Priceline Hotel: 3* or 4* at Huston IAH for 1/24-1/25

[dave pass]

Greetings,

I'm hoping to get a nicer hotel at the airport (George Bush) for the night of 1/24/2007 for under $100. If it has to be a 3* or below, I'd like to keep the price around $50-$60.

I'm not sure what people typically are able to get through priceline this time of year so if my expectations are way off (too high or too low), please let me know.

Anyway, any bidding assistance would be greatly appreciated.

Also does anyone know if most of the hotels at the airport offer free shuttle service? And if not how much I might expect to pay for a shuttle or cab?

Thanks,

-dave

[thereuare]

We have not seen any winning 4* bids in this zone (maybe one of the 3* properties has been upgraded?), but 3* properties are usually very cheap. I wouldn't want to see you bid near $100 for a 4* hotel when a 3* may have been able to be had for nearly half the price... unless of course that price difference is worth it to you.

How much more is a 4* worth to you than a 3*? We'll then be able to suggest a strategy while considering your lower star rating options.

[dave pass]

With that said, I would be thrilled to get a 3* in the $50 range (or less). And a 4* for under $75 would be acceptable as well.

Thanks.

[jayer]

Your price should do it, perhaps way more than do it, it the availability is there, but IAH has become a much tougher bid in the last year or so (especially midweek). While winning bids have not skyrocketed, availability has tanked. On Hotwire that night is already high, so it may be a tough one.

[dave pass]

Well, I started at $40 for a 3 or 4*. I was rejected and used the rebid zones to bid $45, $50, $55, $60, $70 and $80. Rejected for all those as well.

I'll try again in a few weeks with higher bids but it looks like the Country Inn and the Holiday express are both around $99+tax. Are these Priceline 3*?

[dahammer]

Holiday Inn Express and Country Inns that I have stayed in have been 2.5* or lower. But at the 2.5* you could also get something like a Comfort Inn or LaQuinta as well.

[jayer]

They have never participated in the past in that zone. Country Suites in Humble has as a 2.5*.

Availability is your issue, and for this far out conventional availability at IAH does not look encouraging for a Priceline bid (I'm looking too). If Priceline works on a 3* it will be something leftover dropped out there much closer to date. Just the way IAH zone works now.

You have bid well past what bidding history says it should take if there is something there. You've hit a price range where you might as well consider a conventional stay at a lower star hotel just to get the full points and stay credit.

You do not say if you have transportation or where you need to do business. Do you have any option about which airport you fly out of? The Marriott at Hobby is on Priceline conventional list for $99.

[dave pass]

It sure is looking that way....

I am flying into IAH on a return trip from the Caribbean - I get in at 7pm and then take my final leg home to Denver at 7am the following day.

I suppose a 2.5* would be sufficient - do you think I can land one of those for under $50?

Dropping into the 2* range sounds sketchy to me. Any oppinions?

[thereuare]

The Holiday Inn Express has a cancellable rate of $109/nite. Why not reserve that (using the previously link, please) and then continue to try Priceline (and HOTWIRE) as your date continues to get closer. As you approach a week or two from your check-in date you can then resort to lowering your star rating.

[Robintexas]

Hotwire shows a 2* for $39 that night - but I don't have nearly as much experience with Hotwire as with Priceline. Maybe you could dig through back posts and identify which property it is. Good price anyway.

[Dina]

mmm it's really strange you can't find anything for this price. I got 3* Sheraton IAH on Dec 14th for 1 night for just $38. If bidding the same day is an option for you you'll get the best price. And it always worked out for me.