Priceline Hotel: 4* Vancouver (Granville Entertainment District) Sheraton Wall Centre

[Giltis]

Wondering if someone can help me with a bidding strategy for Vancouver. We want to be in either Downtown Vancouver or Granville Entertainment District and we prefer a 4* hotel (even though we might consider 3.5* for the right price). So far, I bid the following.

Downtown Vancouver, 4*, $75

Downtown Vancouver & Granville Entertainment District, 4*, $80

Both bids were rejected. Is there another zone I can add that DOES NOT have a 4* hotel so that I can bid again without waiting? Any other way to keep bidding without running the risk of getting a room somewhere else?

I'm hoping to stay under $100, and I have a lot of time so I'll probably increase bidding in $5 increments. I noticed on HOTWIRE that there is a 5* hotel in Downtown West for $132 per night. It has these amenities.....Fitness Center, Pool, Restaurant, Business Center, High Speed Internet, Golf Nearby, Spa Services...any idea what hotel this is?

[thereuare]

You can learn how to determine your re-bid zones i this thread: Priceline Re-Bidding Explained.

You need to know how to determine these yourself since they need to be checked before every bidding cycle. New hotels are added to the system frequently, so if we simply 'gave' you your re-bid zones they could change between the time we post and the time you bid, and you could potentially end up in an area you didn't intend. Better you know how to check them to avoid any mistakes.

Please read the thread linked above and confirm your re-bid zones with the board before bidding (HINT: you have FIVE re-bid zones when bidding the 4* level in Vancouver) If you read the thread above and are confused just post back and we'll break it down further for you. Once you have re-bidding understood we'll suggest a strategy for you to follow.

Please use the PRICELINE and HOTWIRE links on the board to begin your travel purchases.

[Giltis]

Ok, thanks. So I looked into this and it appears I can use City Hall, Burnaby, Langley, North Vancouver and Surrey as my rebid zones for 4 star hotels. The only area to avoid using is the airport zone since I am ok staying in the other 2. Did I do this correctly?

If I am correct, then do I need to close my browser after each bid combination? In other words, I want to stay in A so I bid on A. Then I add C which is a rebid zone for me. Should I close my browser and reopen it before bidding A & D which is another rebid zone for me? Let me know if this is not clear.

Also, what are my chances of getting a place for <$100 per night at this time? Trying to think about how much we could save by going to a 3 star.

[thereuare]

Yes.. you have your FIVE re-bid zones correct, but always doublecheck them before starting a bidding cycle to make sure that nothing has changed since the last time you checked.

I do think you have a chance at a 4* at $100... not a 'sure things', but a pretty good chance, imo.

If you want to try bidding for a hotel in the Downtown or Granville zones, i'd try as follows:

Select 4* Downtown...

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

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

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

Bid $75, if rejected close browser and use our link to re-access PRICELINE

Select 4* Granville...

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

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

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

Bid $75, if rejected close browser and use our link to re-access PRICELINE

Select 4* Downtown and Granville...

Bid $80, if rejected add re-bid zone...

Bid $85, if rejected add re-bid zone...

Bid $90, if rejected add re-bid zone...

Bid $95, if rejected add re-bid zone...

Bid $98, if rejected add re-bid zone...

Bid $100

Any questions feel free to ask.

Please use the PRICELINE and HOTWIRE links on the board to begin your travel purchases.

Good luck and let us know how it goes.

[Giltis]

Ok, so here was my bidding today.

4* Downtown

$70

$75

$80

$85

Closed browser and restarted.

4* Granville

$70

$75

$80

$85

All bids were rejected. I still have my options to group them together and bid $90, $95, $100, etc. General question....is 2 months in advance too far in advance to get a good deal? Should I wait a few weeks or is it close enough to get the best deal?

Also, any idea how much lower people get 3* and 3.5* hotels in downtown Vancouver compared to 4*? Just looking for another data point if anyone happens to have a % feel (aka...3*s are generally 20% cheaper).

[Giltis]

Combined Downtown & Granville for 4* and Bid as follows:

$90

$95

$98

$100

Added 3.5* and bid as follows for Downtown, then Granville (not as many rebid zones with 3.5*).

$70

$75

$80

$85

$90

All bids were rejected.

[thereuare]

I don't think there is any set percentage that 3.5*/3* hotels sell to relative to 4* hotels, although using HOTWIRE has a proxy suggests that you won't be savings much by lowering your target from 4* to 3*.

Likewise, there is no "best time" to purchase as it's all based upon supply/demand and hotel occupancy levels... we have seen users wait until a week before and get a better deal than they were able to get weeks earlier; but have also seen users wait in hopes of prices dropping only to see them move even higher. For more info you can see the related 'bid early or close to arrival' link in our PRICELINE FAQ.

My guess is that you're not too far off, as HOTWIRE has what i believe to be the Sheraton Wall Centre for $125/nite... not sure if you're willing to pay this at this point in time to 'have this done', perhaps increase your maximum bid another $10-$15, or if you prefer to just wait it out.

Let us know your thoughts and we'll take it from there.

Please use the PRICELINE and HOTWIRE links on the board to begin your travel purchases.

[Giltis]

Re-bid from $85-$100 without any luck....Bid $105, then $108 and got the Sheraton Wall Center for 2 nights. Feel like this is a good price for a 4* hotel in the Entertainment District so thank you for the help. Used the PRICELINE link on this site to make the reservation. Thanks again....looking forward to our stay.

[thereuare]

Congratulations on your success!

Glad to see you were successful for not much more than you had already bid and that you're happy with the results.

Thank you for sharing your win and using the PRICELINE links on the board to begin your bidding.

Enjoy your stay.