Thought I'd relate my brother's experience using Priceline to get an October room at the Shangri-la in Bangkok. Following Rhkkmk's advice from here, my brother bid $55 for 4 nights. Rejected, he then bid $60 for three nights, the change being the dates sought. Rejected. He then bid $65 for two nights. Accepted. The third and fourth night are Friday and Saturday night. While he was bidding, he was IMing me with the negative info from Priceline, e.g., suggested bid $188, "very little chance your bid will be accepted (this for the last accepted bid). I told him to ignore this "advice". He is very happy with the two nights and will probably go to either the Marriott or the Royal Orchid Sheraton for the other two nights. Thanks to the Fodorites that provided me with the rare opportunity to give useful advice to my computer geek PhD. brother.

you gave him wise advice to ignor what priceline's responses are...like everyone they just want to see if you will buy for an additional price...they often offer you the room for $17 more and i always say no..

Bob or any other Fodorite -Are you allowed to purchase rooms on Priceline for other people? Can I bid on the two additiona nights for my brother at the Shangri-la?

i don't know why not...especially if you have the same last name...how would they know....or just bid on it in his name....i think they id you by address...use his initials and last name and your home address and credit card....give it a try and let us know if they accept it...

they will tell you right after transmission if they don't like your porposal, i.e. you have already bid, etc...

bob

You can purchase it for him, on the page where you select your star level, name your price, etc, it asks for the reservation name of the person who will be checking into the hotel. I've bid for my sister and brother before, but you have to put their name into the reservation name.

gpanda - for what dates were you awarded these prices? considering priceline myself. thanks.

The two nights at the S-la for $65 are 10/14/04 and 10/15/04. My genius brother is now contemplating a more "Thai" hotel for the other two nights in BKK.

For help in priceline bidding take a look at http://p070.ezboard.com/bpricelineandexpediabidding