"But now knowing this issue, as others have said, I'll think twice about bidding on Priceline."

Well, hopefully only when you know that there is a possibility of a hotel you could get that wouldn't work out. In fact, you should also realize that you could have gotten a 3.5 star hotel that wouldn't let you take the bike either -- you never know which other hotels you might get, even a new one not on the list!

I think this was a specialty trip that just wasn't right for Priceline.

True NeoPatrick, but I had called the hotels to double check the bike issue. I am thrilled my DD won 1st place in her division and was selected for state, but now having to add a 3 day trip to LA in an already stretched budget month. I was just trying to make it reasonable for our family. There have been other markets where I did not use Priceline since the possibility of getting hotel that would not work out was present. I thought I had done my homework for LA but you learn something new everyday.

is it a regular sized bike? i once brought my bike to New Orleans when a friend had a week long stay there and I was keeping her company (and helping her buy a place for her and her husband to stay). brought my bike so I can scope out some neighborhoods for her without using my car. I just took the bike to the hotel and brought it up to the elevator to the room. noone ever said anything. did you talk to the manager?

Regardless of who told you that you can't take the bike into the Westin, I'd just do it. Since every other hotel said it was OK, I'd bet that the person you talked to at the Westin was not speaking from some absolute policy or authority.

I would call the hotel manager directly, *not* an underling. Explain the special nature of your problem and ask him/her how your needs can be accommodated.

Spoken like a true resident of the Bay State, Anonymous! :) I think I like your strategy better than mine!

It's one of those "easier to ask forgiveness than permission" things, which also requires that if you're caught, you can pretend that you talked to *somebody* who gave permission but you don't remember their name. Daughter should be wearing a science-geek T-shirt, just in case, preferably one with exotic physics or math stuff on it.

itsv, sorry that this happened to you. I don't like surprises in hotels either.

They must have misunderstood about the motorized bike and thought you were going to be wheeling a Harley in the room. What you have is really no different than a motorized wheelchair and one would never have to call ahead for that.

If you have doubts just leave it in your vehicle until you're checked in and have deposited your luggage in your room. The one nice thing about the Westin is that it's a big hotel, no one will notice, wheel the thing in through a side door.

I also think the advice by Biddingfortravel.com will not work with an upgrade possibility. If I understand that website, you "free rebid" by adding an area where the classification for your type of hotel (star rating) doesn't exist, but anything less that 4 will not work. So if you add area b (an area you don't want) to area A and there are no 3 stars in area b but 4 stars, you could up with an "upgrade" star hotel in area b, an area you originally did not want.

Just something to think about when using Priceline. Thanks for all the comments.
Itsv

You want to bid for a 3* hotel

zone A has 3*
Zone B has NO 3* BUT has 4*

I don't think PL will let you select zone B because it does not have 3* hotels to offer.

Parking at the Bonaventure is quite a bit more than $17. Yes, I've been upgraded str levels in the Coachella Valley. It happens pretty often, then you get stuck with one of the resort fee hotels that no one wants.

Assuming that is the Bonaventure you are talking about. It's not like a big subarban hotel with side entrances you can sneak into. You might find better parking at the World Trade Center which is connected by a walkway. There are "Early Bird" Prices 6:30 am to 10:30 am entry.
Also on the weekend many garages have discounted rates, around $10. Try City National, from Figueroa go East down 4th Street (One way street). The garage entrance is located on the corner of 4th Street & Flower Street.

Regarding the bike, I agree with Anonymous. Just take the thing up to the room. Look confident. If someone says something to you, look confused/concerned/apologetic. Smile and say, "Oh, I'm sorry, but we really don't have anywhere else to put it," as you're walking towards the elevator/stairs. I really doubt they will come chasing after you! ;)

Or if someone sees you and says you can't take it to the room simply say, "Oh, thanks for taking care of it for us -- where will you put it for safe storage?" I bet then they'd let you put it in the room!

I really doubt anyone will say anything about taking it to their room. Hope all works out for you.

Now you have me wondering about the project (the topic of the post has been talked to death). I am assuming it is approximate size of normal bike because it fits in the car you are parking. Is it the electric part - does it run on dangerous or toxic battery materials? When you asked the person about bringing it to room, did you call it an "electric bike" - that may sound like a motorcycle to some. Or did you call it a school project - if you want to call again, try that tact.

Indeed, the manager might have been picturing somebody taking their Vespa up on the elevator and parking it in their room. If it looks like a bicycle with electric added, then just call it a bicycle.

Just bring the bike in with you-it's your luggage!

That's all well and good, until she gets there and someone tells her bicycles have to be locked in the parking garage :-)

itsv, to comment on your comment about free rebids, I think it normally goes the other way.

You want 4* in zone A and then you add zone B with hotels that are below 4*.

Thus the upgrade problem wouldn't exist because you're looking for a 4* hotel. You can't get a hotel in zone B.

We used to use priceline, until 2 years ago we "won" a Austin hotel that was pitched as downtown but was out of the way. We called and tried to get out of it to no avail. Moral of the story--if in doubt don't priceline.