Priceline Hotel: 3* Ottawa-Hull (Ottawa) Crowne Plaza

[SuntanD]

thereuare, I am trying to obtain four (4) rooms for two (2) nights September 28 - 30 in downtown Ottawa as we have to be in the vicinity of Parliament Hill.

I have reviewed the previous posts, but would like your assistance in a bidding strategy as I see there are no re-bid zones. We would be more than happy with a 2.5 or 3*.

Also, two of the four rooms are required for an additional night, (third night) but I would assume I would have to bid separately: 2 rooms for 2 nights, and 2 rooms for 3 nights? thus we would risk the chance of not all being in the same hotel. The other two parties may just have to secure the third night with the hotel we are successful with.

Thank you for your continued assistance.

[thereuare]

There are two ways to play this:

Option 1:

Purchase 4 rooms for 2 nites and...

Purchase 2 rooms for a third nite

(the above ensures that all are in the same hotel for the first two nites... those who need the additional nite may have to change hotels)

Option 2:

Purchase 2 room for 2 nites and...

Purchase 2 rooms for 3 nites

(the above ensure that nobody will have to change hotels, but the group may be split, with those purchaseing for 2 nites in one hotel and those purchases for 3 nites being in another hotel)

It sounds like Option1 is your current thinking, but i present the other option just in case you hadn't considered it.

As far as bidding... are you willing to pay more for a 3* vs. a 2.5* or are you seeking the least expensive 2.5* or better hotel? What is your maximum bid?

[SuntanD]

Yes, thereuare, I am opting for option 1. If two parties have to change hotels after the first 2 nights, not a problem.

As for maximum bid, everything I've seen posted thus far has been averaging around the $60 - $65 mark for both a 2.5 and a 3*. Of course a 3* would be a bonus, but we would all be extremely happy with a 2.5 in that price range.

Thanks!

[thereuare]

I'd start by bidding...

3* Ottawa $50... if rejected lower to 2.5* and bid $45.

If rejected, repeat the above every day for 4-5 days, increasing your bid by $5 each day.

Any questions feel free to ask.

Good Luck and keep us updated.

[SuntanD]

thereuare, I have been bidding every day as you stated above. Am up to $75. with no luck. I know it is the Police Memorial weekend, so I imagine it all comes down to supply and demand.

Anything else you can suggest ... or just keep increasing the bid $5. every day?

Thanks!

[thereuare]

The above was based upon your maximum bid of $65. As you've already gone above this.. what is your new maximum bid? You should base your maximum bid upon what you would be spending if you aren't succesful with the opaque suppliers.

If you're not successful... what is currently your 'next best option'?

[SuntanD]

We haven't as yet secured a hotel for these nights. By researching the hotels in the location we want, we are looking at a price of $144 - $149. Thus, I guess a maximum bid of $100. would still be a savings on our part.

[thereuare]

Are you ready to bid up to $100 now?

[SuntanD]

Are you ready to bid up to $100 now?

Yes, we are. Will await your next plan of attack. Thanks!

[thereuare]

If a 4* hotel was going to cost $10 more per nite, would you want to try for that first? What if $20 more per nite?

[SuntanD]

If a 4* hotel was going to cost $10 more per nite, would you want to try for that first? What if $20 more per nite?

For $10 or $20 a night more, we'd definitely go for the 4* - I'm assuming you mean on top of the $75 that we're already up to. The $144 and $149 rates I quoted you earlier are the government rates that we're able to secure, not Priceline's.

[thereuare]

You have re-bid zones available at the 4* level, so i figured i'd ask since it also makes bidding much easier :)

When bidding 4* in Ottawa you have three 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 4* Ottawa...

Bid $70, if rejected add re-bid zone1...

Bid $80, if rejected close browser and re-access priceline however you did previously.

Select 4* Ottawa and re-bid zone2...

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

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

Select 4* Ottawa and re-bid zone3...

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

Bid $100.

If the above is rejected close browser and re-access priceline however you did previously.

Select 3* Ottawa bid $80... if rejected lower to 2.5* and bid $75.

Any questions feel free to ask.

Good Luck and let us know how it goes.

[SuntanD]

thereuare, one question before we proceed. When bidding on a hotel, is the inventory more reliable on the Priceline site or the EasyClickTravel site? Meaning what hotel you may be securing.

Thanks!

[thereuare]

I'm not sure what you're asking by "is the inventory more reliable"?

[SuntanD]

I guess what I'm asking if I was to just go on Priceline.com and book a hotel at the noted price, is this the same inventory used for Name Your Own Price? If there is availability on the Priceline site, is it safe to say that you will get one of those hotels on a successful bid?

[thereuare]

No, see the related link our PRICELINE FAQ (re: using the 'retail' product to determine 'name your own price' availability). You also mention EasyClickTravel above, which is an entirely separate company from priceline (no relation other than that they both sell travel products/services)

[SuntanD]

thereuare, thanks to your many previous posts and assistance, we were able to secure the Crowne Plaza for the nights we required.

Crowne Plaza Hotel Ottawa

101 Lyon Street

Ottawa, Ontario K1R 5T9

613-237-3600

Your Offer Price: $80.00 (US dollars)

Number of Rooms: 3

Number of Nights: 2

Subtotal: $480.00 (US dollars)

Taxes and Service Fees: $83.07 (US dollars)

Total Charges: $563.07 (US dollars

I followed your recommendations to a T and we are extrmely happy with the outcome. In the past I have always been successful on my first bids, thus this has been a real learning experience for me. The best rate we could have secured for this property was $144 a night.

Thank you!

[SuntanD]

Forgot to mention, accessed through savingsbarn!

[thereuare]

Congratulations on your win!

Glad to see you got this stay settled and are <hopefully> happy with the results.

Thanks for sharing your win with the board and for using the SavingsBarn.com PRICELINE links to begin your bidding.

Enjoy your stay.