Priceline Hotel: Downtown Charleston

[ahyoung10]

I am new to this bidding game. So, any help would be greatly appreciated. I have looked over zones and star levels for Charleston. My travel dates are 10/24 to 10/25 for 1 night.

I would like Downtown Charleston for either 3 or 3.5 star hotel. With Max bid of $115. What I don't quite understand- When adding a re-bid zone area- does that area not have to have a 3 or 3 1/2 star? For instance if I bid 75.00 DT and was rejected. Then I added re-bid zone for N. Charleston Northwoods Mall area with bid of 80.00. This re-bid zone area has 3 star hotel rating would I get locked into hotel for 80.00 if accepted?

What is my best bidding stratgery?

Ahyoung10

[thereuare]

Welcome to BetterBidding!

Then I added re-bid zone for N. Charleston Northwoods Mall area with bid of 80.00. This re-bid zone area has 3 star hotel rating would I get locked into hotel for 80.00 if accepted?

Using this example, are you bidding for a 3* hotel or a 3.5* hotel? (as the answer will differ based upon what your original star rating attempted)

In regard to your bidding, are you willing to pay more for a 3.5* hotel vs. a 3* property OR are you looking for the least expensive 3* or better hotel for this nite?

Let us know the above (as we'll also address your re-bid zone question) and we'll take it from there.

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

[ahyoung10]

I will say 3* property in downtown.

[thereuare]

I will say 3* property in downtown.

If this is in reference to your example above, then N. Charleston Northwoods Mall area is NOT a re-bid zone....

Re-bid zones are zones which only contain star levels which are lower than the star level you are bidding. In this example, you're bidding 3 stars, and the zone you mention adding does have 3 star hotels, so if you add this zone you would have a chance at receiving a hotel in this zone.

We'll take it one step at a time, so far, does the above make sense?

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

[ahyoung10]

Based on this information West Charleston is the only re-bid zone area I can bid that does not have 3 *. The other zone areas have at least 3* and higher. Is Francis Marion Hotel (DT) considered a 3* or 3 1/2 *? This is the only hotel downtown I prefer not to have. I know you can't pick and choose, but I can only hope I don't get this hotel. My max bid is $115.00, but of course I want the lowest price I can get.

Thanks for the clarification. I wanted to make sure I knew what I was doing before I started bidding. So, what is best stratgery for bidding?

[slick_gd]

It sounds like you are understanding it quite well.

The last reported win of the Francis Marion Hotel was as a 3* back in August. The 3.5* rating on PRICELINE came into effect in September, so there is definitely a possibility that the Francis Marion has been re-labeled as a 3.5* hotel since then.

Some other sites (i.e. cheaphotels.com and Expedia) do list the Francis Marion as a 3.5*, so I think this increases the likelihood that it was relabeled a 3.5* on PRICELINE. Each site has their own rating system and they do not always match, but I listed this for general indication. If other sites listed this hotel in the 2.5-3* range I would say it is highly unlikely to be a 3.5* on PRICELINE, but since it falls into the 3-3.5* range, it is a definite possibility.

I think you need to be open to the possibility that even if you bid 3.5* you may get this hotel that you don't want.

Is this ok?

Side note:

Another route you could take is HOTWIRE. This is what I see for your dates in the Downtown Historic District:

3.5* for $199 with amenities: fitness, restaurant, internet and a tripadvisor traveler review rating of 3.5/5 based on 180+ reviews. This matches the Francis Marion

3* for $229 with amenities: pool, fitness, restaurant, internet. No tripadvisor rating is listed, so it's hard to pinpoint which hotel this could be, but it may be the Best Western.

Both of these are well outside your budgeted max range. But it does indicate to me that your travel dates are more expensive than normal based on previous wins in this location.

[ahyoung10]

Is it feasible to think I can get a 3* hotel for $115.00? I know I can't go $199.00 or more. I would love to stay downtown just for the convenience. I was orginally looking at Mt. Pleasant ( Courtyard by Marriott) It was listing for $159.00 and now it is $149.00. Do you think this rate may come down within next week?

[slick_gd]

The rate may come down but it could also increase. I would book the cancelable reservation at the Marriott to have as your back-up just in case you can't find a better deal elsewhere. If the rates go down you can always call to have it adjusted to reflect the new price.

In the meantime I would keep trying to find a deal elsewhere.

If you are looking at other areas, I am noticing a 3* for $112 in Mt. Pleasant - Isle of Palms with amenities: pool, fitness, restaurant, laundry, internet, golf nearby, that matches the Holiday Inn.

I'm not entirely sure, but with the rates as high as they are I don't think you'll be successful at $115 in the downtown zone. What is your maximum bid?

Also, have you thought about pursuing PRICELINE even though you may get the Francis Marion?

[ahyoung10]

I would say $140.00.

[slick_gd]

Are you still considering PRICELINE even though you may get the Francis Marion?

[ahyoung10]

Yes, I suppose I will take that chance. Some of the reviews I have read are not so great. But, I am hoping it is a 3 1/2 *.

[ahyoung10]

I started looking at prices for Riverview/Ashley River. Prices range from $150 to $180.00. Do you think I would have a better chance in this area for a lower price? Do you know what hotels are in this area (3*)? Thanks.

[slick_gd]

You have a few days to play with, so here is how I would bid it:

3.5* Downtown Charleston - $85 accessing PRICELINE through this link

If rejected, add re-bid zone A - $95

If rejected, add re-bid zone B - $105

If rejected, add re-bid zone C - $115

If rejected, close browser and re-access PRICELINE

3.5* Downtown Charleston and Re-bid zone B - $125

If rejected, add re-bid zone C - $135

If rejected, close browser and re-access PRICELINE

3.5* Downtown Charleston, Re-bid zone B, and Re-bid zone C - $140

[slick_gd]

Ashley River area on HOTWIRE shows a 3.5* for $219 and a 3* for $173.

The 3.5* looks to be the Marriott Charleston with amenities: smoke-free, fitness, pool, restaurant, laundry

The 3* looks to be the Holiday Inn Charleston Riverview with amenities: fitness, pool, restaurant, laundry, internet.

[ahyoung10]

Thanks, I will post how things work out.

[thereuare]

The Francis Marion Hotel hotel is currently rated 3.5* by PRICELINE... does this effect your gameplan?

3.5* Downtown Charleston - $85 accessing PRICELINE through this link

If rejected, add re-bid zone A - $95

If rejected, add re-bid zone B - $105

If rejected, add re-bid zone C - $115

If rejected, close browser and re-access PRICELINE

3.5* Downtown Charleston and Re-bid zone B - $125

If rejected, add re-bid zone C - $135

If rejected, close browser and re-access PRICELINE

3.5* Downtown Charleston, Re-bid zone B, and Re-bid zone C - $140

This would be rejected as a duplicate bid after the $115 bidding. However, now that the Francis Marion is known to currently be 3.5* rated let us know if you still want to start with a 3.5* in the Downtown zone.

PS- please use the button (below the reply with quote button that i believe you are using)

[ahyoung10]

No, I would like 3*. This may be a dumb question, but I have to ask. When you say re-bid in zone A, B and C. I am not sure what you mean. You are referring to which zone areas?

[thereuare]

When you say re-bid in zone A, B and C. I am not sure what you mean.

This is re-bidding and is explained in this thread: Priceline Re-Bidding Explained

Please read the above link and freel free to ask questions and/or confirm your re-bid zones with the board. However, note that if you're now going to bid for a 3* hotel you now only have ONE re-bid zone (not three) so will need to revise the above strategy (but first let's get you up to speed regarding re-bidding).

Also, be aware that when you select a star rating it is the minimum you are willing to accept... so even when you bid for a 3* hotel there is a chance that you could be upgraded to a 3.5* property, and it could be the hotel you're hoping to avoid. If this is not acceptable then HOTWIRE may be an option as you can often take an educated guess as to the property offered (or at least determine that it's NOT a hotel you're trying to avoid... for example if the hotel you are trying to avoid doesn't hae a pool but the offering on HOTWIRE does show a pool icon)

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

Please also note:

PS- please use the button (below the reply with quote button that i believe you are using)

[ahyoung10]

I believe I have it. My bid would be 3* downtown. Bid of $75.00. If rejected add re-bid zone A with increase to 80.00. I have only one re-bid zone area. So, if bid is rejected again. Close browser and re-bid in zone B again. If this is bid is rejected what is next step? Can I re-bid again?

I hope I got this correct with adding quote and reply this time.

[thereuare]

I don't think you have it just yet, as there is no re-bid zoneB since you only have ONE re-bid zone.

List each zone in the region and the highest star rating available in each zone, using this technique from Priceline Re-Bidding Explained:

The way to check what star levels are available in each zone is to open a Priceline page, check ONLY the zone you are inquiring about, and then proceed to the next page (as if you were going to select a zone)... this will give you the available star ratings in that area. You can then hit BACK on your browser, uncheck the current box, check the next box, and repeat the process. It is important to do this before EACH attempt at adding a zone that you really don't want, as new hotels can be added and the star ratings can change at any time. (NOTE: for most users Priceline has updated their interface making the above process easier... simply check a zone and note the highest star rating available within each zone, UNcheck that zone and checkmark the next zone, repeating the process)

If you don't follow the above just post back and we'll break it down further.

When you click this button (near the bottom right of the page) to add a reply there should not be anything from the previous message in the text area that you'll be typing in.

[ahyoung10]

I know I am probably making this more difficult than it really is.

Bid of $75.00 DT- rejected- Re-bid zone A for $80.00 . If rejected close browser and re-bid Zone A for $85.00- If rejected then what next?

I hope I am on the right track. If not I suppose I should hang it up. Thanks! :)

[thereuare]

Yes, you're on the right track (see, you're not automatically quoting the previous posts anymore :) )

At the 3* level you only have one re-bid zone, so after you bid Downtown and then add your re-bid zone, you're done... nothing left to do except wait 24 hours and try again.

Were you able to identify your one re-bid zone?

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

[ahyoung10]

Yes, West Charleston. Yeah! I finally got it. So here I go, I am going to bid. I'll let you know what happens. Thanks a lot! :)