Priceline Hotel: 4* San Diego (Downtown-Harbor Island) Omni San Diego

[Thannatos]

Hello,

First I want to commend you on the amount of time and effort you put into helping people get good rates.

I'm in search of some feedback on my strategy for trying to obtain a room for:

4* in San Diego (Downtown-Harbor Island)

July 5 - July 7

3 Adults

Maximum Rate: N/A

I have my rebid zones planned out:

4*

Del Mar

East County

Escondido

Miramar

Mission Valley

National City

Point Loma

Rancho Bernardo

San Ysidiro

Sorrento Messa

But do not know what a reasonable starting rate would be, nor what would be a reasonable maximum rate. Using the BB PRICELINE link, I started with $80 and was rejected, but plan on using $5 increments.

My concerns are that the July 4th weekend would intuitively be more expensive, and thus do not know what a good rate would be to stop and try again another day. Is this true?

Any suggestions or feedback would be welcome.

[Colfax]

Welcome to BetterBidding, Thannatos.

Since your party in three adults I have to mention that PRICELINE only guarantees double occupancy, which could be a room with one double or queen bed. Most 4* hotels in Downtown San Diego will be able to accomodate a two-bed request but that's not guaranteed, and some hotels might charge an upgrade fee for a two-bed room.

If you're willing to take that one-bed risk with Priceline what's your bidding limit? We don't want to suggest a strategy that takes you higher than you're willing to pay. Surveying other recent 4* wins Downtown will help you determine a realistic bidding limit.

HOTWIRE might work better for you because you can stipulate a party of three adults on Hotwire. You'll only be offered rooms that can accomodate three then, usually at a higher rate than you'd pay on Priceline. If you enter your dates on Hotwire with 3 adults do you see any options within your budget? If you'll post the icons someone will try and identify the hotel.

[Thannatos]

Thank you for your reply.

I've looked into Hotline and noticed that the prices were only 10-15% cheaper than the rates offered by the hotels themselves. Is the particular time that I chose more expensive than others?

Additionally, I am comfortable with the fact that priceline can only gaurantee double occupancy. It seems to me as though a 4 star hotel would be more likely to offer a single queen than a single double. But I may be mistaken.

[Colfax]

Your dates are the Saturday and Sunday night of July 4th weekend. Rates are slightly elevated but not outrageous, and most 4* hotels show availability.

Omni $237

Grand Hyatt $244

Westin $209

I suggest $85 for a 4*, then raise $5 per free rebid. If you don't get anything up to $125 I'd wait a few days and try the same again, or try for a 3*. Another poster has already reported winning the 3* Holiday Inn on the Bay for your dates at $95.

Please use this PRICELINE link to start your bids.

Good luck!

[Thannatos]

Thank you, I secured the Omni San Diego for $100 a night.

[thereuare]

Congratualtions on your win and thank you for posting it to the board.

Hopefully you're happy with the results and the deal received (less than half the rate quoted above for the Omni).

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

Enjoy your stay.