Hotwire and Betterbidding Questions!!!

[WDWChick]

My DH and I want to stay at the Swan or Dolphin in Sept or Oct. I just heard that you can get either of these hotels on hotwire for less than $100. per night. Supposedly they used a site called betterbidding.com or something like that.
Can anyone tell me how to use this properly? I'm hoping for advice from some seasoned pro's like yourselves.
Any info would be great!

 

[SRUAlmn]

betterbidding.com helps you figure out which hotels are which when using Hotwire. I saw also that someone had gotten the dolphin for about $67/night and I have been looking day after day and the cheapest I have seen it for is $205. I have entered every date known to man and I still can't get it to be any cheaper. I was also told that on Mondays the rates are sometimes lower so I am on my way over to Hotwire right now. I know for the dolphin it has 4 stars, 7 amenities listed, and only check the box for Walt Disney World Area. www.betterbidding.com can tell you exactly which amenities because I can't remember exactly right now. I will post when I get home from work because I have it written down. GOOD LUCK! Let me know if you have any luck!

 

[aero99]

Bidding for travel is mainly for priceline (they seem to be anti-hotwire sometime). I have used both and got the dolphin on priceline. However, if you only want swan/dolphin and don't want off-site then you should use hotwire. (nothing is guaranteed on either site, but with hotwire you can use the symbols to figure out what hotel they are offering).

Make sure you are only in the WDW zone then look at the codes next to the 4-star hotels:

The codes for the dolphin are: 4-star, restaurant, pool, fitness, business, golf, tennis & laundry.

The codes for the swan are: 4-star, resort, restaurant, pool, fitness, business, golf, tennis, spa & laundry (although the laundry may not show up)

Good Luck!
Melissa

 

[G&J's Mom]

Betterbidding.com is a great bulletin board full of information on how to bid on Hotwire and Priceline. I visit there often and have had successful bids due to the info they supply there. Priceline is kind a shot in the dark, but with Hotwire it all about the amenities. People report back after successful bids and let you know what they won, what amenities icons, etc., so it gives you a better idea what hotels are currently available to bid on. There is also a hotel list with hotel amenities and the "possible" hotels you might win if you bid.

I think alot of people were successful getting the Swan on Hotwire for the summer. I was almost one, but I changed my travel dates and it no longer available with the new date. It was $97 a night.

Remember though, that there are no guarantees. Even if you think you are bidding on something you feel is for certain, there is a chance another hotel could pop up.

I hope this helps.

Denise

 

[WDWChick]

Thanks for all the great advice everyone!
There is ONE more question I had if someone could answer for me:
How far in advance should I check the hotwire prices? Do you get better prices if you book far in advance, or is it better to book it a month or two before?

 

[G&J's Mom]

I would check Hotwire everyday. Also again check betterbidding.com everyday and see if people are getting it and when they are getting it.

It was several months ago when I saw it on Hotwire for my summer dates, and it sold out within a few weeks. I think they only make so many rooms available and there is no rhyme or reason when it will appear or for how long. So if you see it and are "reasonably" sure it is the Swan/Dolphin, I would jump on it pretty quickly.

Good luck!!

Denise

 

[aero99]

Looks like Swan/Dolphin has some availabilty in September on Hotwire. A great way to check this and check the symbols for hotels to price a package. (You don't need to buy one but just make up some info). With the packages, hotwire shows you the hotel. For example, I used the package with airfare & car for late septermber, and both the Dolphin and Swan showed up.

Good Luck!
Melissa

 

[Disbug]

to get on PriceLine and Hotwire. They DO come up periodically throughout the year, but you have to be on the look out because before you know it they will disappear again. I was one of the lucky ones! I'm going this summer for one week in July for $69 a night at the Dolphin! I consider it a fabulous bargain! But, I had to hold my breath when I placed my bid on PriceLine... another hotel could have popped up. I was just lucky that night!