Priceline Hotel: Heathrow 4* Hotels next bid?

[sammarcko]

Greetings, I am trying to PL for either the Heathrow Marriott or the Sheraton Skyline. (which both fall under 4* on PL)

I require 1 room 1 night for 2 adults and 1 child on Dec 26 2007.

My bid history today:

Offered $60.00 for 4* Heathrow. PL counteroffer was $88. I declined because hotel website advance rate is similiar when fees and taxes are added and rebid 4* Heathrow +add zone Luton offered $65 and PL declined, no counteroffer.

What should my next strategy be.? Child rollaway beds in all 4* Heathrow are charged in excess of $30 extra!

[blindman]

Welcome to Betterbidding.

1) You can't bid for a specific hotel on Priceline. You could get any 4* near LHR

2) Priceline only guarantee a room for 2 adults-you are taking a risk with your party.

With HOTWIRE you can request a room for 2+1

Presently HOTWIRE shows what looks like the 4* Sheraton for $109 for your dates and party size and also the 3* that is probably the Holiday Inn M4-Jct 4 for $79.00.

You could risk bidding at each star level on Priceline (usually at 10% lower than hotwire) and hope you don't get stung with an extra charge for the rollaway or go for the HOTWIRE option.

(The counter offer would suggest the 4* winning bid is about $72-$75)

If you go with HOTWIRE please use the link provided.

Good Luck.

[sammarcko]

Thank You. If It's the Sheraton (and likely it is) then Hotwire is only selling this hotel at $10 less than published lowest rate. I think I'll continue with PL because all PL 4* Heathrow Hotels are acceptable but it would be nice to score a Marriottt or Sheraton at $70-$80.

[blindman]

Should you go with priceline could you please go through the Savings Barn link?

Thank you.

Good luck with the bid.

[sammarcko]

Ok... bid PL $69 on Zone Heathrow 4* this time for 2 rooms and counteroffer was "increase bid by $17"

Rejected this as I was getting close, and so rebid $72 4 * add zone Luton for 2 rooms.

No Joy. :) Therefore next bid should be started at $73? or $75? or since I have time go $55 and start again? one room only next time and take ma chances on rollaways :) ...

Looking at PL history on forums I saw an earlier win for $59 and several around $70

Used Savings Barn link.

Best web published 4* Price is both Sheraton and Marriott @ $140 WITH ALL tax & Fees incl. for those dates

[blindman]

The counter offer you're receiving would suggest the winning bid will be about $75.

i

t would be nice to score a Marriottt or Sheraton at $70-$80.

IMHO even though you have the time I'd bid $75 at the next bid opportunity and then $77.

You have to weigh up whether it's worth saving $2-3 for the extra time you have to put in every day to bid.

There is also a slim chance that the longer you wait to hit the sweet spot the more likely that the winning priceline rate actually goes up.

You could check on HOTWIRE to see if their rates change, either up or down and if it's Down then bid lower. If not then bid as I suggested above.

You could speed up the process by creating an account for your partner and she could bid.

Rollaway

May be worth ringing\emailing the hotel to ask about their roll away policy, I've not stayed there so can't comment

[sammarcko]

Followed with recommended bids of $73 and $77 and both were rejected. :)

[blindman]

Any counter offers?

I see that the HOTWIRE rate for the 4* is the same and now there's an unidentified 3.5* at $85.

Have you made a cancellable backup?

[blindman]

Not sure if this suits but the Novotel London Heathrow has come up on PL as a 3* for a really cheap $30.

Looking on their web-site it says that up to two children can stay with adults.

May be worth a look to see how it works out on extra costs

[sammarcko]

Counteroffer on $73 bid for 4* Heathrow was extra $22.

No cancellable backup yet but an internet published range available is 70 pounds/ $139 for 4 *Crowne Plaza 3 persons- and a sheraton direct internet rate for 47 pounds which is $93.00 per night which matches PL's price exactly- It's the more inferior (according to Tripadvisor) Heathrow Sheraton, not the Heathrow Sheraton Skyline which is 59 pounds/ $117 per night.

Any idea what the 3.5 * hotel might be? I don't see any half * on any lists.

I ran 2 bids at $30 and $35 for 3* but both rejected and counteroffer was $75.

[thereuare]

What are the amenities HOTWIRE assocites with the 3.5* hotel you're being offered?

[sammarcko]

What are the amenities HOTWIRE assocites with the 3.5* hotel you're being offered?

Fitness center, Business center, restuarant(s), and high-speed internet access in rooms. (extra charge)

[thereuare]

Unfortunately this property has noty yet been identified, but if you're looking to be close to the airport to catch a flight, i'll point out that no shuttle icon is offered, so you can't assume that shuttle service will be offered (if that important to you)

[sammarcko]

Yes, but all heathrow airport hotels are served by Hotel Hoppa shuttle?. No hotels have a dedicated shuttle service thanks to the BAA. In any case that Hoppa fare is 4 pounds per person each way so taxi fares are about 9 pounds each way

so more than 2 persons it's cheaper to take a taxi.

Same dates, same 4* Heathrow priceline bids of $75 and $77 dollars rejected- counteroffer on $75 was $22

[blindman]

Just a warning about the taxi fare.

On 26th December, as it's a Bank Holiday (Boxing Day) then the taxi fares are DOUBLE.

You may have no choice with your family group, but just to let you know.

There are FREE buses around Heathrow, (see post #9 it links to an old post which has links :) ) but these are best used with little if no luggage.

Good luck with the bidding.

[sammarcko]

Just a warning about the taxi fare.

On 26th December, as it's a Bank Holiday (Boxing Day) then the taxi fares are DOUBLE.

:) Ok thanks for the heads up. Therefore I'll bid on 3* to save. Same dates bid 3* zones Heathrow, Luton $38 rejected. No counteroffer. Used SavingsBarn link.

[sammarcko]

Bought nonrefundable advance booking from 4* Sheraton website which was cheaper than Hotwire at $113 including all taxes. Not waiting any longer to bid due to Dollar weakening. Thanks for the tips. I can live with 47 GBP/$94 per night 4*

[thereuare]

Glad you found something you're happy with.

If you didn't, please note as per our Support Page that we're an affiliate of the Sheraton... please check our links before making hotel direct purchases (as we have a link to almost every major chain)

Enjoy your stay.