Using Hotwire / Priceline
 

Hi,

Would like to bid for hotel using hotwire / priceline,
for my weekend stay in LAX.

Would probably consider 3* or 3.5* LAX airport area,
and would like to hear some comments from current users of such bidding website.

Are the hotels under the category mentioned really near to LAX airport?
Will they provide me with a hotel that is not convenient?

Cheers,

Check out BiddingForTravel to view what other priceline bidding winners have successfully or successfully ended up getting in the L.A region (and elsewhere).

http://biddingfortravel.yuku.com/

Priceline site
 

There is also:
http://www.betterbidding.com/

I have no idea, which one is better, but you might want to check them both. :)

Before this thread gets whisked off to the Online Bidding forum.....

Yes, you will always get a good deal on LAX airport hotels on Priceline, you must select the Name Your Own Price feature. I have stayed in the LAX zone hundreds of times on PL bids, and every property I received at or above 2.5* was convenient to the airport. Do not bid below the 2.5* quality level, or you will get Zonked.

A bid of $70 for a 4* will most assuredly get you into the Sheraton or Westin, the only 4* hotels in the LAX zone. If not, add a nearby zone that doesn't have a 4* in it, for example Culver City, and increase your bid by $5.

Ignore all "information" provided by PL, for example do not increase your bid by $17 if requested. $5 will suffice.

You will always want to bid on 2.5* instead of 3*, and the 2.5* properties in the zone include the Courtyard. Likely as not, however, you will get the dreaded PL 3* upgrade which means the Hilton or Holiday Inn, dreaded because 3* hotels charge for stuff 2.5* properties often give away for free such as parking, internet, and breakfast. The LAX Holiday Inn will give you a room that has been smoked in, you are strongly advised to reject it and demand another.

On weekends only, bid $50-55 for 2.5* in the Manhattan Beach zone and you'll likely get the Residence Inn MB featuring full kitchens and free breakfast.

Read and study betterbidding.com . Like any skill, your PL skills will improve with practice.

When using Hotwire, check to be sure that the "Shuttle" amenity icon shows up. It's not 100% foolproof, but a hotel that purports to being near LAX and does not offer a shuttle might not be as close as anticipated (use Betterbidding's Hotwire lists to match amenity icons with potential hotels).