Online Travel Booking and Bidding Agencies - how does priceline work?

thanks in advance for the explanation.

thanks in advance for the explanation.

http://travel.priceline.com/customerservice/faq/csmain.asp

PL's official explanation might be a start (click on the "how it works" icons below the respective choices): http://www.priceline.com/customerservice/faq/howitworks/howitworks.asp?session_key=3F0011AC400011AC2004080 4012751ba2840616237

Good advice on the ins and outs of PL airline tix: http://p070.ezboard.com/fpricelineandexpediabiddingairlinetickets.showMess age?topicID=2.topic

Good advice for ins and outs of PL hotels: http://p070.ezboard.com/fpricelineandexpediabiddinghotels.showMessage?topi cID=2.topic

You definitely must fo your homework before bidding and even then you are not ALWAYS satisfied. The key is that Priceline is opaque and you might end up something less desirable occasionally even if you try to target your bid.

I use this strategy
if i am not concerned about the exact location
only a general location

1) go to hot wire
find the star level and part of town you want to stay in
that price essentialy becomes the max you will have to pay

2) then go to priceline
you can start by bidding the same amount and a higher star level
(then kep the bid the same and add in the desired star level)

or bisd $5 to $15 less for the same star level hotel

I have tried using it several times but NEVER have been able to get a room. I keep reading about re-bids and other people being offered re-bids but every time I tried it I got one try and that was it!! I am totally confused. Lurking on Biddingfortravel.com has been informative but I don't want to join the forum because of the way the moderator treats people if they are not 100% informed and follow the rules. Beginners make mistakes! I thought that the web site was supposed to help people and not scare them out of wanting to ask a question.

The "secret" behind re-bidding is actually just to keep adding zones to your bid that you know do not have hotels in the star rating that you want. So for example if you are bidding for a 4*, the way to get a "free re-bid" is to add other zones, one at a time and regardless of location, that you know have no 4 star hotels in them. And the way to find out is to spend some time before your bid checking out each and every zone... Time-consuming, but you'll be able to get a lower price...

The "secret" behind re-bidding is actually just to keep adding zones to your bid that you know do not have hotels in the star rating that you want. So for example if you are bidding for a 4*, the way to get a "free re-bid" is to add other zones, one at a time and regardless of location, that you know have no 4 star hotels in them. And the way to find out is to spend some time before your bid checking out each and every zone... Time-consuming, but you'll be able to get a lower price...

My main problem with the last time I tried was that I wanted a 3* or better in Downtown Montreal Canada. The first time I bid I chose both 3 & 4 stars in the downtown area. There was no way to get a free re-bid because all of the other zones (area) also had 3* properties according to BFT.com. I didn't want to add another zone with 3* since I want to be in the downtown area.

I have tried using it several times but NEVER have been able to get a room. I keep reading about re-bids and other people being offered re-bids but every time I tried it I got one try and that was it!! I am totally confused. Lurking on Biddingfortravel.com has been informative but I don't want to join the forum because of the way the moderator treats people if they are not 100% informed and follow the rules. Beginners make mistakes! I thought that the web site was supposed to help people and not scare them out of wanting to ask a question.

Just go to

www.betterbidding.com . The people on that board are way more friendly and willing to answer questions of beginners.

[QUOTE=christianj] There was no way to get a free re-bid because all of the other zones (area) also had 3* properties according to BFT.com. QUOTE]

Don't rely solely on the hotel data at BFT.com to determine what free rebids you have in a particular city. Because Priceline zones and hotel star levels change without notice, the data at BFT.com only gets updated as posters discover and report these changes.

Instead check the zones directly at Priceline's website as chtiet suggested. Check off each zone, one at a time, in order to see what the highest star quality is offered in that particular zone.

I just checked Montreal's zones, and you are correct about no "free rebids" when bidding 3 stars. However, if you bid 4* exclusively, you will have 3 free rebid opportunities.

if downtown was the only choice
then you may have been able to start at the 5* hotels
and work your way down to the 3 stars

but you need to put in the maximum priice you are willing to pay
as you cant lower your price

(I think)

My main problem with the last time I tried was that I wanted a 3* or better in Downtown Montreal Canada. The first time I bid I chose both 3 & 4 stars in the downtown area. There was no way to get a free re-bid because all of the other zones (area) also had 3* properties according to BFT.com. I didn't want to add another zone with 3* since I want to be in the downtown area.

check out www.biddingfortravel.com as well.

mascka, How is your PL exploration working out? I know it can seem a little overwhelming to assimilate all the knowledge and then begin researching right at first. However, if you review the FAQ's at the resources listed here, that will give you a good start. The next phase involves researching rates to determine if a bidding strategy is your best bet given what's available when you want it. Finally, you're ready to reserve your date(s) either conventionally or by bidding. Either way, you can feel confident knowing you paid as little as possible for the rates. ;)

Wishing Luck to Newbies in the PL Fog,

mrspilot