Priceline Hotel: 5* Vegas Strip, June 18-21

[woolsworth featherbottom]

I have a question related to what hotels are available for the blind bids via Priceline. I read the FAQs and know that it is possible for hotels that aren't on the bidding portion of Priceline to be available in the bidding section and vice-versa but my question is related to whether or not the average retail price gives any indication of what hotels are available in the bidding section.

For example, for the time period I am looking to book, when I select a 5* strip hotel it says the average retail price is $183. The only possible combination to come up with this average is Palazzo ($189) plus Venetian ($176) divided by two...despite the fact that there are multiple 5 star hotels listed (including Trump). Does that mean that these are the only 2 hotels that will be competing for my bid? Similarly, a 3.5* strip hotel average rate is $125, which is only the Flamingo. Do these offer any clues as to the hotels I could receive in the bidding section? Thanks.

[thereuare]

Welcome to BetterBidding!

The "average price" suggested PRICELINE is not meaningful and shouldn't be used to determine a bidding strategy, price, or hotel that you're likely to receive. If you search HOTWIRE for your dates you'll see that what has previously been identified as the Trump is offered for your dates, so presumably it would at least be offered thru PRICELINE as well, which 'proves' that the above isn't necessarily a good theory to follow.

Is there a particular hotel you're trying to target and/or avoid?

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

[woolsworth featherbottom]

Hi, thanks for the response. I am trying to target the THEHotel or Mandalay Bay for that period. I know going after Mandalay is risky considering the plethora of 4* hotels on the South Strip but it seems like THEHotel is about the only 5* in that location. I ran through Priceline a couple times last night trying to get it and eventually put in $140/nt for my stay but was counter offered $255/nt which is kind of ridiculous considering I could go THEHotel's website and book the same period for $233/nt. Does Priceline offer some sort of "Best Rate Guarantee" that I could take advantage of their overcharging (assuming it is THEHOtel and not the 4 Seasons)? Thanks, great forum.

[thereuare]

Yes, PRICELINE does offer a best rate guarnatee, but it's based upon room rate only, so after PRICELINE's booking fee, the difference won't amount to much. As well, you can usually be successful below PRICELINE's counter-offer, so you could continue to use re-bid zones to move your way up slowing, and will likely be successful below $233/nite.

I'm not sure if you only want to be in this section of the strip and/or don't like the other end, but with HOTWIRE offering a 5* hotel (most likely the Wynn or Veneitian... but known that it's not The Trump) for $127, is the 5* in the South Strip zone worth $100 more per nite? It may be worth it to, but just trying to make sure you're aware of the value proposition.

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

Let us know what you decide and how it goes or if we can be of further help.

[woolsworth featherbottom]

Thanks again for the info. I have been monitoring the HOTWIRE price for a 5* Central Strip and see that itis a very good deal for either Wynn or Venetian. I've never stayed @ Wynn but have stayed @ |Venetian and it is really nice. We basically are looking @ Mandalay & THEHotel based on their pools. I've stayed tehre before and they are epic and this trip is for a bachelor party so we'd like a cool pool scene with lots of amenities (Mandalay, MGM,etc.). Flamingo is a possibility but we'd also prefer a 4 or 5* place. I know that's kind of picky for trying to go thru HOTWIRE or PRICELINE but you never know. I'm sure we wouldn't be disappointed w Wynn or Venetian though. I'll keep you posted on how it goes/what I get.