Fcantor Posted September 25, 2014 Report Share Posted September 25, 2014 Hello all, Could you please assist me with a bidding plan for my trip to Manhattan from 10/15/2014 to 10/19/2014. What I am looking for is a 4 star hotel for $200 a night or less and I need 2 rooms. As far as zones, I am more concerned with getting a nicer hotel at a great price and less concerned with which zone I end up in. I would like a zone that has easy access to the subway though I remember in all of my previous trips plenty of subway access so I don't anticipate this being an issue. I also want to be below central park. Any and all help would be greatly appreciated! Link to comment
AaronJB Posted September 26, 2014 Report Share Posted September 26, 2014 Welcome to Betterbidding. :)Unfortunately, this is a busy/expensive period of the year in NYC. For these dates in Midtown you're likely looking at around $250 for a 4*. Would this be acceptable? Thank you for using the board's HOTWIRE or PRICELINE links to start your purchases and searches. Link to comment
Fcantor Posted September 26, 2014 Author Report Share Posted September 26, 2014 Yes, $250 would be acceptable. The reason I set my expectation at $200 was that yesterday PRICELINE EXPRESS Deals had a 4* in the financial district for $248 so I thought by bidding I could shave that number :-) Ideally I would like to be under $220 but being as the most important thing is getting a good hotel in a decent area I can certainly spend more to achieve that. Thanks for the help! Link to comment
thereuare Posted September 26, 2014 Report Share Posted September 26, 2014 To avoid any confusion, please list the zones, by PRICELINE name, that you're willing to accept and we'll suggest a strategy for you to follow. Few comments about some of zones: CPS - well located but contains the Hudson Hotel which has notoriously small rooms (even by NYC standards) MTE - most 4* hotels are well located but a few can be up to a 15 minute walk to the subway HK - has Ink48 which is a very nice hotel with great reviews, but is not really that convenient to the subway and is in a bit of an isolated area Downtown - do-able for the right price but for most not as convenient for most as staying directly in midtown Let us know the zones you'd like to include in your bidding and we will suggest a strategy for you to follow (and please confirm, should the bidding stop at $220 or $250??). Please use the PRICELINE and HOTWIRE links on the board to begin your travel purchases. Please use this HOTWIRE and these PRICELINE LINKS: HOTELS, CAR RENTALS, and AIRFARE to begin your travel purchases Link to comment
Fcantor Posted September 26, 2014 Author Report Share Posted September 26, 2014 Here are the zones I believe to be acceptable:ChelseaDowntown - Financial DistrictEmpire State BuildingLower East SideMadison Square GardenMidtown WestSoho - TribecaTimes Square - Theatre DistrictUnion Square - East Village Please feel free to exclude any district that you believe to include an undesirable hotel or to be in a less than ideal location. I am willing to bid up to $250 but would like to start under or at $200 if you feel like that is reasonable. Thank you both for all of the help, I look forward to sharing my great price win with the site! Link to comment
thereuare Posted September 27, 2014 Report Share Posted September 27, 2014 Please feel free to exclude any district that you believe to include an undesirable hotel or to be in a less than ideal location.See my comments below about each zone: Chelsea - can be up to a 10 minute walk to the subway but a 'hot' area right now with lots of bars, cafes, restaurants, etc. so usually still a very desirable zone to include in your bidding Downtown - Financial District - less convenient than midtown but do-able for the right price Empire State Building - OK Lower East Side - not the most convenient but 'trendy' right now so still desirable for many Madison Square Garden - OK Midtown West - OK Soho - Tribeca - not the most convenient but good shopping and trendy area Times Square - Theatre District - OK Union Square - East Village - OK I am willing to bid up to $250 but would like to start under or at $200 if you feel like that is reasonable.$200 isn't unreasonable but at current rates not likely going to be enough for a win at a 4* hotel, imo, so it will come down to a trade-off between budget vs. location. Based upon the zone information above please confirm which zone(s) you'd like to include in your bidding and we will suggest a strategy for you to follow. Please use the PRICELINE and HOTWIRE links on the board to begin your travel purchases. Please use this HOTWIRE and these PRICELINE LINKS: HOTELS, CAR RENTALS, and AIRFARE to begin your travel purchases Link to comment
Fcantor Posted September 27, 2014 Author Report Share Posted September 27, 2014 See my comments below about each zone: Chelsea - can be up to a 10 minute walk to the subway but a 'hot' area right now with lots of bars, cafes, restaurants, etc. so usually still a very desirable zone to include in your bidding Downtown - Financial District - less convenient than midtown but do-able for the right price Empire State Building - OK Lower East Side - not the most convenient but 'trendy' right now so still desirable for many Madison Square Garden - OK Midtown West - OK Soho - Tribeca - not the most convenient but good shopping and trendy area Times Square - Theatre District - OK Union Square - East Village - OK I am OK with all of these zones! Thanks for all of the information. Link to comment
thereuare Posted September 27, 2014 Report Share Posted September 27, 2014 When bidding 4* in NYC you have TWO 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* Chelsea, ESB, LES, MSG, MTW... Bid $140, if rejected add re-bid zone... Bid $145, if rejected add re-bid zone... Bid $150, if rejected close browser and use this link to re-access PRICELINE... Select 4* Soho, TS, Union Square, Downtown... Bid $140, if rejected add re-bid zone... Bid $145, if rejected add re-bid zone... Bid $150, if rejected close browser and use this link to re-access PRICELINE... Select 4* Soho, ESB, LES, MSG, MTW... Bid $155, if rejected add re-bid zone... Bid $160, if rejected add re-bid zone... Bid $165, if rejected close browser and use this link to re-access PRICELINE... Select 4* Chelsea, TS, Union Square, Downtown... Bid $155, if rejected add re-bid zone... Bid $160, if rejected add re-bid zone... Bid $165, if rejected close browser and use this link to re-access PRICELINE... Select 4* Chelsea, TS, LES, MSG, MSG... Bid $170, if rejected add re-bid zone... Bid $175, if rejected add re-bid zone... Bid $178, if rejected close browser and use this link to re-access PRICELINE... Select 4* Soho, ESB, Union Square, Downtown... Bid $170, if rejected add re-bid zone... Bid $175, if rejected add re-bid zone... Bid $178, if rejected close browser and use this link to re-access PRICELINE... Select 4* Chelsea, ESB, Union Square, MSG, MTW... Bid $180, if rejected add re-bid zone... Bid $183, if rejected add re-bid zone... Bid $185, if rejected close browser and use this link to re-access PRICELINE... Select 4* Soho, TS, LES, Downtown... Bid $180, if rejected add re-bid zone... Bid $183, if rejected add re-bid zone... Bid $185, if rejected close browser and use this link to re-access PRICELINE... Select 4* Chelsea, ESB, LES, Downtown, MTW... Bid $188, if rejected add re-bid zone... Bid $190, if rejected add re-bid zone... Bid $193, if rejected close browser and use this link to re-access PRICELINE... Select 4* Soho, TS, Union Square, MSG... Bid $188, if rejected add re-bid zone... Bid $190, if rejected add re-bid zone... Bid $193, if rejected close browser and use this link to re-access PRICELINE... Select 4* Soho, TS, LES, MSG, MTW... Bid $195, if rejected add re-bid zone... Bid $198, if rejected add re-bid zone... Bid $200, if rejected close browser and use this link to re-access PRICELINE... Select 4* Chelsea, ESB, Union Square, Downtown... Bid $195, if rejected add re-bid zone... Bid $198, if rejected add re-bid zone... Bid $200, if rejected close browser and use this link to re-access PRICELINE... Select 4* Chelsea, TS, Union Square, MSG, MTW... Bid $203, if rejected add re-bid zone... Bid $205, if rejected add re-bid zone... Bid $208, if rejected close browser and use this link to re-access PRICELINE... Select 4* Soho, ESB, LES, Downtown... Bid $203, if rejected add re-bid zone... Bid $205, if rejected add re-bid zone... Bid $208, if rejected close browser and use this link to re-access PRICELINE... Select 4* Chelsea, ESB, LES, MSG, MTW, Soho, TS... Bid $210, if rejected add re-bid zone... Bid $213, if rejected add re-bid zone... Bid $215, if rejected close browser and use this link to re-access PRICELINE... Select 4* Chelsea, ESB, LES, MSG, MTW, Soho, Union Square... Bid $210, if rejected add re-bid zone... Bid $213, if rejected add re-bid zone... Bid $215, if rejected close browser and use this link to re-access PRICELINE... Select 4* Chelsea, ESB, LES, MSG, MTW, Soho, Downtown... Bid $210, if rejected add re-bid zone... Bid $213, if rejected add re-bid zone... Bid $215, if rejected close browser and use this link to re-access PRICELINE... Select 4* TS, Union Square, Chelsea, ESB, LES, MSG, MTW... Bid $218, if rejected add re-bid zone... Bid $220, if rejected add re-bid zone... Bid $223, if rejected close browser and use this link to re-access PRICELINE... Select 4* TS, Union Square, Chelsea, ESB, LES, MSG, Soho... Bid $218, if rejected add re-bid zone... Bid $220, if rejected add re-bid zone... Bid $223, if rejected close browser and use this link to re-access PRICELINE... Select 4* TS, Union Square, Chelsea, ESB, LES, MSG, Downtown... Bid $218, if rejected add re-bid zone... Bid $220, if rejected add re-bid zone... Bid $223, if rejected close browser and use this link to re-access PRICELINE... Select 4* Chelsea, ESB, LES, MSG, MTW, Soho, TS, Union Square... Bid $225, if rejected add re-bid zone... Bid $228, if rejected add re-bid zone... Bid $230, if rejected close browser and use this link to re-access PRICELINE... Select 4* Chelsea, ESB, LES, MSG, MTW, Soho, TS, Downtown... Bid $225, if rejected add re-bid zone... Bid $228, if rejected add re-bid zone... Bid $230, if rejected close browser and use this link to re-access PRICELINE... Select 4* Union Square, Downtown, Chelsea, ESB, LES, MSG, MTW, Soho... Bid $233, if rejected add re-bid zone... Bid $235, if rejected add re-bid zone... Bid $238, if rejected close browser and use this link to re-access PRICELINE... Select 4* Union Square, Downtown, Chelsea, ESB, LES, MSG, MTW, TS... Bid $233, if rejected add re-bid zone... Bid $235, if rejected add re-bid zone... Bid $238, if rejected close browser and use this link to re-access PRICELINE... Select 4* Chelsea, ESB, LES, MSG, MTW, Soho, TS, Union Square, Downtown... Bid $240, if rejected add re-bid zone... Bid $243, if rejected add re-bid zone... Bid $245 If the above is rejected you can take the $248 Downtown property on PRICELINE EXPRESS (Fitness, Business) 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. Please use this HOTWIRE and these PRICELINE LINKS: HOTELS, CAR RENTALS, and AIRFARE to begin your travel purchases Link to comment
Fcantor Posted September 27, 2014 Author Report Share Posted September 27, 2014 What are 2 rebid zones withe 3* or less that I should be using? Thanks! Link to comment
Romelle Posted September 28, 2014 Report Share Posted September 28, 2014 What are 2 rebid zones withe 3* or less that I should be using?The rebid zones only need to be 3.5* or less, not 3* or less. In Thereuare's last post, right at the beginning is a link to an explanation of how to determine rebid zones. Essentially, when on Priceline, you want to determine those zones that have nothing offered at the level you are bidding (4*) or higher. It is really important to learn how to determine them yourself, because they change regularly and you have to check them just before each bidding session. Otherwise, if things have changed, a zone you thought was safe might now not be and you could end up way out someplace you didn't want to be. Romelle Link to comment
thereuare Posted September 28, 2014 Report Share Posted September 28, 2014 If you have read Priceline Re-Bidding Explained and are still confused, try the following: 1) Use the PRICELINE search box on the upper right of this page (or BiddingHelper.com), enter your city and 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 star rating offered in 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 don't follow the above just post back and we'll break it down further. Please use this HOTWIRE and these PRICELINE LINKS: HOTELS, CAR RENTALS, and AIRFARE to begin your travel purchases Link to comment
Fcantor Posted September 28, 2014 Author Report Share Posted September 28, 2014 Ok, so I used the rebidding zones and all is going well. I have gotten up to $225 so far with no luck. Before I continue to invest time VS just taking the PRICELINE EXPRESS deal at $248 do you find that booking hotels is anything like booking flights where as if you book say on a Tuesday you can get a better deal? I am wondering at this point if I should wait and try again. I could conceivably wait until very close to my travel dates ( I do love to gamble :-) ). Thoughts? Link to comment
AaronJB Posted September 28, 2014 Report Share Posted September 28, 2014 There is no "best day of the week" to bid and inventory can change at any time. With rising demand, there has been less in the way of last minute deals over the last few years. Lastly, this is not a slow period in NYC - while you can wait to see if rates come down closer to your dates, there is a real risk they could also go the other way. Thank you for using the board's HOTWIRE or PRICELINE links to start your purchases and searches. Link to comment
Fcantor Posted September 30, 2014 Author Report Share Posted September 30, 2014 After a 2nd attempt still no luck. I took the PRICELINE EXPRESS deal for a 4* in the financial district at $248. Ended up being the Doubletree by Hilton NYC Financial District. Thanks everyone for all of the help! Link to comment
thereuare Posted September 30, 2014 Report Share Posted September 30, 2014 Congratulations on your success! Hope you're pleased with the outcome and are looking forward to your trip. Just down the road from this hotel is a pizza place (a restaurant, not a slice shop) that i often recommend: Adrienne's Pizzabar 54 Stone St The pizza (stick with the square grandma pie) is very good and relatively inexpensive (for NYC) for the quality of the ingredients. However, note that drinks are on the high side (as they are at most place in NYC) Thank you for sharing your win with the board. Please use the PRICELINE and HOTWIRE links on the board to begin your travel purchases. Enjoy your stay. Please use this HOTWIRE and these PRICELINE LINKS: HOTELS, CAR RENTALS, and AIRFARE to begin your travel purchases Link to comment
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