Methods and apparatus for an automated cloud resource trading system are disclosed. A system includes a plurality of resource instances, a resource manager, and a pricing optimizer. The resource manager receives an indication that a client has opted in for automated implementation of recommendations from the pricing optimizer. In response to the opt-in indication, and a recommendation generated by the pricing optimizer based at least in part on an analysis of the client's resource usage and the pricing of instances reserved for the client, the resource manager includes a particular resource instance currently reserved for the client in a listing of instances available for reservation by other clients.