Priceline Hotel: NYC Nov. 29 - Dec. 1st

Hmmm interesting I have noticed regular rack rates are higher for my dates. I would happy to get a 3 star under $200 all in to be honest. I take it PRICELINE adjusts their prices seasonally also?

On a side note do free rebids apply to just adding areas where there is no hotels of my wanted star rating? e.g. there is about 6 areas im considering in NYC that I consider equal. I'd be happy with a 3* say I just bid on say the following

A

A+B

A+B+C

A+B+C+D

A+B+C+D+E

I would increase my bid by $5 each time most likely Does that order count as free rebids?

Well, "free rebids" is a term that's used here on betterbidding.com for a specific situation, where you are rebidding by increasing your bid amount while adding areas that don't have a hotel of the star level you're bidding on. In the above example, if B, C, D, and E didn't have any 3*, it would be a perfect example of "free rebids". They are "free" because you're not waiting 24 hours and you're still getting to raise your bid on hotels in A.

In your actual example, where B, C, D, and E all have 3*, these are simply "rebids", rather than "free rebids". Priceline allows you to add areas to your bid, with the assumption that most people doing so are submitting legitimate bids on hotels in those areas, rather than using them as "phantom areas" to enable you to raise your bid rather than waiting 24 hours.

Not to get all semantic on you, of course, but that's how I'd answer your question. Hope it makes sense.

barryc,

We have moved your post to its own thread and we will use this topic for your NYC trip... am i correct that the dates of your trip as Nov 29-Dec 1?

Which zones are you willing to accept? What is your maximum bid? Are you willing to pay more for a higher rated hotel OR is your goal the least expenisive 3* or better for this trip?

Please use the PRICELINE and HOTWIRE links on the board to begin your travel purchases... and your searches too! (please click each of these links before replying)

Thanks.

On a side note do free rebids apply to just adding areas where there is no hotels of my wanted star rating? e.g. there is about 6 areas im considering in NYC that I consider equal. I'd be happy with a 3* say I just bid on say the following

A

A+B

A+B+C

A+B+C+D

A+B+C+D+E

I would increase my bid by $5 each time most likely Does that order count as free rebids?

The term "free rebids" is used on this site, betterbidding.com , for the process by which you add areas which don't have hotels at that star level. The rebid is "free" because you are raising your bid without waiting 24 hours the way you normally would, and it can only be accepted in the original area.

When you add areas that have hotels at that star level, it is not "free" because your bid may get accepted for the areas you're adding. It's a "rebid" but not a "free rebid".

Hmmm interesting I have noticed regular rack rates are higher for my dates. I would happy to get a 3 star under $200 all in to be honest. I take it PRICELINE adjusts their prices seasonally also?

Yes, they do. Not only seasonally, but also with any special events taking place. Of course, it's not Priceline that adjusts the prices, but the hotels themselves adjusting the prices they're willing to accept. I've found that a given price may be accepted for one weekend, but not for the following weekend, even if the same hotel has rooms available. The hotels are smart enough to know that if there's a big convention or event in town, they should be asking for more money for those dates, and they do.

Yes 11/29-12/1 are indeed my dates.

Areas I'd consider are Midtown West, Times Square, MSG/Convention, Midtown East, Financial roughly in that order.

Looking at the hotel list in MSG/Convention area the 2.5 star hotels are acceptable e.g. holiday inn express, hampton inn. If it's a 2.5* my ideal situation would be to get it and $130-150 taxes in. I'd be willing to pay up to $200 all in for better star hotels but that being said I'd be pretty happy just to have a room 2.5*+ in midtown for that price. Based on my research regular rack rate on Expedia for that time for 2,5* is about $300 a night

I've never used priceline before. I require 2 beds but understand I can arrange that with the hotel AFTER booking via priceline

Areas I'd consider are Midtown West, Times Square, MSG/Convention, Midtown East, Financial roughly in that order.

Are you willing to pay more to stay in MTW vs. TS vs. MSG vs. MTE vs. Financtial District... or is your goal the least expensive hotel at your given star rating in any of these zones?

If it's a 2.5* my ideal situation would be to get it and $130-150 taxes in. I'd be willing to pay up to $200 all in for better star hotels but that being said I'd be pretty happy just to have a room 2.5*+ in midtown for that price.

We will suggest a strategy for whatever you'd like to try, but $150 all-in is probably not going to be realistic for these dates. Do you want to try for a 2.5* hotel first OR try for a higher rated hotel with a higher maximum bid? Also, you mention you'd be fine with a 2.5* in midtown for this price, but above you also mention the Financial District being acceptable... is the Downtown-Financial District also acceptable?

I require 2 beds but understand I can arrange that with the hotel AFTER booking via priceline

PRICELINE only guarantees double occupancy, after that it's at the discretion of the hotel, and you could receive a room with only one bed. While you can call the hotel you win and request a room with two beds, the hotel may not be able, or willing, to honor your request (this is especially true in NYC where there are a high percentage of rooms with only one bed and rooms with two beds is often considered an upgrade). If this is not a risk you're willing to take, HOTWIRE may still be an option as they allow you to search for up to quad occupancy and ensure sleeping accommodations for everyone you include in your search (although this usually means two beds, the second 'bed' could be a sofabed, rollaway, etc)

Let us know how you'd like to proceed and the information above we'll take it from there.

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

I tried the following last night. All bids 2.5* +

$120 - MSG - Fail

$125 - MSG + Midtown West - Fail

$130 - MSG + Midtown West + Times Square - Fail

$135 - MSG + Midtown West + Times Square + Empire State - Fail

$140 - MSG + Midtown West + Times Square + Empire State + Midtown East - Fail.

I knew my price range was a stretch but I was just comparing to an apartment rental

Thanks for the help everyone. I think it'll be easier for me to book an apartment

Thanks for closing this thread with your decision.

Enjoy your stay and time in the city.