Priceline Hotel: Las Vegas 4*-5* for Jan 5-9, 2005

[Ryan Perlman]

Hi,

I am a reporter attending a convention in Vegas in January between the 5th and 9th at the Sands Expo. I would appreciate any help or suggestions you have.

I am a first time user of priceline & hotwire. I have read the FAQ about hotels.

I am looking for a 4*-5* on the strip. Obviously the closer to the convention center the better, but I don't mind walking a few blocks down the strip. I don't really care what sort of amenities the hotel offers, so long as it is a nice hotel 4* or 5*.

I can book through the convention at the following hotels, but I am hoping to find a better rate:

Treasure Island (Show Rate is $199/night)

Rio (Show Rate is $249/night)

Harrah's (Show Rate is $189/night)

Flamingo Hilton (Show Rate is $132/night)

Thanks,

Ryan P.

[thereuare]

Welcome to BetterBidding!

No need to keep two threads going, when a user is open to either Priceline or Hotwire we post in the Priceline forum and if Hotwire is ultimately used i'll then move the thread to that section of the board.

As you can imagine, due to the convention, rates are high for these nites. As well, demand in Vegas is usually much greater over the weekends than mid-week. Since this stay encompasses both mid-week and weekend dates, would you be willing to SPLIT YOUR BID?

Let us know your thoughts about dividing the stay so that we know what to be looking for in order to get the best rates for your stay and we'll proceed from there.

PS- if the show rate at the Flamingo is cancellable i would reserve that as a back-up... that's an excellent rate based upon rates i'm currently seeing

[Ryan Perlman]

Hey All,

THanks for the reply. I have seen the rates because of the convention and they are high! I will have to check to see if the rate at the flamingo is pre-paid or whether is it cancellable. That's a good idea using it as a back up. I don't mind spltiting my bids and my hotel stay although I would be happier in one hotel. As you can see I don't mind too much splitting them.

I am happy with the Westin eventhough it is off the stip because it is close to both the Sands and the Strip and a totally awesome hotel at a great price.

Here is my update:

$75 4* Jan 4-5 (Won - Treasure Island)

$75 4* Jan 5-6 (Won - Westin Casuarina)

$140 5* Jan 6-9 (Rejected)

$90 4* Jan 6-9 (Rejected)

$95 4* Jan 6-7 (Rejected)

$100 4* Jan 6-8 (Rejected)

$105 4* Jan 7-8 (Rejected)

$110 4* Jan 7-9 (Rejected)

$115 4* Jan 8-9 (Rejected)

I still need a room between the 6-9 January. I don't mind any 4-5 star on the strip or walking distance from it. I am going to the sands expo and need to be walking dist from that as well. I don't drive so renting a compact is out.

Any suggestions on a strategy?

RP

[thereuare]

As you're new to Priceline i think you should wait for a strategy before bidding on your own.

For the nite of the 4th, Treasure Island is available direct thru their webiste for $69/nite (and no booking fees). I would contact Priceline and ask them to refund you the difference, which they will, based upon their low rate guarantee (it's only a few dollars but better in your pocket than theirs!). To show you the value we can offer if you consult with us before bidding, Harrah's is a viable alternative and available for that nite at $39!

I really don't think you will currently do better than the $132/nite rate at the Flamingo... maybe things will change within a month of the convention. If you still want to try Priceline in the meantime, you have four re-bid zones at the 4* level. I would:

Select 4* Stirp and:

Bid $90, if rejected add re-bid zone and...

Bid $100, if rejected add re-bid zone and...

Bid $110, if rejected add re-bid zone and...

Bid $120, if rejected add re-bid zone and...

Bid $125.

If you're not familiar with your re-bid zones please feel free to ask or confirm them with the board. More info about re-bidding can be found here: PRICLINE BIDDING BEFORE 72 HOURS.

Good Luck and keep us updated as to your progress.

[Ryan Perlman]

Hey,

Thanks for the strategy. I will keep you updated as to my progress.

Thanks,

RP.

[thereuare]

.... and if you do make a claim to Priceline to refund the difference please let us know the outcome of that.

[Ryan Perlman]

Hi,

I have every intention of making a claim to price line & I will let you know how it goes.

Here is my update:

Jan 6-8 4* 130 (rejected)

Jan 6-8 4* 135 (rejected)

Jan 6-8 4* 140 (rejected)

Jan 6-8 4* 145 (rejected)

I have looked through the reviews and I'm not impressed with what I see. I will check with the convention's travel agents tomorrow to find out what the cancellation policy is. They claim that they still have rooms available for Rio, Harrah's, and Flamingo - although everywhere else I look those hotels are all booked so I don't know...

I don't mind Harrah's since it is on the strip and a good walking distance. The only thing is that their rate is $209 which is more than Treasure Island and not as good a hotel.

Any more suggestions?

Thanks again for the help!!

RP

[thereuare]

You only have 48 hours from the time your bid is accepted to submit a claim for a best price guarantee, so better do it now rather than later.

The convention likely has many rooms blocked, meaning each hotel has set aside X number of rooms for convention bookings... therefore the convention agents have rooms available but Expedia and the likes do not. If given Flamingo at $132 vs. Harrahs at $209 vs. TI at $199 i would still take the Flamingo... great location and the savings would be worth it to me, the ohters aren't so much better to justify the costs.

The convention hotels may release their 'block' on the rooms a couple of weeks before the convention, until then i don't think much is going to change.

[Ryan Perlman]

Do you think that a higher bid in ther range of 165-175 would get me a 4*? Is it worthwhile bidding a bit higher or is it unlikely that there are any rooms left at the 4* level??

THanks

RP

[thereuare]

How familiar with Vegas are you? I ask because you seem pretty intent on getting a "four star property", but for the extra money it will cost i would take the Flamingo any day.... i'd even take the Flamingo ahead of some properties that are considered 4*. :)

You can get the San Remo or the Boardwalk for $139... but i'd still take the Flamingo.

[Ryan Perlman]

How familiar with Vegas are you? I ask because you seem pretty intent on getting a "four star property", but for the extra money it will cost i would take the Flamingo any day.... i'd even take the Flamingo ahead of some properties that are considered 4*. :)

You can get the San Remo or the Boardwalk for $139... but i'd still take the Flamingo.

I am not familiar with Vegas at all. This will be my first trip. It is not that I am intent on a 4*, but just that I have not yet read a good review of the Flamingo. I was originally considering it because it was at a good price and good location. My only concern right now is that I literally can't find a single good review of the place with the recent past. All of the reviews that I have read have said that the beds are uncomfortable, the rooms insanly small, and the consistant thing that is in all of them is that it is dirty.

I have checked with the convention and apparently you can cancel up to 72 hours before the convention without penalty. I guess I can book the flamingo to have a guaranteed room, but I am still concerned about the reviews that I have read and would like to find a nicer place if those reviews are accurate.

Thanks RP

[thereuare]

There was a virus outbreak there recently (i know, not a good sign) so naturally there will be a lot of recent negative comments (a happy customer tells no one but an unhappy customer tells 10 people). If you look at the REVIEWS pre-October 24 you'll see that the majority of the comments are favorable. Don't get me wrong... it's not the Venetian, but a good value at the center of the strip.

If i were in your shoes and faced with the prices you are i would be staying at the Flamingo, but if you don't think you'll be happy there than book one of the other convention properties that are more (but i wouldn't recommend the Rio as it's off strip and not a great location for a first time visitor).

I also just found the Barbary Coast for $160/nite on the 6th, but it's not available for the other nites of our stay. A good hotel with a great location... but no pool.

The reviews of the Boardwalk have greatly improved, but i'd still take the Flamingo over the Boardwalk.

[Ryan Perlman]

I guess I will book it now so that I have somewhere guaranteed to stay for those 2 nights. I wish I was able to get those two nights at the Westin where I am staying on the 5th. I have stayed at plenty of Westins before and have always been very happy.

Do you think that anything might come up between now and the convention? At least with their cancellation policy and I can alway cancel if something better comes along.

RP

[thereuare]

That's the idea of a cancellable back-up reservation.... still give you the opportunity to try other booking sources.

If the convention bookings aren't as strong as anticipated you'll start to see some availabiliy open up... if they remain strong then you'll see inventory get scarcer and prices even higher. Vegas is like no other hotel market in the country... but it still follows the basic premise of supply and demand.

[Ryan Perlman]

Thanks again for all the information. I will keep you posted.

RP