heffman Posted July 15, 2007 Report Share Posted July 15, 2007 Pardon my ignornace as a newbie here but is there a rule of thumb for bookiing hotels (Seattle specifically)? Are better savings achieved by waiting to a day or two before you intend to need the accommodation, or is a week out good, or longer, or shorter---or is there no rhyme nor reason more times than not? Or is 'it depends" the most reliable reply to my question? Any and all tips, graciously appreciated.Many thanks,heffman Link to comment
thereuare Posted July 16, 2007 Report Share Posted July 16, 2007 Welcome to BetterBidding!There is nothing specific about Seattle that makes bidding for this city different and you can see the related "when to bid" link in our PRICELINE FAQ.If you let us know the date(s) of your stay we'll try to assist further. Please use this HOTWIRE and these PRICELINE LINKS: HOTELS, CAR RENTALS, and AIRFARE to begin your travel purchases Link to comment
heffman Posted July 16, 2007 Author Report Share Posted July 16, 2007 Aug 24, 25thSept 8thSept 22ndOct 13thOct 20thNov 11thNov 18thDec 8thDec 22ndMy plan is to begin bidding 1-3 weeks prior to each date and monitor all the info I can find here...if any of you have any specific tips please let me know...I'm more than happy in the outskirts at reputable 2.5 star places but also wouldn't turn down a nice deal downtown at the westin, sheraton or marriott seattle or edgewater if I could nab it for under $120....These are all carved in stone dates as I'm going for sure unless I get hit by a truck that is :) These are all nights before Seattle Seahawk football games if that factors into the eqaution...Thanks for any and all assistance,heffman Link to comment
Colfax Posted July 16, 2007 Report Share Posted July 16, 2007 You said you want to bid 1-3 weeks in advance but your first dates--August 24 and 25---are almost six weeks away.Usually we don't suggest bid strategies until you're actually ready to bid because strategies are based on current hotel rates. Three weeks from now hotel rates might be different and the bidding strategy would change accordingly.If your first set of dates are firm and you're ready to bid now someone can suggest a strategy. Otherwise let us know when you're actually ready to bid.Also...both the options you mentioned---a 4* Downtown around $120 or a 2.5* in the suburbs for much less---are possible. Which do you prefer? You have to bid for one or the other first.If you go for the suburban 2.5* (or a 3* or 2.5* Downtown for that matter) please look at Priceline's Seattle map and let us know exactly which zones are acceptable to you and if you have any preferences among them. Link to comment
thereuare Posted July 16, 2007 Report Share Posted July 16, 2007 Let's start with your first date... 8/24-8/26.Which zone(s) are you willing to bid. It seems as if you have different limits for each zone and/or star rating... if you include that information here we'll try to help. Please use this HOTWIRE and these PRICELINE LINKS: HOTELS, CAR RENTALS, and AIRFARE to begin your travel purchases Link to comment
Colfax Posted July 16, 2007 Report Share Posted July 16, 2007 Oops, we crossed. :) I'll yield the floor to thereuare for now. Link to comment
thereuare Posted July 16, 2007 Report Share Posted July 16, 2007 Can't have too many cooks in this kitchen... so continue to add your thoughts on this thread as well as any others :) Please use this HOTWIRE and these PRICELINE LINKS: HOTELS, CAR RENTALS, and AIRFARE to begin your travel purchases Link to comment
heffman Posted July 16, 2007 Author Report Share Posted July 16, 2007 You folks are too helpful, not used to this....thx so much...here goes with the added info...For Aug 24th and 25th I'd like to pay high $30's low $40's for the Bothel area for a 2.5*...My plan (rookie, clueless plan perhaps) is to try that, then if rejected I will add the everett area then maybe the north everett area with each new bid....make sense or no?Many thanks,jeff Link to comment
Colfax Posted July 16, 2007 Report Share Posted July 16, 2007 Can you define what your limit for a 2.5* in Bothell is with a specific price like $44 or $48? That's the maximum you're willing to pay for a 2.5* in Bothell before going down to a 2* or bidding in some other zone. "High 30's, low 40's" is a little too squishy. Also do you understand how free rebidding works? I think you probably do since you mentioned Everett and North Everett, but I want to make sure. Link to comment
thereuare Posted July 16, 2007 Report Share Posted July 16, 2007 ... and also let us know if you're ready to bid now at which point we'll suggest a strategy for you to follow.With your maximum bid range i don't think you run the risk of overbidding so i would start bidding now, but it's up to you. Please use this HOTWIRE and these PRICELINE LINKS: HOTELS, CAR RENTALS, and AIRFARE to begin your travel purchases Link to comment
heffman Posted July 18, 2007 Author Report Share Posted July 18, 2007 I initially bid tonight at $39 for a one night stay in SEATTLE in late AugustIt was rejected so I added the University area and upped my bid to $41That, too, was rejected so I added the Lake Union area and upped bid to $43 and it was ACCEPTEDThe hotel is the Country Inn and Suites in Bothel and I've stayed there before...It's very good so I'm very pleased...real nice pool, wonderful breakfast, free wireless Internet, everything I wanted and so much more and all at a real good price if you ask me!Thanks to one and all who helped me out...very much appreciated...FYI I used SavingsBarn PRICELINE link tooCheers, Link to comment
thereuare Posted July 18, 2007 Report Share Posted July 18, 2007 Congratulations on your win!Glad to hear your first venture with priceline went so well.Nice that you're familiar with the hotel and you're looking forward to your return stay... bet you paid just a bit more for your previous stay at this property :)Thank you for sharing your results with the board and for starting your bid with the PRICELINE links at SavingsBarn.comEnjoy your stay.PS- i've added 8/24-8/26 to your topic title, if these dates are not correct for this stay please let us know. Please use this HOTWIRE and these PRICELINE LINKS: HOTELS, CAR RENTALS, and AIRFARE to begin your travel purchases Link to comment
heffman Posted July 18, 2007 Author Report Share Posted July 18, 2007 FYI The date is just the one day now Aug 25th...Thanks, Link to comment
heffman Posted August 2, 2007 Author Report Share Posted August 2, 2007 Can anyone tell me if can we receive loyalty points (Hilton, Starwood, etc) when we secure a priceline name your own bid reservation? I assume we can't but I'd like to know officially if anyone does know.Many thanks,jeff Link to comment
dahammer Posted August 2, 2007 Report Share Posted August 2, 2007 from Priceline's terms and conditions:Frequent Traveler Points: Frequent traveler points, upgrades, certificate vouchers and other discounts or incentives may not apply to priceline.com's hotel service.that said, I usually present my affinity card at check in and occasionally get points for Marriott stays, never with Hilton or Holiday Inn. My statements usually reflect the stay, but will show zero points for the stay, unless I charge dinner or incidentals to the room. Link to comment
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