Priceline Hotel: 3* Charlottesville Courtyard North

[albanach]

Hi,

I'm having trouble bidding for a 2.5*or 3* room in Charlottesville, VA between 3rd May 2009 and 8th May 2009.

I managed to bid for the previous week and secured the Holiday Inn (University Area) for $45, having bid upwards in $1 increments from about $36.

The weekend rates in the hotels are substantially higher, so I'll tackle those dates later or make other plans. For now, I'd like to secure a room for 5/3 - 5/8

I've bid upwards from $45 in $2 increments up to $70/night with no winning bid. The Holiday Inn I secured for the previous week is advertising rooms for $81/night, so I'm a little surprised I didn't win.

Am I looking too far ahead? Are more rooms likely to head to Priceline as hotels get a better idea of their availability for that period? Or is there a substantial risk of things deteriorating and me being stuck paying retail when prices have increased further?

Any tips would be appreciated.

Thanks.

[thereuare]

I managed to bid for the previous week and secured the Holiday Inn (University Area) for $45, having bid upwards in $1 increments from about $36.

Please share your win with the board as a NEW TOPIC so that the information will help others users when scanning the topic titles of the forum as well as when using the Priceline and Hotwire Calendar of Wins.

Then bump this thread and we'll have a look at and answer your questions above.

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

Thanks.

[albanach]

I had intended to post my wins together, having anticipated at least getting something by $70/night.

I've added my win now - and did use the bb link to PRICELINE.

I found an old thread on the topic of early v late bidding and see there's little consensus. Don't know if anyone has any specific experience of bidding in the Charlottesville area though.

Thanks.

[thereuare]

I had intended to post my wins together, having anticipated at least getting something by $70/night.

Each win should go in its own thread so that each appears separately in the Priceline and Hotwire Calendar of Wins. As well, while you continue to bid for the second leg of your stay, the knowledge of the first win could help somebody else who may be looking for the same dates and/or around the same timeframe.

In regards to the above, if you search the Holiday Inn website for there remaining dates individually, you'll see that there is a rate change ($5 more) for the nite of 5/5. I'm guessing that this nite is potentially holding you up and possibly the reason for your rejected bids... a higher hotel diret rate could easily mean a higher 'opaque' rate too.

Unfortunately this rate 'jump' is in the middel of your stay, so not sure if you're willing to risk having to SPLITTING YOUR PRICELINE BID or if you want to try bidding a little higher for the complete stay.

Let us know your thoughts and we'll advise accordingly.

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

[albanach]

Let us know your thoughts and we'll advise accordingly.

I hadn't noticed the rate change. I'm happy to split as necessary and have tried rebidding at $45 and $55 without success for 5/6-5/8

It may be I just need to get a flexible reservation now and hold out for more rooms becoming available via PRICELINE closer to the travel dates.

[thereuare]

If you have the time, and since you're willing to SPLITTING YOUR PRICELINE BID, i would try the following date combinations:

5/3 - 5/8

5/3 - 5/7

5/4 - 5/8

5/3 - 5/6

5/5 - 5/8

You can also use our new sister site BackUpBooking.com to look for a cancellable back-up (although there are a few hotels there that are not refundable, always doublecheck the terms during the check-out process)

Keep us updated and let us know if you make any progress.

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

[albanach]

Used the BB PRICELINE link. First bid since my earlier trouble securing a room in C'ville. Got a room at my first attempt.

Looks like availability opened up and waiting paid off, as I previously bid much higher for these dates and was rejected.

[thereuare]

Congratulations on your success!

Glad to see you were ultimately successful... and amounts lower than you previously bid! :)

Hope this works well for your plans and you're happy with the results.

Thank you for sharing your win with the board and using our PRICLINE link to begin your bidding.

Enjoy your stay.