Priceline Hotel: 3* Buffalo-Niagara Falls (Niagara Falls) Crowne Plaza

[rpt]

Hi friends,

First of all , I have never used priceline .

I came across this site and was inspired to use it .

I want to visit Niagara Falls - NY on 9/1 to 9/2 .

I know I am a little late to book . If I go on any other site the rates quoted are ~ $250 per night

1.How should I start bidding on price line

2. What rate should I start with based on ur experiences.

3. 3* hotels include only crowne plaza and four points sheraton .Is my assumption correct .

How far are these hotels from the falls . I want to stay only on the American side .Also I have a kid with me

Many thanks,

rpt

[thereuare]

Welcome to BetterBidding!

3* hotels include only crowne plaza and four points sheraton .Is my assumption correct .

No, these are the only two hotels reported to the board, hotels are added/removed, upgraded/downgraded, etc, all the time. Read the comments at the top of the Priceline Hotel List

How should I start bidding on price line

What rate should I start with based on ur experiences.

If you let us know your maximum bid we will suggest a strategy for you to follow.

Also I have a kid with me

So will these be a double or triple occupancy? How old is the child?

[rpt]

Maximum bid is $100

My kid is 2 years old

[thereuare]

So will these be a double or triple occupancy?

The reason we ask is that priceline only guarantees double occupancy, after that it's up to the descretion of the hotel... HOTWIRE allows you to search for up to quad occupancy. Personally i'm comfortable with priceline if my child is too when bidding in the US (not necessarily so in Europe), and even more so when in a family friendly area such as Niagara Falls. However, this is something you need to be comfortable with if you decide to go with priceline (although i'm not even 100% certain if you're looking at double or triple occupancy)

Let us know if Priceline is acceptable or if we'll need to look at HOTWIRE.

[rpt]

Thanks for all the info . I appreciate it .

Yes !! I am comfortable with priceline

[thereuare]

This may be tough given your budget and a sole day in a holidya weekend, but we can try...

At the 3* level you have 2 re-bid zones. 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 3* Niagara Falls...

Bid $80, if rejected add re-bid zone1...

Bid $90, if rejected close browser and re-access priceline however you did previously.

Select 3* Niagara Falls and re-bid zone2...

Bid $95, if rejected add re-bid zone1...

Bid $100

Any questions feel free to ask.

Good Luck and let us know how it goes.

[rpt]

Please let me know if my assumptions are correct .

Step 1 - I go to priceline thru savingsbarn

Step 2 - I select 3* hotel for 9/1 to 9/2 in Niagara Falls zone

I bid for say 100 4

Step 3 - If accepted Ok oterwise I will be asked to rebid in a different zone ?

Now I select east Niagara Falls zone which does not have a 3* hotel

From here I am not sure ??

So I would again be asked to rebid .Now I again select my previous zone and rebid for a different price .

When I will know that my price is accepted ? Do they have any confirmation screen after that ??

[thereuare]

Almost there, let's cover the most important aspect first...

You actually have two re-bid zones (not just one). From reading Priceline Re-Bidding Explained, are you able to figure your second re-bid zone?

[rpt]

Ok Let me clear a few things ...

I want only a hotel in Niagara Falls zone with 3*

Now

Only two other zones don't have 3* hotels - they are

east niagara falls

south buffalo

I read thru the article again

2 zones for rebidding means - I have to select Niagara and East Niagara in this case , so that ultimately I land up in Niagara zone since there is no 3* available in East Niagara ZOne...Correct ?

If that does not work - try again with South Buffalo ?

One more doubt .... I don't see any 4 * hotels in any of the zone . So if I select 3* they won't upgrade me to 4 * in the different zone ...

[thereuare]

You have your re-bid zones correct, but be sure to follow the above exactly so that you maximum your bidding opportunities... substituting the East zone when you see re-bid zone1 and substituting South Buffalo when you see re-bid zone2.

None of the zones in this region currently offer 4* bidding, so you should be fine.

Good luck!

[rpt]

Many Thanks for all ypur help .

One question again ... :)

I see a Best deal icon when I select a azone

What does that signify . and per your experience ,

If I see a rate of say 200 at Expedia for a particular hotel , what price should I start bidding on priceline for the same hotel

[thereuare]

Ignore the best value designation.

You can't bid for a specific hotel.

[rpt]

Ignore the best value designation.

You can't bid for a specific hotel.

Ahh .. I meant the same * level

[thereuare]

You don't say what hotel you found for $200, so we can't say what amount you should bid since we have no idea of the star quality of that property. As well, prices can be all over the map from property to property within the same hotel class, so you shouldn't make a judgement based upon the price of one hotel in the category.

We suggested a strategy based upon the maximum bid you provided... have you tried this strategy yet? Has your maximum bid changed?

[rpt]

I bid initially for 9/1 to 9/2 - $100 , $120 , $135 for 3 * Hotel - No Luck

I changed dates of my travel ( 9/2 to 9/3) and bid $90 , $100 for 3 * Hotel - No luck

But told me that if I increase price by $22 ,I may have good chances.

I closed priceline

Next day , I again bid for 9/2 - 9/3 for $110 - Accepted - Hotel Crowne Plaza

I am not sure I got a good deal or not ? Inputs please ?

[rpt]

Went to priceline thru Savingsbarn