How to use Priceline to get hotels cheaper (VGC RELATED NOT A SPAMBOT)

Firestorm · May 5th, 2011, 12:47:13 AM

Alright, a good amount of people are going to be traveling to their VGC locations and require hotels for the night before / after the tournament. Recently I discovered Priceline and it is really quite useful for getting cheap rate, but it's a little risky.

Priceline has a feature called "Name Your Price" (first search, then click the Name Your Price tab). Essentially, you choose a minimum star rating, region of the city, and a price. The system them either rejects your bid or automatically accepts it and gives you a hotel. You don't get to choose which one. It picks one that fits your criteria. If you play it smart, you can get some great deals.

That's where I'll try to provide some direction. Sites like BetterBidding are set up where people list what prices they bid in what area to get the hotels they wanted during specific dates. You can do some research and see what's available in the area of the venues that VGC regionals will be taking place.

Seattle
By using 4 stars, Seattle-Downtown, and bidding between about $75 and $85, I'm seeing people grabbing the Sheraton and Hyatt which are about a one block away and both great hotels.

Dallas
I see someone won the Sheraton for $55 using 3.5* in Arlington-Grand Prairie. Not much in the way of stats here.

Indianapolis
I'm seeing 4* search for Indianapolis-Downtown coming up for people with the Marriott Downtown, Hyatt Regency, University Place, and Westin for about $45 - $60. All of which are within walking distance of the Indiana Convention Centre.

Sorry, the other locations kinda confused me as I'm not good with the US. If someone could help out that'd be great. I'll try and look 'em up later. I take no responsibility for what you might get from this. I'm just providing some tips. It's a little risky, but I used the service to stay downtown Toronto for cheap and it was great! Seems to be better for major cities I'd say.

skarm · May 5th, 2011, 11:15:56 AM

Hahahahaha....

**ΩDonut** · May 5th, 2011, 11:45:46 AM

I almost deleted this because you looked like a spambot.

Kinneas · May 5th, 2011, 12:49:31 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Fat Firestorm

Guys I found this cool website that will probably be good for

It's got this thing where you just click here and

If you tick this box it should

Wait no you should click here first, I've seen people do this before

Right you have to enter your details before you tick the box and

I have no idea what I'm doing. Forget it.

Really having to resist my first action as moderator being deleting Firestorm's thread.

evan · May 5th, 2011, 1:07:06 PM

sup mods

**Ninahaza** · May 5th, 2011, 1:50:23 PM

you guys think your so cool because your mods

/walks away with head down, whispering curses under his breath

DM · May 5th, 2011, 1:55:24 PM

who said anything about getting my own room

totally crashing on a floor somewhere, that or snoodling with evan

skarm · May 5th, 2011, 2:05:51 PM

itt dm going for snu-snu with evan.

Fishy · May 5th, 2011, 3:55:33 PM

Firestorm, I appreciate your efforts in trying to save your fellow smogoners some money, and time.

Y'ALL ARE SO RUDE

Firestorm · May 5th, 2011, 11:56:10 PM

Hey everyone but Fishy:

May 5th, 2011, 12:47:13 AM	#1
Firestorm I did my best, I have no regrets! Join Date: Apr 2007 Posts: 7,261 Vancouver, BC	How to use Priceline to get hotels cheaper (VGC RELATED NOT A SPAMBOT) Alright, a good amount of people are going to be traveling to their VGC locations and require hotels for the night before / after the tournament. Recently I discovered Priceline and it is really quite useful for getting cheap rate, but it's a little risky. Priceline has a feature called "Name Your Price" (first search, then click the Name Your Price tab). Essentially, you choose a minimum star rating, region of the city, and a price. The system them either rejects your bid or automatically accepts it and gives you a hotel. You don't get to choose which one. It picks one that fits your criteria. If you play it smart, you can get some great deals. That's where I'll try to provide some direction. Sites like BetterBidding are set up where people list what prices they bid in what area to get the hotels they wanted during specific dates. You can do some research and see what's available in the area of the venues that VGC regionals will be taking place. Seattle By using 4 stars, Seattle-Downtown, and bidding between about $75 and $85, I'm seeing people grabbing the Sheraton and Hyatt which are about a one block away and both great hotels. Dallas I see someone won the Sheraton for $55 using 3.5* in Arlington-Grand Prairie. Not much in the way of stats here. Indianapolis I'm seeing 4* search for Indianapolis-Downtown coming up for people with the Marriott Downtown, Hyatt Regency, University Place, and Westin for about $45 - $60. All of which are within walking distance of the Indiana Convention Centre. Sorry, the other locations kinda confused me as I'm not good with the US. If someone could help out that'd be great. I'll try and look 'em up later. I take no responsibility for what you might get from this. I'm just providing some tips. It's a little risky, but I used the service to stay downtown Toronto for cheap and it was great! Seems to be better for major cities I'd say. __________________

May 5th, 2011, 11:15:56 AM	#2
skarm I HAVE HOTEL ROOMS Join Date: Dec 2004 Posts: 2,284 Saskatoon, Canada	Hahahahaha.... __________________ in this sig you are all assholes.

May 5th, 2011, 1:50:23 PM	#6
Ninahaza You'll always be a part of me Moderator Join Date: May 2010 Posts: 1,253 And I'm part of you indefinitely	you guys think your so cool because your mods /walks away with head down, whispering curses under his breath __________________ ~ Always Be My Baby ~

May 5th, 2011, 1:55:24 PM	#7
DM CHESTER COPPERPOTS Moderator Join Date: May 2005 Posts: 12,488 Location: Felony Butt Prison	who said anything about getting my own room totally crashing on a floor somewhere, that or snoodling with evan __________________ <Ninahaza> hey jumpman make sure to read DM's smocon 08 with her, its a great story but it has like 90% pictures half naked guys and you are in like 45% of those pics

May 5th, 2011, 2:05:51 PM	#8
skarm I HAVE HOTEL ROOMS Join Date: Dec 2004 Posts: 2,284 Saskatoon, Canada	itt dm going for snu-snu with evan. __________________ in this sig you are all assholes.

May 5th, 2011, 11:45:46 AM	#3
ΩDonut sometimes experimentation begins with "let's multi battle strip pokémon" Moderator Join Date: Aug 2006 Posts: 3,692	I almost deleted this because you looked like a spambot.

May 5th, 2011, 1:07:06 PM	#5
evan I did my best -- I have no regrets Join Date: Apr 2005 Posts: 2,261	sup mods

May 5th, 2011, 3:55:33 PM	#9
Fishy Join Date: Jul 2008 Posts: 3,187 i want you all and everything just to be mine	Firestorm, I appreciate your efforts in trying to save your fellow smogoners some money, and time. Y'ALL ARE SO RUDE __________________ i didn't want to be your ghost

May 5th, 2011, 11:56:10 PM	#10
Firestorm I did my best, I have no regrets! Join Date: Apr 2007 Posts: 7,261 Vancouver, BC	Hey everyone but Fishy: __________________