beautiful

Final result - the Sheraton NY offered a points special where we got 5 nights for the points price of 4 - so we transferred Amex points to Sheraton to do this. Thanks for your priceline and hotwire help. I finally called EasyClickTravel and they said they did not have my request. They apparently even called the hotel to confirm there was no reservation. Guess I should do as well to be safe. A technical person was supposed to call me to discuss why nothing ever posted to "my account" on their site - but they never called me back.

I placed a bid on EasyClickTravel on Wednesday night for a property that was partially "on request". I received a response that they needed to check with the hotel and i would hear later, as much as 48 hours later. It's past 48 hours and I have not heard anything. I can not find anything about "current bids" or anything similar to that when I log in.

MTW is still OK, and I liked the strategy you gave me before, I just don't know at this time how we should pursue the prices. MTE over MTW. Two years ago at this same time by boss surprised his wife with a NYC trip - probably Sunday through Thursday or Friday, and paid about $140 at the Mellinium right off of Broadway (4* are the time). I mentioned this to a few business travelers I ran into in Chicago yesterday, and they said the days of those prices are gone, gone. thanks again.

I'd like to go ahead and do it tonight, if you get a chance to advise. Otherwise, I'll do it tomorrow evening if you do it tomorrow. So if I hit the Book It button on EasyClickTravel when it says "on request", or even if it says "Available", I pay now (if I get it), but cancel within 72 hours of the first night? Their terms and conditions don't say anything about a cancellation charge. If the rate is available for part of the stay but on request for the other, are they automatically going to book what is available? thanks ever so much - again!

thanks - i'm still interested in pursuing the MTE, MTW and CPS bidding on Priceline with no split. and thanks for the refund info on EasyClickTravel. I will certainly check out/reserve the Drake Swissotel knowing this new information. What happens when EasyClickTravel indicates "on request"?

The latter - I'd rather take the low $200's price, especially if I was reasonable sure of what hotel I would be getting. The best I've seen is what is believed to be the Drake Swissotel for $223 from EasyClickTravel. Is EasyClickTravel an alternative to Hotwire that is just newer so not as widely known? I don't see EasyClickTravel threads... I seen quite a few not very good reviews for the Sheraton - is that hotel likely to be one that would accept a priceline bid? To avoid that, I would have to not select the area that they are in - MTW I think. Although I just talked to someone yesterday who seemed to think the hotel was just fine...

I'd like to continue without splitting the bid. Thank you.

OK. I'll take your word for it - I just haven't see that big of a disparity between weeknight and weekend prices. And I presumed the reason for the split would be because of the disparity. I'd like your suggestions on a split stay and also what to do if i just continued to look for one for the whole time. Please, i don't understand your comment about one of the hotels i looked at was sold out for one of the nights of my stay. Are you talking about the specific ones from EasyClickTravel? i just looked at those prices this morning. Were you able to determine the hotwire hotel for $228? thanks - stay warm. It's gong to be cold tonight, even in Houston.

This didn't work. i'll try again next week. Should I just start at say $150 from the beginning or would you suggest something else? We have appoinments sceduled for Friday monring, which would be the day we'dd have to switch hotels, if required; that is why it would be very inconvenient to split the hotels. I understand that I'll end up paying a weekday price for the whole stay, but even a higher weekday price on priceline should be lower than what I have see elsewhere. Hotwire has a 4 star in midtown central for $228, which states that is $12 of of the normal $240 price. Searching Expedia, traveloicty, Hotels.com, etc., I've never seen a $240 4* hotel at this time. Amenities are restaurant, business center, fitness center and high speed internet access. Do you know what this is and is this a good deal? Trip advisor customer reviews only give it a 3 which I generally find to not be good. I guess if I were to be luxurious at a discounted price, EasyClickTravel.com has the marriott marquis for $247. This is about $100 off of the Expedia rate. Actually, EasyClickTravel has the Drake Swissotel for $223; Hudson and Mellinium, which they say are both 4*, at $208 and $237... I have a ways to go before I get to $200 on priceline. So in the big picture, should i keep trying or are these hotels a steal at these prices? OK, maybe not a steal, but a good deal. I've noticed that a lot of people take the hotwire price rather than get into the bidding game with Priceline. Because they'd rather take a sure thing at a bit of a higher price? as always, thanks for your help.

I guess the weeknights stay is causing the price to be higher. Still, wouldn't you think I should be able to get a lower price than the average price for the whole stay at the same hotel? I don't know how to answer your maximum bid question, since money isn't too, too great of a problem, I've just always held the view that the less money I spend here, the more I can spend (or the less guilty I feel about spending) money somewhere else (and who wants to spend $300+ a night at a hotel when we're to see the sights, not the hotel). Make sense? I was hoping you could give me some idea of how much I should HAVE TO spend. I guess we can use Hotwire for that info? I'm new to this, but it looks like Hotwire has set prices for a "mystery" hotel, and you accept that price and sometimes can figure out the hotel first. And the other party who, a few days ago, saw what he believed to be the Barclay at about $171 for the same weekend I'll be there and he was able to get it on priceline for $142. And hotwire prices/deals seem to change daily? Yes? So should I check out hotwire for prices first? I'd rather spend a bit more and not have to change hotels. thanks.

On second attempt I'm up to $155 for 4* MTW, MTE, UES, UWS with no success. Can add CPS or wait 72 hours. What do you suggest I do - go up after 72 hours or possibly start low again after 72 hours? thanks for your help.

Yes, two nights ago. Will try again tomorrow evening or tonight with adding Midtown East since I've taken a hard look at maps and talked to people and heard what you said about the place being so compact. I saw that tripadvisor.com lists the Intercontinental Barclay as a 5* and at least one reviewer strongly disagreed. It's just very interesting ready other people's quesions and results. I have learned so much through your site.

Was your initial request Midtown East 4*? i'm looking for a 4* for less than $145 about the same dates but wondered about Midtown West versus East.

Yes, I think for this, our first trip, we want to be in the midst of it all. So Midtown West would be my preference. I'll try up to $145 (if you think that's reasonable), then maybe go up or expand to MTE or CPS later if it doesn't look good. Just curious, what is your favorite hotel and/or area in NYC and why?

I think I see how this works... I'd like your input about bidding on a 4* hotel in Midtown West 3/14 - 3/19/06. It's just my daughter (age 19) and me, we'll be seeing several broadway shows, but visiting other parts of the city. From other posts, looks like starting price should be about $110, but I haven't seen one with the exact dates. Also, I'm not sure about where else to stay if Midtown West is not available. Would Midtown East or Central Park South be preferable considering activities I've mentioned and safety? I have about 5 weeks before the date, so would you recommend that I keep trying for a low (less than $140) price or keeping going up? Thanks for your help. It appears that many people have benefitted from your services.

What would be your strategy regarding price if 4* Midtown West is preferred 3/14 - 3/19? Thanks.