For those who have used priceline...

[PhotobearSam]

I was thinking of using priceline for a trip to Indianapolis in April but I don't know how close to the date to start bidding.

I looked at biddingfortravel.com but it can be confusing.

How long to wait to try it...Now or a few months from now, ...in January...A week before...???

Just wondering.

There is a big convention there DH wants to go to and I want to make it happen.

 

[deltachi8]

I would think its too early, now. Boon a cnacleable backup resrevation and keep checking biddingfortravel.com

 

[Michelemouse]

We did a California trip in 2002, traveling from Napa to San Diego, and used Priceline for about 1/2 of our nights. I booked about 10 months in advance so I'd say you could start trying now.

Good luck.

 

[tinaluis]

I'd start trying now too. With a big convention to contend with, the rooms may fill up quickly. I realize biddingfortravel.com can be intimidating but it really is a valuable source of information. Even if you don't ask for a bidding strategy, definitely check the Indianapolis posts to see what rooms have gone for so it's not a total shot in the dark. Good luck!

 

[powellrj]

we have used priceline for hotels in Indy several times. Do you want to stay downtown? If so, just go to www.biddingfortravel.com and check out the hotel list. They list the hotels that have come up in the past for different parts of the city. Just remember that when you stay downtown, most of the hotels charge extra for parking. If you are going on a weekend, on- street parking is free. You have plenty of time, so I would just check the posts of others at this point to get a feel for what you would be willing to pay and what others are getting the rooms for in that area. We usually bid 3*s and have always gotten the Marriott when we stay downtown. We usually pay $35 or $40 a night, plus the tax and priceline fee. Good luck!!

 

[SamSam]

I use Priceline on a regular basis. IMHO, you could start bidding now, and just rebid on a weekly basis if your first bid is not accepted. We love Priceline for those times when we don't have a particular place we have to stay. Priceline has saved us $$$$ over the years. Taking the time to read through the 'bidding for travel site' is invaluable.

 

[Misty89]

i used priceline last week for our trip to six flags great america july 17th-18th .

i had bid to low and got a second chance a few days later....scored the Hampton Inn
in the middle of summer for 42$ /night.came to 53.54 $ with tax. ( i am excited because the
same room goes for $129/nt weekend rate ( staurday stay only)


i have also also used it before, about the same time frame, about 5 weeks before we plan to go.

ps edited to add that i was bidding on 1*.....after my bid was excepted, i was upgraded to a 2*. ( for free)

Tina

good luck bidding!

 

[momsully]

I have used both priceline and hotwire but find hotwire to be better for hotels. You know the price and using betterbidding and bidding for travel you can often times figure out the hotel before you book. Good luck.

 

[KLAIT]

We use Priceline all the time...I love it...but, it does help to use BIDDINGFORTRAVEL. Like everyone else said, even if you don't ask for assistance, look at what everyone is posting under your city.....and understanding free rebids can be very important.

I too would start bidding already...like someone else said about once per week..have won bids as far out as 11 months before too.

Misty89--we are heading to Great America on Sunday and also received the Hampton Inn for 3 nights! The location cannot be beat..you are almost in the parking lot...and at more than 50% off the lowest rate for the hotel......Keeping our fingers crossed for great weather!!!

 

[PhotobearSam]

Thanks for all the info guys...

powellrj----- We are going for a convention at the Indiana COnvention Center at the end of April 21-24, 2005. Would the Marriot be close to that convention center?

Thanks for all the info...

 

[KLAIT]

PhotobearSam

I read the reviews for the Marriott Downtown on Biddingfortravel and in the first review it states that this hotel is connected to the Convention Center.....through a walkway.

But, keep in mind that there are other hotels in the Downtown area that you could possibly win....check out the hotel list in the above mentioned site.

 

[powellrj]

Originally posted by PhotobearSam
Thanks for all the info guys...

powellrj----- We are going for a convention at the Indiana COnvention Center at the end of April 21-24, 2005. Would the Marriot be close to that convention center?

Thanks for all the info...

Yes Marriott is the closest to the convention center. It's right across the street! Good Luck, there is a lot to do in downtown Indy all withing walking distance, so you should have a wonderful time!!

 

[robinb]

Make sure you check availability at the hotels that come up in the area you wish to bid. If it's a big convention, rooms may be sold out even now. If rates are really high, then Priceline won't help you. Conventions usually release any extra blocked rooms about 5-6 weeks before the convention dates, so you may be bidding until the last minute. Book a cancelable backup now before you bid and good luck!

 

[Misty89]

Misty89--we are heading to Great America on Sunday and also received the Hampton Inn for 3 nights! The location cannot be beat..you are almost in the parking lot...and at more than 50% off the lowest rate for the hotel......Keeping our fingers crossed for great weather!!!

Hope the weather is ok for you down there! - we wanted to go to the milwaukee zoo today, but looks like a dense fog advisory atleast this am - mabye will burn up by noon.......


that is so cool you got hampton Inn also , and yes, for sure cannot ask for a better rate!!!!!!!!

.......i am glad you mentioned about being so close to the park we cant wait to go!!!
PS when you get back can you post how the continential breakfast was?


thanks.......

hoping to see a FUN trip report from your trip to SIX FLAGS!!!!!!


Tina

 

[Misty89]

bumping

 

[Disneycrazymom]

Have any of you used priceline for a room on the road? We will need to spend the night in Georgia on our way to the cruise, it would be nice to save a little money on the room.

 

[wmarsich]

We bid on priceline a couple of weeks ago to stay "on the road" for a trip we were making from NC to NY. We do the same trip each year. Last year we didn't make any reservations and just assumed we would stop whenever we got tired - we paid almost $90 for a very cheap motel! This year we booked a room at a Fairfield through priceline in Pittsbugh (right off the interstate) for $25! It's the way to go. The only warning I give you is to make sure you don't overshoot how far you can travel (as we did). We ended up getting to the hotel waaay too late because I misjudged the time it would take for travel!

 

[KLAIT]

Check your PM'S!

 

[Disneycrazymom]

Thanks very much. We have made the drive several times so I can guess pretty closely. I know I want to stop early enough for the kids to swim for a bit, that will help them sleep better and be less antsy in the car the 2nd day.