Priceline Hotel: Help: 4* Niagara Falls (St. Catharines) Strategy

[Stephen.T]

Hi,

I am looking to go to a 4* in Niagara Falls from 06/22/07-06/24/07. I am looking for any strategy to book the room at a decent rate. Ideally I would pay $220USD for the 2 nights. Right now my bidding strategy is pretty lame because I am not willing to change location or star level -- this is where I need the help.

Right now I am asking for the 2 consecutive days because I don't want to have to switch hotels. I know that sometimes after a successful bid priceline offers to extend the stay at the rate, but I am afraid that if I win just the 1 night I amy not get that offer.

Right now I've been rejected at $67/night, $87/night and $92/night. In the past PL has said if I raise my bid by $X then I can re-attempt -- I'm not even getting that option. Any ideas, or is $220 for 2 nights in Niagara Falls during that time just a pipe dream?

Any help/strategies would be great

[thereuare]

Welcome to BetterBidding!

Are you looking at $220 'all-in' (including taxes and fees) or is $110 your maximum bid? If your $220 figure is all-in, what is your maximum bid per nite?

[Stephen.T]

ideally I would cap my bid at $103USD/night (+fees)

I know with Hotwire I can get a 4* for $147/night +fees ... so I want to save a bit off of that.

[thereuare]

You have three re-bid zones available at the 4* level. 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 4* Niagara Falls...

Bid $85, if rejected add re-bid zone1...

Bid $95, if rejected add re-bid zone2...

Bid $100, if rejected add re-bid zone3...

Bid $103.

While sometimes we see accepted bids at deep discounts vs. HOTWIRE, remember that HOTWIRE is an opaque channel as well, so i'm not sure how realistic it is to expect a 35% discount from their prices. However, in this instance i wouldn't rule it out as hotwire's price isn't that good.

If the above bidding is rejected i would book a back-up directly with the Doubletree Fallsview as they have a rate of $146US/nite ($169CAD) thru their own website... you can then use this as your back-up (as it's cancellable and better than the hotwire offer)

Please use this Doubletree Fallsview link to begin your reservation if you go that route. If for some reason you choose to go with Hotwire, please use our HOTWIRE link.

Any questions feel free to ask.

Let us know how the bidding goes and whatever you choose to do for this stay.