Priceline Hotel: Tokyo Japan, March 06 to March 08 2010, Priceline

[AndrewJones]

Hi,

After reading this, I'm taking their advice and trying to find the best "strategy" to use for bidding with Priceline.

Details about my trip:

City: Tokyo (Japan)

Area: Chiyoda-ku - Chuo-ku

Rating: 4-Star Superior

Dates: March 06 to March 08 2010

People/Rooms: 1

The "median retail price" for a hotel meeting these $208. I guess the most I really want to spend is $130 (I'd like around $90-110). I'm not sure if this is at all "realistic".

I'd rather not, but if needs be I'd be prepared to expand my areas to also include "Minato-ku - Shinagawa-ku".

As I'm not that pressed for time, I guess it's not really a problem if I have to spread my bids over multiple 24-hour periods until I find something that I can work with.

So, I was wondering if anyone had any tips or recommendations?

Thanks,

Andrew

[thereuare]

Welcome to BetterBidding!

How high are you willing to go before adding the other zones which you mentioend you'd prefer not to? 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.

[AndrewJones]

Hi thereuare,

Erm, if I'm honest, I'm not really sure. It depends how "wrong" you think my initial budget is.

Being a total novice, I guess I'd go with this:

• $0-115 for just Chiyoda-ku - Chuo-ku
  
• $115-130 with Minato-ku - Shinagawa-ku
  

Now that I've written that, it seems like I'm paying extra to stay in area that I'd rather not. I'm trying to get a "lower" deal by using Minato-ku - Shinagawa-ku, but this might not be how Priceline works.

Thanks,

Andrew

[thereuare]

I don't think we've seen any wins in this zone before... i'm not sure if it's a new zone boundary, but in the past most users in this area have chosen to stay in the Shinjuku-ku - Ikebukuro or Minato-ku - Shinagawa-ku zones.

With not much history, and time on your side, i'd start with $70 and increase by $5-$10 every 24 hours until you get to $115, at which point if still unsuccessful, we'll be able to suggest a more strategic approach incorporating the alternate zones.

Any questions feel free to ask.

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

Good luck and keep us updated.

[AndrewJones]

Hi,

Thanks for the help.

Well I tried it, and I got the following response: "We're sorry, but we can't accept your offer of $70 for a hotel room in the Tokyo, Japan area."

Can I just use the reference number to try again tomorrow? Or do I just start again with a brand new bid with a higher offer (e.g., $80)?

Thanks again,

Andrew

[thereuare]

Start tomorrow with a higher bid. PRICELINE will likely send you an email after 24 hours reminding you that you're eligible to bid again, but please don't use the links in their email, rather return here and start again with our PRICELINE link.

Good luck and keep us udpated.

[AndrewJones]

Hi,

I tried $80 and $90 with no luck :)

Nonetheless, I'll keep trying until $115. My plan is to try $100 tomorrow, then start going up in $5 until I reach that limit.

Thanks,

Andrew

[thereuare]

Thanks for the update... good luck over th next few days.

[thenay84]

I'm trying for dates close to yours, from mar 31 - april 4 2009.. so far i've gone up to $104USD per night, usually the sunroute hotel in shinjinku hits at $106USD so if you don't want to stay in this area at all, i'd advise to not pick it :) Best of luck!

[tool001]

sorry to highjack this thread. but how do u ensure the room you will get is not going to be single? im traveling my gf. and want to ensure bed is big enough for both of us.

My previous exp. in japan. the beds are quite small.

cheers

[thenay84]

Priceline confirms that the room is for 2 people in a single bed, most hotels won in Tokyo all were given double/queen beds, rarely king but it does happen

[thereuare]

Priceline confirms that the room is for 2 people in a single bed...

PRICELINE guarantees that the room will accomodate double occupany... PRICELINE does not stipulate that this will be one or two beds. (it's at the discretion of the hotel)

thenay84, please read your messages.

[thenay84]

That's what I meant, sorry I didn't word it right.