Priceline Hotel: Help - Bidding for Carlsbad, CA 10/9-10/11/09

[mrs4evr]

Hi! I'm new to bidding. Tried 2 nights ago, but no luck with $35-$55 for zone 10, from 2* to 3.5* for Oct 9 - Oct 11

What $$ to start for Zone 10 - Carlsbad? Thought I'd start again at 3.5*for Oct 9 - Oct 11 (2 nights)? If I understand correctly, I can re-bid using zones 4,5,6,7,11,14,15 - is this right?

I would be okay with lower star class. Will someone share strategies/suggestions, please? Thanks.

[thereuare]

Welcome to BetterBidding!

Please list the zones by PRICELINE name, not number, as it avoids confusion (and also often allows us to answer withouth doing an additional PRICELINE search)

What is your maximum bid at the 3.5* level?

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

[mrs4evr]

$60 per night + fees.

I can get 1* & 2* for $55 - $60 per night online. Was hoping to spend the same amount for something much better. Our destination is Legoland.

Thank you.

[mrs4evr]

Sorry - Here are the zones I mentioned earlier - "What $$ to start for Zone 10 - Carlsbad? Thought I'd start again at 3.5*for Oct 9 - Oct 11 (2 nights)? If I understand correctly, I can re-bid using zones 4,5,6,7,11,14,15 - is this right?"

4 El Cajon

[thereuare]

The zones above can be used as re-bid zones, but you actually have one more too (go back and check the zones you haven't incluced above, one at a time, to see if you see another that only contains properties less than 3 stars)

If you were to win at 3.5* it would be a significant upgrade from the 1* and 2* properties you're using at your back-up... is $60 your maximum bid, even given the significant upgrade? (it' fine if that's how you want to play it, but didn't know if say $65 or $70 (or some other number) would also be acceptable given the ugpraded accomodations)

Let us know the info above and we'll advise accordingly.

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

[one]

Hello mrs4evr,

Here is how I would do:

note: if they give you a counter offer like for adding $11 to your current bid, it means that you are getting very close to accepting bid, so don't take it (my2cents).

1. If you preferred zone 10 only and no where else, try this sequence of bidding:

a. select 4* bid for $57, and if it fails

b. select 3.5* bid again for $58, and if it fails

c. select 3* bid again for $59, and if it fails

d. select 2.5* bid again for $60, and if it fails

e. go for the 2* or 1* that you already had

2. If you can stay in any of the following zones: 4, 5, 6, 7, 10, 11, 14, 15, try this sequence of bidding instead: (note: by following this sequence of bidding, you probably would get an accepting bid for 3* at zone 15 or 11)

a. select zone 15 only and 3*, then bid for $44. if it fails

b. add zone 11, and bid again for $46, and if it fails

c. change to 2.5* and bid again for $48, and if it fails

d. add zone 10, and bid again for $50, and if it fails

e. add zone 4, and bid again for $52, and if it fails

f. add zone 5, and bid again for $54, and if it fails

g. add zone 6, and bid again for $56, and if it fails

h. add zone 7, and bid again for $58, and if it fails

i. add zone 14, and bid again for $60, and if it fails

j. go for the 2* or 1* that you already had

Good luck and let us know how it turns out.

[mrs4evr]

I only want to stay in Zone 10 - North County Coastal (for Legoland). Area is more important than * level. $$ are important too. This is a budget get-away for grandma, daughter and 2 kids (4yrs & 5yrs).

If I use the free rebids zones, I could probably add $10 per night for 3.5*. My missing rebid zone is 9 National City

[thereuare]

This is a budget get-away for grandma, daughter and 2 kids (4yrs & 5yrs).

Keep in mind that PRICELINE only guarantees double occupancy, after that it's at the discretion of the hotel and they may not be able, or willing, to accomodate you rrequest for two beds. I would think being close to Legoland properties in this area would have a good number of rooms with two beds, but it's at least a risk you need to be aware of.

Is there much chance I might win in a rebid zone?

Not if you doublecheck them beforehand, since by definition, re-bid zones only contain hotels below the minimum threshold that you have selected. Also, keep in mind that if you decide to lower your star rating to 3* then all of the above are NOT re-bid zones.

If you want to try for a 3.5* up to $70 (you can stop at whatever level you feel comfortable with)...

When bidding 3.5* you have EIGHT re-bid zones.

Select 3.5* Carlsbad...

Bid $50, if rejected add re-bid zone...

Bid $55, if rejected add re-bid zone...

Bid $58, if rejected add re-bid zone...

Bid $60, if rejected add re-bid zone...

Bid $62, if rejected add re-bid zone...

Bid $64, if rejected add re-bid zone...

Bid $66, if rejected add re-bid zone...

Bid $68, if rejected add re-bid zone...

Bid $70

Any 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.

[mrs4evr]

I never did bid. I decided to reserve directly.

I checked websites and started finding "No Availabilities" or higher rates based on low availability because of a Bike for MS event going on.

I probably could have ended up with the 3* Holiday Inn Express Oceanside for less than the internet rate ($99 special), but if they happened to charge $10 extra for each of the 2 kids, it would have ended up about the same $$'s as booking direct. And, with the town so booked-up, if they refused to honor the reservation because of too many people in the room, I could have had trouble finding something else, especially in my price range.

I booked Holiday Inn Express Oceanside for 4 people occupancy, $99 per night, but I'll get $50 off on my 1st statement for the Chase credit card I ordered off the HI web site - so that makes it about $75/night.

I'll definitely use Priceline another time. Thanks for the help. I learned a lot about bidding.

[thereuare]

Thanks for the follow-up and 'closing' this thread with your ultimatel plans.

If you didn't, please note as per our support page that we're an affiliate of the Holiday Inn Express as well as most other major hotel chains and online booking agencies. Please check for, and use, the links in our support page for your hotel direct purchases.

Thanks.