Priceline Hotel: 3.5* Philadelphia (Downtown) Radisson Warwick

[n2ny]

First, thanks for all the incredibly helpful information here. This is a great service.

PRICELINE has a hotel up for University City for the dates I want. There are only two hotels in the area -- the Hilton Inn at Penn and the Sheraton University, and both are posting rates of over $200 for the dates. I'd be happy with either one. What would be a good strategy for getting the best price possible? Thanks in advance.

[thereuare]

Welcome to BetterBidding!

First to clarify, i assume you're refering to the Philadelphia (University Area). Not sure if you know the area well OR if you're using the Priceline Hotel List to determine that these are the only two hotels in the area, but if using the hotel lists, keep in mind that the lists are only hotels reported to the board and there could be others.

If you'd like to bid, so that we don't suggest a strategy that went higher than you were willing to pay, what would be your maximum bid for this stay?

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.

[n2ny]

Thanks thereuare. I know the area well, and I know what would be a 3+ star. I'd like to pay no more than $85 (all included). Unless that is very unrealistic. My research on this Board tells me others are getting 3+ stars in downtown Philly for that amount or less, so that's what I'm basing it on. Is that reasonable?

[thereuare]

I'd like to pay no more than $85 (all included)

Off the top of my head I don't know the tax rate in this area... how much is this in bid amount terms? (before fees and taxes?)

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

[n2ny]

Around $70.

[thereuare]

I' not 100% certain if you're looking to bid for 3* or 3.5*, but i'll suggest a strategy for 3.5*, if that's not correct please post back and we'll revise accordingly.

At the 3.5* level you have THREE re-bid zones available. 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.

(NOTE: 're-bid zone1' is not the same as priceline's Zone1, 're-bid zone2' is not the same as priceline's Zone2, etc, etc)

Select 3.5* University...

Bid $50, if rejected add re-bid zone1...

Bid $55, if rejected add re-bid zone2...

Bid $60, if rejected close browser and use our links to re-access PRICELINE

Select 3.5* University and re-bid zone3...

Bid $65, if rejected add re-bid zone1...

Bid $70, if rejected add re-bid zone2...

Bid $75 (if you get this far and want to bid the extra $5)

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.

[n2ny]

Rejected all the way up to $75. Is it worth it to try again in a few days?

[thereuare]

Rates change all the time, so it may be worthwhile to try again in a few days, but with rates at $200+ your bid is only about 1/3 of conventionally booked rates, which is possible, but the odds are low, imo. If unsuccessful at $75, what is your next step... is this an discretionary trip and you just won't go, lower your star rating, stay in a different zone, have friends you can stay with, etc?

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

[n2ny]

Unfortunately, no leeway on dates because we are coming for Parents Weekend. I may try again and go a bit higher and then try downtown instead. I think the University City rates are inflated because of Parents Weekend, so I may have better luck downtown (though I'll get socked with high parking fees). Thanks again for your advice. I'll use your PRICELINE and HOTWIRE links and report back on the results.

[n2ny]

$70 was rejected for downtown too. I may be staying in Cherry HilL/Mt/Laurel.

[thereuare]

Let us know once you decide how you'd like to proceed and if we can be of further help.

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

Keep us updated.

[n2ny]

OK. Using your PRICELINE link I just booked the Radisson Plaza Warwick in downtown Philly for $85/night. What was interesting is that they rejected $75 and told me (as a one-time offer) to increase it by $22. I declined, rebid, and got it for $85. I was thinking I should just wait it out and see if I could book something closer to when I was leaving, but this has been eating up so much time, and its Parents Weekend and a home football game, so I am sure the prices will stay high. I am very happy with this. Thanks so mcuh for all your help.

[n2ny]

Was rejected at $75 and PRICELINE told me to up my bid by $22, but I just rebid instead. Got it for $85. Very happy!

[thereuare]

Congratulations on your success!

Glad to see you received a nice deal and that you're happy with the results. With this being parents weekend i think you were smart to take this 'bird in hand' vs. hoping for lower rates down the road.

Thank you for sharing your win with the board and using our PRICELINE link to begin your bidding.

Enjoy your stay.