceline however you did previously.

Select 4* SFO and re-bid zone2...

Bid $58, if rejected add re-bid zone1...

Bid $60, if rejected close browser and re-access priceline however you did previously.

Select 3* SFO...

Bid $55, if rejected add re-bid zone...

Bid $60.

Any questions feel free to ask.

Good Luck and let us know how it goes.

[FlyConcorde]

I did exactly as you said and failed at 60 at the 4* level. :) :)

I went on for 3* and bid 49 and was immediately successful.

I got the SFO airport Holiday Inn.

49-00 + 14.31 Taxes and Service. Total = 63.61

I will be getting in from Europe that day and on to a transpacific flight the next morning. This hotel gets rather bad reviews on this forum and elsewhere but I guess I did not have much choice.

Thank you for your help.

[thereuare]

You had previously failed up to $50 for a 3* in this area, correct? (so this inventory had recently been added?)

Enjoy your stay.... let us know your own thoughts when you return.