Checks

After a failed Priceline bid up to $166 for MTE/MTW/CP, I used the HOTWIRE link for a 3.5* for $153, Hudson Hotel. Amenities were the four listed here: restaurant, fitness, internet, business Very happy as the hotel looks very cool!

I actually raised everything $10 and then did a final at $166 for all zones. Booked the Hudson via your HOTWIRE link for $153. Very happy. Thanks again for all the help and GO BLUE

Okay, we're now firm for 4/1 - 4/4 (three nights). Looking for 4* in any of the three zones at up to $150/night. If no go, then I'll go down to 3*. Thanks.

Thanks for replying. I'm really looking at staying in Manhattan (gotta get the Essa bagel first thing in the morning!), so I appreciate your thoughts on that. Are any of the other areas (MTW, CP) better for a 4* in that range? Also appreciate your thoughts on whether the 3* are decent (for reference, I stayed at the Barclay last time and loved it). Thanks

Trying to find a 4* in NYC (prefer MTE) for $150 /night for 4/1-4/4. Have a bit of flexibility in the dates, so I could go 4/2 - 5 (or 4/3 - 6) if that lowers the price. Stayed at the Barclay last year and loved that. Seems like prices have gone up this year. I could go down to a 3* but I'm worried that I would get one that is not decent; appreciate any thoughts on whether that's a legitimate concern. Thanks.

Okay, I pulled up my big boy pants and did it on my own for once. Grand Hyatt $135.00 MTE , et al 100, 110, 120 MTW, et al 100, 110, 120 CP/UM, et al 100, 110, 120 MTE, MTW, et al 115 (oops), 125, 130 MTE, MTW, CP/UM 135 - accepted (P.S. I now understand that I should have opened the second round of bidding at 125 instead of 115)

Searching for a 4* in MTE or MTW for Friday night (4/7) only. I'm already at the Barclay the previous three nights, but they wanted $228 to add Friday night. I want to stay under $150, so I'm looking to move hotels for that night. Appreciate your strategy, and Go Blue.

Sorry to not have the full bidding history, because - as this was my first effort - it went a bit astray from the suggestions provided by thereuare. I also added UM/CPS Here is the final sequence, if that helps (was accessed via savingsbarn.com): MTE + UM/CPS: $140: rejected add UWS at $145: rejected add UES at $150: accepted (I realize I missed a re-bid in that process, but by error, I had previously bid UES/UM-CPS/MTE at around $120 and was rejected).

I get to Zingerman's at least 5-6 times a year, mostly to stock up on cheese. I will absolutely try the #18 next time. Thanks again for the tips and good cheer.

Although I made a couple of errors, I was ultimately successful. :) I got the Barclay Intercontinental at $150 / night, for 4/4 through 4/7 (decided to change the dates). I made a couple errors, but I think I got the hang of it for next time. My errors were in failing to reboot before adding new re-bid regions, so I lost a couple opportunities. FWIW: The Hotwire price for the Barclay ("tennis nearby" 4*) hovered around $185 all night. It dropped to $174 right before I hit on my bid. Thanks so much for walking me through this. I will pass through Ann Arbor on my trip, so I'll say hello for you, thereuare!

With all my questions, this might become the ultimate newbie post. Not sure I understand the re-bid, but here's an example that might help me, if you could verify this: I bid 110 on MTE it's rejected I go to the page that lists the different NYC regions I pick "upper east side" and it tells me there are only 2 and 3 star hotels available there. I can therefore use upper east side as a re-bid on my 4 star only search. If, on the other hand, "upper east side" has a 4 star, I can't select that (assuming I don't want to go there) because I might get it. If it shows a 4 star in upper east side, I back out of that window, then go back and select another region (looking for under 4 stars)

Staying three nights (April 3, 4, and 5). Thanks for correcting my total mess-up.

That's it. I'd strongly prefer the earlier stay (2-6), and would only change to the 3-7 if it were significantly cheaper. So, if in your experience the cost would be similar, I would say to only run the 2-6. (sorry for the confusion on my part). Thanks!

I saw your prior post (that's how I figured out the current Hotwire listing was the Barclay) but - as an absolute newbie - I didn't know how to factor in the fact that we didn't want anything in UM/CPS.

Thanks for replying. I'm going to do this tonight or tomorrow a.m. We're checking in April 3, staying three nights. We could go to an April 4 (also 3 nights) check in if need be. Looking for MTE or MTW, probably not further south 4* I'd really like to keep it under $150 (before taxes) I checked on hotwire through your link, and found what appears to be the Barclay at $179 (customer favorite, restaur/fitness/tennis nearby/business center). That sounds perfect, but just a bit out of our price range (plus, I see several hits for the Barclay the low-100 range, which would be great to get). I'll pay the hotel for the upcharge if my son travels with us; I just wanted to book now to firm up my plans and didn't want to overpay or restrict my options in case he doesn't. (he's 11). Thanks again

What a great resource! Could only have come from a U of M fan. First-time user: I've reviewed this issue in old threads here and haven't really found the issue I have, so here goes. My wife and I are planning a NYC trip early April. At this point we're not sure if our child is going with us. When I check hotwire/Hotels.com and others, there is a huge price difference and availability difference for the two scenarios. I'd like to book this week, but I obviously don't want to pay the higher rate. Even if we only get one queen or king, we'll make do. I don't have a problem with it if it's not against a city code or something to have three of us in one room. Do NYC hotels watch you like a hawk to see if too many people are in the room? At the worst, would I just get a small upcharge upon arrival? Unrelated question: are hotwire prices higher than priceline? Again, I'm new, so pls excuse my ignorance.