travelAlot

Have the same situation. But also got as far as a couple quetions to the payment screen so that I could validate the final cost after a promo code. Didn't buy because wasn't confident on the hotel even down to a handful

It's those dates. Availability fluctuates. Will be on one hour, then nada the next...and will show for a shorter stay in the meantime. For example it works on 5-day stay from 25th to 30th.

Just curious also is there a rhyme or reason to PRICELINE EXPRESS deals? Kind of tough to figure out the logistics, I did see Times Square 3 star with shuttle, Business Center, and gym/spa amenities. Also when you click through to the room type it offers at the cheap price one queen bed in a renovated tech savvy room. I couldn't really definitively match up anything, biggest concern is avoiding Best Western President but there was no free internet icon. No guest rating:, so obviously below 7, could be Hotel Manhattan but it has king beds.

Thx...I identified Yotel and prefer to avoid it as too far west and prefer to be more central to east Also may have figured out ESB 2.5 star as possibly Hotel 17 which is far south of zone (the same stars on on Expedia sites and 2 on Priceline). With LaQuinta this was booked 10 months ago to lock in rate/room type as backup. Much appreciated, will keep you posted and list what I do decide, of course booked through your links

ESB area on 32nd near Broadway....La Quinta

Hey there and thanks for the guidance. The reason for my confusion is that this was originally going to be a 5- or 6-day trip, and logistics have me leaning to 7 days (preferably in same hotel). (Truth be told, huge football fan -- have done 7 of last 12 Super Bowl host cities during game week but not the game, NYC was on the fence based on winter/weather and other factors). Re cost, I'm trying to keep reasonable as am traveling solo. The 2.5* is feasible if I could ID in advance with some assurance (both of our best efforts aren't definite and PL/Hotwire-Hotels.com both rate this as 3 stars not 2.5). Looking at the 2.5-star if have to split stay for last 2 nights -- great 4-star opportunities Sat-Thurs. Trying to equal or beat the $700 or so total cost on my 6-night cancellable res. On location: trying to stay fairly central, Times Square not among fav locations but amenities (free internet, refrigerator, etc.) are a factor when there for 7 days (I have smartphone but I realize there can be pockets of no service with buildings). Midtown East (avoiding Roosevelt though), Midtown West, ESB or Chelsea alright for really nice hotel (well-rated 3 star or 3.5/above), CPS for 4-star only...ESB is preference based on being so central. Open to ideas (only been to NYC once since college days -- and at that, Wellington was it in 2012). May bid on PL based on likely inventory, have been comparing Express Deals & VP, too. (don't worry I always bid through your links and would post accordingly). Hope that helps. Thanks again for your time and assistance. You're awesome for the great things you do for me and others on this Board (I'm a longtime convert from TOBB). Any feedback or ideas appreciated.

Howdy, I did click on the links, not sure what else I had to do. I always begin my bids or purchases through the BB links (last couple have been spur of the moment). 6-day backups are at 101/night, 2-star solid ratings, toward Empire State Building Penn Station. Thanks for your help.

Oops forgot to state Hotel #3 is showing between $77 and $81

Howdy, I need your help, usually I'm one of those folks on here who's pretty independent and who can figure out hotel identities and strategies in my sleep. And I always book through your links. But I'm stumped, looking at Saturday January 25 thru Saturday February 1 as my visit dates for New York City. I'm on my cell phone right now so a bit limited as far as cut and paste the amenities so bear with me. Hotel #1 Empire State Building Area hotel zone, $108 3.5 stars w " still gathering reviews " with 4.5 TripAdvisor ratings Amenities, free internet, business center, laundry, Internet, accessible def, accessible path travel, handicap parking .. Thought maybe Radisson but it is 4.0 on TripAdvisor ...Thoughts? Hotel #2 Times Square Theatre District area hotel, $101-107 3.5 Stars with 80 percent recommended and 4.0 TripAdvisor Amenities, free internet holes, fitness center, Business Center, indoor pool, laundry, spa, accessible path ..my guess is Room Mate Grace Hotel, based on its pool, spa, and also 4.0 rating .. Any other guesses or hotels in that area that would have swimming pools? Haven't seen this hotel successful for building or on opaque Hotwire or Priceline flights. Hotel #3 Empire State Building Area hotel zone 2.5 stars, 100 percent recommended, no TripAdvisor ratings . Amenities, free breakfast, free internet, restaurant, Internet ... My guess is possibly Grand Union ( but hotels.com rates it as three stars) could be Bedford which I want to avoid. Nothing in any of my cross search is really validates what this could be, I may just get the hotel for ast 2 nights rather than 7 but I would feel better with an idea of what it is ...any thoughts? Also in terms of background, I know this is Super Bowl week and plays into availability. I do have a backup reservation for 6 nights that can be cancelled (can cut my stay short to 6 nights instead of 7), and have some ideas about splitting the stay (5 + 2 but would prefer not to). I know I can wait to bed and have that luxury, not sure regarding New York City what is the better strategy. Thank you to each and every person who may respond to this, I really appreciate any insight or direction or suggestions, NYC is not in my wheelhouse unlike most other big cities for opaque hotels

Two additions -- LVH is now $18 effective to June 1st and Plaza downtown is $10 since sometime last year.

Wow is all I can say. Been trying forever to get something in SF for my first-ever visit -- and that matched up to my available time off and close to $100/night without risking a questionable 3-star hotel (you know, the older hotels with some iffy-ness). Initially identified a few low-100s winning bids and that VP showed Hilton as clearly more likely than others (ED didn't show anything close $$$wise though). To be safe, started at $100, re bid at $105 and then accepted at $110 (normally would go in smaller increments as thought $120s would get close or result in counteroffer). So if anyone is bidding for same timeframe, you may want to go in $1-2 increments from $10r until accepted. Three bids and done was all it took. Had $5/night Entertainment bonus money so $105 was all I paid. Current retail rate is $179, may go up as my stay is over Labor day weekend, so very happy. Began bid by linking to PRICELINE from BB. P.S. I can definitely vouch bigtime for your Win Alerts app -- forgot that I entered one with my SF stay dates and my phone started going crazy with an alert just a minute or so after I posted this bidding win. Great app!!!!

Pretty methodical bid, although was hoping for 4-star knowing that rates can go down the week-of but just wanted to get this over with (this weekend's Seattle hotel 4-stars didn't go down and the Crowne Plaza is decently located for my purposes -- especially as Pike Place zone can extend to stadium area). Started in mid-60s, used various free rebid combos and then when in low 70s, rebid in $1 increments to ensure hotel at PL's pricepoint. Accepted at $81 ($74 cash plus $6.67/night pro-rate bonus for Entertainment Book $20 bonus). Two indicators that CP would be likely hotel/location were Hotwire at $90 and PRICELINE EXPRESS deals at $88, as well as CP being clearly (by $100) cheaper on PL VP vs any other 3.5-4 star. With having paid $74 out of pocket, pretty good deal as cheapest retail rate is $130/night. Began all bidding via BB PRICELINE link, logged into my account, retrieved the Entertainment bonus offer, and then bid from there.

This is in addition to my previous post with the successful $92/night Frozen Four weekend bid for the weekend before this night. $85 for a hotel booking at $289 voila. Based on travel (bad weather in my home city that may have messed up air travel) and vacation (one more full day desired0 logistics, I needed to extend my stay with an extra hotel night. It looked pretty clear that this hotel was on HOTWIRE and PRICELINE EXPRESS Deals and bidding could nail it around $75 or so (maybe a little less). Only other hotel would've been the Westin, though, and the convenience of being guaranteed to stay in my same hotel and room without having to pack/leave was the primary factor. So I just did the "add a night" feature at my original $85 cash bid for my previous stay (the previous stay was accepted at $92 because I had about $7/night extra bonus money) and kit was immediately accepted without a counteroffer. Went through the BB PRICELINE link to my account, and then placed the successful add-a-night request/bid.

Had a changeable air award ticket and played the waiting game as I really wanted to attend the Frozen Four (NCAA hockey championship game) but refused to pay $200-300 for a hotel room in capacity-limited Pittsburgh. The Wyndham showed as available on PL/Hotwire but not an idea location or hotel even if getable around $130. So I held off. Then voila on 4/10 afternoon, a 4-star matching the OMNI popped up on Hotwire at $115ish. With the Renaissance and Westin already sold out and the Hotwire amenities, I knew it'd be the OMNI on Priceline bidding when accepted. So began in mid-70s using free rebid zones and got accepted at $91.67 (I had Entertainment $20 bonus money, so was $85 paid plus $6.67/night bonus). Mightve been accepted slightly lower -- was rejected at $89 and rebid $92 (had gotten counter-offered to go to $105ish and declined). $85 or $92 is a tremendous deal considering the cheapest discounted or otherwise Omni rate was $289/night for my stay nights. Went through the BB PRICELINE link to my account, logged into my Ent bonus offer, and then placed the successful bid

On the 95% recommended 4-star, don't forget the Omni, which matches the amenities as well but isnt listed for the Mag mile zone list. Plus, in one of my searches for same zone, the Trip Advisor rating was 4.5, which along with the Pool and Smoke Free amenities seemed to point at the Omni.

The opportunity to land this hotel and visit caused me to change a trip I'd hoped for to Austin TX. Hotwire rates looked pretty reasonable for Seattle ($70s for 3.5 star and upper $80s to $90s for 4 star), but the big indicator was PRICELINE VP, which showed the Pan Pacific crazy-cheap only if booked on a Friday-to-Monday basis (package jumps $400+ if Thursday or Monday is added to front-back ends). Although I realize that this hotel never comes up much under $70 ever, I did start in the upper $50s and used free rebids until accepted ($1 increments at the end). No counter-offers, just acceptance. Stayed with the Center-Space Needle zone as was targeting the Pan Pacific; would have bid on 3.5-star to be more central in Pikes Place zone but the Silver Cloud by Safeco would've come up ahead of the Silver Could on Broadway. My winning was was $68+, which included $62 plus $20 Entertainment bonus money ($6.67/night). Hotel best retail rate is $170/night. If anyone else is hoping to stay at this property without bidding, I recommend looking at PRICELINE Vacation Packages first. My situation required me to bid -- I had some Southwest Airlines expiring credits and need to use them for ala carte air booking -- but my net cost (w/taxes-fees, i.e. my airfare plus my winning hotel bid with the Ent bonus money) was almost verbatim to the VP price. From Denver the fare was $200 RT and the total hotel cost was $228, meaning a $448 cost (if you didn't have the Ent $20 bonus money). VP showed the DEN-SEA itin with Pan Pacific for one person as $413 if PL selects flights (too risky for weekend trip w/ possible late evening arrival and/or early morning return) and $448 if you select your flights/times. Initiated my bidding by linking to PRICELINE from BB portal on this page, logged into account first to get bonus money, and then began my multiple bids.

Have been loosely watching rates and almost been resigned to this trip not happening -- after all, prime spring time and event time (NCAA Hockey Frozen Four plus Easter weekend). With Tampa downtown being relatively small (only 5-6 decent 3+-star hotels), I'd been watching PL VP and Hotwire. The tipoff was Hotwire, which showed the Westin (4-star on Hotwire) at $86/night. Began bidding in the upper $50s and got rejected while bidding in $1 increments until I got to $70/night ($63 + $6.67/night bonus through Entertainment Card). Counteroffer of $18, I ignored it and upped bid by a whole $1/night and voila! Technically $70.67 was my bid, with me paying $64/night. Hotel's cheapest rate is $223/night, nuff said. If anyone is visiting for Frozen Four, now is the time to jump on this. Rates could go down, availability could open in general (FF isn't fully sold out yet), but for $70-71/night at a Westin in prime downtown location (2-min walk to the Ybor City and downtown trolley, 5 mins to arena), I wouldn't play a game of chicken. FYI on Hotwire this seemed to only be available based on a 3+-night stay (I thought of possibly buying three single nights and seeing how the total cost with the Ent $20/night rebates compared). Initiated bidding from BB PRICELINE link, logged into account to access the Entertainment $20 offer ($6.67/night x 3 nights) and then did the bidding.

FYI that i did receive a response from Priceline. Based on what the others said, I believe NYOP's elimination entirely would be horrific in terms of alienating longtime customers and basically handing over customers to Expedia aka HOTWIRE. That said, PL's customer service responses are known for restating the obvious and not being particularly helpful (being based in a foreign country); however the answer is a bit of a concern. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Thank you for taking the time to send us an e-mail. We understand that you would like to know whether we are discontinuing the Name Your Own Price feature on our website in future. Please note that we have not received any updates regarding any future changes in the Name Your Own Price feature on our website. We are still providing the Name Your Own Price reservations on our website. Moreover, please continue to check back with us as we are constantly improving our existing products and adding new ones. We thank you for the opportunity to assist you and hope you find this information helpful. Sincerely, J------ M. Customer Service Specialist <br><br>Original Message Follows: ------------------------<br>Subject: Name Your Own Price -- Future Changes?? Product: HOTEL Category: Terms and Conditions Itinerary : Comments :Hello, I read that the "negotiator" (William Shatner) ads are going away. Does that mean that "Name Your Own Price" bidding is entirely being eliminated? Or will it continue? If there is a change, as of what date? I purchased a couple Entertainment Books (with $20 bonus money) -- in part for the Priceline offer -- and want to bid so that I can use them if NYOP is being discontinued. Thank you for your assistance.

Howdy all, I wanted to alert that I read that Priceline has a new commercial (to be released soon -- probably for Super Bowl airing) showing William Shatner in a bus that explodes -- meaning the end of the Negotiator as Priceline is trying to emphasize its retail travel business vs NYOP. As such it is unclear if NYOP is going away -- nothing on the website but, given all the multiple Bonus Cash offers (on my/friends' accounts with a 1/31/2012 expiration date, some even for $9/day), it seems like this is where things may be headed. Have any of you heard any definitive info? I've emailed PL customer service for clarification (not holding my breath as they're in India or wherever and will likely send back a canned response). If it is going away, I need to make a bunch of bids to firm up 2012 travel.

Very methodical bid, dunno if bid too early, but I saw PL VP and Hotwire slightly increasing from my original research and had a $36 ($9/night bonus) offer, and proceeded. My only alternative to get a desired four-star hotel for the same four-nights would've been to bid for three nights (2/1-4) and the add-a-night feature afterwards (or just do a three-night stay); the four-star Hotel Felix, which I was somewhat interested in, looked to be successful at about the same nightly rate (Sheraton Chicago is the four-night likely four-star for my stay and I didn't want to stay there). Began at $49, increased in free rebids in $1 increments, accepted at $54 ($45 out of pocket per night plus the $9/night bonus). No counter-offers, just accepted. Given my $45 cost and the hotel's best rate of $79, decent savings -- and a hotel in a location I kinda wanted. Now maybe my head can be examined for planning a leisure trip to Chitown in midwinter lol. Did initiate the bid through BB PRICELINE link but had computer and PL issues and it's possible it didn't work correctly (sorry in advance if that happened).

Pretty amazing first accepted bid even though it is slow season in mid-winter in New York City. Havent been there since college days, needed to book a cross-country flight soon before rates went up and was kind of overwhelmed on the research aspect -- given the multitude of hotels, the difference between NYOP hotel zones and Hotwire's and PL VP's was quite challenging. I color-coded maps and hotel lists and opaque and VP searches to get a semblence of what's what. I was set on bidding mid-$70s to $80s for a 3-star in Midtown east, Midtown West, Central Park South, or MSG/Conv Center -- based on Hotwire prices in the mid $90s (appeared to be The Newyorker Ramada). Yesterday an $80 3-star popped up in Hotwire's Midtown central zone; PL VP showed the Wellington (2.5-star) as a likely match, I researched it on tripadvisor (mostly good), determined that it is technically Midtown West near Carnegie Music Hall geographically but a block north (meaning Central Park South). Had a Bonus offer ($5/night up to $25 for 2 star or higher), so i began at 80% of the Hotwire rate -- $59 plus the $5 bonus ($64 total) -- and waited for a counter-offer/rejection as a starting point. Knowing that Coney Island is only 2.5-star free rebid zone. To my amazement, accepted immediately. LOL maybe I overbid but not by much (hotel is 2.5-star on PL but all other sites have it 3-star which the review seem to validate). $59 for NYC -- at a central location at a fairly decent hotel, wow huh? Began the bid by linking through your PRICELINE portal. As this is my first NYC attempt (havent been in years) any feedback on my strategy is most welcome. PS Love the redesigned site with the prepopulated boxes for zones and hotels, way user-friendly! Excellent job!

Howdy, just wanted to relay a happy (as expected) ending. I've been monitoring rates (retail, Hotwire and VP) and occasionally rebidding but hesitant to go too high given that nothing is happening during my visit dates and also knowing that a handful of 3-star hotels (of widely varying quality distinctiveness) were in the downtown ABQ inventory. The second I saw that Priceline recently made the Hotel Andaluz (and Hyatt, possibly hilton) 3.5 stars -- meaning that all but the Midtown-Uptown zones (and the one resort zone, when available) are free rebids --I got more aggressive as I didnt mind paying in the $60s especially if I landed the Andaluz (it shows on VP but has never come up as a win). IE the Doubletree to me isnt worth more than a $50 winning bid (I'd gone to low $60s but stopped when all hotels were lumped as 3-stars), but for a first-time ABQ visit, the Andaluz is part of the tourist experience vs. a tired chain's downtown location (though I hear the Hyatt is nice). Started in the mid-50s, ending at $70.67, total winning bid was $70.67 ($64 bid plus $6.67/night via $20 bonus cash. I may have been able to wait for a few weeks, but the Analuz is regarded as a totally unique (ie not cookie cutter like Doubletree), incredible overall hotel with a great location and nice amenities (entertainment, restuarant, free internet). Lowest published rate is $139/night. Bid on (I cant update the subject on this): 3.5* Albuquerque Downtown Hotel Andaluz $70.67/night October 15-18 Began my bid via the Better Bidding PRICELINE link

Thanks....that's my thinking all along. I was surprised that $66-68 would do it vs historical amounts in the $50s. Plus I have a $27 Rt airfare for this weekend so if rates go sky-high, not much invested. I know that PL VP has the Doubletree about $15-20 more than the Best Westerns, meaning that BW being $73 on Hotwire = about $78-80 in Hotwire = about $68 or less on Priceline. I'll hold off until rates hopefully come down, and I promise to make my bid via the BB links and post an update with the winning bid details. Re the Sheraton Uptown, FYI that I began a dummy bid and the 3.5-star zone was an option (a week ago when Sheraton was 3-star on VP, the zone max was 3-stars)....in addition to my VP/Hotel search research validation. Thanks again

Howdy all, just wondering if any of you have ideas/strategies for downtown Albuquerque bidding. I've got plenty of time for Sat 10/15-Tues 10/18 and didnt want to overbid in advance. The city's balloon festival is the previous two weekends and the convention center (which adjoins most of the downtown 3-star properties) has nothing booked during that time period or the next week. I've tried a few series of bids (each beginning via BB's PRICELINE link), using free rebids to the max (the three non-3-star zones in conjunction with downtown zone, using hybrids). The highest I've gone is $65.67 ($59 plus a $6.67/day Entertainment bonus). The likely property (based on current $97/night price for prepaid room and being the lowest retail or package rate) is the Doubletree. I tried Hotwire to get a sense of what inventory might be out there -- Hotwire shows $73 for the Best Western, which is Old Town (in Hotwire it is Downtown-Old Town combined zone; in Priceline, Downtown is separate). I have a feeling that $66-68 will win the Doubletree via bidding, but I'm wondering whether I should wait a few weeks and revisit. Any thoughts or suggestions based on your expertise or experiences? P.S. Re Priceline, bidding, on an unrelated (to my bidding) issue, FYI that it appears that the Sheraton has been upgraded to 3.5-star in the Albuquerque Uptown-Midtown zone. Priceline VP and Hotel searches show this property now as a 3.5-star (I previously was looking at that area of town so it was on my radar). Thanks!

Just a methodical bid, using rebids zones and hybrids. Really hoped for Fanueil or Copley, but as rates were decent (on HOTWIRE an an indicator) a few months ago, they arent now. It came down to whether I bid on 2.-2.5 stars for the same price in more central zones or go 4-star. Plus as I'm booking a redeye flight (no guarantee hotel gets me in early), I don't want to mess around navigating Boston on so-so sleep and at 6 a.m. or so. The Westin is right on the Silver Line (meaning one bus from Logan to almost the door of the hotel), and decently located, even for the zone it's in. If you want to determine whether this hotel will be possible (especially for this weekend as some of you have been looking as well), do a HOTWIRE search and it should come up with the "Extreme Savings" moniker along with non-smoking, fitness, pool, restaurant, biz center and high-speed internet amenities. When I noticed it today, the price was $159 on HOTWIRE. PRICELINE's cost was $139 (my Westin reservation details spilled the beans); my winning bid was $140 (actually $130 plus $10 in bonus cash). The cheapest retail rate is $344. Most expensive bid I've ever made but still proportionately up there with the savings. Began the various bids through the BB PRICELINE link.