trilinearmipmap Posted November 25, 2006 #1 Share Posted November 25, 2006 My wife and I are going on a cruise from Miami April 22nd. I tried to book one night pre-cruise on Priceline for Saturday April 21st. I tried for a four-star downtown Miami hotel and made several bids up to $92.00 and I keep getting rejected. I see other people getting the same hotel in wintertime for around $85.00, and I figured it would be cheaper in April. Since I have never used Priceline before I have a few questions about how to do this the best. 1. Is it correct that the hotel ought to be cheaper in April than in December in Miami? 2. Should I wait until closer to the date of the cruise for Priceline prices to come down? 3. Is there something I don't know about, like a holiday, sports event or huge conference, on that weekend that is keeping prices up? (I am from Canada and I don't know the local American holidays or events). Any help with this will be much appreciated. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jeanne B Posted November 25, 2006 #2 Share Posted November 25, 2006 Mid to late April is spring break for a lot of schools and colleges, much busier time than say early December so prices are likely to be high. I've only used priceline a couple of times and both times was less than a month from check-in date. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dgonza Posted November 25, 2006 #3 Share Posted November 25, 2006 be sure to check out www.biddingfortravel.com It has great pointers for using priceline. I booked a sheraton on fll beach during spring break for 1 precruise night. Regular price was $339, I got it on priceline for $140 after doing my homework on the biddingfortravel site. Good luck! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bequia Posted November 25, 2006 #4 Share Posted November 25, 2006 Have a traditional reservation in place with the hotel of your choice. Continue trying PL up until your travel date. If nothing comes thru on PL at least you have a regular reservation to fall back on. If PL comes thru for you cancel the regular reservation. Don't give up, good luck. ;) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dmk Posted November 25, 2006 #5 Share Posted November 25, 2006 I am from Canada Make sure you are registered on Priceline with an address that can be interpreted as being an American address. Also Priceline won't accept Canadian Visa cards. I have an American Express Card that I use for Priceline. I mention these things because not complying can result in not having your bid accepted. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
teaach Posted November 26, 2006 #6 Share Posted November 26, 2006 I also had trouble with Priceline. I wanted to book the IC in Miami for 4/21/07 precruise on the Valor. They did not accept my bids up to $125. for one night, so I used Hotwire. I booked the IC (customer favorite with a laundry center, 4 stars in Downtown Miami clues) and I got the IC for $179. Still alot cheaper than the hotel's site rate of $379. Hope this helps. I probably need some more Priceline education! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
KAWS Posted November 26, 2006 #7 Share Posted November 26, 2006 I got a really great deal using expedia.ca. It was a LOT cheaper than anywhere online and I wanted to know what hotel I was getting and the exact location. Kim Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
trilinearmipmap Posted November 26, 2006 Author #8 Share Posted November 26, 2006 Thanks for all the advice, I appreciate it, I guess I will raise my bid up to just below the Hotwire price and if I don't get it I can book on Hotwire. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CanuckCruizer Posted November 26, 2006 #9 Share Posted November 26, 2006 trilinearmipmap - We have used Priceline and we are from Canada. They DO take Canadian credit cards - we used our Mastercard. We got Hyatt Pier 66 in April of last year for $160 (I believe the hotel's price at that time was close to $400) - March and April are much higher than the winter months due to spring break/Easter time. We are going on two cruises next year - one in late March and one in early October and the hotel rates are like night and day! For example, we can get one hotel for $170/nite in October and the same hotel in March/April is $379/nite - just to give you an idea. If you bid up to $150 or so, you may have better luck. Someone mentioned expedia - every time I have checked a price on expedia - booking with the hotel directly has always been cheaper. Don't forget that the hotels accept Canadian automobile cards (like BCAA) as being equivalent to their American AAA - which can save you sometimes 30% off your room. Good luck! Canuck Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
trilinearmipmap Posted November 27, 2006 Author #10 Share Posted November 27, 2006 OK so far I have bid up to $115.00 with no luck, will try again tomorrow. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cruisejunkie136 Posted November 27, 2006 #11 Share Posted November 27, 2006 I have also been rejected by Priceline. I have been trying to get the IC for weeks now for a one night pre-cruise stay for April 3-4, 2007. No luck yet but I refuse to pay the published rate. Keep on trying, After the first few rejects you stop taking it personal :D :D Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Infinatic Posted November 29, 2006 #12 Share Posted November 29, 2006 I was able to book Springhill Suites by Marriott Miami Airport South for $75.00 on my first bid... January 17th. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jaxon41 Posted November 29, 2006 #13 Share Posted November 29, 2006 We tried Priceline over Thanksgiving, for March 4th pre-cruise night. Bidding 4 star downtown which is either IC or Hyatt. We went up to 100, I believe, so interesting to know you went to 115. We went to Hotwire and booked the Hyatt for 116, excluding taxes. After all our searching, and Pricelining, we felt this was a decent price, and we were tired of hasseling. Will be interested in the final resolution to your problem. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
trilinearmipmap Posted November 29, 2006 Author #14 Share Posted November 29, 2006 Refused again up to $165.00 I am fed up with Priceline and I have wasted enough time on it. The hotel is not available on Hotwire right now. I am thinking of trying Easy Click travel. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
trilinearmipmap Posted November 29, 2006 Author #15 Share Posted November 29, 2006 Refused again up to $165.00 I am fed up with Priceline and I have wasted enough time on it. The hotel is not available on Hotwire right now. I am thinking of trying Easy Click travel. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kathyh1313 Posted November 29, 2006 #16 Share Posted November 29, 2006 It may be early to get a room on Priceline for late April. Hotels must release rooms to Priceline for them to be available. Do not get discouraged. Book a room for the date you need via another source at a price you are ok with. Just make sure it is a cancellable reservation. Then continue to bid on Priceline. I was getting frustrated by Priceline for a room in Fort Lauderdale in January. Started bidding in August. In early October my bid was accepted. So November may be too early for a room the end of April. Doesn't matter how high you bid, if the hotel has not released rooms to Priceline. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
trilinearmipmap Posted November 29, 2006 Author #17 Share Posted November 29, 2006 Sorry for the double post. Booked on EasyClick Travel for $185.00 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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