bobme Posted July 16, 2006 Report Posted July 16, 2006 I am trying to book a 3* hotel in Albany, NY from July 23 to July 27. I am intersted in 3* properties in Downtown Albany and near the Albany International Airport. Albany Downtown has one 3* property: 1. Crown Plaza for $219 per nightAlbany Airport has two 3* properties:1. Holiday Inn Airport for $149 per night2. Albany Mariott for $199 per nightI am willing to pay as much as $100 per nightAlbany Downtown and Albany Airport are the only areas with 3* properties. Latham and SUNY Albany, the other areas, do not have any 3* properties.I would appreciate any pointers/strategies to secure such a hotel.Thanks!
thereuare Posted July 16, 2006 Report Posted July 16, 2006 At the 3* level 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 3* Airport...Bid $45, if rejected add re-bid zone...Bid $50, if rejected add re-bid zone...Bid $55, if rejected close browser and re-access priceline however you did previously.Select 3* Downtown...Bid $45, if rejected add re-bid zone...Bid $50, if rejected add re-bid zone...Bid $55, if rejected close browser and re-access priceline however you did previously.Select 3* Airport and Downtown...Bid $60, if rejected add re-bid zone...Bid $65, if rejected add re-bid zone...Bid $70.I would start with the above... if rejected we'll revise the strategy for the next round of bidding.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
GM Mike Posted July 16, 2006 Report Posted July 16, 2006 Note that the new Hampton Inn downtown MAY be a 3* for bidding. We haven't seen it come up yet but it is brand new and pretty upscale (has a restaurant, etc.). The transparent section of priceline doesn't give it any * rating yet.
bobme Posted July 16, 2006 Author Report Posted July 16, 2006 Thanks thereuare for your strategy and GM Mike for your note. Actually Hampton Inn would also work for me.Unfortunately, I tried all that, but it did not work. If I understand correctly, Latham and SUNY are my free re-bid zones, right?I was wondering If I could change my request: I would prefer to stay in downtown Albany, and resort to Airport area only if I don't get in downtown by July 20th. Is this approach risky? Please let me know. FYI: I have already booked a standby 2* hotel if Priceline does not work out.Thanks!
thereuare Posted July 16, 2006 Report Posted July 16, 2006 Yes, you have your re-bid zones correct... but make sure you check them again before your next round of bidding to make sure that no hotels have been added/upgraded.Given your rejectiions above and your new desire for downtown, i would proceed as follows:In 24 hours from your last rejected bid (when you're able to bid again)...Select 3* Downtown...Bid $75, if rejected add re-bid zone...Bid $80, if rejected add re-bid zone...Bid $85.If the above is rejected wait another 24 hours and re-try:Select 3* Downtown...Bid $90, if rejected add re-bid zone...Bid $95, if rejected add re-bid zone...Bid $100.Any questions feel free to ask.Good Luck and keep us updated on your progress. Please use this HOTWIRE and these PRICELINE LINKS: HOTELS, CAR RENTALS, and AIRFARE to begin your travel purchases
bobme Posted July 17, 2006 Author Report Posted July 17, 2006 No luck. Bid up to $85.FYI: Looking at Crowne Plaza website these room types are still available for my dates:1 DBL BED WHEELCAHIR ACCESS NONSMOKING1 KING BED NONSMOKING1 KING BED PARLOR SUITE NONSMOKING2 DOUBLE BEDS EXECUTIVE NONSMOKING2 DOUBLE BEDS NONSMOKING2 DOUBLE BEDS SMOKINGSTANDARD ROOMI will try bidding upto $100 tomorrow. Thanks for all your help.
bobme Posted July 18, 2006 Author Report Posted July 18, 2006 No luck again. Tried bidding upto $100.I used the savingsbarn.com link. Any new ideas?FYI: Hampton Inn Downtown is now showingup as 2* for Priceline.
GM Mike Posted July 18, 2006 Report Posted July 18, 2006 Hampton Inn is actually showing as 2.5* :) I wonder if it's the nights of the 25th and 26th that are getting you. Rates don't look different downtown, really, but the Saratoga track opens the 26th and rates outside of downtown are showing some variance.Have you considered splitting your bid?Please tell me you have a backup reservation somewhere at this point.
bobme Posted July 19, 2006 Author Report Posted July 19, 2006 Yes, actually I have a backup 2* hotel reserved in Albany.What do you mean splitting up the bid? Please let me know. Thanks!
thereuare Posted July 19, 2006 Report Posted July 19, 2006 See this thread: SPLITTING YOUR PRICELINE BID Please use this HOTWIRE and these PRICELINE LINKS: HOTELS, CAR RENTALS, and AIRFARE to begin your travel purchases
bobme Posted July 19, 2006 Author Report Posted July 19, 2006 Hello guys, 1. I am seeing something interesting:If I change the dates this is what I get on crowneplaza.com:7/23 to 7/24 - no rooms available7/23 to 7/25 - no rooms available7/23 to 7/26 - no rooms available7/23 to 7/27 - many rooms availableDo you think any rooms will be available for my dates?2. Is there any way to ensure that I get Hampton Inn Downtown, considering that only 2* & 3* quality levels are available for Downtown Albany, and all other zones have 2* hotels? If you can provide a strategy, that would be great. Thanks!
thereuare Posted July 19, 2006 Report Posted July 19, 2006 The Crowne Plaza looks slim.I'm not sure i understand your second question... but you can't guarantee a specific hotel (not sure why the rest of your sentence implies that you'd get the Hampton Inn) Please use this HOTWIRE and these PRICELINE LINKS: HOTELS, CAR RENTALS, and AIRFARE to begin your travel purchases
bobme Posted July 19, 2006 Author Report Posted July 19, 2006 Thanks thereuare, I think I will keep trying. Hopefully, Airport would be fruitful over the next few days.
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