Hotwire Hotel: new & advice appreciated San francisco

[mollie85]

I was set on booking the sheraton at fishermans Wharf,through the Sheraton website,when a friend told me last night about a great success he had with booking a hotel in new york via hotwire.

I must admit I had not heard of it,but have had a look & think I would like to try it or priceline.

I am slightly nervous as I have not used these before,so any assistance with the following would be gratefully received.

Dates to stay 23/05/2009 - 25/05/2009

Preferred area would be Fishermans Wharf

Preferred grade would be 3.5* +

one room for two people for two nights

I would like to stay at the sheraton,however when I have looked at hotwire the hotels they are showing for fishermans wharf have a coin laundry system & from reading the posts here,I think they might be Holiday Inn or Radisson.

I also see from your forums that people have managed to get a deal at the Sheraton.

could anyone please advise me on HOTWIRE or what I should bid on PRICELINE for the above information.

I will of course use the link on this site when I am ready to book.

Thank you

[AaronJB]

For those new to both HOTWIRE and PRICELINE, I generally recommend trying HOTWIRE first as a "stepping stone" to PRICELINE.

While I understand that Fisherman's Wharf is your preferred area, for whatever reason (maybe something going on in that area?) the hotels there are more expensive for these dates on HOTWIRE. In comparison, a 4* in Fisherman's Wharf is $222, versus a 4* in Union Square East for $86 and a 4* in Union Square West for $103 - there's also a 4.5* in Union Square East for $116 (the prices you see may vary.)

Would you be open to staying in USE or USW?

Please use the site's HOTWIRE or PRICELINE links.

[Colfax]

Is the Sheraton the only hotel you want in Fisherman's Wharf? If you can accept any 3.5* hotel in the zone you might win something in the $65-80 range on PRICELINE.

All the known 3.5* hotels in Fisherman's Wharf (Hyatt, Hilton, Marriott, Sheraton) are in the same compact area, within a few blocks of each other. You wouldn't win the Holiday Inn because Priceline rates that 3*. The Radisson has never been reported won here before. If it does come up for the first time I expect it would be rated 3* (although I can't guarantee that).

If you can accept any 3.5* hotel in the Fisherman's Wharf zone let us know your bidding limit and someone will suggest a strategy.

[mollie85]

We also are picking up our car hire from the Sheraton in Fishermans Wharf on the 25th May,so thought it would make sense to stay there or near & also we are tourists in San Francisco,so do not mind staying in touristy area.

Will also look at Union Square after reading your email.

many thanks

[mollie85]

Thank you Colfax

I would like to try for any 3.5* in the Fishermans Wharf zone,I am not sure what to bid -would you please be able to point me in the right direction?

[Colfax]

The 3.5* hotels in FW are all in the same area. Even if you don't win the Sheraton, where your rental car is, you'll be within a couple blocks of there.

When bidding for a 3.5* in San Francisco you have three free rebid zones. (If you're not familiar with free rebidding let us know and someone will post a link to info.)

I suggest $55 for a 3.5* in FW. Then increase $5 per free rebid up to $70.

Please start your bids with this PRICELINE link.

[mollie85]

Thank you for that, I shall start a bid tomorrow when I am back home & any info on free rebidding would be great, as this is my first time.

thanks again

[Colfax]

You can start with this, mollie 85:

Bidding Again Before 24 Hours

After reading that see if you can name your three free rebid zones for 3.5* in SF. You can post the zone names here if you want confirmation before you bid. Your free rebid zones are zones that only have hotels less than 3.5* rating.

[thereuare]

If you're new to re-bidding it's highly recommend you confirm your re-bid zones before bidding.

If you're confused after reading the above Priceline Re-Bidding Explained thread feel free to ask questions and we'll break it down further for you.

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