has anyone done this?

anyone done this in San Francisco?

what did you end up with?

Not in San Fran but have used it quite a bit for other trips. Works great but don't cancel your trip because there are NO refunds.

I have gotten some great rooms/hotels at really cheap prices.

Start early and try often. You will get a great deal.

What do you mean start early and try often?

I thought this was something you use close to your travel date. And also that once you bid and submit, you pretty much have to pay.

Can you explain your experience with the whole online process?

check out biddingfortravel.com or betterbidding.com


if you don't know what you're doing you can get screwed. read up on free rebid especially.

i got the intercontinental this summer for 175/night for 5 nights, but that was when there was a convention taking up every hotel in the area. you could find better.

http://www.betterbidding.com/index.php?showforum=432&

look there for recent prices and hotels that are being won.

Bidding on Priceline.com

If they accept your price, then you have to pay at that moment.

You cannot make the same bid until the next day. That is why you start early. It will give you time to get what you want.

I just got a 3.5 star in Dallas for three nights for $35 plus taxes. It is a new Holiday Inn Select and the pics look really nice.

I've used priceline over 100 times probably. Its great once you know what you're doing. Use betterbidding like was mentioned above and learn how to use "free re-bids" where you include zones that you know don't have the higher star hotels.

For work, I usually get $55-$60/nt for a 4* Houston Galleria area, $60-$70/nt for 4* Downtown Houston, and 4* in downtown Dallas for $45/nt.

I've also used it in NYC, Boston, Denver, and San Fransisco.

I have used it most for hotels. I second the betterbidding website for research. I stayed two nights in Hawaii prior to a conference in a 3 star for 1/4th of the cost that the conference resort would have charged (they are normally about 50-60% of the price).

I have used it once for an airline because I didn't care the times of day we flew and returned.

SF prices (if not during a citywide convention) should be $65-95 for a 4 star, downtown property.

Your best bet for a weekend is the Financial District. Quality hotels and they are slower on the weekend.

Study the star rankings and areas closely. Downtown and the touristy areas are easily accessible, no matter where you stay. If you're flexible, you can save a lot of money and/or stay at a much nicer hotel. This is one city you should splurge a little on both hotels and dining.

we've had great success with priceline for hotels and rental cars.

ok, i just did it.

I got the Sheraton Fisherman's Wharf for $75/night.

im happy with that.

How would this work for a rental car if you are searching for a mini van and unlimited mileage?

I did my car rental through priceline, but I didn't do name your own price.

I got a chevy impala for $14 a day + tax and unlimited miles through enterprise. For 3 days $66 Everyone else quoted me at ~$200

Priceline might be the greatest thing the internet has ever come up with.

I've rented cars from there, usually get one from Budget, I dont think most have mileage restrictions.

Be careful...

1) Rooms may be smoking rooms, no guarantee unless it's listed
2) Be leary of lower star properties, some are VERY poor.
3) I'm not certain, but don't know how they know how many beds you need so maybe not ideal if you need 2 beds.

Rooms a based on double occupancy.

Once I reserved a room and found out which hotel, I called them and made my requests for king and non smoking.

I use it for renting cars and hotels every time I travel. Cannot think of not having it around at my disposal.

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I have seen the enemy, and he is us.

Stayed at the Hilton on 6th in NYC a few years ago. $100/night July 4th weekend....

If I need to rent a mini-van from March 11 through March 20, when should I place the initial bid? Also, would I take 30% to 40% off the Hot-wire minimum price or another price to get a good ballpark figure?

Bid as early as possible. The bid price varies depending upon lots of factors. There is no formula to use.

____________________________________
I have seen the enemy, and he is us.