celedon

Here's where we are. After bidding the four first groupings without luck, I have decided I'm interested in "what is believed to be the Sheraton' at $145', as you mentioned for 3/2 to 3/5. Do you know, off the top of your head, what Canadian credit cards Hotline takes? Thanks. Then I guess the Jersey City process begins. By the way, last year-- same time-- I won on Bid 1 at $119. Go figure. The plus side of this current experience is that I am learning more.

I found Willtravel's 90210 tip. What a card! Anyway it was staring me right in the face. And itworks like a charm. ASo now, if you'll excuse me, I have some bidding to do.

Thanks. What about that pesky zip?

When I keyed in 99999 as a zip for California (I am a Canadian and last year this worked for me) Priceline asks for a valid zip. Should I just pick a California zip and add? By the way, except for the Zip, I put my sister's Canadian address, because they asked for the billing address coresponding with the mastercard. Also when you say close browser do you mean get out of Netscape or close the whole computer down? Rebid zones are UES and UWS, right. Much obliged for all the time you've put in.

Well, you know, my reasons for avoiding MTW are scant. My initial worry was avoiding the Huge Hilton but this seems inconsequential now that I see the lay of the land. By all means deal me in with MTW. I don't know anything about Hotwire but what would the Intercontinental Barklay go for -- if this is possible to assess.

Me again. I'd rather have 2 nights in a nicer hotel in a more central location than three in a less nice, less central location.

Thanks thereyouare. Not that keen on Beekman, Millenium options... just yet. Can we try Priceline first?

Oops, I made a little error in the check-out date at the 4* NYC. It should read 3/5.

Given you thoughts on pricing, I think 3 nights in each hotel might be best. 3/2-5/2 for the 4* (preferably in MTE and UM-CPS) and 3/5-3/8 for the 3* in Jersey city. (Should the price of the 4* spiral upward beyond what $160, would it be possible to add another day to the Jersey city stay and reduce the NYC stay? Just curious.) For now, though, let's go with your suggestion for bidding up to $ 60 for Jersey city and $160 for NYC. Thanks so much for the taxi information.

My niece and I have nailed down dates for NY trip. The trip is longer than originally intended so in the interests of economizing is it possible to split the bid something like this? 3 or 4 days at a 4* MTE, UM-CPS with a maximum bid of $130. Then 2 or 3 days at a 3* Jersey city with a limit of $45. One key ingredient in this is the cost of taking a cab to LaGuardia from Jersey city which would ideally be the back end of the trip. Also concerned about the cost of taking a cab back from NYC to Jersey city one or two nights. Do you have a rough idea how much that might cost? I actually like the idea of having a little luxury, if possible, but also having the chance to investigate the what seems a tremendous deal--the Hyatt Regency Jersey city. I noticed that the Doubletree rarely comes up as a won bid there but I suppose it could happen. My niece is 21 and may be on her own-will the Hyatt or Doubletree area be safe? Thanks

Thank you Thereyouare! They are booked through the link you gave. The village where my friend lives, outside Halifax, is closed after the third blizzard in a week. My friend trekked to her husband's office to see the hotel on the computer, found she had brought the wrong credit card, trekked back to get the right card. But we're all done on this one! She's happy. I'm happy. I'm taking my niece to NY some time this month so I threaten to return to the most excellent betterbidding.com. Thanks again.

Oh, oh. Carried out bid as planned and there is no availability at the $125 levels. Any options apart from continuing upward with the price?

No, nothing is changed. I'm just trying to wrap my head around what goes into a bidding strategy. I will be bidding just as you have suggested. Really grateful for your help! I'll keep you posted on what happens with the bid.

Me AGAIN. I think I'm seeing the plan. But won't bidding $100 in MTW almost assure the Hilton?

Me again. So if you do not get a successful bid after using up your rebid zones on strategy #1, you can just exit the site and the browser and start it all over again? This is good.

I'm trying to get the hang of bidding strategy so one day I can take the training wheels off. Can you explain the two strategies a bit. I'm guessing you may be thiniking that because of the short deadline the main objective is to get a room! And that MTW is the best bet. Maybe. Hope I'm not asking too much. Much obliged.

My friends are ok with bidding MTE, UM-CPS, MTW, as suggested. Their maximum bid would be $125. Over to you.

Two friends are looking for a hotel for 1/29 to 2/1. Their target limit is $125. I'm thinking MTE to avoid the frenzy of Times Square. I noticed a recent successful bid at the Waldorf Astoria around the same date. I understand that you can't bid specific hotels or avoid others. If left to my own devices I would bid the same price with my friends dates, but I seek, somewhat anxiously, your very good advice.(It's one thing to mess up your own trip but it's another thing to mess up a friend's) As you will notice this is not very far off. What might be the implications of this? Is it possible to be totally stuck with a smoking room?

RE: Stanhope Park Hyatt I called they Hyatt orgainization and they said that not only is the Stanhope not one of their properties anymore but it is no longer a hotel. Sad. So close to the met museum and park.

$118 accepted at the Stanhope for 3/9-3/13. Thanks for the guidance.

Most excellently. And now I'm off to Savings Barn. Will keep you posted.

Thanks. UWS has no 4* so I could use this to rebid, right? Why do you say have 1 rebid when bidding 4* in this zone? My newbieness is showing.

I would like to make a bid for 4*, NY, UES, Stanhope for 4 nights starting Mar 9 and would like bidding advice from your terrific service. The price that others have recenly gotten is $118 - $120. I take it I can expect no less than that. Do I just bid that? Celedon