Priceline Hotel: London- 3* or 4* 6/14-6/15/08 multiple zones failed

[yosenut]

Hello. I have appreciated all I have learned by lurking here the past few days, reading about hotel lists and bidding strategies. In two series total, I have attempted to get a 4* and then a 3* hotel in one of 4 zones for the date listed above. I would appreciate any advice at all. I'd rather go cheaper, 2 star? (Just really want ensuite and walking distance to Zone 1 tube, and can get that for $109 in Paddington with breakfast non-opaque- maybe I should).

In the first bidding scheme, I linked from savingsbarn.com each time. The second time, I forgot (doh)!

First attempt (all rejected, counteroffers/comments bolded):

Select 4* Marble Arch...

Bid $75, if rejected close browser and re-access priceline however you did previously.

Select 4* Mayfair...

Bid $75, if rejected close browser and re-access priceline however you did previously.

Select 4* Kensington...

Bid $75, if rejected close browser and re-access priceline however you did previously. Got a $125 counteroffer for Ken.

Select 4* Notting Hill...

Bid $75, if rejected close browser and re-access priceline however you did previously. Got a $174 counteroffer for Notting Hill.

Select 4* Mayfair and Marble Arch...

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

Select 4* Mayfair and Notting Hill...

Bid $80, if rejected close browser and re-access priceline however you did previously. Got a $174 counteroffer

Select 4* Notting Hill and Marble Arch...

Bid $85, if rejected close browser and re-access priceline however you did previously. Got a $174 counteroffer.

Select 4* Kensington and Mayfair...

Bid $85, if rejected close browser and re-access priceline however you did previously. Got a $125 counteroffer.

Select 4* Kensington and Notting Hill...

Bid $85, if rejected close browser and re-access priceline however you did previously. Got a $125 counteroffer.

Select 4* Mayfair and Marble Arch...

Bid $85, if rejected close browser and re-access priceline however you did previously. Got the warning that I did it already.

Select 4* Kensington and Marble Arch and Mayfair...

Bid $86, if rejected close browser and re-access priceline however you did previously. Got a $125 counteroffer.

Select 4* Kensington and Marble Arch and Notting Hill...

Bid $86, if rejected close browser and re-access priceline however you did previously. Told me I could raise my price by $22 to try again for same districts.

Select 4* Mayfair and Notting Hill and Kensington...

Bid $87, if rejected close browser and re-access priceline however you did previously. Told me I could raise my price by $22 to try again for same districts.

Select 4* Mayfair and Notting Hill and Marble Arch...

Bid $87, if rejected close browser and re-access priceline however you did previously.Got a $174 counteroffer

Select 3* Mayfair and Notting Hill and Kensington and Marble Arch...

Bid $75. Got a $125 counteroffer.

Second attempt- lowered my aspirations. (All rejected, counteroffers/comments bolded):

Select 3* Marble Arch...

Bid $70, if rejected close browser and re-access priceline however you did previously. Got $146 counteroffer.

Select 3* Mayfair...

Bid $70, if rejected close browser and re-access priceline however you did previously.

Select 3* Kensington...

Bid $70, if rejected close browser and re-access priceline however you did previously. Got $126 counteroffer.

Select 3* Notting Hill...

Bid $70, if rejected close browser and re-access priceline however you did previously.

Select 3* Kensington and Marble Arch...

Bid $75, if rejected close browser and re-access priceline however you did previously. Got $126 counteroffer.

Select 3* Mayfair and Notting Hill...

Bid $75, if rejected close browser and re-access priceline however you did previously. Got a message saying still working on request- will have answer in 15 minutes. No dice.

Select 3* Kensington and Mayfair...

Bid $75, if rejected close browser and re-access priceline however you did previously. Got $126 counteroffer.

Select 3* Notting Hill and Marble Arch...

Bid $75, if rejected close browser and re-access priceline however you did previously. Got $146 counteroffer.

Select 3* Mayfair and Marble Arch...

Bid $75, if rejected close browser and re-access priceline however you did previously. Got $146 counteroffer.

Select 3* Kensington and Notting Hill...

Bid $75, if rejected close browser and re-access priceline however you did previously. Got $126 counteroffer.

Select 3* Kensington and Marble Arch and Mayfair...

Bid $78, if rejected close browser and re-access priceline however you did previously. Got $126 counteroffer.

Select 3* Kensington and Marble Arch and Notting Hill...

Bid $78, if rejected close browser and re-access priceline however you did previously. Got $126 counteroffer.

Select 3* Mayfair and Notting Hill and Kensington...

Bid $78, if rejected close browser and re-access priceline however you did previously. Got $126 counteroffer.

Select 3* Mayfair and Notting Hill and Marble Arch...

Bid $78, if rejected close browser and re-access priceline however you did previously. Got $146 counteroffer.

Select 3* Mayfair and Notting Hill and Kensington and Marble Arch...

Bid $79. Got $126 counteroffer.

From what I could tell, this is what they were willing to offer me if I caved:

First time: $125 4* in Kensington, $174 4* in Notting Hill

Second time: $126 3* in Kensington, $146 3* in Marble Arch

Apparently Trooping the Colour and a single Saturday night stay aren't doing me any favors.

Thank you in advance.

[blindman]

Welcome to Betterbidding.

looks like you have the bidding process sorted. Just a few pointers.

What does HOTWIRE have for that date? Usually a good indicator of what's available and at what price (PL is usually lower).

If I've read it correctly then he counter offers indicate that the 4* winning bids will be about.

Kensington $100-$110

Nottinghill $130

Is the Non opaque B&B cancellable?

Good luck

[yosenut]

Hello Blindman,

Thank you so much for your reply containing wisdom.

You have given me helpful suggestions- yes, Hotwire says at least $119 for a 3* and $168 for a 4* in one of the 4 zones. Based on tips gained here, I believed I should subtract around 20% to get a rough idea of a winning Priceline bid for the same zones. The B&B was just something I found (on Priceline non-opaque, believe it or not); haven't booked yet, but TripAdvisor reviews are fine (I'm used to Motel 6) and booking is cancellable.

I don't know how you do it, but I am sure your amazing estimates of winning bids are spot on. I might just have to bid for a 2* because the B&B price is $109 inclusive of all fees and I was really hoping not to spend more than that (first day of a 3 week vacation that I've been saving for for over 7 years).

Thanks again.

[blindman]

If the B&B is cancellable (without a fee) then IMHO I'd book it.

This will give you breathing space to wait for better offers nearer to the date.

You may get lucky with a hotel promotion that pops up every now and again.

[yosenut]

Taking your advice, I went to book and discovered that fees were not included! So, booked the Howard Winchester on booking.com for $120 (no fee to cancel).

Thank you also for the promotion website!!!