Hotel Bidding Tools For Hotwire.com and Priceline.com Travel

Posted on February 24, 2011 // 11 Comments

I’m working on planning our next travel adventure, and discovered a few new sites to help people navigate “opaque” hotel price engines Hotwire.com and Priceline.com. In my 5-Step Guide to Finding The Lowest Rate For Hotel Rooms, I outlined the benefits of using database sites like BiddingForTravel and BetterBidding to gather information from successful purchasers to remove some of the mystery. Hopefully, these will help you even further.

BidGoggles
With Hotwire, you know the price, but not the actual name of the hotel before you commit. A while back, I pointed out the ability to figure out the hidden hotels behind the price on Hotwire primarily using the number of TripAdvisor.com reviews shown. Shortly afterward, they removed that description. The job became harder, but BidGoggles attempts to use all the smaller clues given to you in order to do the same thing again. Here’s how it works.

You provide them with the following: Star rating, Country, State, City, and Subarea (Neighborhood). Then you match up the little logos that show you what amenities the hotel offers, such as a fitness room, swimming pool, or free breakfast. The results have been hit or miss with me, although I found that it helps if you omit a few amenities if you get no matches. Hopefully their database gets better with time, although the site seems to have slowed down development.

The Bidding Traveler
With the ‘Name Your Own Price’ feature of Priceline, you have to bid auction-style for the price of a room, in addition to only knowing the general neighborhood and star-rating of the hotel. So you have to decide how much to bid on any given hotel quality level, as well as having to deal with the rules of how you can bid again if you’re initial offer is rejected.

TheBiddingTraveler has you choose your hotel’s neighborhood (“zones”) along with the highest quality star-rating you want, and then provides you with some guidance as to what your starting bid and your final offer (the absolute highest price you’d be willing to pay). Recently rejected and accepted bids are provided, along with actual hotel names. Finally, the website actually walks you through the “optimal” bidding strategy, step-by-step.

The main downside I noticed was that some of the accepted bids are sparse for some cities and can be a bit old, so again the quality of the database is very important. Happy travels!

Added: You can save another 2% or more with cashback sites like eBates ($5 new customer bonus), Mr. Rebates ($5 bonus), and BigCrumbs.

Filed Under: Deals & Offers, Travel //

$2 for Five Movie Rentals from Blockbuster Express – Groupon

Posted on February 19, 2011 // 7 Comments

Groupon has a national deal this weekend that will get you five one-day rentals at Blockbuster Express kiosks for $2. The regular cost would have been $5. I don’t really get the limitation of one per person when you can buy seemingly unlimited as “gifts”.

Note: You can only use one free code per transaction. In order to use all five promo codes you must rent (and check-out) five separate times. I tend to use these Blockbuster kiosks more than Redbox ones simply because they are at Safeway grocery stores, but the idea is basically the same. You can return to any Blockbuster kiosk, not just the one you rented from.

If you are one of the six folks out there that doesn’t have a Groupon account already ;), please use my sign-up link, and I’ll get some Groupon credit for referring you. Then visit the deal link.

Valid through May 1, 2013. Limit 1/person, may buy more as gifts. Valid only at any Blockbuster Express kiosks and for online reservation for pickup at kiosks. Not valid on Blu-ray or Hot List titles. Groupon value reduces by $3 after 5/1/2013, except where prohibited by law.

Filed Under: Deals & Offers //

Tax Software Giveaway: H&R Block At Home

Posted on February 11, 2011 //

H&R Block contacted me to help give away six copies of their H&R Block At Home tax preparation software (formerly TaxCut). Specifically, you will get a free code for H&R Block At Home Premium edition ($49.95 retail value), the level above Deluxe, which has added guidance for the self-employed (Schedule C) and those with rental income (Schedule E). Federal E-file is included. State filing is $34.95 extra.

First, please consider my other H&R Block At Home findings:

  • Amazon.com has H&R Block At Home Deluxe Federal + Federal E-File + State for $24.99. State E-file looks to be another $19.95 extra. (If you are willing to download directly onto your computer, it’s only $21.99. Here are the direct download links for Windows or Mac.) Premium is $44.77.
  • If you are okay with mail-in rebates, you can get H&R Block Deluxe bundled with some anti-virus software for $20 + $2 shipping, and get a $20 prepaid VISA card via rebate at TigerDirect. I couldn’t get the rebate form to download.
  • Until February 15th, you can visit a physical H&R Block location and get your return done for free, but only if you qualify for a 1040-EZ. (No itemized deductions, no dependents, no capital gains.) Otherwise, you’ll have to pay significantly more than the DIY software. Considering the 1040-EZ is only like a page long, if you qualify your taxes should pretty easy to do yourself anyway.
  • You can save 25% off all the online versions here.

If you’d like to be entered for the giveaway, just leave a comment with a valid e-mail below by 11:59pm Pacific on Tuesday, February 15th. Name not necessary. I’ll randomly pick 6 winners and contact you via e-mail.

Filed Under: Deals & Offers, Taxes //

Restaurant.com Valentine’s Day Promo Code

Posted on February 10, 2011 // 7 Comments

I’ve written about Restaurant.com already in the past. As opposed to a gift certificate, these are essentially coupons. The standard offer is a $25 certificate for $10, which usually comes with a $35 minimum purchase + 18% required gratuity on full price.

However, if you’re patient (see below) you can usually get them for 80% off or better, which lowers the price to $2. Now the math might look like this:

Dinner for two = $40 regular menu price
Minus $25 certificate = $15
Plus cost of certificate ($2) = $17
Plus 18% gratuity on menu price = $7.20Total price = $24.20 or $12.10 a person including tip for a sit-down dinner.

I wanted to add few updates.

  1. You can always find the current promotional code here, it is automatically updated. I don’t want to repost every time they run a different promo. I would wait unless it is at least 70% off, the max is usually 90% but that is somewhat rare. Currently, with the promo code LOVE you can get 80% off until 2/14. I’ll let you decide whether it’s actually a good idea to use it on V-Day, as opposed to saving it for another time. 😉
  2. If you don’t find many participating restaurants locally, don’t forget to possibly use them while traveling. I went to Las Vegas recently, we were told about a nice white-tablecloth steak place called Austin’s Steakhouse inside the Texas Station Casino (off-strip). The steak is really good, and also they have a special that is $14.99 for prime rib, mashed potatoes, and green beans. Turns out there this place is on Restaurant.com. Here is a Chowhound link about good Chicago restaurants on their list.
Filed Under: Deals & Offers //

Flowchart: How To Save Money On Credit Scores

Posted on February 8, 2011 // 6 Comments

I’ve written several posts on credit scores, credit reports, and how to minimize your spending on them. While there are times when you might just have to plunk down your hard-earned money on a credit score, most of them time you can avoid it.

Here’s a flowchart that I just whipped up that will help guide you to what you need. No matter what, you’ll pay less than retail. Anything blue is a click-able link to more guidance and information.

pay for FICO score with coupn Annualcreditreport.com
Filed Under: Credit Cards, Deals & Offers //

Current myFICO Coupon Codes

Posted on February 8, 2011 // 3 Comments

The retail price for a FICO credit score from just one credit bureau is now $19.95. That’s a hefty chunk of change, given that there are three credit bureaus and thus three credit scores – Equifax, Experian, and TransUnion. Before paying anything, you check out these ways to get a FREE credit score from all 3 bureaus. No trials required!

If you must have a score from myFICO.com, then here are some coupon codes that’ll save you some bucks. You enter the promo code relatively late in the buying process, right before entering your credit card information. Here’s what it would look like if you got a 25% off coupon code:

Currently Active myFICO.com Coupon Codes
none

Expired myFICO.com Coupon Codes
CPPSAVINGS
TWEET25
SW94608
FICO25
FICOHELP25
MYPOINTS30
DECEMBER26
26UNTIL2010
SURVEY30
NOVEMBER26
FINANCIALHELP25

Note: Experian no longer allows Fair Isaac to sell FICO scores to consumers at all. You can get a free Experian-based credit score from Credit Sesame.

Filed Under: Credit Cards, Deals & Offers //

Free $2 in Amazon MP3 Downloads

Posted on February 7, 2011 // 7 Comments

Amazon.com is offering $2 in free MP3 downloads with the code VDAYMP3S. No purchase required. Enter code at this link. It should increase your gift card balance by $2 for music purchases only. You must redeem the code by February 14, 2011 11:59 PM PST. Limit one Amazon MP3 promotional credit per customer.

Filed Under: Deals & Offers //

Groupon: Barnes & Noble $20 Value for $10

Posted on February 3, 2011 // 3 Comments

Not quite as good as Amazon.com, but Groupon is offering a $20 gift certificate to Barnes & Noble for $10. Valid either in-store or online at BN.com. Valid on sale items. Expires 4/11, which means on that date the value goes down to $10.

You can usually get free shipping once you reach $25 total online as well.

Filed Under: Deals & Offers //

Lonely Planet Offers 13 Free iPhone City Guides

Posted on February 3, 2011 // 3 Comments

In response to Snowpocalypse 2011, Lonely Planet has again made several of their iPhone City Guides free for download. 13 guides will be free in the iTunes App Store until to 6pm PST Friday, February 4th 2011.

Here are the cities: San Francisco, New York City, Boston, Washington DC, Chicago, Seattle, New Orleans, Vancouver, Las Vegas, Miami, Toronto, Los Angeles, Montreal.

Filed Under: Deals & Offers, Travel //

Extra 10% Bonus On Lowe’s Gift Cards $500 & Up

Posted on February 1, 2011 // 4 Comments

Lowe’s has an upcoming promotion called their Tax Refund Card. Starting 2/8, if you buy a card with value of $500 to $4,000 – supposedly with your tax refund but they can’t tell and don’t care – then on 3/18 you’ll get an additional 10% of the initial purchase price on the card. Ends 3/14. Not bad if you’re already planning on shopping there. I’ll probably wait until March to see if I really need it, just hope they don’t pull the promotion.

Here is the link for the Tax Refund Card and a YouTube video explaining what I just said above in a visually appealing manner.

Filed Under: Deals & Offers //

Free 250 American Airlines Miles From Best Western

Posted on February 1, 2011 // Leave a Comment

Best Western is offering 250 free American Airlines miles if you (1) sign up for Best Western Rewards or are an existing member, (2) register for the promotion at this link (expired), and (3) set your earning preference to American Airlines miles with your AAdvantage® number by April 11, 2011.

As usual, this is nice to reset the expiration date of your miles, which is currently 18 months from your last account activity.

Filed Under: Deals & Offers //

Discover Card Now Only Allows One Card At A Time

Posted on January 21, 2011 // 13 Comments

Here’s a quick note for those considering applying for a Discover credit card, which came up after a few folks got rejected from the Discover More Card offering 0% interest on balance transfers for 12 months with no balance transfer fee. The limited time offer is scheduled to last until February 28, 2011.

On the upper right hand of the application, there is some light grey print that you might overlook that says “Offer Valid For New Cardmembers only”. However, it wasn’t really clear what this meant. You can’t have a current Discover More card? any current Discover card? any Discover card ever?

It turns out that there is a new Discover policy that anyone can only have one open Discover Card of any type at a time. As long as you don’t have an open Discover card currently, you can apply for a new card.

Below is the text from my Live Chat sessions with Discover. Basically, if you want this no balance transfer fee promotion and you already have a Discover card, you must cancel that card first, and then come back and apply for this new card. You can’t switch cards and still get this promotion.

Patricia: I appreciate your interest in the Discover Card. What questions can I answer regarding your application today?

Jonathan: Hello, I am interested in applying for this Discover More card. I don’t have a Discover More card, but I do have an old Discover Miles card. I am able to be approved for this card?

Patricia: I am sorry but we do have a one account policy at this time so we cannot open an additional account. Would you like us to switch the card type you have with us?

Jonathan: That would be okay, as I don’t use my Discover Miles card anymore. Would I still be able to get the 0% for 12 months with no balance transfer fee?

Patricia: Thank you for your business! This chat is to assist with applying for a Discover Card and we do not have access to any Account information. I will transfer you to our Customer Service chat for assistance with your Account. They will access that account and see what is available on it for transfer for you.

[Result: No, the offers in my account were much worse with higher fees.]

Patricia: I appreciate your interest in the Discover Card. What questions can I answer regarding your application today?

Jonathan: hello… if I recently closed a Discover card but currently do not have one, can I still apply for this new More card iwth 0% for 12 months? Do I still count as a new cardmember?

Patricia: You can apply for this card if that other account is closed.

Jonathan: So basically a person is just allowed to have one open Discover card, of any type, at a time now?

Patricia: Correct

Jonathan: Great, thank you for your help. That’s all for me today.

Filed Under: Credit Cards, Deals & Offers //
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