Priceline Hotel: Thailand bidding help

[SurferDude]

Looking to stay in a 5* (any zone in Bangkok) from 10/6 to 10/20. Would like to pay $70 max.

Prices on the hotel websites are ~$150 (Westin, Shangri-La, JW Marriott).

How should I proceed?

Thanks.

[bturner13]

Welcome to BetterBidding! You have gobs of time so start low. We got the Shangri-La sometime back for about $55, so that is a good starting point. :)

[badbadleroybrown]

Why is CrankyOldGuy posting as surferdude?

[SurferDude]

Why is CrankyOldGuy posting as surferdude?

Are you saying this a repost? Sorry if I missed the other thread (I tried searching :) ).

[thereuare]

Surfer, you did just fine, it was a bad(leroybrown) attempt at a joke (referenced HERE)

BBLB, please think about a new member coming to this board and after reading your post thinking they're accused of using multiple screen names.... not exactly a warm welcome nor the atmosphere we try to promote. As well, you have said that you have used Priceline in the past and we have requested that you post your winning bid(s) to the board... you still have not yet done so but instead this you find appropriate to post? :)

Surferdude, back to your bidding....

Do you have a preference over any of the zones? If so let us know and we'll work the strategy around that, otherwise if you really don't care we'll choose the zones in the order that they have historically been won with the lowest bids.

Also, we'll begin by suggesting a strategy so that you'll be at the same hotel, but since this is an extended stay (by Priceline standards) you may want to at least consider if you're willing to SPLIT YOUR BID if your bids are rejected.

Let us know and we'll proceed from there.

[SurferDude]

thereuare - all 3 Bangkok zones are equally acceptable to me.

Thanks for your assistance.

[thereuare]

This is how i would proceed:

Select 5* and

Riverside and bid $45, if rejected add...

Siam Square and bid $50.

If rejected close that browser and go back to Priceline through whatever means you did previously....

Select 5* and

Sukhumvit and bid $50, if rejected add...

Riverside and bid $55, if rejected add...

Siam Square and bid $60.

Any questions regarding the above feel free to ask.

Good luck and let us know how it goes.

[edyvr]

thereuare, I actually would have to disagree with your recommendation. Priceline wouldn't accept 5* bid under $55.

The current minimums are:

1* $15

2* $17

2.5* $19

3* $25

Boutique (3.5*) $50

4* $40

Resort (4.5*) $40

5* $55

These are obtained from looking at priceline's html code. The numbers on the faq on the TOBB is actually inaccurate too.

I'd start by bidding $55 Riverside.

If rejected, start a new bid for $60 Sukumvit only.

If rejected, add Riverside and bid $60.

If rejected, start a new bid for $65 Siam Square only.

If rejected, add Riverside and Sukhumvit and bid $65.

I personally think that probably won't be high enough .. and you'll probably need to wait 72 hours and bid $70 and higher.

[marie_scotland]

morning!

I loved Bangkok when we were there - only wish I had known about this site before heading off -

http://www.latestays.com/

you can book hotels up to 14 days before travelling and can save a LOT of money.

Hope this is useful

Marie

[thereuare]

Based upon the numbers edvyr supplied (thanks), this is how i would proceed:

Select 5* and

Riverside and bid $55

If rejected close that browser and go back to Priceline through whatever means you did previously....

Select 5* and

Siam Square and bid $55

If rejected close that browser and go back to Priceline through whatever means you did previously....

Select 5* and

Sukhumvit and bid $55

If rejected close that browser and go back to Priceline through whatever means you did previously....

Select 5* and

Riverside and Siam Square and bid $60

If rejected close that browser and go back to Priceline through whatever means you did previously....

Select 5* and

Riverside and Sukhumvit and bid $65, if rejected add...

Siam Square and bid $70.

A bit more complicated, but i think logically takes you up to your $70 bid price.

Good Luck!

[Jaimito Cartero]

Just remember that the taxes/fees will add about $17 for a one night stay. I would disagree with Edyvr on the $70 part. I stayed at the Shangri-La for the base $55 per night for two stays about 6 weeks ago. I'll be booking some more nights in the next week or so. Current winning bidding that I see is $60 or so.

As a seperate note, an Asia forum would be nice. :)

[bturner13]

I've noticed posts elsewhere of folks getting the 5* JW Marriott in Phuket in the $41 range. :)

[Chris26WI]

Yes, I got the JW Marriott Phuket for 41 USD/night (++) too for June this year, but this was different story, because it was an upgrade from a 4-star-bidding... and more or less an exception...

[LHFlyer]

SurferDude,

Most likely you won't get a single bid accepted for your trip unless you bid rather high. I bid a lot in Bangkok, and my recent experiences are:

Sukhumvit - JW Marriott $75 is pretty much guaranteed. Fri/Sat/Sun nights very likely to get Westin/SGS for $60 (somewhat confirmed by the Westin staff - had 4 stays there recently). I have been unable to get anything lower than $75 for weekdays for a *long* time. President Solitaire serviced apartments is a good choice (Suk 11) at around 2800 baht - it's very nice and has free broadband internet. Although I just got the JW for $75, I'd say the Pres Solitaire would be a better deal unless you have Marriott status.

Riverside/Shangri-La - I haven't got anything below 65 accepted recentl. also would be curious to know if anybody has succeeded getting the Shang for a Saturday night - I have never succeeded.

I miss the days when it was either the JW or Shang for $55...

[Chris26WI]

Hi LHFlyer, I actually got the Sha-La for Saturday-Monday (September) via Priceline HK (see my respective post).

[Jaimito Cartero]

I booked an 8 day stay, which included a Saturday (of course!), and had no problems. I tried getting bookings in late July and August and couldn't get anything. Ended up at the Holiday Inn, Silom.

[LHFlyer]

Ok, thanks guys, it looks like it was just those specific dates. I was just curious after having been denied a Saturday night 3 times at the Sha-La in the past while Fri/Sun were no prob.

[neo1]

Ok, thanks guys, it looks like it was just those specific dates. I was just curious after having been denied a Saturday night 3 times at the Sha-La in the past while Fri/Sun were no prob.

Hi LHFlyer,

I just bidded and got a Saturday night stay at the Shangari-La for 8/28 at $65. Thanks for the info above on BKK bidding. I will need some additional nights and your information is useful. I also have bidded $45 but got one night at Marriott Resort (Preferred because of elite status) and another night at the Holiday Inn Silom (I really don't like it very much). Do you know of any way to get better chance at the Marriott Resort?

Thanks,