Summary of Winning Bids on Priceline, Hotwire, etc.

[phdiva]

just bid on priceline and got this for precruise two nights at 45 a night. average price per usual 238.00 yahoo, feel like i just robbed a bank!!!

 

Same 3* Courtyard By Marriott San Juan Miramar, same rate, and same "just robbed a bank feeling" for 2 rooms for 3/1/09. Probably should have bid $40, as I got the $45 rate on the first try :o

[cruiseguy1016]

When you enter a city and date on the Priceline front page, you need to get into the "name your own price" section. The Courtyard is a 3* found in the San Juan area (zone 6), however there is no guarantee this is the hotel you would win, it could be any of the 3* hotels in this area. Instead of walking you through the entire process, I suggest you read the Hotel FAQ from Bidding For Travel. Then I'll be glad to answer any questions you might have. It's important to familiarize yourself with how the process works.

 

http://biddingfortravel.yuku.com/topic/2560

 

I am familiar with how the process works. What I'm looking for is: How did the OP bid to get this particular hotel? Did he bid 3*, 4* or resort? I know there is no guarantee that I will get this particular hotel, I just want to know what level he bid to get it this time.

[M&ATravel4us]

Hi there,

 

I have been trying for the past two days at this. I really wanted the Sheraton ODJ but, when I saw the $45.00 win I couldn't pass that up to try.

 

I started with Rating 4, went up to $85.00 with all the 'free rebids'. Then I dropped to rating 3.5. Went up to $90 in that category. I figured I would try the 3* and here is how that went:

 

Zone 6 $35 not accepted

Zone 6, 1 $40 not accepted

Zone 6, 5 $43 not accepted offered free rebid with $12 increase, I declined.

Zone 6, 1, 5 $44 Accepted Courtyard by Marriott San Juan Miramar

I had created a spreadsheet with all the prices for each, the best price I could get for each online, zones, and ratings. Which is funny, because I jumped when I saw the low acceptance listed here at $45.00, can't beat that deal!

 

Now I need to get a hotel for the dates following the cruise :)

 

Good luck!

[CRUISNDIVA]

Marriott Stellaris Resort & Casino just accepted my bid of $140.00 for 1 night post cruise for March 15th :D

 

Still trying to get 1 night pre cruise for February 28th. Went up as high as $190.00 with no bites....any suggestions :confused:

[CanuckCruizer]

2008Cruiser - Hi - we are booked at the Marriott for April and the room rate is $427 incl. tax for the night.:eek: Want to try and get it on Priceline instead. Can you tell me exactly what you did to get it for $140, if you don't mind? I have stayed there years ago and it is a lovely property and would really like to get that one instead of others.

 

Thanks!

 

Canuck

[CanuckCruizer]

Forgot to add that I really don't want The Caribe Hilton (based on location and reviews) - I know it is risky - but want the Marriott. I don't want my starting bid to be too low - so I end up with The Caribe Hilton - so based on what I have read - people have been getting the Marriott from $125-$140, so you think if I start at $125 I am safe from getting the Hilton? ha ha (I need pre cruise for April 25th and post cruise for May 10th)

 

Also - has anyone had any luck with getting the La Concha? I see it is on its own as a 4 star property but wouldn't there be a danger of getting upgraded to a resort property?

 

Any help would be appreciated. I have used Priceline once before successfully - bid on Pier 66 in FLL but it was the only one in that category, so felt a lot safer doing it.

 

Canuck

[MBeamTX]

Forgot to add that I really don't want The Caribe Hilton (based on location and reviews) - I know it is risky - but want the Marriott. I don't want my starting bid to be too low - so I end up with The Caribe Hilton - so based on what I have read - people have been getting the Marriott from $125-$140, so you think if I start at $125 I am safe from getting the Hilton? ha ha (I need pre cruise for April 25th and post cruise for May 10th)

 

 

If you really don't want a specific hotel that you know is frequently available through Priceline, then you shouldn't use Priceline.

 

Bidding a higher amount in hopes of getting your preferred property is a false hope. All you are doing is possibly setting yourself up to overpay for the property you don't want.

 

Priceline can only give you what they have in inventory and they're only going to give it to you if they can make a profit based on what they paid for the room. If they only have the Caribe Hilton in inventory and you bid high enough for them to profit, you're going to get the Caribe Hilton. If they have Hilton rooms they paid $100 for and Marriott rooms they paid $120 for, and you bid $140, guess which room you're likely to be assigned? They're out to maximize their profit.

 

You have to be willing to live with whatever hotel you get in the category you bid (or possibly higher) at the price you bid. Yes, you can get "upgraded" and end up with a hotel you didn't want.

[CanuckCruizer]

MBeamTX - Thanks for your help. Yes - I know I "could" get The Caribe Hilton - I know how Priceline works - I "want" the Marriott - ha ha. It just seems that quite a few are getting the Marriott rather than the Caribe and I just wondered if they were doing something specific or not.

 

Canuck

[pmshirl]

MBeamTX - Thanks for your help. Yes - I know I "could" get The Caribe Hilton - I know how Priceline works - I "want" the Marriott - ha ha. It just seems that quite a few are getting the Marriott rather than the Caribe and I just wondered if they were doing something specific or not.

 

Canuck

 

Go back to post 748. I listed there how I got the marriott Stellais for $125.00.

 

The key is to put in Resorts only ( no star clicked). Put your bid in, I started at 110.00 and if not available, then add Dobalis ( they don't have any resorts at that part of San Juan) then up your bid to 125.00.

 

That's how I got it!

 

Good Luck!

[beach girl66]

2008Cruiser - Hi - we are booked at the Marriott for April and the room rate is $427 incl. tax for the night.:eek: Want to try and get it on Priceline instead. Can you tell me exactly what you did to get it for $140, if you don't mind? I have stayed there years ago and it is a lovely property and would really like to get that one instead of others.

 

Thanks!

 

Canuck

Just bid San Juan + resort, my bid was accepted for 125.00 for April 16th, hope this helps

[CanuckCruizer]

pmshirl and beachgirl - thanks very much for your help!!! I will let you know how it goes.

 

Canuck

[CanuckCruizer]

Well, I tried - but no cigar! I started at $110 and went up to $138 and no go. I added all the areas I could and nothing. I will try again in a few days and see.

 

Thanks for all your help!

 

Canuck

[falcon74]

I just got the Courtyard Marriott San Juan for $58 per night for the 24th and 25th of April. Started at $45 and 3 * went up to $55 and was offered a rebid at $12, declined and added another area for $58 and got it.

[fonthillhdtv]

Well, I tried - but no cigar! I started at $110 and went up to $138 and no go. I added all the areas I could and nothing. I will try again in a few days and see.

 

Thanks for all your help!

 

Canuck

Hi Canuck

remember us(Frank and Sheila) we cruised with you on the crown two years ago . We are trying to get the Marriot for march 12 13 14 I started at $95.00 and went as high as 140.00 before running out of bids I'm now heading back to the betterbidding and biddingfortravel boards and see if anyone got it lately for under 160.00 before i start bidding again.

[CanuckCruizer]

fonthillhdtv - Hi - you must have me mixed up with somebody else as I wasn't on the Crown two years ago - sorry.

 

That is interesting that you couldn't get the Marriott Stellaris either - I thought some people had recently got it for $125 and $140. I will keep trying and post here about how I made out.

 

Canuck

[CRUISNDIVA]

2008Cruiser - Hi - we are booked at the Marriott for April and the room rate is $427 incl. tax for the night.:eek: Want to try and get it on Priceline instead. Can you tell me exactly what you did to get it for $140, if you don't mind? I have stayed there years ago and it is a lovely property and would really like to get that one instead of others.

 

Thanks!

 

Canuck

 

Canuck,

 

This is what I did:

 

FIRST BID: $125.00, Zone 1, Resorts= Denied

SECOND BID: $130.00, Zone 1 & 6, Resorts= Denied

THIRD BID: $135.00, Zone 2 & 6, Resorts=Was offered a counter offer if I added $22.00 to my bid so I signed off, logged back in and bid again ;).

FOURTH BID: $140.00 Zone 6, 2 & 1, Resorts=ACCEPTED :D

 

I've stayed at this particular property before and while it is a lovely hotel it is NOT worth $427 a night IMO, keep trying your luck on Priceline, this is the 2nd time for me and BOTH times I "won" rooms at the Marriott Stellaris.

 

Good Luck!

 

A fellow Canuck :p

[johnny_o]

Just a post:

 

January 6th, Priceline

 

Bid accepted for $120/night - Sheraton -Old San Juan

[CanuckCruizer]

2008Cruiser - Thanks so much for the specific details! I will follow your formula exactly and see what happens - I will have to wait till tonight or tomorrow to try again. I was starting with Zone 6 and then adding one of the other zones one at a time so I will switch to your method - ha ha.

 

WestCoast Canuck:D

[CRUISNDIVA]

Just a post:

 

January 6th, Priceline

 

Bid accepted for $120/night - Sheraton -Old San Juan

 

What did you select to get this bid accepted :confused: Is the Sheraton Old San Juan considered a 3 or 4 star???

 

2008Cruiser - Thanks so much for the specific details! I will follow your formula exactly and see what happens - I will have to wait till tonight or tomorrow to try again. I was starting with Zone 6 and then adding one of the other zones one at a time so I will switch to your method - ha ha.

 

WestCoast Canuck:D

 

Good Luck and let us all know how you did :D

[lauriedun]

Does anyone know if you plug in San Juan and 3.5 what you are likely to get? Is is only the Sheraton Old San Juan or are there others?

[CRUISNDIVA]

I'm having ZERO luck trying to bid on a resort for February 28th :( What can anyone tell me about La Concha, is it decent? I'm thinking I might try my luck and select a 4 star property and see what happens. I'm pretty sure the only other zone that has a 4 star property is zone 5 so I should get lots of free bids.....right?:confused:?

[Embracedbylife]

Does anyone have any experience with cancellations after booking and paying through priceline? I bought the travel insurance, but that only covers you for illness or accidents. With the weather being so crazy lately i'm worrried our flight will be cancelled and if this were to happen is there ever the opportunity for a refund? Booked for 4 nights Jan 16-19. Hoping no issues getting to San Juan, but concerned if our flight is cancelled and we don't make it there.

[lauriedun]

I also got the Courtyard Marriott for $45! I couldn't resist, what a steal! (3/20/09 pre-cruise)

[fonthillhdtv]

started out tonight at $140.00 bid up to $160.00 and got the Marriott Stellaris which we wanted real bad. We stayed there two years ago and had a great time. The web site lists it at $295.00 for the dates we need ,so $165.00 is a pretty good deal.

good luck bidding!!

[lauriedun]

started out tonight at $140.00 bid up to $160.00 and got the Marriott Stellaris which we wanted real bad. We stayed there two years ago and had a great time. The web site lists it at $295.00 for the dates we need ,so $165.00 is a pretty good deal.

good luck bidding!!

 

When are you staying? We are looking into the Marriott for a post cruise stay...