Priceline Hotel: Strategy help -- London Nov 16-18

[iamadonut]

Hi everyone,

I just stumbled upon this site and was wondernig if anybody had a bidding strategy or tips I could use for an upcoming trip to London. This is the first time I've been to London and would like to stay in a location convenient to either Picadilly circus/tourist areas or to a tube stop that can access those areas. I'm not very picky about star ratings -- anything works.

Any recommendations for how to bid? I havent used Priceline in about 5 years so I'm a bit out of the loop!

Thank you,

Ian

[thereuare]

Welcome to BetterBidding!

Start by looking at the zones for this area as defined by Priceline... which zone(s) are you willing to bid? What is your minimum star rating? What is your maximum bid?

Let us know the above and we'll be in a better position to suggest a strategy to follow.

[iamadonut]

Hi,

I'm most interested in Marble Arch/Soho -- basically anywhere thats as close as possible to the major tourist attractions. The City or Kensington too? I'm not really sure, any suggestions?

ANy star rating will do, actually -- the cheaper the better!

[thereuare]

Do you really want to stay at a 1* or 2* hotel?? :) Some of them can be pretty bad (of course some are good, but with the opaque suppliers you can't choose which type you will get, which is why it's often recommended to stick with the higher star rated hotels)

I think you would benefit from doing a bit of research first on the different areas of London and figure out which area(s) would work best for your needs.

[iamadonut]

last time i was in europe i stayed at a putrid hostel in london one night and the hilton cavalieri in rome the next, so i'm really not picky. but you're right...without knowing where the hotel is or the brand let's stick to 3/4 star level. thanks!

so...3 or 4 star

first choice: marble arch or soho

second choice: the city

nov. 16 - 18

any tips?

[thereuare]

What is your maximum bid (so that we don't suggest a strategy higher thank you're willing to bid)

Are you willing to pay more for a 4* vs. a 3* or is the least expensive 3* or better what you're after? Are you willing to pya more to be in the Marble Arch or Soho zones vs. The City... or is th least expensive in either of these three zone the goal?

[iamadonut]

the goal is essentially least expensive.

$100 max for a 3 star in any of those areas would be great, but i suppose I'd be willing to pay a bit more for a 4 star...$120ish?

Are those amounts too low? It looks like people are having to shell out $140+ to get 3/4 stars in those areas lately.

[thereuare]

So do you want to try for a 4* up to $120 first... then if that's rejected try for a 3* up to $100?

If you're not successful with the opaque suppliers what is your back-up plan? (where and how much?)

[iamadonut]

can i try for a 4* for $100 first, then a 3* for $100 if that doesnt work, then a 4* for $120?

back up plan: not quite sure. i've been searching all over and no specific deals have caught my eye. Looks like I can get a mediocre room for US$150 but will have to shell out at least US$200 for a decent room in those areas.

thanks!

[thereuare]

can i try for a 4* for $100 first, then a 3* for $100 if that doesnt work, then a 4* for $120?

No, for if you utilize all your re-bid opportunities at the 4* level, then bid for 3*, when you return to bid 4* it would be a duplicate bid (assuming you're refering to trying all of the above in the same bidding sesstion)

Looks like I can get a mediocre room for US$150 but will have to shell out at least US$200 for a decent room in those areas

So what basis are you using for your maximum bid of $100/$120?

[iamadonut]

it doesnt have to be all in the same session. i am willing to wait 24 hours to try again.

$100/$120 is based on 1)my desire to not pay as much as $150 and 2)a quick perusal of the rates people have received in the past for 3/4* hotels in london

[thereuare]

If you're willing to wait between bidding sessions than you can bid up to $100 for a 4* and $100 for a 3*... then $120 for a 4* in your next session.

With no re-bid zones at the 4* or 3* levels, i'd try as follows:

Select 4* Marble Arch...

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

Select 4* Soho...

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

Select 4* The City...

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

Select 4* Marble Arch and Soho...

Bid $95, if rejected close browser and re-access priceline however you did previously.

Select 4* Marble Arch and Soho and The City...

Bid $95, if rejected close browser and re-access priceline however you did previously.

Select 4* Marble Arch and Soho...

Bid $100

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

Select 3* Marble Arch...

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

Select 3* Soho...

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

Select 3* The City...

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

Select 3* Marble Arch and Soho...

Bid $85, if rejected close browser and re-access priceline however you did previously.

Select 3* Marble Arch and Soho and The City...

Bid $85, if rejected close browser and re-access priceline however you did previously.

Select 3* Marble Arch and Soho...

Bid $90

I've lowered the 3* bidding so that as you progress over the next few days (and incrase your 4* bidding) it will reflect your desire to pay slightly more for a 4* property.

Any questions feel free to ask.

Good Luck and let us know how it goes.

[iamadonut]

Thank you. What's the reason for closing the browser?

[thereuare]

It gives you the ability to de-select a zone... enabling you to maximize your bidding opportunities.