Priceline Hotel: help me find deal: oakland 1/9; sf 1/10; san jose 1/11

[fuzylogic]

Hi,

planning a northern cali trip next month. However, I've tried priceline and cant' get a hotel for <$50. can anyone give me some links/pointers to good deals? thanks. i'm open to staying at one hotel for 3 days if cheaper.

[thereuare]

Use only one thread for each stay.

Since Oakland is your first date... what zone(s) within the Oakland-East Bay region did you bid?

What are your options if not successful at $50 or less for a 3* hotel?

[fuzylogic]

hi,

i tried $31 for oakland, ca. not sure what zones. i wanted lowest possible price so i selected a 1 star hotel. let me know if i should be using a different approach.

[thereuare]

Yes, i'd certainly be using a different approach...

First, have your expectations set when bidding for a 1* hotel... you are buying a hotel "sight unseen", so while you may be pleasantly surprised by what you get, you also need to be prepared for something less then 'desirable'. As well, while 1* hotels may be the least expensive, they don't always provide the best value. A 2* hotel may provide a lot more 'comfort' for only a few dollars more in cost... but not sure what is important to you.

Are you willing to accept a hotel in any of the (Oakland-East Bay) zones?

If so, what is your maximum bid?

[fuzylogic]

no real maximum. i was just unsure of the strategy to use.

i.e. start off w/ a 3 star, then go 30-->35-->40, etc?

[thereuare]

Your maximum bid should be based upon the best available deal you could find elsewhere... so of course you have some sort of maximum. It would be silly to bid $60 if you could get a hotel direct reservation for $55.

Use our BetterChecker to help find the best deal you can find for the date(s) you need and then let us know your maximum bid based upon that best alternate deal you can find.

[WzDancer]

I can offer you advices for San Jose.

Since 1/11 is Thursday, you may not get my usuallyweekend deals, but worth trying. Beverly Heritage (Milpitas, 3*) may accept $36, Country Inn (Sunnvale, 2.5*, full breakfast buffet) may accept $41, Hilton(Santa Clara, 4*) for $45. Specify 2.5* if want to have these places. Extended StayAmerica will grab your offer if you specify 2*. ESA in Milpitas or South San Jose may take you in for $32. Stay away from ESA Santa Clara unless you are a train buff.