DougWI

After seeing Alexis Inn and Suites listed here at Better bidding at 2 1/2 star, we thought we were bidding on a different hotel because Hotwire had this blind buy listed as 3 starts. I never considered checking out this hotel when doing my pre-buy research due to to it being listed as 2 1/2 stars here. Reading TripAdvisor reviews, there are many glowing reviews from very new reviewers and a few bad reviews from experienced reviewers. I fear this hotel got its rating bumped from 2 1/2 stars to 3 stars at Hotwire by posting fake reviews, but I can not prove it. Just read the glowing reviews and see if they seem real to you. Hotwire listed pricing for this hotel room as regularly $161, and this blind buy was 46% off. After going directly to the hotel website, for the full 4 nights, after all taxes and fees, we saved $1 total. So lets review, we are staying in a hotel that we feel is not really a 3 star, at a $1 total savings. I am disappointed in Hotwire. Hotel Listed was: Free Parking Free Breakfast Free Internet Airport Shuttle Smoke Free Rooms Fitness Center Business Center Cost summary 4 nights Hotwire Hot Rate Room@ $84.00/night $336.00 Tax recovery charges & fees $81.78 Subtotal $417.78 Hotwire Total $417.78

Thank you. We are booked. Going to Sears tower, Blue Man Group then Medieval times. We could use a recommendation for lunch close to the sears tower.

Here you go 3-star Hotel in Arlington Heights - Elk Grove Village This Hotel features the following amenities: Free Parking <amenity names only please... not descriptions> Free Breakfast <amenity names only please... not descriptions> Pet friendly Pet friendly - terms apply Fitness Center Guests have access to exercise equipment; an additional charge may apply. Business Center Guests have access to business equipment and services; an additional charge may apply. High-Speed Internet Access Guestrooms are equipped with high-speed Internet access; an extra charge may apply. Golf Nearby Property is located within walking distance or a short drive of at least one golf course; an extra charge typically applies. Accessible for the blind Braille or raised signage Accessible for the deaf TTY for telephone, visual or flashing fire alarm and vibrating alarm clock Accessible path of travel <amenity names only please... not descriptions> In-room accessibility Accessible path from the room entrance to the window, the bed and the bathroom; accessible hardware and minimal resistance to open the door; accessible temperature controls and window coverings Accessible bathroom Raised toilet, hand-held shower and grab bars at the tub and toilet Handicapped parking <amenity names only please... not descriptions> Roll-in shower Bathroom has a roll-in shower Please note that Hotwire cannot guarantee the level of services offered at a property and/or if services are operational at the time of visit. Services may be closed due to seasonality reasons and/or may be closed for renovation.

Hotwire June 15 – one night Arlington Heights - Elk Grove Village area hotel 3*, Super Savings $91 other sites, $52 Amenities: Free Parking, Free Breakfast, Pet friendly, Fitness Center, Business Center $64.31 after taxes & fees Got Holiday Inn Express Chicago-Arlington Heights, IL

Thank you! I can almost taste those cookies. :D

I did not know about the Priceline Best Rate Guarantee Thank you, thank you THANK YOU!!! I am so happy. I called the number. They are going to give me a credit for $68.99, the difference plus $25/night. Plus $50 if I buy a future vacation flight / hotel package…..I’ll need to read how that works when it arrives. Can I buy you a bagel or a bunch of bagels at that favorite bagel place of yours? :) You totally made my day.

New York City - Sat, Jul 27, 2013 - Mon, Jul 29, 2013 - 1 Room Goal – Midtown 3* and save money via Priceline Notes on express deals (helps me determine bid range) Priceline 3* time square 159, and Midtown West 170 Hotwire 3* Empire state building 153 TS 3* 140 - Rejected TS + MTW 3* 144 - Rejected TS + MTW + MSG 3* 146 – Rejected TS + MTW + MSG + HK 3* 147 – Rejected TS + MTW + MSG + HK + Chelsea Area 3* 148 – Rejected TS + MTW + MSG + HK + Chelsea Area + ESB 3* - 149 – Rejected TS + MTW + MSG + HK + Chelsea Area + ESB + MTE 3* - 150 – Got it Got MTE Doubletree Metropolitan Hotel New York City – Pricing is saying this is a 4* hotel? I bid 3* but got 4* Doubletree By Hilton Metropolitan New York 569 Lexington Avenue New York, NY 10022 Just FYI…..after having success with Priceline at $150 I went directly to the Doubletree advance purchase website. Using the advanced purchased plan, here is what I found: Room: 1 QUEEN BED - NON SMOKING DATE Price per night TAX TOTAL (USD) 27 Jul 2013 159.00 26.97 185.97 28 Jul 2013 *119.00 21.07 140.07 Room Subtotal: 326.03 The problem I am having is after I do everything I can imagine is correct and make my bid I did not blindly assume it was a good deal, I went and checked if it was a good deal. It was not a good deal. I got ripped off. So my total for two nights booking directly with them would have been $278+tax vs I paid $300+tax via priceline. My bad….I got ripped off by priceline.

Thereuare, Thank you for your help, education, sharing of knowledge and patience. :) This process was educational for me, even if it did cost me Money time and money.

Cause if I go with Priceline maybe Kaley Cuoco from Priceline will be our chamber maid? Seriously I have failed so at PRICELINE so many times, never winning once, I need to prove to myself its possible Priceline Offered express deal 3* lower east side 163 Free breakfast…– goal is to do better than this… Lower East Side $140 3* Rejected Lower East Side + TS $145 3* Rejected Lower East Side + TS + MTW $149 3* Rejected NOTE – When I started this process Hotwire had a Downtown 3* at $149. This deal no longer exists. So I cost myself this deal by trying, and trying, and trying Priceline Lower East Side + TS + MTW +MSG $154 3* Accepted Got: Your Hotel Deal is in the Bag! Congratulations. We just booked your stay at the Best Western Bowery Hanbee Hotel for just $154 a night. See your complete hotel itinerary below. I went to the hotel website and confirmed the room does come with free breakfast so I think it’s the same hotel as the one offered at 163 above. Likley doing all my Priceline bidding cost me $5/night by missing out on the previous Hotwire offer. Offer Price: avg. per room, per night $154.00 Rooms: 1 Nights: 2 Room Subtotal: $308.00 Taxes & Fees: $71.80 Total Charged to Card: $379.80 Please add to your hotel list: New York - New York - Lower East Side - 3* via Priceline Best Western Bowery Hanbee Hotel

Just tried to beat a dead horse…….trying Priceline… TS 4* 170 Rejected TS 3 1/3* 160 Rejected CPS/MTW 172 4* Rejected TS, MTW 3.5* 165 Rejected MSG, TS, MTW 3.5* 169 Rejected Chelsea Area, Empire State Building Area, Hell's Kitchen 3.5* 165 Rejected TS+ MTW 4* 179 – Rejected TS+ MTW 4*(+Harlem rebid zone) 183 – Rejected TS+ MTW 4*(+Harlem + Long island city rebid zone) 186 – Rejected TS, MTW, HK 3.5* 175 – Rejected TS, MTW, HK, MSG 3.5* 179 – Rejected Please not that last bid…..$179 for 3.5* and Hotwire has $181 for 3.5* in Tim Square – Rejected Hotwire is 181 for 3.5* TS Now lower / Downtown area...3.5* Downtown - Financial District, SoHo – Tribeca 3.5* $140 - Rejected Downtown - Financial District, SoHo – Tribeca, Lower East Side 3.5* $150 - Rejected Downtown - Financial District, SoHo – Tribeca, Lower East Side, MTE 3.5* $155 (hoping I don’t get the Hudson) Rejected - Rejected

I’m asking for your suggestions….am I better off trying some 3.5* to 4* in the Downtown / SoHo / Lower East side area? Or am I better off trying some 3* bids around TS, MTW, Madison Square Garden area? Are there 3* rebid zones? I’m hoping to avoid extremely small rooms (Hudson) very long walks to subway (10 minutes or over) and any unpleasant surprises you may be aware of in these areas. Right now HOTWIRE has a 4* MSG/Hells Kitchen at $179. Keep in mind my Priceline $170 bid for this area was rejected. Of course we do not know what price would have been accepted but this just is validating to me that my maximum bids are reasonable. I mean $9 more and I can skip all the bidding and just get it. I am trying to give PRICELINE every chance here. Really trying hard. HOTWIRE also has a 3* Downtown at $149. Keep in mind some of the things on our list of things to do include walking across the Brooklyn Bridge and taking the guided Memorial tour so we will be in this area for these things. What are the issues / concerns when bidding 3*? Again, thank you for all your help.

3.5* up to 150 ....... Chelsea Area, Empire State Building Area, Hell's Kitchen, Madison Square Garden - Convention Area3.5* 140 – rejected Chelsea Area, Empire State Building Area, Hell's Kitchen, Madison Square Garden - Convention Area + Time Square 3.5* 145 – rejected Chelsea Area, Empire State Building Area, Hell's Kitchen, Madison Square Garden - Convention Area + Time Square + Mid Town West 3.5* 150 - rejected

Hells Kitchen ESB 4* 160 – rejected Hells Kitchen ESB 4*+ (Morningside heights Harlem as rebid zone)165 – rejected Chelsea Area 4* 160 – rejected Chelsea Area 4*+ (Morningside heights Harlem as rebid zone)165 – rejected Central Park South, Chelsea Area, Empire State Building Area, Madison Square Garden - Convention Area Midtown West, Times Square - Theatre District 4* 165 - rejected Central Park South, Chelsea Area, Empire State Building Area, Hell's Kitchen, Madison Square Garden - Convention Area, Midtown West, Times Square - Theatre District 4* 168 – rejected Central Park South, Chelsea Area, Empire State Building Area, Hell's Kitchen, Madison Square Garden - Convention Area, Midtown West, Times Square - Theatre District 4* + MTE 170 - rejected

On my own – included using your PRICELINE link and closing the browser several times Then... Central Park South 4* at 160 – rejected Central Park South 4* + (Morningside heights Harlem as rebid zone) 4* 165 – rejected Central Park South 4*+ (Morningside heights Harlem + Long Island City as rebid zone) 4* 170 – rejected Then… MTE 4* at 160 – rejected MTE 4* + (Morningside heights Harlem as rebid zone) 4* 165 – rejected MTE 4*+ (Morningside heights Harlem + Long Island City as rebid zone) 4* 170 – rejected Then... Madison Square Garden 4* at 150 – rejected Madison Square Garden 4* + Time Square at 155 - rejected Madison Square Garden + Time Square + Morningside heights Harlem as rebid zone 4* 160 – rejected Madison Square Garden + Time Square+ (Morningside heights Harlem + Long Island City as rebid zone) 4* 165 - rejected I think after 24 hours I will go back to 3.5* and try Select 3.5* MTW... Bid $145, if rejected close browser and use this link to re-access PRICELINE... Select 3.5* TS... Bid $145, if rejected add TS... Bid $148 if rejected I think I will ask you what you think of some other areas like Chelsea Area, Empire State Building, Hells Kitchen, Madison Square Garden. Why is queensboro bridge grayed out? Any bad things to avoid?

Thank you. I did these three and rejected each time. Then.......On my own – included using your PRICELINE link and closing the browser several times MTW 4* at 160 - rejected Time Square 4* at 170 - rejected MTW + (Morningside heights Harlem as rebid zone) 4* 165 - rejected MTW + (Morningside heights Harlem + Long Island City as rebid zone) 4* 170 - rejected MTW + Morningside heights Harlem + Long Island City + Time Square 4* 175 - rejected

thereuare Once again, thank you for your knowledge, patience and help. This site is amazing. As amazing as this site is, I’m quickly losing faith in Priceline as the correct tool for us. I read about 60% savings. Maybe at one time or someplace else, but in Manhattan today there does not seem to be savings. Why go thru the process if it results in a 15 minute walk to the subway hotel or very small rooms? One of the issues is at a given category, say 3.5* you run the risk of a hotel that should be 2* like the example you gave due to very small rooms. Knowing my luck I’d press the bid button hoping to get any other hotel and get the one that I don’t want. I started on this journey so at this point I’m going to follow through with it. So let’s start with 3.5* Time Square +(remove MidtownEast), MidtownWest, and (remove UpperMidtown/CentralParkSouth) with a max of $150. If no success then 4*, same areas with maximum of $165. If no success then 3*, same areas with maximum of $140 unless opening up to 3* ads some new clunkers we need to avoid. If I get a winning bid then I’ll sing the praises of Priceline. If we are not successful at this then I validated to myself that Priceline is simply not enough of a savings at this time and grab a hotwire deal. Again thereuare, thank you for your help.

Thereuare, Thank you for all your help. As you can tell, we are not experts and are struggling to answer your questions. 4* MidtownEast, MidtownWest, and UpperMidtown/CentralParkSouth + Time Square our absolute maximum bid would be $165/night. I am hoping to get under $170 as I really was unsure when I hit the button on my un-successful $170/night Time Square bid and was a little relieved when I lost. Also we know we can always get a Hotwire 3 star SoHo for $149 and due to the hassle of bidding, Priceline should be cheaper then Hotwirel so I am assuming a 3.5* maximum bid should be about $150. So I guess let’s start with 3.5* Time Square + MidtownEast, MidtownWest, and UpperMidtown/CentralParkSouth with a max of $150. If no success then 4*, same areas with maximum of $165. If you feel this is not reasonable please tell me.

I never thought of that......thank you. Yes please lets start with 3.5* in Time Square. I dont know if there are 3.5* rebid zones.

Thank you for your offer to help. I am going from memory but think I picked 4 star on the failed bids. As to budget, it's a sliding scale. If I could get a time square 4 star I was willing to go to 170. If the room is in soho and 3 star then below what Hotwire is offering. To expand on that, with any bid I plan on going to Hotwire and enter the same dates locations and stars and only bid below. So I guess my answer is $170/night for 4 star in time square and less as I drop stars and get further away.

thereuare Thank you. The above vacation to New York City got changed to late July. Our flights are now booked and we are ready to book room. We need rooms July 23 for two nights then July 27 for two nights. In the middle we are going up state. Goals: 3 star or better Basically anywhere from Central to lower Manhattan Dates: July 23 thru 25 also July 27 thru 29 Per the above we would like to avoid areas that are 10 mins or over from subway entrance and avoid the Hudson due to very small rooms. As far as our preferred areas I guess I need your advice with this. We intend to see several Broadway shows, we intend to go to Time Square, Sept 11 Memorial, Statue of Liberty, some high up area with a view like 30 Roc or Empire state building, walk over the Brooklyn bridge, Carlos bakery, we will need to get to Pen Station on Thursday early morning then back there on Saturday for our trip on Amtrak. We are fine taking the subway. I bid via Priceline on only Time Square for July 23 – two nights at $165 then $170 and both were rejected. On Hotwirle we can3 star SoHo for $149 for our July 23 – first two nights. Looking for recommended bid strategy. Thank you for your help.

I ended up taking the Sheboygan area 2.5* express deal at $99 via PRICELINE express deal. I hit the enter button expecting to get the Holiday Inn Express in Sheboygan because that was the only 2.5* hotel in Sheboygan WI listed in their hotel list. This is the hotel I got. After all taxes and fees the hotel was $118.85 (USD) My bids of $60 and $75 were rejected and I do not know what bid would have been accepted. Honestly three hours of frustration was not worth it for me. After reading here about other people getting a 3.5* Wisconsin hotel for $43/night and me failing at getting a 2.5* at $75 I count my first attempt at using Priceline a failure. Sheboygan 2.5* was listed as Free breakfast Free internet Indoor out outdoor pool Free parking Business center Fitness center = Holiday Inn Express Note: I did not want to go to the 2* express deal. Although most of the 2* hotels were fine the “View hotels” tab revealed Price line counted one hotel as 2* that really is a total dump and knowing my luck that would be the place I’d get. This area had no hotels above 2.5* They do exist in this area, for example Kohler Club and Blue Harbor they just apparently are not offered via PRICELINE.

I placed another bid at $75 for a 2.5* in Sheboygan for tonight. Again it was rejected but this time I got the below message: This is a scam. I know it’s a scam because in another window I have the following pop-up: Express deal Sheboygan Area$99 per night Show Me 2.5Rated 8.0out of 10 (or higher)..This Hotel has: Free Breakfast | Free Internet | Indoor or Outdoor Pool | Free Parking | Business Center | Fitness Center So Priceline wants me to bid higher then the express deal. My first experience if using Priceline is not going very good.

I apologize up front. I am trying my first ever price line bid, I’m frustrated and about to toss my laptop out the window. About two hours ago I put in my first Priceline bid for $60 for a 2 ½* at $60 for tonight at Priceline in Sheboygan WI. My bid was rejected. Trying to follow the instructions of this board I’m trying to add a second area like Kholer, Sheboygan Falls ,Plymouth, Elkart Lake WI then up my bid to say $75. I see no way to do this. If I start a new bid for the area west of Sheboygan the Sheboygan area disappears from the search. In other words I see no possible way to keep Sheboygan plus add a second area for a rebid. If anyone can tell me what I am doing wrong I would really appreciate your help.

I’m looking for your strategy suggestions and reasonable opening bid price as well as reasonable top bid price. I have booked rooms twice using Hotwire. Once was in New York/ Manhattan. I have never put in a Priceline bid. With your help I’m looking to give Priceline a try. Goals: 3 star or better Basically anywhere from Central to lower Manhattan Dates: May 16-May 20 Price Goal $140/day. Is this reasonable? With Hotwire we got the Bentley in Manhattan(3 star Priceline / 3 ½ star Hotwire) the last week of January 2013 at $100/day. We were happy with this hotel. Walk to subway was about 10 minutes. I’m hoping to be at least this close to the subway next time. I read some hotels are further walks to the subway but I not sure what areas to avoid. To me this walking distance was the only issue we had with the hotel. Areas that we would like to stay: Using Priceline terms, this includes: Central Park South Chelsea Area Downtown Financial District Empire State Building Hells Kitchen Long Island City (if close to Subway entrance and at a savings of $30/day+) Lower East Side. Madison square Garden Midtown East Midtown West Queens borough Bridge (note we stayed at the Bently (3 ½ *) last week of January at $100/night via Hotwire and were happy with this hotel and location. The total price was exactly $100/night.) SoHo Tribeca Time Square – Theatre District (Would pay up to an extra $30/day to stay here) Upper East Side (less desirable) Upper West Side (less desirable) I would consider areas further away if I was reasonably confident that the subway entrance was close to the hotel and the subway would take us to Manhattan. Although we went to multiple destinations it seemed like we were drawn to Time Square / Theater district the most for everything from Good Morning America to musicals to restaurants to sundries. Looking at “Express Deals” on Priceline I am finding: 4 start @ Downtown Financial District @ 185/night 4 Stars @ Midtown East @ $199/night So I’m hopeful that by going with the bidding process and reducing the hotel to 3 stars the $130 price is doable. Note– I have read my messages and clicked on the PRICELINE and HOTWIRE links in my welcome message. Thank you for your help.