Priceline Hotel: 4* Vancouver Pacific Palisades

[UnrealCity]

I was wondering if people's experience is different if trying to escape the U.S. for the Thanksgiving holiday? It's nice to be able to go shopping and have things open if relatives are visiting during the holidays, but I haven't tried bidding for a hotel during that time yet.

Is there more demand? Should I try to bid higher? Any info would be greatly appreciated.

[thereuare]

Welcome to BetterBidding!

What are the dates you're looking to stay? What is your maximum bid for this stay? Which zones are you willing to accept? Are you ready to bid now?

Let us know the above and we'll suggest a strategy to follow.

[UnrealCity]

Dates: Thursday, 11/22, through Saturday, 11/24

Zone: Vancouver

Star: Prefer 4, but would consider 3

Max bid: Saw Mariott Pinnacle on Travelaxe for $155/night. (I believe that's considered a 4-star hotel on Priceline.) What would you suggest?

Ready to bid now.

Thanks for your help!

[thereuare]

I'm fairly certain you can do better than $155 for a 4* hotel, but how much of a discount you'd like for the 'unknown' of an opaque purchase is up to you... if you let us know your maximum bid we'll suggest a strategy for you to follow.

[UnrealCity]

I'm fairly certain you can do better than $155 for a 4* hotel, but how much of a discount you'd like for the 'unknown' of an opaque purchase is up to you... if you let us know your maximum bid we'll suggest a strategy for you to follow.

Well, the idea of William Shatner looking over my shoulder is bad enough, but the idea of him calling me a "wuss" is unbearable. :^)

Is $110 doable?

[tilepusher]

I would set your maximum lower than that. When the cruise ship season ends, rates for hotels in Vancouver go down considerably. Most of the 4* hotels available on Priceline are available on non-opaque websites such as Skoosh and GTA Hotels for less than $120/night. For now, I would go no higher than $90. I might try the following strategy:

Start with 4* Vancouver at $65

Add Burnaby-Coquitlam and bid $70

Add Delta and bid $75

Add Langley and bid $78

Exit and start a new bid for 4* Vancouver + Surrey-Pitt Meadows at $81

Add Burnaby-Coquitlam and bid $84

Add Delta and bid $87

Add Langley and bid $90

Last year, $90 would almost certainly have gotten you something, but things may be different this year, thanks to the increase in the value of Canadian dollar against the American dollar. I would not bid for a 3* in Vancouver during the off-season; the savings are not worth the risk of getting a poor-quality hotel in a less-than-ideal location.

[UnrealCity]

Terrific info! I will try it and report back. Thanks bunches!

[thereuare]

A reminder for anyone following this thread now or in the future... always doublecheck your re-bid zones! (see Priceline Re-Bidding Explained) to make sure the ones above are still valid.

[UnrealCity]

4* Downtown Vancouver

Bid $75 - rejected

Added Coquitlam-Burnaby

Bid $85 - rejected

Added Delta

Bid $95 - Accepted

[thereuare]

Congratulations on your win!

Glad the board was helpful in your success.

Enjoy your stay.