Online Travel Booking and Bidding Agencies - trying to understand PL

A 1st timer on PL, I 1st went to BFT and BB to get an idea of what people were getting rooms for. I tried to get the Sheraton Skyline for $60, PL said for $77 + fees I could have it (didnt mention the hotels name but I was bidding on a 4*). I declined, i tried again using the same CC but with a different email address came back that I had a failed bid- guess they go by CC- anyone know for sure. Took another CC in a different family members name and still nothing for a 4* at or near $60 went for a 3* at $47 and got it, same place others were paying $50 and a counter-bid from PL at $51 for.
OK my question PLs computer went thru its process and came back and said "we will let you know within 15 mins if your bid was accepted" it was but does that mean I might have scorced it abit cheaper or that it had to go see if the hotel etc would accept a bid at or near there bottom #?
I am happy as Im saving close to $70 over the room res I was holding elsewhere. Its somewhat a hassle (longer bus ride and connections) but its only for a night and nothing else to do in that the plane lands at 8 pm. i was thinking of going into the city but by the time I got there checked in it didnt pay, plus it would have been alot more to get to the city and back the next day.

I'm trying to understand your post.

Could you rephrase the question(s) to make it clearer what you are asking?

:confused:

The message about a 15-minute delay is probably just referring to Priceline having difficulty accessing the database. There aren't people behind the scenes making a frantic decision as to whether to accept the bid - it's done by computer.

3* for a $47 bid for an LHR airport hotel is pretty good. Who knows if you could have got it cheaper - maybe, maybe not. I succeeded with a $40 bid a while back, but that rate isn't always available. When you are staying at the hotel (presuming it's a Holiday Inn) take a look at your bill on the TV. That will probably tell you what Priceline paid for the room including VAT.

Willtravel yes its the HI M4J4, was hoping for the Sher Skyline but can live with this.

Kathy W sorry if U were confused I did write it in haste. But as much as WT answered Ill leave it sit as is.

You probably know this, but there are 3 Holiday Inn airport hotels, so make sure you get the right one. For the one I stayed at, Holiday Inn Heathrow Ariel, I was able to just take a city bus to/from Heathrow Airport, and it was free. (From what I understand, the bus doesn't charge until you leave a certain area outside the airport.) The city buses are a much better deal than the Hoppa buses, in any event.

thanks, I was sort of hoping for HI Ariel it was just delisted froma 4* to a 3*, but I got the HI M4 which is up in West Drayton, after spending much time on the bus routes it seems I take the HEX over to the CBS and then any of 5 buses (free) to Bath Rd where i can pick up the 222 (must pay 70p each way). From the reviews on BFT seems the one I got is a much better hotel room wise etc, just alittle futher away. No big deal as I have a res on a 6pm flight out the next day, thinking about changing it to the 2:30pm. Either way shouldnt be much of a prob for either getting to LHR in time.


Wt or others, I dont wish that this become a discussion of LHR Hotels/buses/taxis etc that should be carried on in Travel Buzz or a London thread. this thread rightfully should be about Travel Bidding. If anyone would like to advise me of something PLEASE email me at my FT box rather than posting it here. If you feel others can gain from it then Travel Buzz would be abetter way to go. Thanks WT and all others for understanding