steveref Posted October 22, 2007 Report Posted October 22, 2007 I need a room at TPA for 1 night, this Sat. 10/27. A 2.5* or 3* property would be fine for the purpose of this trip but I see that Priceline lists the 4* as being the Best Deal. What exactly do they mean by "Best Deal"? Also, since I have a less than one week lead time, what would you recommend as a bidding strategy?
thereuare Posted October 23, 2007 Report Posted October 23, 2007 The "Best Deal" is a relationship between star rating and value... but i wouldn't use this information to assist in determining which star rating to bid.Let us know what you decide to use as your minimum star rating as well as your maximum bid... we'll then be able to suggest a strategy for you to follow. Please use this HOTWIRE and these PRICELINE LINKS: HOTELS, CAR RENTALS, and AIRFARE to begin your travel purchases
steveref Posted October 23, 2007 Author Report Posted October 23, 2007 Minimum star rating is 2.5* and maximum bid is $50.
thereuare Posted October 23, 2007 Report Posted October 23, 2007 One more question...Are you willing to pay more for a 3* vs. a 2.5* or is your goal the least expensive 2.5* or better hotel for this nite?Let us know and we'll suggest a strategy for you to follow. Please use this HOTWIRE and these PRICELINE LINKS: HOTELS, CAR RENTALS, and AIRFARE to begin your travel purchases
steveref Posted October 23, 2007 Author Report Posted October 23, 2007 For the purpose of this trip the least expensive 2.5* or better would be my objective.
thereuare Posted October 23, 2007 Report Posted October 23, 2007 As you don't have much time between now and your stay, this is how i would proceed...You have no re-bid zones at the 2.5* level, but two re-bid zones at the 3* level. 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 2.5* Airport-Westshore...Bid $40, if rejected close browser and re-access priceline however you did previously.Select 3* Airport-Westshore and re-bid zone1...Bid $45, if rejected add re-bid zone2...Bid $50.Any questions feel free to ask.Good Luck and let us know how it goes. Please use this HOTWIRE and these PRICELINE LINKS: HOTELS, CAR RENTALS, and AIRFARE to begin your travel purchases
steveref Posted October 25, 2007 Author Report Posted October 25, 2007 Followed your bidding strategy but have rejected on all 3 attempts. Guess I'll try another round, and if still no luck, will opt for a $59 2.5* hotel on HOTWIRE. I assume as I increase my offers for a 3* hotel I will pass the threshhold needed for acceptance at the 2.5* level.Also, the last time I got a hotel through PL my offer of $60 was rejected an an offer of $61 accepted. Since most people tend to bid in $5 increments might PL have adopted a strategy to accept bids at $1 over the $5 increment level to maximize revenue? In my scenario most people would have increased their offer from $60 to $65, thereby paying $4 more than was needed to win the bid.
thereuare Posted October 26, 2007 Report Posted October 26, 2007 I assume as I increase my offers for a 3* hotel I will pass the threshhold needed for acceptance at the 2.5* level.I don't understand your question. Please use this HOTWIRE and these PRICELINE LINKS: HOTELS, CAR RENTALS, and AIRFARE to begin your travel purchases
steveref Posted October 26, 2007 Author Report Posted October 26, 2007 I don't understand your question.I'll withdraw that question. However, would appreciate your last minute bidding advice before I pull the trigger on Hotwire. Also, can you respond to the last point I made in my previous post.
thereuare Posted October 26, 2007 Report Posted October 26, 2007 Select 2.5* Airport-Westshore...Bid $45, if rejected close browser and re-access priceline however you did previously.Select 3* Airport-Westshore and re-bid zone1...Bid $50, if rejected add re-bid zone2...Bid $55.Otherwise take the HOTWIRE offer (please use this link if you do)In regards to your other question it's not feasible... 1) Priceline doesn't set the prices... the hotels do (and hotels can load multiple rates, not just one), 2) only a small minority of users use the 're-bid' method and/or bid strategically, and 3) priceline's interests are in having successful bids... they make no money if a user misses a successful bid by $1 and then choose to book elsehwere/conventionally Please use this HOTWIRE and these PRICELINE LINKS: HOTELS, CAR RENTALS, and AIRFARE to begin your travel purchases
steveref Posted October 31, 2007 Author Report Posted October 31, 2007 This bidding strategy was also rejected. Decided to use Hotwire. Will make a separate post on the Hotwire forum with that result.
steveref Posted October 31, 2007 Author Report Posted October 31, 2007 The Westshore Hotel1200 N. Westshore Blvd.Tampa, FL 336071 Room, 1 Night $59.00Taxes and Fees $12.93Total Cost $71.93Amenities:Airport ShuttleFitness CenterPoolRestaurantLaundry FacilitiesHigh Speed Internet AccessWhen I checked in the rate listed was $43. Looks like Hotwire is taking $16 off the top as their commission. Turns out this used to be a Best Western. The new ownership fixed up the facade and the lobby but nothing was done to the area where the rooms are located or to the rooms themselves. Had that motel feel with the rooms opening to the outside. Complained to Hotwire about the star rating and was issued $25 Hotwire Dollars to use toward a future purchase. The Hotwire customer service representative told me the property was downgraded to 2* in September but they have not updated the website. (Why isn't this done immediately instead of continuing to mislead customers?)
thereuare Posted November 1, 2007 Report Posted November 1, 2007 Thanks for the report and addition to the Hotwire Hotel List. Please use this HOTWIRE and these PRICELINE LINKS: HOTELS, CAR RENTALS, and AIRFARE to begin your travel purchases
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