[OoYen]

Hi,

I'm a first time priceline user and I've read up on a lot of the tips on this forum which is super helpful. I'm still struggling with figuring out which hotel ratings are in each region. I've tried the method mentioned before, but was unsuccessful. Should I be using the "name your price" page of priceline to select the region?

Any thoughts on the price I'm hoping for? I have been getting rejections on that price. Any suggestions to other areas? I would like to stay as close to midtown as possible. Thank you!

[OoYen]

Sorry dates 9/14 thru 9/17

[thereuare]

Welcome to BetterBidding!

Start with the following...
1) Use the PRICELINE search box on the upper right of this page, enter New York City and your dates, and click "GO".
2) List each zone that is offered in this region.
3) Next to each zone list the highest star rating offered in the zone. The way to determine the highest tar rating offered n the zone is by selecting the first zone i the list, then scrolling down to see the highest star rating selectable (ie- not greyed out). NEXT UNcheck the selected zone, place a checkmark in the next zone, and repeat the process for each zone in the region. Each time you take note of the highest star rating in the zone, make sure that only ONE zone is selected above.
4) post your findings and we'll take it from there

If you're still confused just post back and we'll break it down further.

Please use the PRICELINE and HOTWIRE links on the board to begin your travel purchases.

[OoYen]

Thank you so much for the break down. I will keep you updated with my luck with PRICELINE.

[AaronJB]

Thank you for keeping us updated and for using the site's PRICELINE or HOTWIRE links to start your purchases and searches. Please let us know if you have any questions.

[thereuare]

Feel free to confirm your re-bid zones with the board and/or ask for a bidding strategy.

Thanks for using the PRICELINE and HOTWIRE links on the board to begin your bidding.

[OoYen]

Hi,

I'm looking for a 4* hotel in the TS, MTW area bidding up to 250 at this time. I'm traveling with my Fiance there for our vacation together and would love a place that's convenient to get around. We''ll be visiting NY for the first time, so we hope to do quite a few tourist activities. I thought by being there during the week, the prices wouldn't be so high. Can you help me with a ballpark price that would catch me hotel in those areas? Or if possible, recommend another place that's also convenient for us to get around? I'm willing to bid up to 300/night max, but really want to keep it around 250/night. Please help!!

[AaronJB]

OoYen, on Aug 26 2010, 12:17 PM, said:

Thank you so much for the break down. I will keep you updated with my luck with PRICELINE.

Have you made any bids yet?

Thank you for using the site's PRICELINE or HOTWIRE links to start your purchases and searches.

[OoYen]

Yes I have. I've made bids up to 245 and got rejected. =(

[OoYen]

I just made bids up to $270 also with no luck on PRICELINE. Maybe better luck tomorrow.

[thereuare]

Unfortunately NYC is crazy expensive for these dates (generally speaking mid-week is more expensive then weekends)

I don't think it will help much at the moment, but it certainly couldn't hurt... are you willing to accept other midtown zones then just MTW and TS? Is there a reason you're avoiding the other midtown zones which are generally considered just as convenient (at the 4* level at least... at lesser star levels i wouldn't necessarily add all the other midtown zones) such as MTE, CPS and/or ESB?

Thanks for using the PRICELINE and HOTWIRE links on the board to begin your bidding.

[OoYen]

I've been sticking with TS, MTW because I've heard they were the most convenient. I didn't know how these areas are compared to the ones you've suggested. If they are just as convenient, I will include them in my bid as well. I will keep you updated when I'm allowed to bid again on PRICELINE. Thank you!

[thereuare]

If you need or would like help with a bidding strategy feel free to ask.

Please use the PRICELINE and HOTWIRE links on the board to begin your travel purchases.

Good luck!

[OoYen]

I unsuccessfully bid again tonight. Please help with bidding strategy! Thank you!

[yellowdog]

OoYen

Quote

Please help with bidding strategy!

Can you please post your max budget/night before tax/fee and your preferred star rating for the hotel.

Is TS and MTW the only two zones you're willing to stay in? You might have a better chance to hit a hotel including other zones also.

How high have you been bidding for TS and MTW?

Please use the PRICELINE and HOTWIRE links on the board to begin your travel purchases.

Yellowdog.

[OoYen]

Hi,

Areas I'm looking in are TS, MTW, MTE, CPS, and ESB for 4*. I am willing to go up to $300/night but would love to keep to max $275/night.

Last night was the first night I bid on other areas mentioned above with TS, MTW. I start at bidding on PRICELINE at $230 and go up in $5 increments each time I add a zone. Max I've gone up to so far is $275 and got rejected. I hope this is enough information. Thank you so much for your help.

[thereuare]

As you have already bid up to $275 did you want to stick with that level for a few days and hope for lower priced inventory (you have a little time on your hands but not too much!) OR did you want to increase to $300?

Please reply before you bid again as you can bid more systematically then you appear to have bid above.

Thanks for using the PRICELINE links on the board to begin your bidding.

[OoYen]

Hi,

At this point, I'm willing to go up to $300 because I do realize the time is closing in on me! Any suggestions or help will be greatly appreciated!

[thereuare]

At the 4* level you have FIVE re-bid zones. If you're not familiar with re-bidding please read Priceline Re-Bidding Explained and feel free to ask questions and/or confirm your re-bid zones with the board before proceeding.

Select 4* TS, MTW, ESB...
Bid $150, if rejected add re-bid zone...
Bid $160, if rejected add re-bid zone...
Bid $170, if rejected add re-bid zone...
Bid $180, if rejected add re-bid zone...
Bid $190, if rejected add re-bid zone...
Bid $200, if rejected close browser and use this link to re-access PRICELINE
Select 4* MTE, CPS...
Bid $150, if rejected add re-bid zone...
Bid $160, if rejected add re-bid zone...
Bid $170, if rejected add re-bid zone...
Bid $180, if rejected add re-bid zone...
Bid $190, if rejected add re-bid zone...
Bid $200, if rejected close browser and use this link to re-access PRICELINE

Select 4* MTE, MTW, ESB...
Bid $205, if rejected add re-bid zone...
Bid $210, if rejected add re-bid zone...
Bid $215, if rejected add re-bid zone...
Bid $220, if rejected add re-bid zone...
Bid $225, if rejected add re-bid zone...
Bid $230, if rejected close browser and use this link to re-access PRICELINE
Select 4* TS, CPS...
Bid $205, if rejected add re-bid zone...
Bid $210, if rejected add re-bid zone...
Bid $215, if rejected add re-bid zone...
Bid $220, if rejected add re-bid zone...
Bid $225, if rejected add re-bid zone...
Bid $230, if rejected close browser and use this link to re-access PRICELINE

Select 4* TS, MTE, ESB...
Bid $235, if rejected add re-bid zone...
Bid $240, if rejected add re-bid zone...
Bid $245, if rejected add re-bid zone...
Bid $250, if rejected add re-bid zone...
Bid $255, if rejected add re-bid zone...
Bid $260, if rejected close browser and use this link to re-access PRICELINE
Select 4* MTW, CPS...
Bid $235, if rejected add re-bid zone...
Bid $240, if rejected add re-bid zone...
Bid $245, if rejected add re-bid zone...
Bid $250, if rejected add re-bid zone...
Bid $255, if rejected add re-bid zone...
Bid $260, if rejected close browser and use this link to re-access PRICELINE

Select 4* TS, MTW, MTE, CPS...
Bid $265, if rejected add re-bid zone...
Bid $270, if rejected close browser and use this link to re-access PRICELINE
Select 4* TS, MTW, MTE, ESB...
Bid $265, if rejected add re-bid zone...
Bid $270, if rejected close browser and use this link to re-access PRICELINE

Select 4* TS, MTW, MTE, CPS, ESB...
Bid $275, if rejected add re-bid zone...
Bid $280, if rejected add re-bid zone...
Bid $285, if rejected add re-bid zone...
Bid $290, if rejected add re-bid zone...
Bid $295, if rejected add re-bid zone...
Bid $300

Any questions feel free to ask.

Please use the PRICELINE and HOTWIRE links on the board to begin your travel purchases.

Good luck and let us know how it goes.

[OoYen]

Thank you so much for the bidding strategy for the 4* hotels. I did everything according to the strategy you have given me for PRICELINE but had no success.

Do you have any suggestions in terms of areas with 3.5* hotels? Same max of $300/night. Thank you.

[thereuare]

A few caveats before bidding 3.5* in NYC...

In the MTE zone is the Millenium UN which gets good reviews but is about a 15 minute walk to the subway, so you have to decide of this is acceptable to you (although rates are so high for your dates because the UN is in session, and with this hotel being so close to the UN, i would think chances are low that it would be available thru PRICELINE). As well, the Hudson Hotel in the CPS zone comes into play... it gets good reviews from the younger/club crowd, but the rooms are notoriously small. As well, at the 3.5* you may want to consider including the MSG zone, which was otherwise unavailable at the 4* level.

Let us know regarding the zones you'd like to bid (please list all acceptable zones, not just the changes from above) and we'll provide a new strategy for you to follow.

Thanks for using the PRICELINE links to begin your bidding.

[OoYen]

Thank you for then information. I'd like to stay in TS, MTW, ESB, and MSG. I appreciate all the help!

[thereuare]

At the 3.5* level you have THREE re-bid zones. If you're not familiar with re-bidding please read Priceline Re-Bidding Explained and feel free to ask questions and/or confirm your re-bid zones with the board before proceeding.

Select 3.5* TS...
Bid $140, if rejected add re-bid zone...
Bid $150, if rejected add re-bid zone...
Bid $160, if rejected add re-bid zone...
Bid $170, if rejected close browser and use this link to re-access PRICELINE
Select 3.5* MTW...
Bid $140, if rejected add re-bid zone...
Bid $150, if rejected add re-bid zone...
Bid $160, if rejected add re-bid zone...
Bid $170, if rejected close browser and use this link to re-access PRICELINE
Select 3.5* ESB...
Bid $140, if rejected add re-bid zone...
Bid $150, if rejected add re-bid zone...
Bid $160, if rejected add re-bid zone...
Bid $170, if rejected close browser and use this link to re-access PRICELINE
Select 3.5* MSG...
Bid $140, if rejected add re-bid zone...
Bid $150, if rejected add re-bid zone...
Bid $160, if rejected add re-bid zone...
Bid $170, if rejected close browser and use this link to re-access PRICELINE

Select 3.5* TS and MTW...
Bid $180, if rejected add re-bid zone...
Bid $190, if rejected add re-bid zone...
Bid $195, if rejected add re-bid zone...
Bid $200, if rejected close browser and use this link to re-access PRICELINE
Select 3.5* ESB and MSG...
Bid $180, if rejected add re-bid zone...
Bid $190, if rejected add re-bid zone...
Bid $195, if rejected add re-bid zone...
Bid $200, if rejected close browser and use this link to re-access PRICELINE

Select 3.5* ESB and MTW...
Bid $205, if rejected add re-bid zone...
Bid $210, if rejected add re-bid zone...
Bid $215, if rejected add re-bid zone...
Bid $220, if rejected close browser and use this link to re-access PRICELINE
Select 3.5* TS and MSG...
Bid $205, if rejected add re-bid zone...
Bid $210, if rejected add re-bid zone...
Bid $215, if rejected add re-bid zone...
Bid $220, if rejected close browser and use this link to re-access PRICELINE

Select 3.5* MSG and MTW...
Bid $225, if rejected add re-bid zone...
Bid $230, if rejected add re-bid zone...
Bid $235, if rejected add re-bid zone...
Bid $240, if rejected close browser and use this link to re-access PRICELINE
Select 3.5* ESB and TS...
Bid $225, if rejected add re-bid zone...
Bid $230, if rejected add re-bid zone...
Bid $235, if rejected add re-bid zone...
Bid $240, if rejected close browser and use this link to re-access PRICELINE

Select 3.5* TS and MTW and MSG...
Bid $245, if rejected add re-bid zone...
Bid $250, if rejected add re-bid zone...
Bid $255, if rejected add re-bid zone...
Bid $260, if rejected close browser and use this link to re-access PRICELINE
Select 3.5* TS and MTW and ESB...
Bid $245, if rejected add re-bid zone...
Bid $250, if rejected add re-bid zone...
Bid $255, if rejected add re-bid zone...
Bid $260, if rejected close browser and use this link to re-access PRICELINE

Select 3.5* MSG and ESB and MTW...
Bid $265, if rejected add re-bid zone...
Bid $270, if rejected add re-bid zone...
Bid $275, if rejected add re-bid zone...
Bid $280, if rejected close browser and use this link to re-access PRICELINE
Select 3.5* MSG and ESB and TS...
Bid $265, if rejected add re-bid zone...
Bid $270, if rejected add re-bid zone...
Bid $275, if rejected add re-bid zone...
Bid $280, if rejected close browser and use this link to re-access PRICELINE

Select 3.5* MSG and ESB and MTW and TS...
Bid $285, if rejected add re-bid zone...
Bid $290, if rejected add re-bid zone...
Bid $295, if rejected add re-bid zone...
Bid $300

Any questions feel free to ask.

Please use the PRICELINE and HOTWIRE links on the board to begin your travel purchases.

Good luck and let us know how it goes.

[OoYen]

Hi,

I followed the bidding strategy and came up with all rejected on PRICELINE. At this point, my hopes of finding a place on there is very low. I've started to look into other avenues. Thank you to everyone on this forum for all the help and advice. It made the experience more manageable with the extra info!

At least I was able to book my second half of my trip to DC on PRICELINE.

This site is awesome, I will be recommending everyone to utilize betterbidding!

[thereuare]

Sorry to hear your bids have been rejected... even with a $300 limit!

Have you found alternate arrangements for your stay or are you still looking?