Need help with Priceline for MCO airport hotel

[PURTYPAT1]

I need a room at the airport or close to the airport for Nov. 8 th to the 9 (I won't have a rent a car till the next morning, on the 9th)

I Keep trying Priceline once a week, & put in Orlando Airport (3 star rating)
with 40.00

It keeps regecting saying try Again & check another Orlando area?

Should I check Flordia Mall, besides Orlando airport. Remember I won't have a rent a car until the next morning. I will need a shuttle from the airport, to the room & back, with the shuttle,to the airport the next am.

By the way, I signed up with www.BetterBidding.com for help, but they were suppose to send me an email, after I signed up they never sent me.

HELP need some pixie dust

Thanks

Patricia

 

[Lewisc]

1) Look at biddingfortravel.com to look at other winning bids.
2) DON'T GO BELOW 3* if you're going need a late shuttle. Some of the lower rated properties don't offer a 24 hour shuttle.
3) You can add a zone that only has 2.5* or lower properties and then increase your bid. You'll get a "free rebid". You're able to rebid but you'll only get a hotel in the airport zone.
4) You might as well keep trying every week. When it gets closer you may have to use the "free rebids" and inch your bid up to around $50.

 

[Rpsemont]

I would 2nd spending some time reading through www.biddingfortravel.com. It's really education, but they also like you to read what's there, not just jump in and ask the same questions that's already been asked. They have really detailed and informative FAQ's. Your bid of $40 might be alittle low based on recent winning bids, but you have plently of time to keep trying.

It keeps regecting saying try Again & check another Orlando area?

When I bid priceline, the first thing I do is check each zone individaully and see what hotel levels are available. I think Orlando has a few zones that only have 2 or 2.5* hotels. You can use these zones for your rebids. But you would only rebid to raise your offer price, You would bid 3* airport $40; then when it says try again, add a zone that only had 2* hotels and increase your bid to $45. That way if your request is still for a 3* hotel, it cannot be accomodated in the zone that only has 2.5* so you're ultimately "defaulted" back to the airport zone with a $45 bid. (This is really hard to explain) Just remember, never lower your star rating (especially after adding other zones) and to be save, check zones and star levels every time you go in to bid. You never know when the parameters are going to change. Good luck!

P.S. We've actually stayed at the MARRIot MCO 3 times with Priceline all for $35 bids, but that was a couple years ago and it seems to take a $45-$50 bid to get it now

 

[PURTYPAT1]

I would 2nd spending some time reading through www.biddingfortravel.com. It's really education, but they also like you to read what's there, not just jump in and ask the same questions that's already been asked. They have really detailed and informative FAQ's. Your bid of $40 might be alittle low based on recent winning bids, but you have plently of time to keep trying.

When I bid priceline, the first thing I do is check each zone individaully and see what hotel levels are available. I think Orlando has a few zones that only have 2 or 2.5* hotels. You can use these zones for your rebids. But you would only rebid to raise your offer price, You would bid 3* airport $40; then when it says try again, add a zone that only had 2* hotels and increase your bid to $45. That way if your request is still for a 3* hotel, it cannot be accomodated in the zone that only has 2.5* so you're ultimately "defaulted" back to the airport zone with a $45 bid. (This is really hard to explain) Just remember, never lower your star rating (especially after adding other zones) and to be save, check zones and star levels every time you go in to bid. You never know when the parameters are going to change. Good luck!

Rpsemont,

"Thank you" for the advice. It just seemed to make more sence with how you explained it above to me.

I have spent the last two hours reading up. I now get it. (I am slow but sure)

I am going to bid, this weekend.

Thanks for all the advice.

Patricia

 

[inkkognito]

DO NOT, I repeat, DO NOT go below the maximum star level for the Orlando Airport hotel area. If you do, you could end up in a LaQuinta that is a major slum. I know because I've gotten stuck with it a couple of times. The other hotels in that class are fine, but it's not worth the risk. At the top star level, it's usually the Marriot, Renaissance, or Holiday Inn Select, but $40 is rather high. You may want to check out Hotwire and pick one with "suite" amenities (there is a LaQuinta Suites that is different from the terrible LaQuinta, which does not have suites).
Barb

 

[MickeyMagic]

From www.biddingfortravel.com and www.betterbidding.com I have seen a trend upward in the amount of bids accepted. It is not uncommon to see a 3* MCO hotel in the upper 40 to mid 50 dollar range these days. You may need to increase your bid amount. As suggested, go to the websites mentioned and check the recent posts for going prices of accepted bids. Good luck!!

 

[melsmom303]

i just got the hyatt airport hotel for 87.00 on hotwire.

 

[SB in KY]

I agree with MickeyMagic...we used to book the 3* hotel rooms in the MCO area via Priceline for $38 - 40/night all the time without difficulty...lately however it looks like it is taking high $40's and often mid $50's to get a 3* room in that zone. Actually though all of the 3* hotels in that zone are very nice and would be worth the $50 or even $55 if you had to go that high. You might try a 2.5* property in that zone if you have flights that arrive before 9PM as a couple of the 2.5* properties quit running their shuttles at 10PM.

I would suggest going up to $45 on your next bid and if that did not work increase to $50 and even $55 if you need to. It is still a huge savings over conventional bookings...just not quite the bargain it used to be.

 

[Lewisc]

I agree with MickeyMagic...we used to book the 3* hotel rooms in the MCO area via Priceline for $38 - 40/night all the time without difficulty...lately however it looks like it is taking high $40's and often mid $50's to get a 3* room in that zone. Actually though all of the 3* hotels in that zone are very nice and would be worth the $50 or even $55 if you had to go that high. You might try a 2.5* property in that zone if you have flights that arrive before 9PM as a couple of the 2.5* properties quit running their shuttles at 10PM.

I would suggest going up to $45 on your next bid and if that did not work increase to $50 and even $55 if you need to. It is still a huge savings over conventional bookings...just not quite the bargain it used to be.

A cab ride is $10, that'll wipe out most of your savings by dropping to a 2.5*. I think even 9:00 is cutting it close. You have to get your luggage and your flight could get delayed.

PL is perfect for an airport hotel, it really doesn't matter where we sleep for a few hours. As more customers use PL the rates are coming up.

OP isn't going for months. Some hotel dump inventory in PL closer to the date. You might wait before you go above $40-$45.

 

[PURTYPAT1]

Lewisc, your right, I am in no hurry. I am willing to go up to 52.00 & no more.
Hopefully a 3* at or near the airport,(since I won't have a car till the next morn) Found the following prices :
3*** MCO AIRPORT
Holiday Inn Select - $132.95
Mariott Airport - $139
Renaissance - $149
Hyatt - $189
Sheraton - $229
Crowne Plaza - $126

I followed your directions with PL , and found all of the 2** listings (thankyou)

My information is: I would like to stay at or around the airport MCO

Orlando
11-08-05 to 11-09-05
1 room
3 star ***


Selected (1)
Orlando airport3*
kissimmee 2* 40.00 rejected
----------------------------
Selected (2)
Orlando airport 3*
kissimmee 2*
Orlando east 2* 43.00 rejected
-----------------------------------
Selected (3)
Orlando airport 3*
kissimmee 2*
Orlando east 2*
Florida mall 2* 47.00 rejected
----------------------------
Selected (4)
Orlando airport 3*
kissimmee 2*
Orlando east 2*
Florida mall 2*
winter park 2* 50.00 rejected
-----------------------------------
Selected (5)
Orlando airport 3*
kissimmee 2*
Orlando east 2*
Florida mall 2*
winter park 2*
west Disney area 2* $51.00 rejected
-------------------------------------
I then quit

My 72hr window is up Wednesday, and I can bid again. Any suggestions?

 

[Lewisc]

I wouldn't waste my time bidding now. Maybe once a week. Look at bft and see if anyone has any winning bids FOR YOUR EXACT DATES. You're probably bidding much too soon. I normally use PL less than one month from my trip.

 

[CarolA]

I am with Lewis, you are pretty early. You will probably pay more if you get it now. The hotels are hoping to sell those rooms at the rates you posted now. Have patience!

 

[melsmom303]

i just got the hyatt hotel right inside the airport for 87.00 on hotwire the hyatt wanted 200.00 im so happy btw mines for july.