CJean Posted December 12, 2007 Report Posted December 12, 2007 Trying to get WDW Hilton from 2/1/08-2/5/08, but the hotel is not an option when you search regularly for a hotel on Priceline.Should I assume that it will not be available when bidding?Should I try to bid closer to my trip date?Our budget is at most 100/night.We are trying to stay somewhere that has a shuttle to Disney parks.Thanks
thereuare Posted December 12, 2007 Report Posted December 12, 2007 Welcome to BetterBidding!Trying to get WDW Hilton from 2/1/08-2/5/08, but the hotel is not an option when you search regularly for a hotel on Priceline.Should I assume that it will not be available when bidding?See the related link in our PRICELINE FAQ.Should I try to bid closer to my trip date?If you only want a specific hotel, or a hotel with a specific amenity, i think you're setting yourself up to be disappointed. Both of the opaque suppliers are for users who are flexible in their plans, not needing/requiring specific amenities. If you're willing to accept some risk, i think HOTWIRE is a better option as you can often identify the property before your purchase and then research if it offers the amenities you are seeking (but still no guarantees).If you search HOTWIRE, does anything show in this zone within your budget? Please use this HOTWIRE and these PRICELINE LINKS: HOTELS, CAR RENTALS, and AIRFARE to begin your travel purchases
CJean Posted December 12, 2007 Author Report Posted December 12, 2007 Thanks for the quick reply.Hotwire isn't really an option, as I am kind of confused by it.I put in the address for WDW Hilton This is what came up:1st Option: 3.5* condo in Lake Buena Vista - Downtown Disney for $143 (Not in price range)2ndOption: 3* hotel in Lake Buena Vista - Downtown Disney for $69 Amenities are:Fitness Center, Pool Laundry Facilities and High Speed Internet.Also I am flexible... My first choice would be to stay at an official Disney resort such as Hilton or Doubletree, but would happy to stay at some of the other hotels that users are getting on this board.I guess I just need to know if it would be better to bid closer to my trip date (2/1/08)Thanks so much! :)
thereuare Posted December 13, 2007 Report Posted December 13, 2007 I guess I just need to know if it would be better to bid closer to my trip date (2/1/08)See the related link in our PRICELINE FAQ.When you're ready to bid let us know the minimum star rating you're willing to accept 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
CJean Posted December 13, 2007 Author Report Posted December 13, 2007 My miniumum star rating is 3.Thanks!
thereuare Posted December 13, 2007 Report Posted December 13, 2007 Are you willing to pay more for a higher rated hotel... or is the goal the least expensive 3* or better property for these dates? Please use this HOTWIRE and these PRICELINE LINKS: HOTELS, CAR RENTALS, and AIRFARE to begin your travel purchases
CJean Posted December 13, 2007 Author Report Posted December 13, 2007 The goal is to stay at a 3* or better(preferably better) for under 100 dollars.
thereuare Posted December 13, 2007 Report Posted December 13, 2007 Let me backtrack a moment...When you select a star category on priceline it is the minimum that you are willing to accept... priceline will always try to upgrade you if possible/available.In this zone 3 star properties will almost certainly be cheaper than a Resort, so if you begin by bidding for 3 stars you will very likely end up at a 3* property. So, for example, let's assume that a 3* property is available for $65 while a Resort property is available for $90... you would ultimately receive the 3* property since you'd be accepted at $65 before even attempting a Resort property at $90. This is fine, but i clarify since you originally stated you were hoping for the Hilton, and this is a Resor class property... so just making sure that you are indeed comfortable with the 3 star properties and not expecting a Resort if you choose to bid in a manner which emphasizes price over star rating.Let us know (or ask questions if you would like any of the above clarified) and we'll suggest a strategy to follow. Please use this HOTWIRE and these PRICELINE LINKS: HOTELS, CAR RENTALS, and AIRFARE to begin your travel purchases
CJean Posted December 13, 2007 Author Report Posted December 13, 2007 I understand.I plan to bid only for a resort first, following the strategies that I have read about on this board, ie. Bidding, adding another zone, etc.If I do not have a bid that is accepted in my price range for the resorts, I will drop down to 3 star properties, as there are no 5 star available, and the 4 stars don't interest me.Thanks for your help :)
thereuare Posted December 13, 2007 Report Posted December 13, 2007 There are currently no 4* properties in the Walt Disney zone either.So do you want a strategy first that goes up to $100 for a Resort, then if that is rejected, try for a 3 star? Please use this HOTWIRE and these PRICELINE LINKS: HOTELS, CAR RENTALS, and AIRFARE to begin your travel purchases
CJean Posted December 13, 2007 Author Report Posted December 13, 2007 So do you want a strategy first that goes up to $100 for a Resort, then if that is rejected, try for a 3 star?Exactly. Yes. :)
thereuare Posted December 13, 2007 Report Posted December 13, 2007 That is what i oringally thought, but differnet than what you stated above.At the Resort level you have 9 re-bid zones. At the 3* level you have 6 re-bid zones available. 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 Resort WDW zone...Bid $60, if rejected add re-bid zone...Bid $65, if rejected add re-bid zone...Bid $70, if rejected add re-bid zone...Bid $75, if rejected add re-bid zone...Bid $80, if rejected add re-bid zone...Bid $85, if rejected add re-bid zone...Bid $90, if rejected add re-bid zone...Bid $94, if rejected add re-bid zone...Bid $97, if rejected add re-bid zone...Bid $100If the above is rejected (likely upon rates i'm currently seeing) post back and we'll suggest a strategy at the 3* level (assuming SPLITTING YOUR PRICELINE BID is not an option)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
CJean Posted December 13, 2007 Author Report Posted December 13, 2007 Based on the rates you are seeing, do you think my bid for a resort will be rejected if I shorten my stay only to 2/1/08-2/3/08?I will not be splitting the bid, just eliminating 2 nights of my stay.Also, sorry if I was being unclear earlier.
thereuare Posted December 13, 2007 Report Posted December 13, 2007 It may increase your chances, but before cutting your trip in half, i would sooner try for the complete stay 2/1-2/5. If that is rejected re-try for 2/1-2/4 (if this is an option as well), then try for 2/1-2/3... might as well try to maximize your stay as much as possible.Since you're changing the date(s) each time, you can bid for each consecutively, without waiting 24 hours before each attempt. Please use this HOTWIRE and these PRICELINE LINKS: HOTELS, CAR RENTALS, and AIRFARE to begin your travel purchases
CJean Posted December 16, 2007 Author Report Posted December 16, 2007 We have decided to only bid for 2/1/08 - 2/3/08.The remaining 2 days will be spent at a disney resort.Can you give me a bidding strategy for a 3* for these dates?Thanks!
thereuare Posted December 16, 2007 Report Posted December 16, 2007 What is your maximum bid for a 3* property? I assume that you don't want to try for a Resort for these two nites? (please remember to check our support page for your hotel-direct purchases... there is a Hilton link there, as well as others) Please use this HOTWIRE and these PRICELINE LINKS: HOTELS, CAR RENTALS, and AIRFARE to begin your travel purchases
CJean Posted December 16, 2007 Author Report Posted December 16, 2007 Max bid is $60.We are no longer trying for a resort for the first 2 nights.Thanks.
thereuare Posted December 17, 2007 Report Posted December 17, 2007 With 6 re-bid zones at the 3* level, i'd begin trying as follows:Select 3* WDW...Bid $35, if rejected add re-bid zone...Bid $38, if rejected add re-bid zone...Bid $40, if rejected add re-bid zone...Bid $43, if rejected add re-bid zone...Bid $45, if rejected add re-bid zone...Bid $48, if rejected add re-bid zone...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
CJean Posted December 17, 2007 Author Report Posted December 17, 2007 Winning Bid:$43 3* Holiday Inn Main Gate East Disney World Vicinity5711 West Irlo Bronson Mem Hwy Kissimmee, Florida 34746Bid $40 WDW Rejected.Added Universal zone and bid $43, accepted!Thanks for all of your help.I will surely use this site again.
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