nbholiday Posted August 28, 2007 Report Posted August 28, 2007 HiThis is my first post so please be gentle! Staying in Boston for two nights 13th - 15th October and going to give Priceline a try.Any idea where to start with bidding? A 3 Star Downtown for these dates is down as $349. Do I start by halving this or can I go less? Boston hotels are really expensive, I thought London was bad :-) , so don't want to waste time by bidding unrealistically low.Have found a 3* direct during this period for $250 a night, so really have a max budget of $200 per night. Sorry if these are the same lame questions everyone asked but if you can point me in the right direction I'd be most grateful!Also, do I have to pay to bid each time, or do I only pay when my bid is accepted (room rates and tax/service charge)Thanks
thereuare Posted August 29, 2007 Report Posted August 29, 2007 Welcome to BetterBidding!There is no fee to bid, and you only pay if your bid is accepted (you pay the amount of your bid, taxes, and fees... the total to be charged, if your bid is accepted, is shown on a 'confirmation page' (which you should doublecheck to make sure all the information is correct) before you place your bid.You mention Copley as well as Downtown, which are two different priceline zones. Which of these zones, or both, are you willing to bid? Are there other zones you're willing to accept? Please use this HOTWIRE and these PRICELINE LINKS: HOTELS, CAR RENTALS, and AIRFARE to begin your travel purchases
nbholiday Posted August 29, 2007 Author Report Posted August 29, 2007 Thanks for confirming about bidding charges. This going to be my first time in America, so have no clue about Boston. Downtown and Copley seem to be the most central to me, so thought that seemed the most logical for getting around. Happy to consider another zone that's central. Ideally want to walk or take a short cab back to the hotel at night rather than being far out. Given how high the standard hotel rates are I'm happy to stay 3*, though 4* if I can get a bargain!! :-)Came across Doubletree Downtown for $250 per night, so really don't want to be spending more than $180 per night + taxes etc on Priceline.Any further help or suggestions, I would be most grateful.THanks
nbholiday Posted August 29, 2007 Author Report Posted August 29, 2007 Downtown is most preferable with Copley second. Downtown hotels seems cheaper than Copley too.
thereuare Posted August 30, 2007 Report Posted August 30, 2007 Before bidding, in an effort to lower your maximum bid, would the Marriott Quincy for $156/nite work for your needs? Please use this HOTWIRE and these PRICELINE LINKS: HOTELS, CAR RENTALS, and AIRFARE to begin your travel purchases
nbholiday Posted August 30, 2007 Author Report Posted August 30, 2007 Thanks for that suggestion but I think that's too far out. We are doing a tour of New England with family for a week, so really want to be central Boston to enjoy our last few days in the country.Great if you can offer suggestions of where to start and then I can give it a go tonight!Many thanks again!
thereuare Posted August 30, 2007 Report Posted August 30, 2007 As the 3* level you have three re-bid zones available. 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* Downtown...Bid $100, if rejected add re-bid zone...Bid $110, if rejected add re-bid zone...Bid $120, if rejected add re-bid zone...Bid $130, if rejected close browser and re-access priceline however you did previously.Select 3* Copley...Bid $100, if rejected add re-bid zone...Bid $110, if rejected add re-bid zone...Bid $120, if rejected add re-bid zone...Bid $130, if rejected close browser and re-access priceline however you did previously.Select 3* Downtown and Copley...Bid $140, if rejected add re-bid zone...Bid $150, if rejected add re-bid zone...Bid $155, if rejected add re-bid zone...Bid $160.I would start with the above, if rejected we'll try again in 24 hours.Any questions feel free to ask.Good Luck and let us kno whow it goes. Please use this HOTWIRE and these PRICELINE LINKS: HOTELS, CAR RENTALS, and AIRFARE to begin your travel purchases
nbholiday Posted August 30, 2007 Author Report Posted August 30, 2007 Thanks so much, I'll try this at home later (clicking the SavingsBarn.com PRICELINE links of course!) and let you know how I get on.NB
nbholiday Posted August 30, 2007 Author Report Posted August 30, 2007 Hi ThereuareTried the full strategy at 7.30pm GMT and no luck. Shall I try the same again in 24 hours or something else?
thereuare Posted August 31, 2007 Report Posted August 31, 2007 24 hours from your last rejected bid, i would try again as follows:Select 3* Downtown...Bid $100, if rejected add re-bid zone...Bid $120, if rejected add re-bid zone...Bid $140, if rejected add re-bid zone...Bid $160, if rejected close browser and re-access priceline however you did previously.Select 3* Copley...Bid $100, if rejected add re-bid zone...Bid $120, if rejected add re-bid zone...Bid $140, if rejected add re-bid zone...Bid $160, if rejected close browser and re-access priceline however you did previously.Select 3* Downtown and Copley...Bid $165, if rejected add re-bid zone...Bid $170, if rejected add re-bid zone...Bid $175, if rejected add re-bid zone...Bid $180.The above will systematically take you up to your maximum bid.Any questions feel free to ask.Good Luck and let us know how it goes. Please use this HOTWIRE and these PRICELINE LINKS: HOTELS, CAR RENTALS, and AIRFARE to begin your travel purchases
nbholiday Posted September 2, 2007 Author Report Posted September 2, 2007 Hi ThereuareGot my final bid for $180 accepted. At $165 Copley and Downtown it told be to bid another $25 to get a room. Carried on with your strategy and only had to bid another $15.Staying at the Copley Square Hotel in Boston, gets some mixed reviews but will be fine for 2 night stay whilst in Boston central. Saved $160 based on what we could get direct, so not bad work!Thanks so much for your help.
thereuare Posted September 2, 2007 Report Posted September 2, 2007 Saved $160 based on what we could get direct, so not bad work!Sound pretty good... congratulations on your win!Glad to hear you were successful and are happy with the results.We're glad to have helped.Thanks for sharing your results with the board... enjoy your stay in Boston! Please use this HOTWIRE and these PRICELINE LINKS: HOTELS, CAR RENTALS, and AIRFARE to begin your travel purchases
Recommended Posts
Register now, we have a huge community of travel enthusiasts to answer any questions you might have.
Sign up for a new account in our community. It's easy!
Register a new accountAlready have an account? Sign in here.
Sign In Now