cynstalker Posted June 8, 2009 Report Share Posted June 8, 2009 My companion and I have been trying to secure a 4* hotel for the above referenced dates for the past 3 days, with no luck We started at $75 and have gone all the way up to $137. We even dropped to a 3.5 star, again starting at $75 and up to $90. We would be happy with the White HOuse, Georgetown, DuPont Circle or the Convention Center/Capitol areas. Preference is the WHite House area.We've used the "free" bids including crystal city, DC Suburbs, Mt Vernon and Springfield, started with the White House area, and adding one area at a time.I'm seeing bids that have been accepted for less than the amounts we've bid - but for only a day or 2. Would it make sense to break the stay into 2 parts? (I would really hate to have to move!) Or is it simply that DC is incredibly busy that week, and we're going to have to pay a higher price? We need to try and get this booked today or tomorrow, so we can then book our airfare and not pay a huge price for purchasing within 14 days of travel. Our preference is for 5 nights in DC. Do weekends play into this?Any insights and suggestions are gratefully appreciated!Cyn Link to comment
thereuare Posted June 9, 2009 Report Share Posted June 9, 2009 The first three nites of your stay are much higher priced than the last 2/3 nites... you'll benefit from SPLITTING YOUR PRICELINE BID, but you'll still end up paying a very high price for the first 3 nites of your stay and/or need to stay outside of the city limits.Any chance you can change your dates to 6/26-7/1?Please use these PRICELINE and HOTWIRE links to begin your travel purchases. Please use this HOTWIRE and these PRICELINE LINKS: HOTELS, CAR RENTALS, and AIRFARE to begin your travel purchases Link to comment
cynstalker Posted June 9, 2009 Author Report Share Posted June 9, 2009 "Any chance you can change your dates to 6/26-7/1?"Possible, if it's a significant savings. It just means I would miss my birthday in DC, but I could live with that! :) What would you suggest for bids on those dates?Cyn Link to comment
thereuare Posted June 9, 2009 Report Share Posted June 9, 2009 Using the dates 6/26-7/1 there is a 4* hotel on HOTWIRE for $144/nite (you rate may differ slightly... it was $141 last nite) which is very close to the $137 you have already bid for your current dates... i suspect that if you wanted to bid for these 'new' dates you would likely be successful at an amount less than you have already bid.If this is of interest let us know and we'll suggest a strategy for you to follow.Please use these PRICELINE and HOTWIRE links to begin your travel purchases. Please use this HOTWIRE and these PRICELINE LINKS: HOTELS, CAR RENTALS, and AIRFARE to begin your travel purchases Link to comment
cynstalker Posted June 9, 2009 Author Report Share Posted June 9, 2009 "If this is of interest let us know and we'll suggest a strategy for you to follow."Yes, it is of interest - thank you!Cyn Link to comment
thereuare Posted June 10, 2009 Report Share Posted June 10, 2009 If you want to try PRICELINE for a new set of dates and your original set of zones, at the 4* level you have FOUR re-bid zones. If you're not familiar with re-bidding please read Priceline Re-Bidding Explained and feel free to ask questions and/or confirm your re-bid zones with the board before proceeding.Select 4* Dupont Circle and White House...Bid $75, if rejected add re-bid zone...Bid $80, if rejected add re-bid zone...Bid $85, if rejected close browser and use our link to re-access PRICELINESelect 4* Georgetown and Convention Center...Bid $75, if rejected add re-bid zone...Bid $80, if rejected add re-bid zone...Bid $85, if rejected close browser and use our link to re-access PRICELINESelect 4* Dupont Circle and Convention Center...Bid $90, if rejected add re-bid zone...Bid $95, if rejected add re-bid zone...Bid $100, if rejected close browser and use our link to re-access PRICELINESelect 4* Georgetown and White House...Bid $90, if rejected add re-bid zone...Bid $95, if rejected add re-bid zone...Bid $100, if rejected close browser and use our link to re-access PRICELINESelect 4* Convention Center and White House and Dupont Circle...Bid $105, if rejected add re-bid zone...Bid $110, if rejected add re-bid zone...Bid $115, if rejected close browser and use our link to re-access PRICELINESelect 4* Convention Center and White House and Georgetown...Bid $105, if rejected add re-bid zone...Bid $110, if rejected add re-bid zone...Bid $115, if rejected close browser and use our link to re-access PRICELINESelect 4* Convention Center and White House and Dupont Circle and Georgetown...Bid $120, if rejected add re-bid zone...Bid $125, if rejected add re-bid zone...Bid $130, if rejected add re-bid zone...Bid $135, if rejected add re-bid zone...Bid $140Any questions feel free to ask.Please use these PRICELINE and HOTWIRE links to begin your travel purchases.Good luck and let us know how it goes. Please use this HOTWIRE and these PRICELINE LINKS: HOTELS, CAR RENTALS, and AIRFARE to begin your travel purchases Link to comment
cynstalker Posted June 10, 2009 Author Report Share Posted June 10, 2009 Great- thanks so much, I'll try it right now. One question - why only 2 re-bids before closing and re-trying? Wyy not all 4?cds Link to comment
cynstalker Posted June 10, 2009 Author Report Share Posted June 10, 2009 Using the above described strategy, I was able to get the Westin Grand Hotel for $120.00; $600 for 5 nights plus $98.95 in fees. I am very excited - Thanks so much! :) Should I post the winning bid as a separate post, or is this sufficient?Cyn Link to comment
thereuare Posted June 10, 2009 Report Share Posted June 10, 2009 Congratulations on your success!Glad to see you were flexible to shift your dates by a few days and were successful at amount lower than your previous bids. No need to start a new topic as we've edited the title of this one to reflect the details of your win, and this allows other to see the 'timeline' of you starting to bid, changing your dates, and ultimately succeeding.We only used two re-bid zones at first since we we didn't want to go 'too high' in the first two zones in case there was a lower price available in the second two zones. For example, if there was a $100 rate available in the Dupont or Whitle House zone AND a $75 rate available in the Georgetown or Convention center zone... using all your re-bids on the first cycle would have resulted in spending more than you needed to since you never had a chance to win the $75 hotel. (hope that makes sense)Please use these PRICELINE and HOTWIRE links to begin your travel purchases.Enjoy your stay (and have a happy birthday!) Please use this HOTWIRE and these PRICELINE LINKS: HOTELS, CAR RENTALS, and AIRFARE to begin your travel purchases Link to comment
cynstalker Posted June 10, 2009 Author Report Share Posted June 10, 2009 Ok, yes it does make sense. Thanks for the clarification, the edit of the post title, the wonderful assistance, and the birthday wishes!Cyn Link to comment
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