Priceline Hotel: 3.5* San Francisco (USE) Sir Francis Drake

[Becbari]

I'm looking for one room in the 3.5-4 star range June 26-June 29 in the USE or Fisherman's Wharf area. Maybe I'm bidding too early, but $80 bid has been rejected - started bidding at $75 for USE only. Any strategic help is greatly appreciated. It looks like plenty of bids at this price point have been accepted for these areas and this hotel class so I'm not sure if it's that June is more expensive or if I'm bidding too early.

I'd be willing to bid up to $100/night - but is this wise/what increments should I increase by?

Thanks!

[Gallus50]

Becbari - You probably need to read the section on free rebids - I think it's under general Priceline advice or FAQs. There's a lot of room for rebidding in the 3.5 - 4* range in SF. But I also have to mention that often, the lower bids aren't accepted this early, though there are exceptions. I just bid on a September visit and got an amazing rate at an airport hotel for my first night. (Westin 4* at $55)

Some people have the patience to up their bid by $2 each time, but I'm not that patient. So I usually go up in $5 increments. There are typically about 4 or so free rebid zones, so in any bidding session, you can bid five times, essentially for the same area. If you're willing to accept several areas - say USW and Embarcadero and SOMA, that's almost 20 bids. Of course, you can repeat the same numbers in each area.

Thereuare could probably give you a fine bidding strategy, but you should be fine with your price range. But do be patient, since you stay is not 'til late June. Also look at what Hotwire has as a barometer and check on SF conventions to see if availability will be low. There are great deals to be had; I'm sure you'll find one.

[Becbari]

Thanks for the reply! I'm sure if I waited a bit, I could get a better rate, but my desire to have our trip plans finalized overruled.

I ended up getting the Sir Francis Drake Hotel for $85/night. Hopefully I didn't do too badly for my first Priceline attempt.

:)

[Becbari]

Bid at 75 and 80 turned down - accepted at $85 for the Sir Francis Drake

Room Cost: $85.00 (USD)

Number of Rooms: 1

Number of Nights: 3

Room Subtotal: $255.00 (USD)

Taxes and Fees: $48.89 (USD)

Total Room Cost: $303.89 (USD)

Total per the hotel website for those three nights: $527.84

Looks like I did okay for my first Priceline attempt?

[Gallus50]

Considering that it's still March, I think you did very well. That's a very central location, half a block from Union Square. That rate is pretty darn good for a 3.5*, especially for the summer. I've paid more than that in the summer months - not that I wanted to! Well done.

Hope you used the BB PRICELINE link.

(To be an informed bidder, I do recommend learning about free rebids, also.)

[thereuare]

Congratulations on your success!

Glad you have your first PRICELINE experience under your belt and that you're happy with the results.

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

Enjoy your stay.