There has been some coverage of various Priceline bidding strategies to find the lowest price necessary for a successful bid given a particular geographical area and star-level. For instance, when Priceline first shows you the options for geographical area around the city you entered, there are often times several areas that only offer star-levels lower than the level you are interested in. For instance, you may be interested only in 3, 3.5, and 4 star hotels, but there may be certain areas where only 1 and 2 star hotels are available. Since Priceline shows you which areas offer which star levels, you can essentially take advantage of "free rebids" by selecting the additional geographic areas where no hotels matching your star-level are offered. These free rebids make it possible to feel out a price very close to the minimum while still obtaining your first choice in geographic area and star-level.
However, I recently stumbled across another strategy that I have used on several occasions with good results, namely, bidding using a closed credit card or with the wrong CID/CVV value. I actually stumbled across this by accident when bidding with one of my old stored cards that had been shut down and assigned a new account number by Citi.
Essentially, Priceline will go out and search for hotels to accept your offer without first authorizing your credit card. It will notify you if your price is too low to be accepted; but if your price was high enough for a successful bid, it will come back with an authorization declined message. It then gives you a form to enter new credit card information, which will then finalize the deal. Note that you still don't get to see which hotel accepted your offer until you enter new valid payment information, but this is important simply because it will let you know prior to committing to a particular price/geographical area whether or not it will be accepted.
In my particular case, I was able to use this strategy to compare the "bottom-dollar" prices of 3.5 star hotels in 2 different geographical areas, and make a booking decision accordingly.
the card i have in my Priceline account is expired, it lets me keep trying to name a price till i hate the amount they want, then it comes back about my card.............i can log out and back in and it starts over, works great for finding the price one name it
Out of curiosity, can you please list the property you ended up with, the dates, and the rate? I think this would also help others on this forum if they were looking for similar properties in that area.
Thanks!
BbeforeC
Member
posted: Mar. 23, 2009 @ 10:33a
This strategy is fully explained at betterbidding.com. They also have a list of hotels for Priceline & Hotwire, so you know where you'll be staying before finalizing the bid and if the area is not on the list.
scurrymurray
Broke Member
posted: Mar. 23, 2009 @ 10:56a
Be aware that this may not work in all cases. I have used this strategy successfully before, but one time I tried it and my bid was accepted even with wrong security code entered.
BbeforeC said: This strategy is fully explained at betterbidding.com. They also have a list of hotels for Priceline & Hotwire, so you know where you'll be staying before finalizing the bid and if the area is not on the list.
As valuable as Biddingfortravel.com and that other site are, there is NO guarantee that you are going to get a hotel on the their lists. I have received new hotels that were NOT on their list on at least ten occasions.
Bidding for an area an expecting a particular property will often lead to major disappointments.
Scotty2Hottie
Senior Member
posted: Mar. 23, 2009 @ 11:21a
I have used the site betterbidding for info on Priceline.
and have had some success with it.
San Diego bay Hilton for 97.00 weekend Santa Barbra hotel 1 block from beach for 110 a weekends
scurrymurray said: Be aware that this may not work in all cases. I have used this strategy successfully before, but one time I tried it and my bid was accepted even with wrong security code entered.
I second this.
kopitubruk
Member
posted: Mar. 23, 2009 @ 1:11p
So what happen after that? Just curious.
thegoodstuffsher
Tired Member
posted: Mar. 23, 2009 @ 3:38p
kopitubruk said: So what happen after that? Just curious.
tante said: I tried using a bad CID/CVV value and it accepted my bid and charged my card anyway so this is YMMV
The wrong CID/CVV is definitely YMMV, but the other option the OP stated is much better.
"bidding using a closed credit card or with the wrong CID/CVV value"
I've tried the strategy above and used a low fund prepaid gift card. That worked very well and using a closed credit card works well too. An expired credit card may not work too well because your card will get charged 90% of the time even if the expiration date is off.
calng said: tante said: I tried using a bad CID/CVV value and it accepted my bid and charged my card anyway so this is YMMV
The wrong CID/CVV is definitely YMMV, but the other option the OP stated is much better.
"bidding using a closed credit card or with the wrong CID/CVV value"
I've tried the strategy above and used a low fund prepaid gift card. That worked very well and using a closed credit card works well too. An expired credit card may not work too well because your card will get charged 90% of the time even if the expiration date is off.
Using wrong security code is bad advise. Security code is not essential for billing a CC. It is just an additional verification piece. You could be billed without a security code at all. But you could not be billed on a closed card with a valid number.
Seems that it would be easy enough to generate a virtual number with Citi for this purpose.
Oontis
Member
posted: Mar. 25, 2009 @ 7:46a
"BbeforeC said: This strategy is fully explained at betterbidding.com. They also have a list of hotels for Priceline & Hotwire, so you know where you'll be staying before finalizing the bid and if the area is not on the list.
As valuable as Biddingfortravel.com and that other site are, there is NO guarantee that you are going to get a hotel on the their lists. I have received new hotels that were NOT on their list on at least ten occasions.
Bidding for an area an expecting a particular property will often lead to major disappointments. "
Well then if you were to sumbit the hotels that you won that WERE NOT on their list as you are supposed to, then the moderators would add those hotels to the list and the next person will not get screwed. That is how the website works. I hope you already did that, and I hope you are not trying to insult their site as biddingfortravel.com has helped me tremendously in the past.
Yes I too have once or twice gotten a hotel that wasn't on their list. I simply submitted my bid, where I won and requested they add it to the list to help future bidders. We all need to help out sites like that for all of our mutual benefits.
Oontis said: "BbeforeC said: This strategy is fully explained at betterbidding.com. They also have a list of hotels for Priceline & Hotwire, so you know where you'll be staying before finalizing the bid and if the area is not on the list.
As valuable as Biddingfortravel.com and that other site are, there is NO guarantee that you are going to get a hotel on the their lists. I have received new hotels that were NOT on their list on at least ten occasions.
Bidding for an area an expecting a particular property will often lead to major disappointments. "
Well then if you were to sumbit the hotels that you won that WERE NOT on their list as you are supposed to, then the moderators would add those hotels to the list and the next person will not get screwed. That is how the website works. I hope you already did that, and I hope you are not trying to insult their site as biddingfortravel.com has helped me tremendously in the past.
Yes I too have once or twice gotten a hotel that wasn't on their list. I simply submitted my bid, where I won and requested they add it to the list to help future bidders. We all need to help out sites like that for all of our mutual benefits.
First, if you are going to quote me, get the quote attributed to the right person.
Second, I would be happy to contribute new properties to Biddingfortravel.com BUT I, like many others, have been banned from the site decause I do not use all of her links to book my Priceline stays (preferring to get the FatWallet Cash Back bonus for using THIS site). The moderator has driven off a substantial number of users with her poor (and usually hostile) attitude. All you need to do is to head over to Flyertalk.com for a litany of issues with the Biddingfortravel moderator.
Third, with the presence of Hotwire and the ability to rebid on Priceline after only 24 hours (as opposed to the old policy of 72 hours), we have found it more advantageous to low-ball for a few days rather than following historical bids, especially in the current economic environment where hotel rates are dropping like a rock.
Oontis
Member
posted: Mar. 26, 2009 @ 7:42a
jlawrence01 said: Oontis said: "BbeforeC said: This strategy is fully explained at betterbidding.com. They also have a list of hotels for Priceline & Hotwire, so you know where you'll be staying before finalizing the bid and if the area is not on the list.
As valuable as Biddingfortravel.com and that other site are, there is NO guarantee that you are going to get a hotel on the their lists. I have received new hotels that were NOT on their list on at least ten occasions.
Bidding for an area an expecting a particular property will often lead to major disappointments. "
Well then if you were to sumbit the hotels that you won that WERE NOT on their list as you are supposed to, then the moderators would add those hotels to the list and the next person will not get screwed. That is how the website works. I hope you already did that, and I hope you are not trying to insult their site as biddingfortravel.com has helped me tremendously in the past.
Yes I too have once or twice gotten a hotel that wasn't on their list. I simply submitted my bid, where I won and requested they add it to the list to help future bidders. We all need to help out sites like that for all of our mutual benefits.
First, if you are going to quote me, get the quote attributed to the right person.
Second, I would be happy to contribute new properties to Biddingfortravel.com BUT I, like many others, have been banned from the site decause I do not use all of her links to book my Priceline stays (preferring to get the FatWallet Cash Back bonus for using THIS site). The moderator has driven off a substantial number of users with her poor (and usually hostile) attitude. All you need to do is to head over to Flyertalk.com for a litany of issues with the Biddingfortravel moderator.
Third, with the presence of Hotwire and the ability to rebid on Priceline after only 24 hours (as opposed to the old policy of 72 hours), we have found it more advantageous to low-ball for a few days rather than following historical bids, especially in the current economic environment where hotel rates are dropping like a rock.
Sorry, I don't post much, so I just copied and pasted your post which included the guy above you.
HOWEVER, I do agree that she is often annoying and has hassled me a time or two about not using her links. Here are a few options. I don't know about the numbers behind the site but I presume she gets frustrated because she provides a decent, reasonably well organized site that has a huge amount of information that has saved me MANY thousands of dollars over the last few years. Either use her links for that to provide her a tiny amount of revenue and then use her forums to get your best price, or LIE TO HER and tell her "as always used the A/B link" and its not like she can ever find out. That way we benefit because you post your new hotel stays, and she doesn't crap her pants because someone didn't follow her instructions to the "t".
Just my opinion meant to help the greater good and not get into squabbles with a grumpy moderator.
I love doing this when bidding for rental cars...while rental cars are the same I dont use any such strategy for hotels because rooms obviously vary as per the hotel and dont want to risk staying in any type of hotel...
ssemovsk said: www.Biddingfortravel.com Best site around once you figure out how to navigate thru it
I found the lady who runs the site to be over-the-top rude, so started using better bidding and bidlesstravel instead.
Bidlesstravel uses a database rather than post to a forum, which makes doing searches/queries that much easier/faster.
Edit: was going to link to my profile over there, but that's not allowed, I see...need friend requests.
PolarDude
Senior Member - 1K
posted: Mar. 28, 2009 @ 1:23a
Oontis said: or LIE TO HER and tell her "as always used the A/B link" and its not like she can ever find out. That way we benefit because you post your new hotel stays, and she doesn't crap her pants because someone didn't follow her instructions to the "t".
Just my opinion meant to help the greater good and not get into squabbles with a grumpy moderator.
She WILL know. She can check to see if she has any commissions pending, and when she doesn't, she'll probably be even MORE pissed off, and may ban you from the site. The people at betterbidding.com also can tell, and get mad as well. Why doesn't fatwallet start their own knockoff of these sites in the travel forum or a sub forum? Because the forum gods on those sites are so rude, I don't post my winning bids. I do view their site often though.
PolarDude said: Oontis said: or LIE TO HER and tell her "as always used the A/B link" and its not like she can ever find out. That way we benefit because you post your new hotel stays, and she doesn't crap her pants because someone didn't follow her instructions to the "t".
Just my opinion meant to help the greater good and not get into squabbles with a grumpy moderator.
She WILL know. She can check to see if she has any commissions pending, and when she doesn't, she'll probably be even MORE pissed off, and may ban you from the site. The people at betterbidding.com also can tell, and get mad as well. Why doesn't fatwallet start their own knockoff of these sites in the travel forum or a sub forum? Because the forum gods on those sites are so rude, I don't post my winning bids. I do view their site often though.
She in fact does know if you do or don't bid through her links. Not only that, she will stalk you on the other boards and if you post info there and not on her board, she bans you also. I haven't used Priceline in the last few years because I now have kids and usually prefer to book guaranteed 2 queen bedding, but before kids, I used Priceline and biddingfortravel and betterbidding alot. I also use Priceline for friends/family and saved them a lot of money.
jlawrence01 said: Second, I would be happy to contribute new properties to Biddingfortravel.com BUT I, like many others, have been banned from the site decause I do not use all of her links to book my Priceline stays (preferring to get the FatWallet Cash Back bonus for using THIS site). The moderator has driven off a substantial number of users with her poor (and usually hostile) attitude. All you need to do is to head over to Flyertalk.com for a litany of issues with the Biddingfortravel moderator. /Q]
I concur, I went to her site while on a work computer. I emailed her that I wanted to support her site and click through but the links were blocked. Her response was to ban me because I did not use her links to book my room.
I have been using the strategy for the last year with my D-Land passes and have consistently gotten 3.5* rooms for appx. $45 per night (Hyatt, Hilton Suites,etc) all of the Disneyland area hotels we stayed at either have their own shuttle or are serviced by the ART!
Use betterbidding.com it's the best and reliable. BFT also is known to have fake info posted there by the owner.
Kaubry
Broke Member
posted: Mar. 29, 2009 @ 2:48a
I have bid on travel through Priceline and used a card that was supposed to be closed and ended up being charged for the room. A nice mistake. I would definitely use at your own risk or use a pre-paid card with a low balance.
Betterbidding.com is the best in my opinion of the websites out there. Hotwire and Priceline are always adding new hotels but everytime I've used their lists against the features shown before purchase about the hotels it's been spot on.
danhouston
Member
posted: Mar. 29, 2009 @ 5:38p
brokedude said: PolarDude said: Oontis said: or LIE TO HER and tell her "as always used the A/B link" and its not like she can ever find out. That way we benefit because you post your new hotel stays, and she doesn't crap her pants because someone didn't follow her instructions to the "t".
Just my opinion meant to help the greater good and not get into squabbles with a grumpy moderator.
She WILL know. She can check to see if she has any commissions pending, and when she doesn't, she'll probably be even MORE pissed off, and may ban you from the site. The people at betterbidding.com also can tell, and get mad as well. Why doesn't fatwallet start their own knockoff of these sites in the travel forum or a sub forum? Because the forum gods on those sites are so rude, I don't post my winning bids. I do view their site often though.
She in fact does know if you do or don't bid through her links. Not only that, she will stalk you on the other boards and if you post info there and not on her board, she bans you also. I haven't used Priceline in the last few years because I now have kids and usually prefer to book guaranteed 2 queen bedding, but before kids, I used Priceline and biddingfortravel and betterbidding alot. I also use Priceline for friends/family and saved them a lot of money.
now i know why my account was recently banned. since i wasn't sure, i took the time to send an email to find out the reason why but no reply. all i remember is that i recently posted a winning bid on biddingfortravel to share / inform info to other members. frankly, i forgot to use its link to Priceline but thought that she might have sent me a warning or something before banning my account. to me, it's insensitive and unfriendly
The lady that ruins bidding for travel is rude as sin (it's too bad she's her own worst enemy).
Just read what others have posted on the site (keep in mind the data isn't as good as it used to be), then use ebates to get 2% back (for you).
UPDATE: Thanks for the info on www.betterbidding.com & www.bidlesstravel.com - I didn't know about them but will give 'em a shot.
Oontis
Member
posted: Mar. 30, 2009 @ 10:18a
slappycakes said: The lady that ruins bidding for travel is rude as sin (it's too bad she's her own worst enemy).
Just read what others have posted on the site (keep in mind the data isn't as good as it used to be), then use ebates to get 2% back (for you).
UPDATE: Thanks for the info on www.betterbidding.com & www.bidlesstravel.com - I didn't know about them but will give 'em a shot.
Okay, so she is a flat out horrible person. I stand corrected from my two previous posts. I have only used her links 1-2 times and posted 8-10 times and only rarely have an issue. I didn't realize her meanness was this widespread. I wish it weren't the case because I have found biddingfortravel.com historically to be MUCH more up to date and accurate than betterbidding.com for the areas I bid in typically for Priceline stuff, although Hotwire info isn't at bft.
I am really glad to now know about bidlesstravel.com as I never knew about that one. From the home page it seems like they actually know what they are doing and they are trying to provide a good user friendly alternative. The mods should not be so bitter that a few people do not use their links and they should just be glad people are using their site and making it so advertisers will actually pay to be on their site. Also if the mods scare people away then they likely scare away many others who don't want to deal with the mod's crap (these posts are "case in point")
UPDATE: bidlesstravel.com looks nice and might be helpful in the future but it seems to me that there are no bids for any states that I wanted to look at. And it seemed that there are no hotels posted for certain "zones". For now I am sticking with bft for Priceline and betterbidding for Hotwire unless a future post here makes a compelling point on where else we can get info from and post info that can help everyone mutually.
here is how I do it. browse both betterbidding and biddingfortravel and if you need help, post on betterbidding. the mod is much nicer and doesn't make you go through 13 steps just to post. And if you want to help him out, click through his links.
danhouston
Member
posted: Mar. 30, 2009 @ 3:21p
dttmnguyen said: brokedude said: PolarDude said: Oontis said: or LIE TO HER and tell her "as always used the A/B link" and its not like she can ever find out. That way we benefit because you post your new hotel stays, and she doesn't crap her pants because someone didn't follow her instructions to the "t".
Just my opinion meant to help the greater good and not get into squabbles with a grumpy moderator.
She WILL know. She can check to see if she has any commissions pending, and when she doesn't, she'll probably be even MORE pissed off, and may ban you from the site. The people at betterbidding.com also can tell, and get mad as well. Why doesn't fatwallet start their own knockoff of these sites in the travel forum or a sub forum? Because the forum gods on those sites are so rude, I don't post my winning bids. I do view their site often though.
She in fact does know if you do or don't bid through her links. Not only that, she will stalk you on the other boards and if you post info there and not on her board, she bans you also. I haven't used Priceline in the last few years because I now have kids and usually prefer to book guaranteed 2 queen bedding, but before kids, I used Priceline and biddingfortravel and betterbidding alot. I also use Priceline for friends/family and saved them a lot of money.
now i know why my account was recently banned. since i wasn't sure, i took the time to send an email to find out the reason why but no reply. all i remember is that i recently posted a winning bid on biddingfortravel to share / inform info to other members. frankly, i forgot to use its link to Priceline but thought that she might have sent me a warning or something before banning my account. to me, it's insensitive and unfriendly
does anyone know any trick of how to get the account unbanned on bft? or is she the only person can do it? if i were to able to log back in,i just want to view info but not post or mess with anything else since i now know why...
MaximoSE
Member
posted: Mar. 31, 2009 @ 3:25p
ssemovsk said: www.Biddingfortravel.com Best site around once you figure out how to navigate thru it
WORD. I love that site. Saved me many $$$$$$$s.
I do have to agree, the mod there (Sheryl) can be pretty mean at times.
The one thing that you need to be careful of in this economy is that you do not overpay.
For example, I wanted a 3* or better property in Raleigh, NC this past weekend. BFT showed that most people looking for a 3* were getting the 3* Hyatt Place for $44, which is not a bad rate.
However, I decided to start at $25, albeit a real low-ball rate, knowing that I had four or five free rebids. No success until I hit $30 when there was a counter offer of $38. I ended up in my preferred area at $35 at the Holiday Inn - Raleigh North.
Had I blindly followed the BFT history, I would have ended up at the Holiday Inn at $44.
A few years back, an unsuccessful bidding session meant a 72 hour wait brfore you could try again. Now the wait is only 24 hours so that you can rebid again the next day if you are not immediately successful.
I think you have to understand that BFT is probably her sole source of income. Sooo, when you don't use the referral links after using the information on her website, you are literally taking money from her pocket.
I think I used the site once and already had the PL website open so didn't use the link....was reminded....but a little terse....as with many things.. ."pay to play". If it saved you money via the site, it's no skin off your back to go thru a referral link. Though I agree, have to learn the site layout first....after that....not too bad
danhouston
Member
posted: Apr. 2, 2009 @ 9:45a
dgoedken said: I think you have to understand that BFT is probably her sole source of income. Sooo, when you don't use the referral links after using the information on her website, you are literally taking money from her pocket.
I think I used the site once and already had the PL website open so didn't use the link....was reminded....but a little terse....as with many things.. ."pay to play". If it saved you money via the site, it's no skin off your back to go thru a referral link. Though I agree, have to learn the site layout first....after that....not too bad
i'm aware of that, but banning people's account after one or two posts and without a reminder / warning was not cool. people at times may have forgotten to use the link; so it should help to remind or forewarn. i can understand that the reason for banning after a few times but not after once. at any way, to me it's just the principle; a little more friendly and understanding can go a long way to further help the business. bft is a well-informed & helpful site, but it were not the only one out there that people can't do without
danhouston
Member
posted: Apr. 4, 2009 @ 12:43p
dttmnguyen said: dgoedken said: I think you have to understand that BFT is probably her sole source of income. Sooo, when you don't use the referral links after using the information on her website, you are literally taking money from her pocket.
I think I used the site once and already had the PL website open so didn't use the link....was reminded....but a little terse....as with many things.. ."pay to play". If it saved you money via the site, it's no skin off your back to go thru a referral link. Though I agree, have to learn the site layout first....after that....not too bad
i'm aware of that, but banning people's account after one or two posts and without a reminder / warning was not cool. people at times may have forgotten to use the link; so it should help to remind or forewarn. i can understand that the reason for banning after a few times but not after once. at any way, to me it's just the principle; a little more friendly and understanding can go a long way to further help the business. bft is a well-informed & helpful site, but it were not the only one out there that people can't do without
my account has recently been active open again; the bft's owner might have read my post here
dttmnguyen said: dttmnguyen said: brokedude said: PolarDude said: Oontis said: or LIE TO HER and tell her "as always used the A/B link" and its not like she can ever find out. That way we benefit because you post your new hotel stays, and she doesn't crap her pants because someone didn't follow her instructions to the "t".
Just my opinion meant to help the greater good and not get into squabbles with a grumpy moderator.
She WILL know. She can check to see if she has any commissions pending, and when she doesn't, she'll probably be even MORE pissed off, and may ban you from the site. The people at betterbidding.com also can tell, and get mad as well. Why doesn't fatwallet start their own knockoff of these sites in the travel forum or a sub forum? Because the forum gods on those sites are so rude, I don't post my winning bids. I do view their site often though.
She in fact does know if you do or don't bid through her links. Not only that, she will stalk you on the other boards and if you post info there and not on her board, she bans you also. I haven't used Priceline in the last few years because I now have kids and usually prefer to book guaranteed 2 queen bedding, but before kids, I used Priceline and biddingfortravel and betterbidding alot. I also use Priceline for friends/family and saved them a lot of money.
now i know why my account was recently banned. since i wasn't sure, i took the time to send an email to find out the reason why but no reply. all i remember is that i recently posted a winning bid on biddingfortravel to share / inform info to other members. frankly, i forgot to use its link to Priceline but thought that she might have sent me a warning or something before banning my account. to me, it's insensitive and unfriendly
does anyone know any trick of how to get the account unbanned on bft? or is she the only person can do it? if i were to able to log back in,i just want to view info but not post or mess with anything else since i now know why...
Sheryl runs her site like a little kingdom.
I was banned and was never given a reason.
I used the links that she provided.
Sheryl is like the "Soup Nazi" from the Seinfeld tv show, except she is the Priceline version. She provides a service but can be so grumpy that you want nothing to do with her. The people who use the site are also content providers though and they too should be appreciated.
(edited for poor spelling on my part)
danhouston
Member
posted: Apr. 5, 2009 @ 10:57a
dttmnguyen said: dgoedken said: I think you have to understand that BFT is probably her sole source of income. Sooo, when you don't use the referral links after using the information on her website, you are literally taking money from her pocket.
I think I used the site once and already had the PL website open so didn't use the link....was reminded....but a little terse....as with many things.. ."pay to play". If it saved you money via the site, it's no skin off your back to go thru a referral link. Though I agree, have to learn the site layout first....after that....not too bad
i'm aware of that, but banning people's account after one or two posts and without a reminder / warning was not cool. people at times may have forgotten to use the link; so it should help to remind or forewarn. i can understand that the reason for banning after a few times but not after once. at any way, to me it's just the principle; a little more friendly and understanding can go a long way to further help the business. bft is a well-informed & helpful site, but it were not the only one out there that people can't do without
if all the site's users can view and share info without being concerned of getting banned or scolded for forgetting to use the link, i'm sure that we can see more up-to-date or helpful info that will help us all make wiser bids on Priceline
if all the site's users can view and share info without being concerned of getting banned or scolded for forgetting to use the link, i'm sure that we can see more up-to-date or helpful info that will help us all make wiser bids on Priceline
No kidding. If the current owner of the site would disassociate herself from the site, you would have literally THOUSANDS of people (many of whom are over at Flyertalk) who would start posting on that site again. I have 20-30 winning bids per year that I could contribute but I am not going to put up with the moderator's BS.
"clearly" might be a little strong; the brownshirts have been lax as of late, perhaps having read the writing on the proverbial ban wall. (or you simply flew under the radar until we show Sheryl your post!)
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