Priceline Hotel: 3 Star Hotel in Ft Lauderdale Downtown

[RAIDERMOM]

Hello

I used Priceline once a few years back and got a great deal in Florida, this site helped me tremendously!!!

I am looking to book 4 rooms in the Ft Lauderdale downtown area and I have a few questions

Your site is listing 3 *** hotels,

Embassy Suites

Ft Lauderdale Grande Hotel

Marriott Grande

Are the Ft Lauderdale and Marriott Grand the same hotel? I tried to look it up online and got the same hotel?

I was hoping to to spend 80.00, am I being reasonable?

Thank You for your help

[thereuare]

I was hoping to to spend 80.00, am I being reasonable?

Please include the date(s) of your stay and we'll have a look.

[RAIDERMOM]

I am looking for May 7th, 2008

Thank You

[thereuare]

I think $80 may be a bit of a stretch, but no harm in giving it a try...

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 $60, if rejected add re-bid zone1...

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

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

Bid $75, if rejected add re-bid zone1...

Bid $80.

Any questions feel free to ask.

Please use these PRICELINE and HOTWIRE links to begin your purchases.

Good Luck and let us know how it goes.

[RAIDERMOM]

Thank you so much for the help.

I only did this once a few years back so I am a little rusty.

If I am understanding you correctly this is an example of what I should do

If my first bid gets rejected I should add re-bid zone (which I understand is to add another zone that does not offer a 3 star hotel such as Ft Lauderdale (Miramar) because it only offers a 2.5 star. That looks to be the only zone I could rebid on since all the other areas in Ft Lauderdale all offer a 3 star. Am I correct in this ?

Thank You

[thereuare]

That looks to be the only zone I could rebid on since all the other areas in Ft Lauderdale all offer a 3 star. Am I correct in this ?

The methodology is correct, but you do have TWO re-bid zones available when bidding 3 stars in Ft Lauderdale.

Go to PRICELINE and list the zones within Ft Lauderdale and the highest star level in each, we'll then figure out where you're going wrong in determining your re-bid zones.

[RAIDERMOM]

Hello Again, I finally booked my cruise and will be booking my hotel room this week, once I get this Priceline down pat

I saw your last post in regards to 2 rebid zones in Ft Lauderdale (I am looking for a 3 star), I checked your list of hotels in Ft Lauderdale area and you are showing Miramar and Pompano Beach as 2 star, I checked Priceline and they are showing

Pompano Beach does have a 3 star???

Is it possible this info has changed??

I will get back to you again when I book and again thanks for all of your help!!!!!

[thereuare]

Indeed, in the last two weeks things have changed (which is why we recommend confirming your re-bid zones before every biddnig cycle)... there is currently only one re-bid zone available when bidding 3* in Ft Lauderdale.

However, DO NOT use the hotel lists to determine your re-bid zones (since things can change much more quidkly than hotels are reported to the board)... the correct way to determine your re-bid zones is explained here: Priceline Re-Bidding Explained.

In re-reading this thread i'm not certain... you haven't tried bidding at all yet, correct?

Do you need an updated bidding strategy?

Please use these PRICELINE and HOTWIRE links to begin your travel purchases.

[RAIDERMOM]

You are correct, I have not bid yet, just want to be sure I know what I am doing .

If I bid a 3 star in downtown Florida(Ft Lauderdale) and it gets rejected, I will then find another location in Ft Lauderdale that does not offer a 3 star (right now I believe it is the Miramar area.) and bid again for a 3 star. If that gets rejected I was thinking to add another rebid zone and change the star ratings to a 4 star in the downtown area and raise my bid. Does that make sense??

My choice really is the Embassy Suites (close to all restaurants)

Could you offer another rebid strategy for me

Thank You

[RAIDERMOM]

Well, I decided to try Priceline and requested a 4 star hotel in the downtown Ft Lauderdale area.

I started the bidding at $80.00

rejected

added rebid zone 1 (Coral Springs)

rebid at 85.00

rejected

added rebid zone 2 (Miramar)

rebid at 90.00

rejected

added rebid zone 3 (Pompano Beach)

rebid at 95.00

rejected....................................................

I originally was going to go for the 3 star but after looking at the Renaissance online I really wanted that hotel.

After reading this forum it looks like I have to wait 72 hours

I will try again and let you know how I do. I think I may have to bid higher next time

Look forward to any advice from you

Thank You

[thereuare]

Exactly which zone(s) and star rating(s) are you now seeking?

Please use these PRICELINE and HOTWIRE links to begin your travel purchases.

[RAIDERMOM]

I am bidding on Ft Lauderdale Downtown

I decided to try the four star with no luck and will go back and try to rebid on the 4 star after the 72 hours is up

If that does not work then I will most likely try again for a 3 star in Ft Lauderdale downtown

The dates I am looking for is May 7-8th (2 Rooms)

[thereuare]

The waiting period is now only 24 hours (reduced from 72 hours) so you can bid again in 24 hours.

You can acutally bid again immediately since at the 4* level you actually have four re-bid zone (one more than the three you used above). If you start your bidding now and include Downtown and the 4th re-bid zone, you can resume your bidding... but confirm your re-bid zone with the board (or ask for help figuring it out) before bidding. See Priceline Re-Bidding Explained for more info.

Of course you only need to bid again 'now' if you intend to increase your bid above $95, but not sure if this was your limit (since you previously were considering $80 as your maximum for the other zone and star rating) or if you ran out of biddng oppotunities.

Let us know and we'll advise accordingly.

[RAIDERMOM]

I waited the 24 hours and tried to rebid again

This time I followed the PRICELINE link on your page!!

I decided to try a 3 star in the Ft Lauderdale Downtown area this time

Bid 77.00

Rejected

added the only rebid zone I had (Miramar was the only location that did not offer a 3 star)

Bid 90.00

Rejected

Will try again on Sunday......................

Any offers of advice?????

[thereuare]

Thanks for using our PRICELINE link.

Do you have plans for this nite in Ft Lauderale or are you simply arriving aearly to make sure make it on the ship hassle-free... many cruisers stay near the airport as well, and that may be a good alternative zone to consider as well.

You also seem to be jumping around between budgets, zones, and star ratings... what exactly is it that you want/need from this stay? Is your budget firm? What is your best deal outside of the opaque providers?

[RAIDERMOM]

I am flying in early the day before and plan on spending my time at a nice pool and then going out for dinner and drinks

I want the downtown area (17th street seems to have plenty of restaurants within walking distance)

I am trying to win either the Embassy Suites on 17th Street (3 star) or the Renaissance on 17th St (4 star). I am aware that Priceline could add a different hotel at any time...

My budget is not firm and I do not want to change zones when I am rebidding.

I would appreciate any advice you could give me.

Thank You.

[RAIDERMOM]

I realize that my first limit was 80.00 but it looks like that is not going to happen, I am hoping to bid no more than

$ 100.00 for my budget

[thereuare]

With four re-bid zones at the 4* level and one at the 3* level, i would try as follows:

Select 4* Downtown...

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 $95, if rejected add re-bid zone...

Bid $100.

If the above is rejected close browser and use our link to re-access PRICELINE

Select 3* Downtown...

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

Bid $95.

Any questions feel free to ask.

Please use these PRICELINE and HOTWIRE links to begin your travel purchases.

Good Luck and let us know how it goes.

[RAIDERMOM]

okay I will try this

so If I exhaust all of my rebid zones in the 4 star area, I should close out the page and reaccess it thru your site again, will I have to log in??

My concern doing this was since I added all of the rebid zones for the 4 star I was afraid that when I chose a 3 star it would put me in one of the areas I don't want.

can you please explain that a little more for me

Thanks

[thereuare]

When you bid 4* and are given the opportunity to bid again, the previous zones are automatically checked and can NOT be UNchecked.

By closing your browser and re-accessing PRICELINE, you are able to 'wipe the slate clean' and only select the zone you want... choosing just the Dowtnown zone first (so that ONLY downtown is checked) and then add a re-bid zone after that.

Is that clearer or raise any additional question(s)?

[RAIDERMOM]

Thank you

The information is clear.

I will try this tomorrow and let you know how it goes...........

[Rabbit89]

RAIDERMOM, fyi, I looking for the exact same date and zone as you. I have bid up to $115 for 3* downtown and have been rejected without a counter offer. I used the 1 free rebid zone. I might have to look at other zones.

Just to let you know. It might save you some bids.

[RAIDERMOM]

Thanks Rabbit 89

I have already made back up reservations but I will keep trying.

I will let you know if I get anything............