blindman

I've just won the Hyatt Jersey City bid for both the Friday 25th and Saturday 26th. Accepted off the first bid, yesterday I bid $63.00 I would not be surprised if you can also get the Sunday 27th for this rate too.

IMHO Rates at the Hyatt are: Saturday Sunday Monday Tuesday 199.00 169.00 259.00 259.00 Hotwire has the date range at $219 with the Sunday only as $98. Saturday only is $187 and Mon-Tuesday is $249.. I think that for the Sunday $65 will do fine whereas for Saturday $75 may be the sweet spot. Now as for Mon -Tues, this may be $90. So, do you split your bid or wait and hope that the rates come down for Mon-Tues. Other problem is that $75 is about the point that the Doubletree kicks in :) I'm sure someone more experienced wil give their thoughts....

I already have a "lower than PL rate at the 3* Crowne Plaza in Secaucus" Probably trying the impossible, to get my (and others) favourite hotel for the same :) if not a little more. Watching rates on Hotwire and the hotel web-site, noticed they'd dropped for the weekend 25-27th (after shooting up to over $250 :) Tried a bid for 25th and 26th. Obviously too much sun :D or alcohol :o I'd only bid for the Friday 25th I bid $58 and was countered with add $17 more and it's yours. Historically the break point seems to be $65 and this is about 1/2 way between the bid and offer, I tried $66 for both the Friday and Saturday and got rejected. Lowest on the Hyatt siste is $169 and $199 respectively. Hotwire was $140. I reckon that $65 will get Friday and $75 will get Saturday. Being a cheapskate :) I'll stick with my $49 rate at Crowne Plaza for now.....

Add a night feature is NOT available in UK hotels :) I confirmed this with PL CS a while back

This thread may give alternatives to New Jersey, though it is less convenient. Search MSE for info on New York and New Jersey.

Sounds like a good plan. Look at Hotwire for any price drop for the Hyatt too. Member of MSE??

Thanks. I saw your earlier posts and will be taking my Priority Club card :) This IS my cancellable backup, I've just confirmed it has been booked for the 5 days at a lower than PL rate :) (it's not WHAT you know but WHO you know..). I'll be keeping my eyes peeled for the Hyatt, though I may stick with this option, I need to weigh up the pros and cons.

Yes, thanks, I've researched the taxi cost. As I'm arriving at nearly midnight local time and me on UK time (6hrs ahead) a taxi, or Super shuttle if I can find one is the only option. Unless you're offering a lift :)

We arrive at EWR on 22nd August 23:00 :) Depart JFK 27th August 19:50 I'm still hoping to get the Hyatt or surrounds and will post any bids etc

I've just found this very useful web-page with regards to Staying in NJ and visiting NYC. It compresses into one page what is generally available around here.

Thanks dahammer. I've got the map of the area and you've confirmed my suspicions. They do provide a free shuttle to Secaucus junction. Did you use the pool? If I have to I'll probably bid 2.5* but knowing how often one gets 'upgraded' I need to be prepared for the Crowne Plaza :) I may also get to choose this place from another source. :)

Here you'll find the list of reported Howire hotels. The Hyatt (as far as we know) is the only 4* in the area. Look at this thread regarding staying in NJ You are way too far ahead to be getting a good PL rate, though occasional bidding is no problem as is looking at Hotwire for rates. The Hyatt is very difficult to get during the week as it is primarily a busines hotel. Look at it's web-site for rates. When they fall to around $150 ish then there may be PL or Hotwire inventory.

Hi. Considering the Secaucus\Meadowlands PL hotels would it be true to say that the Crowne Plaza is less convenient for us with NO CAR than the Amerisuites\Wyndam\ and Holiday Inn? Seems to be a little out of the way regarding eateries and the like. How much of a foot slog is it to the Malls? We intend to catch the bus to NYC and not return until the PM, though probably before midnight and not every day. I've read that as the bus stop is the last one on the route into NYC the bus sometimes doesn't stop as it's full? We also intend to grab some Margaritas and beers if thereuare's info is still current? I'm looking at the Secaucus Junction web-site to which the Crowne Plaza has a shuttle. This train option would be OK with us. What's your opinion dahammer (and of course anyone else)you seem to stay in this area quite often? I may be able to get a very good deal (lower than PL) at the Crowne Plaza. Ta

You're probably bidding too early for any good PL rates at hotels. I can't see any obvious conference problems. As usual, have you considered New Jersey? Prices at the weekends tend to be lower and you may bag the Hyatt :)

More reading of FAQ's to be done methinks. Look at the Maps for the 'likely' hotels in Jersey City, you'll find there's a 2.5* listed, though there could be more that have not been reported. The 2.5* is next to the Panovia\Newport PATH and the Hyatt is next to Exchange place. The other hotels are easy walking distance, maybe 10 minutes max. Very useful Post here with links to PATH etc Extending your stay: Pl Terms So your strategy is no good :)

When you bid another page comes up to confirm all the details. On this page it shows what the taxes and fees are and what you'll eventually pay if you win, nothing is hidden. If you're unsure then do a 'dummy' run with any dates or places and either put a really low bid (there are minimum bids for different * ratings) and actually bid or go to the penultimate page and then cancel. In Europe VAT (at 17.5%)is mostly included in the price of whatever service or item you are buying. The only places that seem to add it to what you've been quoted are some restaurants and some hotels. If it is added as an extra in these (or other) places there is usually a (small :) ) note to this effect Us Europeans pay VAT too!

For some reason theruare missed your first post :) Normally he's on the ball :) Anyway: Far too early to predict Hotel rates I think, need to be within 8 weeks IMHO. Look at the convention checker to see when Vegas is 'full' Looks like the dentists are in town 16-19th Your dates also cover the weekend, usually another problem at getting a good PL rate without splitting your bid. IMHO I'd be booking a cancellable back up and waiting for a while.

This has been posted before but this Hotel Comparison web-site saves a lot of searching for the bets price.

If I read your post correctly you bid:- $45 for 2.5* Crystal City, rejected Then started a fresh bid with Alexandria and bid the same amount?? Then started a fresh bid with WH\DT and bid the same amount? If so WHY? I would have added each area and increased my bid :) Either way. 1) I'd wait the 24 hrs and bid again, AFTER sorting out a proper strategy :o 2) The counter offer is usually twice what is needed to win so you could bid in $1 increments with all the areas you are happy with. My Guestimate is that $55 may be the magic number. 3) You probably will be 'upgraded' Just make sure you're happy with this outcome. No idea which 3* it'll be :)

Sometimes with Pl you have to wait for the bargains to appear. Check every 4\5 days on Hotwire for likely rates and if you spot a lower rate than usual then try on PL. Be Patient!

FYI Travelodge often have promos for rooms for

Holiday Inn and the Novotel have come up before as winning bids of around $70.

Earlier bid with links to transport details

No

You mean this year :) surely 31st Dec 2006? As soon as youre plans are fixed, ie. the airline tickets are booked, you've got the time off work then start to bid. You have plenty of time to decide where you want to be and what you're willng to pay so do the research and once you're happy with the possibilities then begin to bid. If you don't succeed at first then bid every week or so. Best plan :) I bid for a New years eve in San Francisco (31st Dec 2005) in the February of 2005 and got a win on my first bidding session!