Priceline Hotel: 4* Atlanta (Buckhead)

[happymeal]

I commenced bidding using the PRICELINE link.

I selected Buckhead area, 4 star and offered a price of $55.

That was rejected.

I added the Union City zone, and increased to $57.

Also rejected.

I added Jonesboro and Stockbridge and increased to $60.

Rejected.

I added Forest Park - Riverdale and that was also rejected!

I noticed many people have been successful at bidding around $60 for the Buckhead area, am I doing something wrong?

[thereuare]

Welcome to BetterBidding!

You're not doing anything "wrong" but a few comments:

-rates are date specific, so it's possible that there is a special event, conference, etc in town during your dates which is increasing demand for hotel rooms, which would make prices higher than usual, which would in turn usually require a higher than usual bid to win a hotel for these dates

-you're still quite far from your stay. Take the hotel revenue manager's perspective, as s/he is trying to maximize revenue for the hotel. If bookings are ahead of scedule for these dates (doesn't even need to be 'full', but let's assuming 5+ months before a stay they expect to be at 20% occupancy, and the hotel is currently at 25% occupancy)... why offer rooms to the opaque suppliers at a deep discount if they may have a chance to sell the room themselves at full price? So it may just be a bit early to see a very deep discount for this stay.

I'd book a cancellable back-up and continue to try PRICELINE and hotw.wire (once a week should be sufficient at this time) Just as the hotel isn't 'desperate' this early before your stay... neither are you! Be patient and contniue to bid on PRICELINE, monitor HOTWIRE for any price reductions from current levels, and be prepared to buy when the price is right :)

Any questions feel free to ask.

Thanks for using our PRICELINE and HOTWIRE links.

[happymeal]

Thanks for the advice.

I suppose I'm jut a little anxious to book early just because I'm coming from overseas, but I might have to look into booking a refundable hotel.

Do you think that for the most part, bidding very early in advance is not successful?

[thereuare]

Do you think that for the most part, bidding very early in advance is not successful?

I wouldn't say that.

Looking at a recent win for the Buckhead Grand Hyatt at $55 rates for the date won directly from the Hyatt website are $111/nite... rates for your dates start at ~$245/nite (average). Will rates come down between now and your stay... or go even higher? Nobody can say.

However, do note that at this propety for your dates there is a rate change (first 2 nites are $279/nite while the last 2 nites are $189/nite)... so this is a situation where SPLITTING YOUR PRICELINE BID could be beneficial, but not sure if this is an option you want to pursue this far ahead of your stay, instread hoping for a rate drop betweeen now and your check-in date.

You can also try BackUpBooking for a refundable back-up (MOST rates there are refundable... just be sure to check the terms during the check-out process)

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