Priceline Hotel: 3* Austin (South-Airport)

[dougieieie]

Bidding on a room for the nights of May 4 & 5 (Fri/Sat).

See that Omni was had for $50 in April (3* in "Airport" area)

Used PRICELINE link at the top of the forum page.

Bid $50 and was rejected.

Added "Southwest" for re-bid of $55 and was rejected.

Will try $60 after 24 hours.

I see some Downtown 4* recently had for the $70 range.

Might try that later in the week, if my "Airport" hotels don't pan out.

Both areas are convenient to where i want to be.

Will keep you updated.

later,

dougieieieie

[thereuare]

Thanks for sharing your current rejected bids with the board and for using our PRICELINE link to begin your bids.

Keep us updated and let us know if we can be of help in any way.

[dougieieie]

Still nothing for me!

Bid $60 for 3* "Airport" today - rejected

Re-bid $65 by adding Southwest zone - rejected

Logged out, and went back in.

Tried $70 for 4* Downtown - rejected

Re-bid $75 by adding Airport zone - rejected

i'll probably go back to 3* Airport tomorrow and try $70 and $75.

if still nothing i'll wait and re-think things.

thanks,

dougieieie

[dougieieie]

Update:

Tried $70 and $75 last Wednesday and was still rejected.

Decided to wait till today to start up again.

I have booked the Courtyard near Airport (2 1/2*) thru the Marriott website (i looked in your support links and didn't see one). Got a AAA rate of $113 a nite and can cancel before Friday at 6pm.

It's very nice and new, but we like that little extra "oomph" we get from the 3*s, especially the Omni.

My current strategy:

Bid $50 and $60 today (already rejected)

$70 & $80 Tuesday

$90 & $100 Wednesday

$110 on Thursday.

After that, we'll be fine with the Courtyard. (who knows? maybe i'll be willing to try $115 ;^)

Would have started at $60 or $70 today, but saw someone got the Omni for $50 tonight and tomorrow. Granted, it's a weeknight, last minute and that may be why, but thought it was worth a try.

Any comments or thoughts, i'm very appreciative.

dougieieie

[thereuare]

Only thing that i will add is that there is a 3* on HOTWIRE (based upon the amenities may be more like a 2.5*... Holiday Inn Express or something similar) in the equivalent zone for $73/nite. If this is acceptable you might want to lower your maximum bid... but if you're trying for the Omni then by all means continue as you have indicated above.

As you get closer to Friday, if the above is rejected, you may want to consider bidding for a 2.5* on PRICELINE (little more risk than the Courtyard since you don't know which 2.5* property you'll receive) or consider the 3* on HOTWIRE above (if still available)

Thanks for the update and for using our PRICELINE and HOTWIRE links.

Good luck.

[dougieieie]

Update:

Bid $50 and $60 today (already rejected)

$70 & $80 Tuesday (rejected)

$90 & $100 Wednesday

$110 on Thursday.

Also, after today's rejected bids went ahead and tried for 4* Downtown starting at $70, went up to $100 with so many re-bid zones. As i figured, all rejected, but had to try.

Will continue with 3* strategy tomorrow.

FYI, not specifically going for the Omni, though it is probably best in that area.

From what i can tell, ALL the 3*s in the Airport area are good. We got the Marriott last year and were very happy.

A friend has stayed at the Hilton, and says it's great too.

Agree with your thoughts on 2 1/2*. A little too much hit & miss for what my wife likes. Whereas i just want a flat surface to sleep on, she prefers to actually USE the room to relax, read, have me mix her a martini ;^)

Thanks Thereuare for your personal help and interest. I LOVE this board and refer friends and family to it all the time.

see you tomorrow,

dougieieie

[thereuare]

Thanks for the update and for helping to spread the BetterBidding word :)

[dougieieie]

no dice. busy weekend in Austin.

Used BB PRICELINE link every time, even checked HOTWIRE each day.

Final Update:

Bid $50 and $60 Monday (rejected)

$70 & $80 Tuesday (rejected)

$90 & $100 Wednesday (rejected)

$110 & 120* Thursday (rejected)

*went ahead with the $120 bid, as at that point what was an extra $14 over 2 nights.

We'll be fine at the Courtyard for $113.

Good thing i had reserved that. The AAA rate is up to $143 now!!!

Thanks as always.

see ya'll next time,

dougieieieie

[thereuare]

Compared to the prevailing rate, the rate you reserved at may now seem as good as a PRICELINE win :)

Glad to hear you had the back-up and it will work out fine for your needs.

Enjoy your stay and thank you for 'closing' this thread.