Priceline Hotel: 5* bidding help with priceline

[rcgiggles]

Hi,

I just learned about this great site yesterday and have been poking around trying to get my bearrings. I've never bid on hotels etc. so I am a TOTAL NEWBIE :-)

I'm planning on going to vegas 8/25 -8/27 and would like to stay at a 4*, but my friend is on a strict budget and usually stays at Circus Circus because of the price. I haven't read many positives about CC so I'm looking at NY NY, TI, Luxor and lastly the 3* Excalibur in this order. I need to find either of the first 3 locations at about $120 per night since my friend's budget is around $50/day (we'll be sharing the room). If I get something that will cost us around $60/day a piece, I'm even willing to pay an extra $10 to bring her cost around $50/day. I should add that I'm very picky about where I lay my head!! I should also mention that the only 2 hotels I've stayed at were the Luxor and Excalibur and this was several years back,

From what I've gathered so far the first 3 locations run anywhere from $170 - $190/day. I read on one of the posts that Priceline isn't a good option for Las Vegas. If so,

1. How do I go about finding a 4* in my price range?

2. Does the Reverse ECT only work on ECT links specifically? I tried putting in a HOTWIRE link and it didn't recognize it.

Thanks in advance for any input!

[thereuare]

Welcome to BetterBidding!

I'm looking at NY NY, TI, Luxor and lastly the 3* Excalibur in this order

Start with this thread:

I've Never Used Priceline or Hotwire

You can't bid on a specific hotel, are you willing to accept any 4* hotel in the Strip zone? (note that this also include the 4* Westin, which is slightly off-strip)

[rcgiggles]

Thanks for the link. It was very helpful...don't know how I missed it :-) I am open to to other 4* but I'd like to stay on the strip. Does my price range sound feasible for a 4* on the strip?

[thereuare]

I'd like to stay on the strip

Would the Westin be acceptable? (as it is slightly off-strip)

[rcgiggles]

A couple friends and I plan on going to vegas 8/25-8/27 and are looking for a 4*. Since reading the forums, I thought I'd try my hand at a 5* and see what happens. It's my very first time bidding and though I've read the bidding links, I'm still a little confused (please forgive my ignorance).

I made a bid of $100...okay, I knew this was a little low, but I've seen some people get the Venetian for as little as $99. Anyway, they said the couldn't fine a hotel to match my price. Then I get t his...

"You should consider a price above your original offer of $100 per night to increase your chances of getting a hotel room in the Las Vegas, NV area." I'm assuming this is different than a counter offer. If I increase my offer and they don't accept it, then what? Do they give me a counter offer? I read somewhere that if you counter w/in 72 hours and you don't get your price, they'll charge you the actual price of the hotel room (not sure if that statement in worded corectly). So, here I am scared to move on with a higher price for fear that I'll have to pay full price. HELP!

[thereuare]

Please don't start new topics for dates which you already have an existing thread... keep all posts for the same stay in the same thread.

We last left you wanting a 4* hotel and while waiting for an answer to a question we asked regarding your stay, you've bid for a 5* hotel.

What is it exactly you want to do?

[rcgiggles]

My apologies...I'm still learning how everything works in here. Though I'm looking for 4* because I'm hoping I can get one affordably (max of 120 per night for two people), I thought I'd try for 5* because there is another person who might join us with would make ther room more affordable. Either way, I need to make sure I'm understand the bidding process so that I don't get stuck paying full price.

I read your question about the Westin and I would much rather say on the strip. Again, though ultimately I 'd like to stay open, I'm more interested in 4* places like NY NY, TI, Paris, Luzor. So, what should I now do with my bid...increase it? I'm assuming that I won't be locked in to the full price at this stage of the bid, correct?

Thanks again for the help and for accommodating newbies like myself!

[thereuare]

Current prices at the Venetian for these dates are $279/nite so you're bidding amount at that star level probably isn't close or realistic.

I read your question about the Westin and I would much rather say on the strip

Then you probably shouldn't be bidding 4* on the strip.

Since you now also may have triple occupancy, you should read the occupancy related link in our PRICELINE FAQ.

[rcgiggles]

Thanks. That's a logical assumption since there's every chance that if my 4* bid is accepted, I could end up off the strip. I checked the website prices using the support links and also called a few hotels I'm interested in and I found what I think is a "decent" price:

8/25-8/27

AAA discount

152.10 & 179 (165.55 avg price vs normal avg price seems to be around the $180's)

I heard Aug. is a big convention month and there is a major clothing convention on 8/28 so I probably won't get as good a bid anyway. Does this sound like an ok price?

Also, I still haven't entered a higher bid for priceline. Does it eventually timeout or can I cancel it somehow or do I HAVE to enter another bid? Again, I'm concerned about getting locked in for a full price :)

[thereuare]

Does this sound like an ok price?

What hotel is it for?

When you bid you then find out (almost immediately) if your offer is accepted or not. If not, you then have a choice to bid again or not... you are not locked-in or forced to bid again. If a few days later you choose to bid again, the amount you bid has nothing to do with your previous bid amount... you can raise it, lower it, or bid the same amount if you choose to. You keep referencing "getting locked into paying full price" but i'm not really sure why you feel this would be the case... you determine how much you choose to bid each time.

[rcgiggles]

Thanks, that really explains things for me. BTW, the price was for Treasure Island. It seems like a good price, especially considering the convention going on that weekend.

[thereuare]

Another option is the Aladdin for $164/nite (the site price as the TI above) and a more centralized strip location.

Please note that we are also affiliate of the Treasure Island (as per our support page) and using our links for your bookings will help keep this site a free resource for eveyone.

[rcgiggles]

Have you stayed at either the Aladdin or TI? From what I gather, TI seems to have much better reviews.

The TI rate I quoted above was from calling them directly, but when I went to their site (thru the SUPPORT link), the online price is more. I definitely want to give my support to this site because it's been EXTREMELY helpful, however it doesn't seem like I'll get the best price.

Oh, do you know how hotels can tell if you have an additional person in the room? I'm not trying to be sneaky or anything, but since they charge for an additional person, how can they tell? Maybe it's by the amount of towels used :)

[thereuare]

The rate difference is probably because of you not having a AAA code to enter.

I haven't stayed at either, but know the location of each. I do like the area around the TI, Mirage, and Venetian... but the Aladdin is more centrally located by Paris, Bellagio, Monte Carlo, etc.

Most stay with add'l occupancy without much of an issue, but housekeeping is just once source of notifying of increased occupancy.

[rcgiggles]

Ahhh right....the AAA code would definitely make a difference. Since every dollar really does count with my friend, I think I'm going to reserve the TI as a backup and go from there. Thanks for being so wonderfully helpful. I'll definitely post info if I get any great deals!

[Steve Long]

Hey there,

Don't know if you have already booked but how would Caesars Palace do you?

I got an e-mail through for a promo in August which is running weekday and weekends.

Promo code is SUMR6.

All you need to do is phone them at 1-800-HARRAHS. Go through to reservations and say you wanted to book the above promo code which the rates are $160 per night everynight + Tax.

Hope this is of help.

Sorry its not a bidding site but at that price all I can say it :) :o

Forgot to say. This is the offer with the complimentary upgrade to a deluxe Palace tower room :)

Nice room from what I have been told.

https://www.harrahs.com/MakeReservation.do

Here is the link.

The dates you are looking are available and are $140 per night excl tax.

Hope this helps.