Priceline Hotel: Fort lauderdale Downtown Jan 16, 1 night pre cruise

[tjg986]

Looking at bidding for downtown 3* Jan 16 for 1 night precruise. Would like to get an idea on where to start bidding? I haven't seen too many wins around that time frame. Any advise on bidding would be appreciated.

[thereuare]

Welcome to BetterBidding!

What is your maximum bid for this stay? Is the airport zone (another popular zone for pre-cruise stays) also acceptable... or are you only willing to accept the Downtown zone at this point?

[tjg986]

I would prefer Downtown, more options of picking up last minute items. Max bid for DT would be $90. Then if no hits, I would consider Airport zone. Thanks

[thereuare]

At the 3* level you have two re-bid zones. 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 3* Downtown...

Bid $70, if rejected add re-bid zone1...

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

Select 3* Downtown and re-bid zone2...

Bid $85, if rejected add re-bid zone1...

Bid $90.

Any questions feel free to ask.

Good Luck and let us know how it goes.

[tjg986]

Started at $70 and used free bids up to $90 with no luck then thru in Airport Zone for $55 with no luck so will try again in 24 hours. Used Savings Barn link. Thanks for the suggestions. Will keep you updated

[thereuare]

Keep us updated...

Another alternate area some pre-cruisers take is the Beach zone, athough i think this is slightly less convenient in that the hotels in this area don't typically offer shuttle service (to/from the airport nor the pier)

[tjg986]

Tried again today started from 3*DT $80 up to $90 with free bids no luck. Did try the Beach zone in that process, free shuttle is not a make or break issue for us. After getting shut out we closed browser and did 3*Airport $50-$55 with no luck. We still have some time so I will keep plugging away. Thanks for all your help.

[tjg986]

Tried again with no luck

3* DT $80

3* Beach $85

3* Pompano $90

Close browser

3* Airport $50

3* Airport $55

Still plenty of time and now seeing that the 2.5*Airports have access to shopping/food close by so may check that out. Used Savingsbarn.com

[tjg986]

I tried again, only this time I bid strictly FLL Airport Zone

3* $55 rejected

2.5* $55 rejected

Still plenty of time. But suprised the 2.5 airport $55 didn't hit.

[thereuare]

But suprised the 2.5 airport $55 didn't hit.

Have you checked rates for your dates directly thru the hotels? (use our BetterChecker to make researching easy)

Not surprising when you see that rates from the Springhill Suites start at $289/nite... making your $55 bid an 80% discount to a conventionally booked room at this property.

Have you considered the Beach zone?

[tjg986]

Yes I did look at the beach zone and since we are flying in so late I figured it was a bit too far. Thought I would get a better deal in airport zone. Thanks for the heads up on rechecking pricing, It's been a while so I will check it again and bid more reasonable.

[tjg986]

Still no luck. Here is the latest.

Airport 3* $80 rejected

Airport 2.5* $80 rejected

selected downtown (3 & 2.5*) $80 rejected

[tjg986]

Bid again with no luck.

3* airport $90 rejected

2.5* airport $90 rejected

3* Downtown $95 rejected

2.5* Downtown $90 rejected

2.0* Downtown $85 rejected

Maybe I'll give it a few days off and start again, any ideas?

[thereuare]

What is your maximum bid for this stay?

Do you have a back-up plan yet? If not, what is the best rate you're able to find thru conventional methods? (use our sister site HotelsByThePier for easy access to the hotel websites in the immediate cruise port area)

[tjg986]

Best rates I have found are $149 for extended stay america. The max I wanted to bid was originally 3*-$90-$95 2.5* $75-$80 and never really looked at 2.0*. But now need to relook everything. Nothing on back up just yet, but will have a cancellable booking here shortly. Seems like these rates are really high this year.

[thereuare]

Let us know once you have a back-up and we'll take it from there, trying to beat the best deal you're able to find.

Please remember to check out support page for a link for your hotel direct reservations.

[tjg986]

Got the Ramada Inn Airport as a backup for $126. Tried again today with priceline and here is the lastest:

3* DT $100 rejected

2.5* DT $95 rejected

2.5* Airport/DT $95 rejected

2.0* Airport/DT $90 rejected

[thereuare]

What is your limit at each star level?

Would you now also include the Beach zone up to your limit?

[tjg986]

Max bids are:

DT 3-$105

2.5-$100

2.0-$95

Airport 3-$100

2.5$95

2.0 $90

As you can see I am almost if not over som of my bids already. I wasn't looking at beach zone because we get in so late on Wednesday. If I can get a decent price I may start bidding that zone. Thanks for all of your help.

[thereuare]

I was suggesting the Beach zone as i don't think rates are very high at some hotels in that area for your date above, but this does often come with a slightly higher expense of taxi fare from the airport. I'm not sure if you'll have success at amounts you have already bid, but i think you have a decent shot of improving the star level of your hotel at a price closer to the amount of the Ramada.

[tjg986]

Thanks, I think I will slip a bid into the beach zone, if not successful with others. I will keep you updated. All bids are going thru SAVINGS BARN.COM

[tjg986]

Here is the lasted bid info and all were rejected. I think I will give it a weeks rest and start trying again next week.

DT 3* $110

DT 2.5 * $105

DT 2* $95

AIRPORT 3* $100

AIRPORT 2.5* $100

BEACH 3* $95

[tjg986]

Finally gave up on Priceline and went with Travelocity and got the Sheraton Yankee Clipper for $135. A little bit more that I wanted to spend but its done, and I know what I'm getting.

[thereuare]

Glad you found something you're happy with.

Hopefully you also remembered to use our Travelocity link in our support page.

Enjoy your stay.