DrMarci

My friend cancelled at the last minute so we aren't going to be booking a hotel :-( Thanks for the link and for the help.

I would like to spend no more than 125$ (is that reasonable?). Does hotwire have an option where I can just select the price they offer rather than place a bid? I have only used priceline in the past so am not as familiar with hotwire. I definitely don't want to pay 200 bucks. Thanks!

Okay, it's done. Sorry for being a "bad" user!

Sorry for the looong delay! In the end, my parents weren't comfortable with using the internet. We ended up renting directly from Dollar (they have a pick-up location right at the airport). We rented one compact and one mid-size car for 7 days for a total of about $500.

I am looking for 4 or 4.5 star for one night: Sat June 24th. Here's what hotwire lists: 4.5 Star - North Scottsdale - $106 (!!!) Resort Pool(s) Spa Services Children's Activity Program Tennis Nearby Restaurant(s) Fitness Center High-speed Internet Access Golf Nearby Business Center 4 Star - North Scottsdale - $88 (!!!) Resort Restaurant(s) Fitness Center High-speed Internet Access Tennis Nearby Airport Shuttle Pool(s) Spa Services Golf Nearby Business Center 4.5 Star - Scottsdale - $214 Restaurant(s) Fitness Center High-speed Internet Access Business Center Pool(s) Resort Spa Services Golf Nearby 4.5 Star - Scottsdale - $126 Boutique Hotel Pool(s) High-speed Internet Access Tennis Nearby Restaurant(s) Fitness Center Golf Nearby Business Center Can I distinguish between North and just Scottsdale on Hotwire? I want Spa services and this last option doesn't seem to offer it. Thanks for your help!

I know...you are right. so, any suggested strategies for getting a mid sized for less than 300$? Ideally 200$ with unlimited mileage.

305$ seems to be the cheapest for a full size car for the week. My parents are concerned with using hotwire in a foreign country, especially in Mexico. I'll read thru some postings, but do you know of successful rentals in Mexico (where people haven't encountered problems)?

I would like to rent a minivan/sedan and one full size car for the week. We are 6 adults and one infant. Any bidding suggestions? (the prices listed on Hotwire are 56$/day for the van and 38$/day for the car). Thanks!

Is this the approporiate place to discuss car rentals or is this just the hotel forum? Please direct me! I would like to rent a minivan and one full size car for the week. We are 6 adults and one infant. Any bidding suggestions? (the prices listed on Hotwire are 56$/day for the van and 38$/day for the car). Thanks! :)

I GOT IT! Not exactly what I had wanted (4* DT) but still, it was a fun process. Here's what I did (thru savingsbarn.com, of course :-): I tried 1st for the %*: Selected 5* MTE... Bid $120, rejected so I added re-bid zone...(MTW) Bid $130, rejected added re-bid zone...(MTS) Bid $140, rejected added re-bid zone...(UES) Bid $145, rejected added re-bid zone...(UWS) Bid $150, = REJECTED. Then tried for 4* Downtown... Bid $110, if rejected add re-bid zone1... Bid $120, if rejected close browser and re-access priceline however you did previously. Select 4* Downtown and re-bid zone2... Bid $130, if rejected add re-bid zone1... Bid $140, REJECTED Then I tried for 4* MTW and bid $110, which was rejected Added DT and bid $120 and I got the HILTON NEW YORK on 6th Avenue. It was a big, touristy hotel but I must say I was impressed. We asked for a king bed, on a high floor with a park view and got all 3! I guess they weren't very busy. The rooms were very nice, and quite large by NYC standards. I would definitely suggest this hotel to others. Thanks for your help! :)

okay....so the rebid zones at UES and UWS (both have only 3* or lower). Correct?!

sorry, one other thing: when I add a re-bid zone I choose one, either MTE or MTW, etc. just one at a time so I have more chances? I swear I read the whole explanation but just want to make sure that's what you mean by "add rebid zone."

if I want to start with the 5* midtown, do i use the previous strategy? and then if I get rejected try for downtown? But then I have to wait 72 hrs, right? (Priority = 5* MTE; 4* DT; 4* MT) thanks for your help.

i guess we'd prefer downtown at a higher rate (up to 140$, if you think this is reasonable). then we'd go for MT. :)

i am going to ask a million questions at once so I can finally get this bidding over with :) ! 1. have any 4* downtowns been won in the last year or so, besides the millenium hilton? do the soho or tribeca grand ever come up? Or the newhotel gansevoort? There seems to be a lack of choices between midtown south and downtown. Just curious.... 2. is the 5* you mentioned the Waldorf Towers? 3. If we want to try to get the 4* for lower than 150, do we try the 5* in a separate bid or still do it together? We want DT first, but would try MTS, MTW and MTE. Thanks for taking the time to give me a strategy! :)

I would love to try for the 5* for $150. If it's n/a - then oh well! If the bid fails, I can still try again for my 4*, right? What's a good strategy?

I did check out DT and it's the most desireable area. We might consider MTW (or maybe East too! Help!) I'll decide by tonight and let you know. Out of curiosity - for what price do you think we could get a 5* in any 'hood for that night (sept 5th)? thanks for your help.

Thanks for the detailed advice. What if we ONLY want downtown? In fact, would a downtown hotel be included in any of your suggestions? MTW is not the same as downtown, correct? I am new to this so I'm sorry if my questions are naive! thanks!

My husband and I are celebrating our first wedding anniversary on Sept 5th and would like to stay in a 4* hotel. We actually live in NYC so staying in a hotel would be a fun and romantic treat. Is it possible to get a 4* hotel downtown for ~$150? Are there any useful strategies - like waiting until closer to the date? Any tips would be greatly appreciated!