Priceline Hotel: Failed Bids and question 4* San Diego Downtown/Harbor 11/21-24

[lee1]

I used the PRICELINE link and tried to obtain a 4* for the Downtown/Harbor Island area. I started at $95 and used a few free rebids up to $111 with no luck. I will be in town for a convention. I know that the $95 bid was a low start but at $111 I'm in the range of other winning bids. Am I bidding far to early to have success for this location, and if so, do I wait until August or early October?

[thereuare]

I'm assuming the convention is not a large one which would be creating high demand for hotel rooms in the city? (rates don't look too high, so i'm assuming this isn't the case)

I think your bidding is fine, and depending upon how quickly you want to get this done, i would consider raising your highest bid to $115-$120. HOTWIRE shows a 4* hotel for ~$155/nite, so there is likely availability just about your current bidding parameters which is why i would perhaps inch up a bit more than you have (assuming this hotel is also 4* rated by PRICELINE). Whether you choose to bid a bit higher or not, i would be bidding this every 7-10 at this point... i wouldn't be waiting until August/October. If you're happy with the prices your bidding, you have nothing to lose by trying.

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

Keep us updated and let us know if we can be of further help.

[lee1]

Regarding my planned trip to San Diego on 11/20 - 11/24: When I looked at the pinned list of hotels I noted that the Sheraton Hotel/Marina on Harbor Island near the airport is part of the list for Downtown / Harbor Island. It looks like the last time someone posted a winning bid for this 4* Hotel goes back to November of 07. It appears that it is won infrequently. I'd really would not want to get this one because it would require a cab to town. Is there any means of guessing the likelihood of getting it rather than a true downtown location?

I won't whine (since there is no whining allowed) if you suggest that the risk is small and I should go ahead and bid up above my previous failed $111 bid and get it instead of downtown. But if you say the risk is too great then I won't bid.

thanks for your great service.

[thereuare]

I never like to put percentages on outcomes, for as my statistics professor used to say: "for you it will either be 1 or 0... you will receive that property or your wont". (meaning you don't have hundreds of outcomes in order to 'play the odds')

But since you asked, based upon reported wins i would put the risk at low, but still a risk. For example, in Orlando the Dolphin hadn't been won for nearly four years... then this past March it was received once (on HOTWIRE) and then again in May (on PRICELINE). I would have put the chances of receiving the Dolphin 'low' for those purchases as well... but it did happen!

I would keep your bids at levels where if you received the Sheraton you'd still be happy with the price OR look towards HOTWIRE where you may be able to figure out the hotel beforehand.

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

Those are my thoughts.