paulsblake Posted April 18, 2004 Report Share Posted April 18, 2004 Greetings Bidders!Wanted to create this opportunity to discuss bidding for these midweek dates [5* +/- Las Vegas Strip May 18 - May 20]. So far lady luck has played no role in providing deluxe accommodations for next-to-nothing prices ..... but hand me the dice one more time, cause I'm feelin' lucky!Here's my story - sad as it may be - I've got my free airfare and off-strip 1* hotel for two, courtesy of one of those timeshare seminars. So now it's time to build a better vacation, starting with the room. I'm staying midweek, which works in my favor - but there's a Geriatrics Convention (2,750) at the Venetian on all of these particular days. My 5* bidding attempts have been upwards of $135/nite. The odds are not in my favor.... gasp!Bally's site is offering $109/$99 for those days (not their rock bottom $69). And I'm sure other fine casinos are in that same price range. I believe that Priceline was offering the Venetian for $249 as a second chance, and other similarly ranked hot-spots for just as much. But before buckling under pressure, and accepting my losses - I wanted to reach out to the masses and see what you-all are finding out there in the desert for these dates. note: Seen 'O' and 'Mystere' before. Planning to take in "O" or "Zumanity" this time, but seems only the nosebleed seats are available at this late date (for 'O'). Other show suggestions warmly welcomed. Wish Seinfeld or Elton were in town these dates! Would love to stay at the Bellagio, Venetian, Mirage, Treasure Island, etc... In the past, I've stayed at the Flamingo, and the Excalibur. Both OK - but really looking to find something better.also: this forum is divided between priceline and hotwire - since my bidding has been on priceline, i've opened this post here - but would like to have information for both.Thanks, all!Paul :) Link to comment
thereuare Posted April 19, 2004 Report Share Posted April 19, 2004 No need to double post... Priceline section gets more views than Hotwire so only keep this Priceline thread going but feel free to discuss Hotwire as well. If purchase is ultimately made on Hotwire i'll move the thread to that section of the board.Rates for the Ventian are much higher for the 18th than the 19th and given this is a 2 nite stay i doubt that SPLITTING THE BID is a viable option.I'm showing Ballys at $109/$119 for those dates (unless you've already locked in a lower rate). Orbitz shows the Mirage at $124/nite and i would probably take that over the $114/nite rate at Ballys (just my preference, others may prefer Ballys)Treasure Island can also be had for $104/nite, Monte Carlo for $110/nite, and NYNY for $120/nite, but given all of these rates i think the Mirage deal is the best that i see.... although rates in Vegas change fast and often.Vegas is one of those area where you need to check every possible booking venue as rates can differ substantially from one site to the next.I would make sure you lock in a cancellable price (not sure if the above are cancellable or not) and continue to try Priceline/Hotwire until your dates draw nearer.If you decide to go with Oribitz, please cosider using the OTHER TRAVEL LINKS at the top of the board. Please use this HOTWIRE and these PRICELINE LINKS: HOTELS, CAR RENTALS, and AIRFARE to begin your travel purchases Link to comment
paulsblake Posted April 19, 2004 Author Report Share Posted April 19, 2004 Thereuare,You suggest the Mirage 4.5* @ $124, which is excellent value - THANKS! Before I go ahead and book the Mirage (which ironically by definition is something illusory and unattainable), would like to open discussion on the DD price guarantee that Hotwire offers.Hotwire is posting a 4.5* for $136/nite. Logic says this is MGM (115: 140/90 on Orbitz) or Caesars (155: 110/200 on Orbitz).Hotwire is posting a 4* for $124/nite. Logic says this is TI (104: 109/99 on Orbitz) or NYNY (120: 130/111 on Orbitz). [i think I read that someone actually got the TI and a nice discount recently?]Would there be a preferred strategy here with respect to the Double the Difference price guarantee that Hotwire offers? Do the hotwire prices sort of "give away" wich hotel is behind the price (ie; Caesar & NYNY wich are less favorable discounts). Anything here eye catching? Seems only the TI at $104 is any real money saver - but you seem to give that one the thumbs down for some reason. Why? Is the Mirage the place to be?ALSO: is all hope lost for everyone's favorite - the V ?Thanks!Paul :) Link to comment
thereuare Posted April 19, 2004 Report Share Posted April 19, 2004 No way to tell which hotel it is based upon the price. This is just one of the reasons why Hotwire fluctuates their prices during the day for the same property.For the 4.5* option i don't think either is worthwhile since Caesar's is more expensive (and personally if given the same price i prefer Mirage over Caesars) and with MGM Hotwire doesn't necessarily purchase the cheapest tower.. and since DD guarantee has to be for the same room class you may not come out ahead (LAS VEGAS MGM example).Collecting a DD at the 4* level for TI might be worthwhile, but it could just as easily be NYNY (or some other hotel we don't yet know about) which wouldn't save you much at all... not to mention Hotwire's fee which should be factored in as well and therefore doesn't make the savings as great. As well, last report was that TI was a Customer Favorite; this designation does change but since this selection doesn't show it i would lean a little more towards it being NYNY.The V isn't totally out of the picture until check-in date, but it doesn't look good right now considering the rate for your first nite is ~$295 or so.Maybe i'm just partial to the Mirage as it was the hotel i stayed in my first time in Vegas, but i prefer that end of the strip better than NYNY/MGM area and i think the Mirage's pool area is fantastic.Those are my thoughts, if i left anything out please let me know. Please use this HOTWIRE and these PRICELINE LINKS: HOTELS, CAR RENTALS, and AIRFARE to begin your travel purchases Link to comment
paulsblake Posted April 19, 2004 Author Report Share Posted April 19, 2004 Anyone?3* on Hotwire @ $67 - what is it? Casino, Restaurant, Pool, Business Center (only). I see no matches on current posts. All other 3* listings include fitness and/or golf. :) Paul Link to comment
paulsblake Posted April 23, 2004 Author Report Share Posted April 23, 2004 Seeing Venetian on Orbitz for 229.50, and also on Hotwire (based on amenities) for $256. Thinking this is a wonderful opportunity for a DD guarantee? But is $203/nite still too much to pay, assuming a successful DD refund?Paul :)[url=http://home.comcast.net/~paul.blake/orbitzratesforvegas.pdf]http://home.comcast.net/~paul.blake/Orbitz...tesforvegas.pdfhttp://home.comcast.net/~paul.blake/hotwir...tesforvegas.pdf Link to comment
paulsblake Posted May 5, 2004 Author Report Share Posted May 5, 2004 Getting close guys - any fresh advice at this point? Link to comment
paulsblake Posted May 5, 2004 Author Report Share Posted May 5, 2004 Regarding 5* options - is there anyting else on the strip that may interfere with plans to get the venetian (and a dd guarantee) ?? Can I bid with confidence that anything 5* on the strip would be the V?P Link to comment
thereuare Posted May 5, 2004 Report Share Posted May 5, 2004 The Bellagio is a 5* offered in the Vacation Product but has never come up in the Hotel Product. You can see what amenities are believed to be associated with the Bellagio in Las Vegas Hotwire Hotels (read beyond the first post).Personally i think $200+ is too much to pay asuming there are more reasonable 4* options available on the strip. Please use this HOTWIRE and these PRICELINE LINKS: HOTELS, CAR RENTALS, and AIRFARE to begin your travel purchases Link to comment
paulsblake Posted May 11, 2004 Author Report Share Posted May 11, 2004 Hotwire is posting the V @ $203/nite as of todayLowestfare postz the V @ $179/nite as well.using hotwire's DD guarantee = 24*2*2 (for two nites) would net the V @ $155/nite? still too much? Link to comment
thereuare Posted May 11, 2004 Report Share Posted May 11, 2004 It depends how bad you want to stay at the Venetian.Some people would spend that much... personally i'd be content saving the money and staying at the Monte Carlo which appears to be available for $89/nite for your stay. Please use this HOTWIRE and these PRICELINE LINKS: HOTELS, CAR RENTALS, and AIRFARE to begin your travel purchases Link to comment
AEmgee Posted May 11, 2004 Report Share Posted May 11, 2004 As another option, Luxor is only $79/night. Link to comment
thereuare Posted May 11, 2004 Report Share Posted May 11, 2004 I saw the $79 Luxor rate and didn't know if i should mention it or not... it's just a little too far south on the strip for my own taste. Personally i'd rather spend the extra $10 and be mid-strip but i'm glad you brought it up because i should have at least let the OP make that decision for him/herself.I also just found Bally's for $92/nite which is another decent deal given the rates other properties are offering. Please use this HOTWIRE and these PRICELINE LINKS: HOTELS, CAR RENTALS, and AIRFARE to begin your travel purchases Link to comment
AEmgee Posted May 12, 2004 Report Share Posted May 12, 2004 As of May 12, 22:57 PST:Hotwire:May 18 - $248May 19 - $238Quikbook:May 18 - $168May 19 - $168DTD Guarantee:May 18 - $88May 19 - $98Problem is that Hotwire has May 18-19 as $236, so DTD guarantee would be $100 for the two nights (still good). You are only allowed one DTD guarantee claim per household every 6 week period. Unfortunately, by the time anybody reads my post here, the price on Hotwire will probably change again! Link to comment
paulsblake Posted May 12, 2004 Author Report Share Posted May 12, 2004 Made it so!Okay - I've done it ........ booked that V @ $242 and submitted a DD @ $168 which should net me a room for $94/nite (plus tax). I'll keep you all posted on my DD claim.See you in Vegas AEmgee!! Thanks all......Paul :)(now it's all about celine & o) Link to comment
AEmgee Posted May 12, 2004 Report Share Posted May 12, 2004 Good for you Paul!Make sure to print out or save a screen capture of the Quikbook page as Hotwire takes a few days to get back to you!Good luck in Vegas! Link to comment
paulsblake Posted May 12, 2004 Author Report Share Posted May 12, 2004 Just received notification of a $296 credit to my card! Yippee!Thanks all for your 5* help. Link to comment
paulsblake Posted May 13, 2004 Author Report Share Posted May 13, 2004 Just managed to book my "O" tickets for the sold out show on the 19th. A few pairs of tickets remain for the late show if you call the Bellagio ticket office 888.488.7111 (What else are you going to do with all the money you save?). Link to comment
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