Priceline Hotel: 3* Philadelphia (Downtown) Hilton Garden Inn

[smartcookie]

Hi,

I wanted to get some advice from the experienced bidders. I am trying to get a room in Philly for 3 nights over President's Day weekend, 2/12-2/15. I want to stay in Downtown and am hoping for the Hilton Garden Inn or the Holiday Inn in Old City. (I know nothing is guaranteed and we'll be happy with any option for a good price).

I tried bidding yesterday on a 3* at $45 and got rejected. My friend just tried it at $50 and got a message saying to increase the bid by $14 to $64 to win. I've read here before that this means that if I bid somewhere in between these two prices of $50 and $64, I should be able to win.

My question is...should I try $55 or $60 to guarantee this win?

Thanks so much!

(Yes, I'm using this site's PRICELINE links to bid).

[AaronJB]

Good afternoon. :)

I would suggest $55.

Thank you for using the site's HOTWIRE or PRICELINE links to start your purchases and searches.

[thereuare]

Actually, at when bidding for 3* hotels in Philadelphia you have ONE re-bid zone available. Priceline Re-Bidding Explained

So you could bid as follows:

Select 3* Downtown...

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

Bid $60

Any questions feel free to ask (especially confiming your re-bid zone if you're new to the concept)

Thanks for using our PRICELINE link to begin your bidding (and please ask your friend to do the same if/when he makes any bids)

Good luck and let us know how it goes.

[smartcookie]

As far as I can tell, the Gloucester area is the free re-bid since it only has 2.5 star and below hotels. Is this correct?

(I think the link above needs to be updated since you don't have to click to the next page anymore to see which star levels each area offers. The ones that you cannot select once you "select" an area get grayed out.)

Thanks!

[smartcookie]

Just tried it and it's a no-go. Got this response:

We searched hundreds of options to find your hotel room, however we can't accept your offer of $55 per room, per night. Your credit card has not been charged for Request Number ###-###-###-##. If you are willing to raise your price by $15, you can try the same request again right now.

My 24-hrs is up in an hour or so, so I will have 2 more tries. Suggestions welcome!

Thank you!

[thereuare]

Yes, Glouster is currently your one re-bid zone (always doublecheck before each bidding cycle)

It's not clear from your post, but it appears you just placed this $55 bid tonite? If so, you can add your re-bid zone and try $60 (or any other amount you'd like)

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

Good luck and let us know how it goes.

[smartcookie]

I used the re-bid while I was still within 24 hours since my last attempt last night. I thought I'd be able to do it over again after the 24 hours expired. However. I just tried it and I'm being told that I am not allowed to do it without changing more options because it's a duplicate request....

[thereuare]

You won't be able to bid again until 24 hours after your last bid (which includes the bid you placed using your re-bid zone)

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

[smartcookie]

Thanks! I'll try it again tonight.

Do you think that message means that I can potentially win at $60?

[dahammer]

Do you think that message means that I can potentially win at $60?

Many bidders are successful at undercutting a PRICELINE counteroffer; I have increased a bid by as little as $4 with success and failed at $11. There is no hard and fast rule for undercutting a counteroffer, if you are comfortable with $60, go for it.

[thereuare]

You can almost certainly win at $70, and very likely at some amount between $56-$69.

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

[smartcookie]

Thanks guys! I got exactly what I wanted at $60, having my friend bid and your PRICELINE link of course.

Got the Hilton Garden Inn on Arch Street in Downtown.

Thank you for this forum! (I'm assuming the moderator will change the header of this thread since I can no longer edit).

[AaronJB]

Congratulations on your success! :)

Looks like a very nice deal for this Hilton Garden Inn property! Hope you are pleased with the result and that this hotel works well for your travel plans.

Thank you for sharing your win with the board and using the site's PRICELINE links.

Enjoy your stay.

[smartcookie]

Just got back from Philly last night. We were very happy with this hotel. The location is very convenient at 11th Street, so right in between Rittenhouse Square and Old City areas. It was easy to walk almost everywhere.

We also had no problems getting a room with 2 beds on request at check-in.

[AaronJB]

Glad to hear you had a pleasant stay at this property! :)