Preppyg Posted October 20, 2004 Report Share Posted October 20, 2004 Hi there, I was just reading some reviews and am not sure what WDW means?Also, what are some of the hotels that come up in the South beach area? Has anyone won any bids and know what to expect?Thanks ... Link to comment
Preppyg Posted October 20, 2004 Author Report Share Posted October 20, 2004 I am wondering if anyone has any recent won bids for the Miami beach area and what hotels usually come up and at what prices for the 3.5 and 4 star hotels, as well as the resort hotels? Link to comment
thereuare Posted October 20, 2004 Report Share Posted October 20, 2004 WDW = Walt Disney WorldFor possible hotels see the PRICELINE FLORIDA HOTEL LIST and the HOTWIRE HOTEL LIST FLORIDA.For specific help please post the details of your stay: the date(s) of your stay, star rating, maximum bid, etc. Please use this HOTWIRE and these PRICELINE LINKS: HOTELS, CAR RENTALS, and AIRFARE to begin your travel purchases Link to comment
Preppyg Posted October 20, 2004 Author Report Share Posted October 20, 2004 I'm booked to fly in Nov. 18th until Nov. 22nd ... I might only need a hotel November 18th ro Nov. 21 (possibly the 22nd). I'm interested to see what a Resort brings up. I'd probably be willing to spend $150/night US funds for a resort. Or a Maximum of $100 a night for a 5* (if there are) or a 4(plus)*. I also want the hotel to be directly on the Beach. Please Help - Greatly Appreciated! Link to comment
thereuare Posted October 20, 2004 Report Share Posted October 20, 2004 I also want the hotel to be directly on the BeachYou can't guarantee this with Priceline... only with Hotwire.Let us know when your plans are firm and which set of dates you will be needing. Please use this HOTWIRE and these PRICELINE LINKS: HOTELS, CAR RENTALS, and AIRFARE to begin your travel purchases Link to comment
Preppyg Posted October 27, 2004 Author Report Share Posted October 27, 2004 Hi ... I am going to need a hotel from Thursday November 18th until Monday November 22nd. However, if the price starts to exceed too much (say $120 a night) then I'll only stay in a hotel 3 nights, not 4.I was hoping to book a resort in Miami as I see the priceline resorts are on the beach - is that right?I am able to book the Wyndham in Miami beach for $90 a night (plus $50 to the guy who gets the room) ... but if I can get a resort for around the same, then I'd rather do that - say the Sheraton Bal Harbour, or Hilton Fountainbleu.Please help when you have a second as to what you suggest I do or what might likely come up???Thanks Link to comment
thereuare Posted October 27, 2004 Report Share Posted October 27, 2004 I was hoping to book a resort in Miami as I see the priceline resorts are on the beach - is that right?A beach location is not a requirement for a Resort class hotel... while the resorts reported in this area have been on the beach, you could always be the first to receive a different property in the area, which may or may not be on the beach.You have to be willing to accept this possibility before purchasing on Priceline. Please use this HOTWIRE and these PRICELINE LINKS: HOTELS, CAR RENTALS, and AIRFARE to begin your travel purchases Link to comment
Preppyg Posted October 29, 2004 Author Report Share Posted October 29, 2004 I know I could be the 'first' to get a non-beach hotel. But I don't think I'd be the first, as being in Miami at a Resort should be on the beach (I'd hope!!). Regardless I'd be willing to take that chance. My question tonight is, what Resorts have come up recently for Miami at what prices? Just so that I can see the reviews online and make a decision if I want to try with priceline?Any help would be appreciated. Also, what about the deal at the Wyndham for $90 a night ... is that good or should I not take it and try with priceline? Also, what is a 'resort fee' and is it built into the price I get with 'priceline' or would it be an added expense such as valet parking?Thanks,Geoffrey Link to comment
thereuare Posted October 29, 2004 Report Share Posted October 29, 2004 I too think the risk is minimal of getting a non-beach resort in this area, but i try to let you know the 'worst case scenario' so that you won't be disappointed.All of the hotels reported are in the lists i've linked above.Resort fees are extra (usually a bogus fee charged by the hotels to provide extra revenue and keep their publised rates low) and not included in your Priceline bid.I don't understand your cost for the Wyndham.. is it a $90 room rate and then a $50 tip for the length of the stay to some hotel employee?Once i know/understand the Wyndham rate we can advise on a strategy (to make sure you don't do worse than the Wyndham deal you can get). Please use this HOTWIRE and these PRICELINE LINKS: HOTELS, CAR RENTALS, and AIRFARE to begin your travel purchases Link to comment
Preppyg Posted October 30, 2004 Author Report Share Posted October 30, 2004 Wow, thanks for your help thus far! I am really appreciative.The Wyndham deal is this (if I understood it correctly). It's $90 a night (4 nights = $360) plus a $50 fee to the gentleman who can get that rate (I am hoping it's just a one time fee of $50 - rather than $50 a night which I can't see). So the total would be $410 for 4 nights and he said he could get me a late check out depending on how busy the hotel was on Monday November 22nd at 2pm or 3pm. This fee does not (I'm assuming) include the resort fee (which I've been told I can talk my way out of) or it also doesn't include the Valet parking rate which is approx. $20 (which is standard at hotels across the US).Now, I've seen people win bids for the Fontainebleau Hilton at $70 a night. I also know that there is no guarantee that the Hilton will come up.What do you suggest at this point? Maybe try priceline starting at $50?? Also, have you seen anyone win any bids for the same dates (Nov. 18th - Nov. 22nd) for a resort in Miami?Thanks ...Geoffrey Link to comment
thereuare Posted October 31, 2004 Report Share Posted October 31, 2004 I think $50 is too low to start bidding.Just as an FYI, you're not really comparing apples-to-apples as the Wyndham was last reported as a 3* property... so you're trying to get a resort at less than a 3* (which is possible, just not an apples-to-apples comparison). It seems to be as if your back-up will cost about $103/nite so that would be the rate that you are trying to beat. You have nine RE-BID ZONES available at the Resort level, if you're not familiar with re-bidding please read the previous link and ask any questions that you may have (or cofirm your re-bid zones with the board to avoid any mistakes).I would select Resort Miami Beach and...Bid $65, if rejected add re-bid zone and....Bid $70, if rejected add re-bid zone and....Bid $75, if rejected add re-bid zone and....Bid $80, if rejected add re-bid zone and....Bid $85, if rejected add re-bid zone and....Bid $88, if rejected add re-bid zone and....Bid $91, if rejected add re-bid zone and....Bid $94, if rejected add re-bid zone and....Bid $97, if rejected add re-bid zone and....Bid $100.However, before you do the above, i also just found on EASYCLICKTRAVEL, who has an opaque product (similar to priceline and hotwire) with what i believe is the Wyndham for $89/nite. Do a search for your dates (use Miami without FL in the search box and then select 'miami beach middle'). Rank the hotel listings by price (from the dropdown menu) and scroll down to the $89 offerings that is "off the record" and 4.5*. If you read the description of that property at the end it mentions "relax at the poolside cafe and sports bar, Sea Breeze or at The Hibiscus Court Restaurant"... thru a websearch i have discovered that these are the restaurant and bar at the Wyndham Miami Beach Resort. :) The only think about the EASYCLICKTRAVEL offer is that its status is "ON REQUEST" for the first three nites (and "available" for the last nite) so this rate may or not be available for your entire stay... but rates dont' seem to be too drastic for your dates so i'd think/hope it's available. I've never bought from them before so i'm not sure if you have to give your cc information before they'll confirm availability. If available, this seems to be a better deal then the one that requires a tip to the guy that gets you the room. Please use this HOTWIRE and these PRICELINE LINKS: HOTELS, CAR RENTALS, and AIRFARE to begin your travel purchases Link to comment
Preppyg Posted October 31, 2004 Author Report Share Posted October 31, 2004 Holy!!! You're amazing!!! Thank you very much for your information, that's very nice of you. I'll go to that website and see what I can pull up. I also understand that I'm not comparing apples to apples. Why did you say that my back-up is $103 - were you factoring in the $50 tip?My top price for a resort in Miami is $100 a night - do you think that's unreasonable? Also, have you seen any resorts come up for mid November and if so, which hotels are they? I can't seem to find any winning bids for a resort in mid November - please advise.thanks,geoffrey Link to comment
Preppyg Posted October 31, 2004 Author Report Share Posted October 31, 2004 I went to that site and it seems good ... however, I'm a bit nervous booking on a site that doesn't have an email address or 1-800 number that works from Canada. I called the number, but since I'm from Canada it won't work. I get a bit nervous when I can't see the exact price prior to booking. Also, by using the guy and tipping him $50 I might be able to get an extension on checkout for the last day of my stay until 3pm (which would benefit me greatly).HOWEVER ... if I can book something on Priceline (a resort in Miami) for approximately the same price - under $100- then I might consider that. But I can't see any other winning bids for a resort around mid November.I hope you can suggest something ...Thanks,G Link to comment
thereuare Posted November 1, 2004 Report Share Posted November 1, 2004 EasyClickTravel will give you the total before you purchase.If you create an account (register with them) on the next screen where you input your information, but still not a credit card number, they show you a breakdown of the charges in a summary box on the left hand side of the screen.The $103/nite figure i used was factoring in the $50 tip... if you have to pay it, you might as well factor it into your actual costs. :) If you'd still rather try Priceline i would recommend using the strategy above and see how it goes.Please follow-up your previous WEST HOLLYWOOD post with what your ultimately wound up doing for that stay. Please use this HOTWIRE and these PRICELINE LINKS: HOTELS, CAR RENTALS, and AIRFARE to begin your travel purchases Link to comment
Preppyg Posted November 1, 2004 Author Report Share Posted November 1, 2004 For my trip to LA last June, I spent 6 nights at the Wyndham Bel Age ... I was only supposed to be there for 5 nights but I decided to start my trip early. Because I had been researching the heck out of the hotels on priceline and hotwire, I was 99% sure that a hotel on hotwire was the Wyndham Bel Age and I was able to get that for my first night for I think around $100 (I think - at my age of 28 I foget things ... I'm getting old!!). Then I booked the hotel directly online with webrates for I think $150 a night and found it cheaper by a few dollars on Expedia and used their guaranteed rates and got my first night free. So, the first night was around $100, the next night was free, and the following 4 nights were at $150 (approx.) This wasn't including valet parking at $20 a day. I had the best time in LA and then drove to Vegas and even extended my trip there by 2 nights but just booked directly with the hotel.Regarding the Miami trip, I just tried to go through the steps on priceline and it said that $75 for a Resort would probably be to low a price since they are going for $249 ... Is that true? Should I not try to start around $75 for a Resort??? Also, if you can find me an email address on easyclicktravel that'd be amazing, since I couldn't find any to email and ask questions ...Sorry for the long email but advise as to what you would do???Thanks,G Link to comment
Preppyg Posted November 1, 2004 Author Report Share Posted November 1, 2004 Hey, I just checked that site (easyclick...) and in the summary box it says its going to be $356.00 plus $44.36 for fees/taxes totallying $400.36... I was under the impression that Miami has a 13% tax plus that hotel has a $10 resort fee, plus a tax of $1.30 for the resort fee which would mean that $44.36 is a bit low. So, www.easyclick has left out some fees or taxes because when I called the hotel directly I was told about the 13% state tax, plus $10 resort fee and $1.30 fee ontop of the resort fee. Something doesn't add up here. If you take the $356 from www.easyclick and add the hotel taxes and fees it comes to $447.48.This is why I'd like to talk to them directly before booking because I'm sure there would be an added fee once I checked out at the end of my stay! Can you help me with this please?Thanks,G Link to comment
thereuare Posted November 1, 2004 Report Share Posted November 1, 2004 Resort fees are not included in the price you're seeing, only the 13%. The resort fee (and any tax payable on that) will be billed to your upon the completion of your stay.It would still be appreciated if you posted a follow-up with to your WEST HOLLYWOOD post. Please use this HOTWIRE and these PRICELINE LINKS: HOTELS, CAR RENTALS, and AIRFARE to begin your travel purchases Link to comment
Preppyg Posted November 1, 2004 Author Report Share Posted November 1, 2004 Done ... I posted to my westhollywood thread.I'm still curious to know if you have any knowledge of winning bids for my weekend (Nov.18-Nov.22 - South Beach) and if so are they resorts?Thanks Link to comment
thereuare Posted November 1, 2004 Report Share Posted November 1, 2004 All winning bids are posted to the board in their corresponding areas. Please use this HOTWIRE and these PRICELINE LINKS: HOTELS, CAR RENTALS, and AIRFARE to begin your travel purchases Link to comment
Preppyg Posted November 1, 2004 Author Report Share Posted November 1, 2004 Well, I think I'm going to sleep on it then probably bid tomorrow for a resort starting at $65 with my 9 free re-bid zones and see what happens. Also I was looking at the hotels and the 4* hotels in Miami Beach/South Beach aren't so bad and might consider bidding for one of those if the resort doesn't pan out.Hopefully I won't regret booking if I do ... I'll keep you informed. Link to comment
Preppyg Posted November 2, 2004 Author Report Share Posted November 2, 2004 Well I did exactly what you said thereuare and I even added a free re-bid zone for Key Biscayne and went up to $105 for Nov 18-22 and nothing. HOWEVER!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I got an email saying that I received a winning bid (at $65/night for 4 nights) for a hotel near the airport (the Sofitel) which I don't even know how that came up. I called my CC company to stop the charges and they said I have to wait 2 days. I called customer service for Priceline and they said they can't help me and that maybe someone had fraudulently used my card. I told the 'lady' that it was HER company that used my card under fradulent terms for charging me for a hotel/area I didn't even bid on!!!What do you suggest now???? Link to comment
thereuare Posted November 2, 2004 Report Share Posted November 2, 2004 When you placed your bids did select 4* or Resort?Do you remember exactly what star level you chose, what zones you added each time, and what amount each bid was? Please use this HOTWIRE and these PRICELINE LINKS: HOTELS, CAR RENTALS, and AIRFARE to begin your travel purchases Link to comment
Preppyg Posted November 2, 2004 Author Report Share Posted November 2, 2004 I selected Resorts ONLY each time!!!Started with Miami beach and south beach zones:$65, rejectedadded coconut grove$70, rejectedadded coral gables$75, rejectedadded dadeland$80, rejectedadded key biscayne$85, rejectedadded miami airport$88, rejectedadded miami downtown$91, rejectedadded miami lakes$94, rejectedadded north miami$97, rejectedadded north miami beach$100, rejectedadded southwest miami$105 rejectedgot emails saying none of these were accepted ... then signed out and received an email saying that the Sofitel was accepted at $65 - and I went Ballistic!!!When I called the Priceline customer service # she told me that after the $105 bid there was another bid for 4* for all areas and that it was accepted ... There was DEFINATELY a glitch on Priceline's end.What now? I'm going to report this to my CC company as Fraud. Any other suggestions? Link to comment
Preppyg Posted November 2, 2004 Author Report Share Posted November 2, 2004 Do you have any idea how this happened? I'm not very impressed with priceline at this time and am wondering if I am going to receive my money back. Please let me know what your suggestions are as soon as you can.Thanks Link to comment
thereuare Posted November 2, 2004 Report Share Posted November 2, 2004 Have asked for a screenshot of your purchase screen? Please use this HOTWIRE and these PRICELINE LINKS: HOTELS, CAR RENTALS, and AIRFARE to begin your travel purchases Link to comment
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