mickcur Posted October 29, 2007 Report Share Posted October 29, 2007 Looking to book 2 nights pre cruise in Vancouver Downtown 3* or above from 11AUG08. Is it too early to try? Any bidding tips greatly appreciated as Vancouver seems to be pricey, especially that time of the year. I have used this board and bid successfully using priceline for USA hotels previously. Thanks for any help!Michael Link to comment
thereuare Posted October 29, 2007 Report Share Posted October 29, 2007 It's never too early to bid, see the related link in our PRICELINE FAQ for a further discussion.We wouldn't want to suggest a strategy which went higher than you were willing to spend, what is your maximum bid for this stay? Please use this HOTWIRE and these PRICELINE LINKS: HOTELS, CAR RENTALS, and AIRFARE to begin your travel purchases Link to comment
mickcur Posted October 30, 2007 Author Report Share Posted October 30, 2007 Thanks for the reply. I'll try and be a little more specific. We would like to be downtown 11-13 August 2008, really prefer a 4*(or higher) as opposed to 3* (but would be happy with 3* as I noticed they rate a Hilton as a 3*). We would like to keep our maximum bid to $150. But knowing the time of year, and how expensive Vancouver is, we would be able to stretch closer to $200, especially for a 5*. Is that too high? Anyway, I would like to try some really low ball bids to try our luck, as we have plenty of time. Is that enough info to help with a bidding strategy? Let me know any other info you might require. Thanks again.Michael Link to comment
thereuare Posted October 30, 2007 Report Share Posted October 30, 2007 There is no 5* bidding on priceline in this area.At this point in time how high are you willing to bid for a 4* property? Please use this HOTWIRE and these PRICELINE LINKS: HOTELS, CAR RENTALS, and AIRFARE to begin your travel purchases Link to comment
mickcur Posted October 30, 2007 Author Report Share Posted October 30, 2007 Maximum at this point in time is $140.00Sorry about the 5* comment. I realised after I replied that there were no 5* properties.Thanks,Michael Link to comment
thereuare Posted October 30, 2007 Report Share Posted October 30, 2007 At the 4* level you have four 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 4* Downtown...Bid $60, if rejected add re-bid zone1...Bid $65, if rejected add re-bid zone2...Bid $70, if rejected close browser and re-access priceline however you did previously.Select 4* Downtown and re-bid zone3...Bid $75, if rejected add re-bid zone1...Bid $80, if rejected add re-bid zone2...Bid $85, if rejected close browser and re-access priceline however you did previously.Select 4* Downtown and re-bid zone4...Bid $90, if rejected add re-bid zone1...Bid $95, if rejected add re-bid zone2...Bid $100, if rejected close browser and re-access priceline however you did previously.Select 4* Downtown and re-bid zone3 and re-bid zone4...Bid $105, if rejected add re-bid zone1...Bid $110, if rejected add re-bid zone2...Bid $115.I would start with the above.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 Link to comment
mickcur Posted October 30, 2007 Author Report Share Posted October 30, 2007 Followed the recipe above, and unfortuneately got to $115 without any luck. Do I try again in 72hours and increase my bids? Or do I wait a week or so? What do you suggest. Thanks so much for your help so far.Regards,Michael Link to comment
thereuare Posted October 31, 2007 Report Share Posted October 31, 2007 The lock-out period is now 24 hours (reduced from 72 hours) so you could actually bid tomorrow if you desire.If you're currently willing to bid up to $140 i would try again tomorrow (24 hours after your last rejected bid) as follows:Select 4* Downtown...Bid $80, if rejected add re-bid zone1...Bid $90, if rejected add re-bid zone2...Bid $100, if rejected close browser and re-access priceline however you did previously.Select 4* Downtown and re-bid zone3...Bid $110, if rejected add re-bid zone1...Bid $120, if rejected add re-bid zone2...Bid $125, if rejected close browser and re-access priceline however you did previously.Select 4* Downtown and re-bid zone4...Bid $128, if rejected add re-bid zone1...Bid $130, if rejected add re-bid zone2...Bid $133, if rejected close browser and re-access priceline however you did previously.Select 4* Downtown and re-bid zone3 and re-bid zone4...Bid $135, if rejected add re-bid zone1...Bid $138, if rejected add re-bid zone2...Bid $140.If the above is rejected you can choose to wait it out a week (or two) or lower your bids to the 3* level.Let us know how it goes or if you have any questions.Good Luck. Please use this HOTWIRE and these PRICELINE LINKS: HOTELS, CAR RENTALS, and AIRFARE to begin your travel purchases Link to comment
tilepusher Posted October 31, 2007 Report Share Posted October 31, 2007 If all of your 4* bids are rejected, I would suggest that you try again in a couple of weeks rather than drop to 3*. There is a sizable difference in quality between the 4* and 3* hotels, and there is the ever-present danger of getting the Plaza 500. The hotel has received a lot of bad reviews (see TripAdvisor) and is right next to RAV/Canada Line construction. I don't know what state of construction Canada Line will be in by next August, but service is not scheduled to start until 2009. Link to comment
WillTravel Posted October 31, 2007 Report Share Posted October 31, 2007 Note that for your dates you can get a 5* hotel on HOTWIRE for $189 + taxes and fees, per night. If you can figure out which hotel this likely is (I haven't tried), and are happy with it, then you might choose that offer, using the board's HOTWIRE link. Link to comment
tilepusher Posted October 31, 2007 Report Share Posted October 31, 2007 I saw it too; it's probably Sutton Place. I would recommend that you not consider taking this deal until you've reached your absolute maximum ($150) for 4* on Priceline first. Link to comment
mickcur Posted November 2, 2007 Author Report Share Posted November 2, 2007 Bids rejected upto $145.00. I will try again in a week or so. Thanks for the input regarding hotwire and not dropping to 3*. I will stay with the current strategy.Regards,Michael Link to comment
mickcur Posted November 8, 2007 Author Report Share Posted November 8, 2007 Tried again today up to $165. Still all bids rejected. I thought I would bid higher due to the USD getting weaker against the CAD, but obviously didn't help. I won't go any higher than $165, as I have found a 4* hotel rated number 4 in Vancouver on tripadvisor, on another website for CAD160. And it is able to be cancelled albeit with a $50 cancellation fee. Link to comment
mickcur Posted November 15, 2007 Author Report Share Posted November 15, 2007 Continuation of my previous Vancouver 2008 thread.Bid won at $165, bidding from $80 in increments of $10. This was the second time in 2 weeks bidding up to a maximum of $165. Not a FANTASTIC deal, but I'm very happy with this price for this hotel in the middle of cruise season in Vancouver. Thanks for everyones help. Used the Savingsbarn link.Regards,Michael Link to comment
thereuare Posted November 15, 2007 Report Share Posted November 15, 2007 Congratulations on your win!Glad you were able to get your stay settled well in advance and can now focus on other ascpects of your trip planning... glad the board was able to help.Thank you for sharing your win with the board and for using the PRICELINE links at SavingsBarn.com to begin your bidding.Enjoy your stay. Please use this HOTWIRE and these PRICELINE LINKS: HOTELS, CAR RENTALS, and AIRFARE to begin your travel purchases Link to comment
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