Research recent accepted bids on Priceline (see Resources). The Internet offers up a variety of forums online where users post the most recent bids, both accepted and declined. Visit such forums as Better Bidding and Bidding For Travel to research the price ranges and classes you need to expect on Priceline for your destination (see Resources).
Visit the major Internet travel websites, such as Travelocity and Expedia (see Resources), to determine the published rates compared to bids accepted on Priceline. The objective is not to bid higher than the offerings posted on such sites.
Review all zones at your destination and the corresponding star ratings. Priceline breaks out all urban locations into both zones and hotel star ratings within those zones. The star rating for the hotel you desire is crucial to the rebidding process. The higher the star rating, the better the rebid process works, as this allows more options for additional search criteria.
Graph out with a pencil and a piece of paper all zones and the star ratings offered. Use two columns: one for zones and the other for star ratings.
Place your first bid on Priceline for the destination, class and price. Use the information gathered from steps 1 and 2 for a good starting point on your bid. If rejected, begin the rebidding process.
Look at the graphed zones and stars ratings for your destination. If you are seeking a four-star hotel, simply add a zone that does not offer four-star hotels to the search and increase your bid by $1. This way you certainly will not stay in the area that is added, but your bid for the original zone might gain acceptance.
Click the "Back" button on your Internet browser to get back to the original bid screen. Ensure you select your preferred zone again and then add a new zone to the search criteria that has no accommodations at, or higher, than your preferred class. Add $1 to your bid and submit. Keep repeating the process until a provider accepts your bid or you exhaust all available zones and star classifications.
