Priceline Hotel: JFK Area bidding help

[b_johnno]

Hi

 

I'm completely new to priceline and betterbidding so please be easy on me :)

 

I recently booked flights for to New York for me, my wife and my parents for March 31st. We land at JFK quite late so are looking for a reasonably priced, comfortable stay somewhere close to the airport. A few questions...

 

- Is bidding on priceline effective for 2 rooms?

- When would be best to look? Now or wait?

- How much should I expect to pay for a 2.5-3* (Express deals seem to start around £70 - will I get it much cheaper than that as we will be in and out pretty swiftly)?

 

Thanks in advance

 

Johnno

 

 

[AaronJB]

Welcome to Betterbidding. :)

This is on the border of the slowest period of the year (Jan-Mar) and when rates start to ramp up (April into May.) You can look around at what is available and make some low initial bids now, but I wouldn't bid aggressively at this point.

 

Bidding on Price.line for multiple rooms is perfectly fine and often done.

 

What would be your desired budget per night for this stay?

 

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

[b_johnno]

Thanks for your warm welcome.

For this single night we would like to spend around £50-60 before possible heading into Manhattan for the remainder of our stay. Although it could stretch a little if it's nice and convenient.

This is just a quick stop to catch up on sleep and commute in the following day.

I believe there are no 3* hotels for Washington heights and Bronx. So would my strategy be built around that?

Thanks again

Johnno

[b_johnno]

Sorry. Newbie error.

On further inspection Washington Heights and Bronx aren't in the same region as JFK so cannot be used to gain bids.

However I see that Jamaica (max 2*) and elmhurst (max2.5*) are. So how's this?

JFK 3* bid £40

JFK JAM 3* bid £45

JFK JAM ELM 3* £50

JFK 3* bid £54

JFK JAM 3* bid £57

JFK JAM ELM 3* £60

JFK 2.5* bid £35

JFK JAM 2.5* bid £40

JFK 2.5* bid £45

JFK JAM 2.5* bid £50

Is this the right type of strategy? Have I overlooked anything? Is this realistic?

Thanks in advance

Johnno

[thereuare]

Is this realistic?

Please post to the board in US Dollars so that we can better evaluate if your bidding is realistic or not. Yes, i can do the conversion, but having your post in US Dollars makes prices on the board consistent and not subject to interpretation in the future as currency rates change. You can bid on PRICELINE in whatever currency you'd like, but when posting your win to the board use the "ADD REPLY and REPORT WIN" button on the lower right corner of this page and enter the currency you used and your backend systems will automatically convert to US Dollars based upon the current exchange rate.

If you intend to make all of the bids above on the same day it will be rejected as a dupliate as i see no difference between your 40-50 bids and your 54-60 bids. As well, you can do better than the strategy posted.

Also, what are the dates of your complete stay and do you already have a room for the other nites of your trip? The hotels around JFK are not that nice (yes, i understand you're just sleeping there for the nite but reviews for most hotels are somewhat poor) and i'm not sure just how much you'd be saving by staying the nite in the airport area... if the savings are not much, i'd sooner suggest paying a little more to stay directly in Manhattan as this way you can wake up the next morning and start your vacation and exploring the city, rather than re-packing your toiletries and change of clothes and showing up at your 'new' hotel for (hopefully) early check-in.

If you don't yet have a room for the rest of your trip, what is your desired star rating, budget and zone preferences? If you already have a room... where and how much? (in US Dollars please)

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

[b_johnno]

Sorry I'll use Dollars in all my posts from now on.

I knew I would need to do that bidding over numerous days. If you can see a better strategy id be very grateful.

We are not totally sure about our plans in NYC as we have 8 nights in total. We don't think we can afford all 8 nights in Manhattan. We are also toying with the idea of going to Niagara Falls. We may also stay with some friends that live not far from Buffalo.

Could you please just advise me on a bidding stategy for somewhere convenient for JFK and reasonably priced. Maybe 2.5 or 3* for approx $90-$100.

Thanks again

John

[thereuare]

My advice would be to confirm all of your plans first, then purchase your hotel rooms, as once you purchase this solo nite at JFK (if this is what you decide to do) you're locked in, even if you later determine your plans would be better served staying elsewhere for this nite.

However, if you'd prefer to move forward, are you willing to pay more for a 3* hotel vs. a 2.5* property OR is your goal the least expensive 2.5* or better?

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

[b_johnno]

Okay. I think i'll get onto my parents to commit to an itinerary. Then i'll post again with definite needs.

 

Do I need to close this thread?

[thereuare]

Just continue this thread once your plans are firm.

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

[b_johnno]

Booked through Expe.dia as I got discount as my flight was booked with them.

 

I booked Garden Inn and Suits for $94 after taxes. Which is about $80 before tax.

 

We are meeting friends in Buffalo as previously posted. I still need to sort out a stay in Manhattan for 03/04/15 for 5 nights.

 

Do I do that as a different post or can I ask for help here?

[AaronJB]

Thank you for closing the thread. Please use the site's Expe.dia link under the Support Page to start regular rate purchases and searches.

 

Please start a new thread for each additional stay.