Priceline Hotel: Need help bidding on 2.5 star in Chattanooga for this wkend

[xcuse2drive]

I am a new member and hope I am posting this request properly. I would like to try to bid on a 2.5* in zone/area 1 in Chattanooga for Friday 11/7/08 for one night only. There are 2 hotels that qualify in priceline, however there is also a 3* that has unfavorable reviews on some sites. I would like to stick with one of these 2.5* but I know there is the chance of getting the 3*. Is there any special strategy you can suggest, or starting price?

[slick_gd]

Unfortunately, with PRICELINE there is no way to avoid any particular hotel regardless of bidding strategy or offer. If you bid for the 2.5* there is definitely a chance you can end up at a 3*.

Which particular hotel are you trying to avoid? Maybe HOTWIRE would be a better route to take since you may be able to identify which hotel it is before you book.

By zone 1 are you referring to the Airport zone?

[xcuse2drive]

Thank you -- Area/Zone 1 is the airport area -- The 3* that I read some bad reviews on is the Courtyard by Mariott. The 2.5 * that looked appealing were Staybridge Suites and Country Suites. On the map they look very close to one another.

[thereuare]

Welcome to BetterBidding!

Is there a pricepoint in which, for the price paid, you would find the Courtyard acceptable for a one nite stay?

Keep in mind that there may be other hotels at each star level avaialble, if you're using the "retail" version of PRICELINE to determine which hotels are available, the two areas of their site ("retail" and "name your own price") use a different pool of hotels... there is a LOT of overlap, but some hotels only participate with the 'retail' version while there are some which only participate with the 'name your own price' section.

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

[xcuse2drive]

I really don't think there is a pricepoint where I would be willing to accept this specific 3* unless it was an unreasonable amount, like $40.00. I know that sounds crazy but I am easily swayed by other travelers' reviews expecially if there are several.

I understand what you are saying about the different pools of hotels, and the overlap. There is no certainty that either of the two I saw on Priceline are in the bidding pool.

Should I just forget trying to bid in this scenario?

(thank you for your time and assistance)

[thereuare]

I would at least try PRICELINE up to a price of $40 or whatever amount you think you'd still be satisfied with the Courtyard... $40 isn't that unreasonable for a 2.5* hotel in the world of PRICELINE

First i would search HOTWIRE to see if there is anything offered there within your budget... see if it can be identified (make sure it's a hotel you're comfortable with) and if it's a good deal or not.

If you want to try PRICELINE up to $40, you have two re-bid zones avialable when bididng 2.5* in Chattanooga area. Priceline Re-Bidding Explained

(NOTE: 're-bid zone1' is not the same as priceline's Zone1, 're-bid zone2' is not the same as priceline's Zone2, etc, etc)

Select 2.5* Airport...

Bid $30, if rejected add re-bid zone1...

Bid $35, if rejected close browser and use our link to re-access PRICELINE

Select 2.5* Airport and re-bid zone2...

Bid $38, if rejected add re-bid zone1...

Bid $40

Any questions feel free to ask (especially confirming your re-bid zones if you're unsure)

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

Good luck and let us know how it goes or if we can be of further help.