Priceline Hotel: 3.5* Philadelphia (Downtown) Radisson Warwick

[RogerVA]

I've browsed this forum for some time now, knowing I would actually use it when planning my next trip. Well my next trip is some months away (September) but I'm thinking I might go ahead and place some Priceline bids now using the advice given throughout these boards.

Of course I immediately have a question regarding Priceline's Philadelphia Downtown listing that maybe somebody here could answer.

When you see the green outline on the Priceline grid of their Philadelphia Downtown hotels, you also see another grid to the West, the University Area, even though I don't have the University Area's box checked. I'd rather NOT stay in the University Area but those hotels seem to come up on the Downtown listing as well, making me think they would be fair game for any of my Downtown bids. Am I misunderstanding this? I want something very close to City Hall or thereabouts, not something by the University Area.

Sorry for the hassle, but if anybody has an answer to this I would appreciate it :)

I'd greatly like to stay near City Hall or points slightly South of City Hall, if you have any good advice of how I might achieve that.

Thanks!

[thereuare]

Welcome to BetterBidding!

but those hotels seem to come up on the Downtown listing as well

Are you using the "retail" priceline service to see the hotels in the "Downtown" zone? The retail arm of the PRICELINE service and the bidding side each use different zone names and boundaries. As well, note that not all hotels which participate in the "Name your own Priceline" service also participat in the "retail" service, and vice versa. If i've incorrectly assumed what you're doing, or you just want to confirm, let us know an example of a hotel or two that you see listed in the "downtown" zone which is really in the "university" zone.

If you're ready to bid let us know the date(s) of your stay, desired star rating, and maximum bid and we'll suggest a strategy for you to follow.

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

[RogerVA]

Ah, thanks. I didn't realize the zones would be different when looking at retail vs. bidding. If there's still a question, I'll whine here about it again :)

[RogerVA]

After about a week of placing too-low bids for my September trip to Philadelphia, I finally raised the price a bit tonight and got accepted :)

My bid of $82/night for a 3* hotel was accepted and they upgraded me to the 3.5* Radisson.

Total charges for 4 nights w/tax = $388.50

I was hoping to match some of the slightly lower prices I've seen here, but being as I wanted a full weekend and a day, and a potentially busy weekend with the Mets in town for a 3-game series vs. The Phillies, and being as it is pretty early to bid, I'm very pleased with the result.

I used the PRICELINE link.

[thereuare]

Congratulations on your success!

Glad to see you were ultimatley successful and that, although a little more than you originally hoped to spend, you're still 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!

[RogerVA]

It's been about 36 hours since I won a bid on Priceline and they say they charge you as soon as your bid is accepted. Well, the charge still hasn't gone through my bank/credit card (placed during weekday, so weekend is no excuse).

Just curious how long it usually takes? Perhaps some of you could tell me your experience.

thanks!

[thereuare]

This will differ from bank to bank and credit card issuer to issuer.

If you go to PRICELINE and click the MY PROFILE on the top right corner of their home page, then go to MY TRIPS, if this trip is there with a green checkmark, and you can see the details (ie- hotel name) of the hotel you received, then i wouldn't worry about it. Give it a few days and i'm sure you'll see it come thru on your credit card.

For reassurance, you can call the hotel to make sure they have your reservation listed under your name.

[RogerVA]

The charge finally showed up on my card/account this morning. So thanks, I'm good to go :)

[thereuare]

Glad that put your mind at ease and it all worked out well.

Enjoy your stay.