Priceline Hotel: 3* Ft Lauderdale (Downtown) Hyatt Place Airport North

[drise]

We are considering a pre-cruise stay near the airport. Need 2 rooms in a 3* or better hotel. Am considering

the Hyatt Place, Hilton FLL Airport, Rennaisance or Sheraton.

I would like to start bidding in the $50 range, but is that too low. My first time using Priceline and while

I understand the rebid process, I'm just not comfortable yet. Of course I will use the links in the forum.

[thereuare]

Welcome to BetterBidding!

Am considering the Hyatt Place, Hilton FLL Airport, Rennaisance or Sheraton.

To make sure you understand, you can't bid on any of these particular hotels... you can only choose the minimum star rating and you can receive any hotel in the zone at that rating or higher.

If you let us know your maximum bid (not where you're thinking of starting) we'll suggest a strategy for you to follow.

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

[drise]

Thank you, I do realize you can't bid on a specific hotel, I thought it might help to know what level we're looking for. Our maximum bid would be $65.00.

[thereuare]

You mentioned 3* or better in your post, but the Sheraton and Hilton are both rated 3.5* in the Airport zone and the Renaissance is 4* rated and in the Downtown zone. Only the Hyatt Place is rated 3* but just like the Renaissance is in PRICELINE's Downtown zone... do you still want to bid at a 3* minimum for the Airport zone OR are you looking to increase your minimum star rating and/or also include the Downtown zone in your bidding?

Let us know and we'll suggest a strategy for you to follow.

[drise]

Actually after reviewing these hotels on tripadvisor I don't want the Sheraton or Hilton. My first choice would be Hyatt Place, so based on that I think I should bid 3* in the downtown zone? Also, do you know if the Holiday Inn Airport comes up on priceline and if so how many *'s and what zone?

[thereuare]

do you know if the Holiday Inn Airport comes up on priceline

All hotels reported to the board would be found in our Priceline Hotel List.

My first choice would be Hyatt Place, so based on that I think I should bid 3* in the downtown zone?

With the opaque suppliers it's not really recommended to "pick" the hotel you want as that is not somthing you have control over. If you bid for a 3* hotel in the Downtown zone are you comfortable receiving any 3* property (as rated by PRICELINE) in this zone? Also, keep in mind that when you select a star level it is the minimum that you are willing to accept, so even if you bid 3* you could receive a higher rated hotel as PRICELINE will automatically ugprade you if a hotel at that star level is willing to accept your winning bid.

If you're trying to have a little more control over the hotel you receive then HOTWIRE may be a better option as you can take an educated guess as to the hotel you may likely received based upon the amenities and other information shown before your purchase.

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

Let us know how you'd like to proceed and we'll advise accordingly.

[drise]

Yes I would be willing to accept any of the hotels Priceline has as 3* or 4* in the downtown zone. How should I proceed?

[thereuare]

To confirm before suggesting a strategy to follow, you're looking for the least expensive 3* or better hotel (rather than willing to pay more for a 3.5* or 4* property) in the Ft Lauderdale Downtown zone with a maximum bid of $65... is that correct?

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

[drise]

To confirm before suggesting a strategy to follow, you're looking for the least expensive 3* or better hotel (rather than willing to pay more for a 3.5* or 4* property) in the Ft Lauderdale Downtown zone with a maximum bid of $65... is that correct?

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

Yes, that is correct.

[thereuare]

With time on your side i would proceed as follows:

At the 3* level you have one re-bid zone. 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 $50, if rejected add re-bid zone...

Bid $55.

If the above fails, wait 24 hours and try again, increase each bid by $5 which will take you to your $65 maximum bid.

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

Good luck and let us know how it goes.

[drise]

Thanks, I did that today 1st at $50, 3* Downtown and then rebid adding zone 3 and bidding $55. I was rejected but I'll try again tomorrow.

[thereuare]

Keep us updated.

[drise]

Keep us updated.

I bid $57 Downtown 3* today and was rejected, then I added Airport North zone and increased my bid to $59 and was accepted. I got Hyatt Place FLL Airport North for $140.26 total for 2 rooms for 1 night. That's exactly what I wanted.

[dahammer]

thanks for posting the results of your win!

Enjoy your stay!

[thereuare]

Congratulations on your win!

Glad to hear you received the hotel you wanted and within your budget.

Thank you for sharing your win with the board.

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