Priceline Hotel: 4* Phoenix (Scottsdale) Scottsdale Plaza Resort

[tntraveler19]

I want to book now for Spring Break in Phoenix in March because the hotels get filled with Spring Training fans. How far in advance do the hotels set their PRICELINE rates so they are fairly predictable?

[AaronJB]

There is no set way to predict hotel rates in advance, as traffic can come in as more or less than expected. There is a general floor/realistic rate that hotels generally will not likely fall below due to profit margins.

It all depends on your dates of travel, desired star rating, where in the Phoenix area, budget, etc. If you would like assistance with booking, please provide more information.

Please use the site's HOTWIRE or PRICELINE links to start your purchase.

[tntraveler19]

My ideal would be the Doubletree Paradise Valley in Scottsdale, 4* on Priceline, March 12-18, 2010. Most of the other 4* hotels in that area would be acceptable, too. I'd like to stay under $100 a night. I saw that last year during March (spring training time) DPV went for $78 for one bidder. Do you think it's too soon to bid that far in advance? Those hotels are pretty full during that time.

[AaronJB]

If you are ready to bid and your plans are set, I would start bidding now. Given that you have a lot of time, you could start low and gradually work higher. There's no way to guarantee the Doubletree, but if you are happy with any of the 4*'s in that zone, PRICELINE will certainly work.

Thank you for using the site's PRICELINE or HOTWIRE link.

[thereuare]

I do think you can get something under your $100 budget, so if you consider that to be a 'good deal', then you should begin trying now, but as AaronJB points out above, any success may be at a hotel other than the Doubletree.

Let us know once you're ready to bid and we'll suggest a strategy for you to follow.

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

[tntraveler19]

Check-In Date: Friday, March 12, 2010

Check-Out Date: Thursday, March 18, 2010

Hotel Name: The Scottsdale Plaza Resort

7200 North Scottsdale Road

Scottsdale, Arizona 85253

480-948-5000

Your Offer Price: $70.00

Number of Rooms: 1

Number of Nights: 6

Subtotal: $420.00

Taxes and Fees: $65.82

Total Charges*: $485.82

Lots of amenities listed - the same on Priceline and this site.

Priceline rate was $229 a night. I bid $55 first, then had to go to $70.

Prices are probably higher because this is a big spring break/baseball spring training week.

According to the website, there will be an extra $15 resort fee, but with 5 swimming pools and tennis courts, under $100 is not bad.

I'm not sure about other fees, but it seems likely that there will be some more.

We are satisfied with this win and can't wait to stay at a new place.

[thereuare]

Congratulations on your success!

Glad to see you're happy with the results and looking forward to your stay.

Thank you for sharing your results with the board.

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

Have a great trip.

[tntraveler19]

I do have one question. I got on Priceline through this site for my first bid, which was refused. I tried going back through this site to bid higher, and Priceline said I had to change something about my bid besides the price. I had a lot of trouble getting them to take the 2nd bid and ended up spending a bit more than I probably had to. How can I go back through this site for my 2nd bid and only change the price?

[thereuare]

You need to use re-bids, which discussed here: Priceline Re-Bidding Explained

Feel free to read the link above and ask any questions that you may have.

[tntraveler19]

Thank you, that's very helpful. You guys are very patient with us newbies. I didn't think to look for the procedure before I bid, but I should have known there would be an explanation on here :) .