Priceline Hotel: Ft. Lauderdale (Beach) Hyatt Pier 66

[10centsadance]

I have been bidding the last two months on a resort room in FLL (Beach Zone). I have bid as high as $140 for one night (1/4/04). I have never received any counter offers. I bid again this morning for $130 and was rejected. I started to bid much less, but priceline would put up a screen telling me to rethink my bid because it had such a small chance of being accepted. I felt pressured, so I increased my bid to $130. I did not do any free re-bids, because I suspect they don't have the inventory anyway. I have three questions: 1) Should I pay attention to the prompting that priceline is providing? 2) Since I am so close to my stay date, can I start the bidding again on a 4* in the same zone? I don't want to pay the $130 for the 4*. I can do better than that on the hotel's website. 3) If I cannot start the bidding again, can I lower my bid on a 4*? Please advise. Thanks.

[thereuare]

Welcome to BetterBidding!

1) Ignore all message that Priceline prompts you to raise your bid due to "only a small chance" of being successful

2+3) You can immediately try for a 4* (since it's lower than the Resort level) and you can lower your bid amount. You can always bid again immediately if you're agreeing to a lower quality level, but you can't bid again immediately on the same zone if you raise your quality level. (ie- the reason for this, and maybe will make it clear(er) for anyone following along is that when you bid for a quality level you're setting the minimum you're willing to accept, so bidding for 3* is actually like bidding for 3*, 4*, resort, and 5*. Thus, if you switch from 3* to 4* it's viewed as a duplicate bid since all those star levels were included in the prior bid)

Hope that makes sense and feel free to ask any questions if it doesn't (or if you have any add'l questions).

You may also want to include the dates of your stay as it might help others that are looking at the same timeframe. As well, if i notice any special about some/part of the dates of your stay it may be worthwhile to split the bid.

If you need help with a bidding strategy feel free to ask.

[10centsadance]

Thank you so much for the info. I am bidding on one night only (1/4/04-precruise). That is the only night I have bid on for the last couple of months. I may try one more time for resort after my 72 hours and then I can drop it to a 4* if I don't get resort. I have backup reservations at a hotel for that night, but I hate to pay the price. I will keep the board posted about any progress.

[10centsadance]

I bid again this morning on FLL Beach Zone Resort for stay date 1/4/04. I bid $126 and was rejected. I then switched to a 4* in the same zone for the same date and I got the Hyatt Pier 66 for $80. I really wanted to stay at the Harbor Beach Marriott, but I am pleased with the price I got for the Hyatt. $80 was my first bid for the Hyatt. Thanks for your help.

[thereuare]

Glad you're 'done' with it. I think you'll be quite happy there as i have only heard good things about this property. Water taxi makes getting around a treat!

Enjoy your stay.