yuna1971

Hi everyone (hello thereuare - Im back on the forum! - Remember I booked the benjamin via priceline this year - first time bidding and winning!...you probably dont remember me) Anyway, before anyone says - this is way to early to look - yes, you are probably right. Way too early. But...I did see this jumping out at me on Hotwire - and in the current downturn and recession looming for us Brits, I thought it might not be a bad thing to look out for something, as Im sure the pound will get worse and ....your dollar will get stronger, so what the heck. I have seen this on Hotwire, wondered if anyone could just help me identify and give a small opinion. My dates are May 4 - May 15 (check out) 2009. (yes...quite a way away yet!) I am not interested in changing hotels, but definitely want to be on the strip. I preferably want either south (MGM way) or mid (Caesars/Mirage way). Not really interested in TOO cheap. Trip advisor reviews are most important to me. This is the Hotwire description. And it doesnt give very much away, very general, and most hotels have this. It is advertised as 4 STAR HOTEL CASINO/FITNESS CENTRE/RESTAURANTS/BUSINESS CENTER/HI SPEED INTERNET/GOLF COURSE NEARBY. It is ranked 4.5 out of 5 by Trip Advisor based on 640+ reviews. It is for rate of $66 dollars per night. Total incl taxes of $794.54. So can anyone help. Its not to say I will go for it. But have seen this one a few times and am most curious. Hope it aint Excalibur, as not too keen on that one. Thanks

If you go onto TravelZoo they have some specials that come up for NYC. They have the Franklin Hotel (petite room) for 2 - not sure how big this is though, for $179 + tax - for the nights you want. They also have a deluxe room at 209 + tax. Not a bad suggestion. :)

Thanks Aaron, it was touch and go but we did it - you all have helped me so much. I am still hanging around the board as I quite like surfing around and seeing if there are any solutions to peoples hotel problems. I think its like everything in life, if you persevere with something - with enough patience (lost mine a few times) you get there in the end. I hope people keep looking at travel zoo also, some good ones keep coming up there, The Franklin is coming up from $179 + tax per night in April/early and they also have a deal in june/july for 70 Park Lane (Kimpton). I have booked Hotel Palomar - Kimpton hotel via HOTWIRE earlier this year for $89 + tax per night, it looks fantastic. I emailed them just after my win, to ensure they had the booking. They CALLED me from the USA to UK, about 10mins later. Fab! Anyway, thanks Aaron and thereuare, until next year when I will be bugging you both again no doubt! Its been a pleasure. Hope my hanging around is ok though. :)

OMG!!!!!!!!! Just gone and done it havent I!!!!!!!!! I am skipping around the room. Thereuare, you little gem, I used a bidding strategy similar to mine that you gave for someone else. I have just landed THE BENJAMIN at $225 per night for stay: April 25 - May 1 (inclusive) (= 6 nights) I think it looks a fabulous hotel, I am so pleased. Started off bidding at 120 for UMCPS. Bid up to 140 using rebid zones. All rejected. Added MTW started low, again at 120 up to 140 using rebid zones. Then added MTE - same strategy - same answers came back. Except one where message was you can have room right now if you bid $250. I said no and rejected it, got a bit flustered then. Thought all was lost. Bid then using UPCPS and MTE starting a bit higher $145. Went up to 160. Got a couple of counter offers saying the $250 ("you can have room - book now blah blah) I again said no way. Then tried MTW and UPCPS, went up to $185. Counter offer again for $250. Said no. Then bid using all three, started at $190 and then when i got to $205, an offer came in saying if i bid $25 more I could secure the room right now. I was tempted. But held out (reading what other posters have said about counter offers). I thought maybe I can get them down abit more. So bid $210, rejected - $215 rejected - then just thought ok, this is the last one. Not going no further as I just cant afford it. AND $225 they said yes!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Then got told it was the Benjamin (Affinia HOtel) just the icing on the cake - I read the TA reviews and they are overall fantastic. So pleased. I used the PRICELINE link Thereuare. So..did I do good??? Thanks so much! :)

Hi kpet, I have seen the Holiday Inn Midtown (440 W 57th St) for $270 + tax on IChotels website. Is this any use to you. I put the dates of 27 Marc - 31 March (check out). I first put in just the date of the 27th and it was available according to the hotels website and for the same rate. Maybe its something to check out. For slightly more, you can have breakfast also. Hope this helps. Rachel

I didnt have too much of a strategy really thereuare, I just kind of went in and bid on pretty much all zones. Trying different ones first, adding zones then the ones with no 4 stars. I went up to about $210 then stopped. I keep seeing the (what appears to be) Intercontinental Barclay on Hotwire, the 4 star MTE one. I wonder if maybe if i picked the right strategy and time, I could bring that one in for around what i want to bid. I have a back up which is now the comfort inn times square. Its for approx $209 per night + taxes so I dont have a lot to lose but could maybe gain a better rating of hotel. Although having said that, the CI TS has gotten good ratings on TA and it is a newish hotel. But like everyone, as I have saved long and hard for 1 year for this vacation, would like to get the best possible hotel that I can for the money. Zones are not aproblem for me, as - like you know - Manhattan is so accessible through the metro and bus routes. Just dont want to be too far out from a station, in a nice area (near some attractions if possible) and which has some good reviews on TA (must be a 4*). I last went on priceline about 10pm (British time) last night (Sat). Do you need any further info thereuare, if so please say and I will provide it. Thanks for your help. Rachel

Hello there, I had a quick look for you just now for your dates. A few ideas to chew over (for what my 2 bucks are worth!) I found a hotwire property for $215 for a 3* hotel in midtown central (saving of 28% - usual price of $300) So with this perhaps find its identity on betterbidding. Its slightly over your budget but its a 3 star hotel, which is what you are after.. There is also a 2.5* on Hotwire for more around your budget, a 2.5* at Times Square. Possibly something like comfort inn/best western etc. Or on Expedia, there is the Club Quarters for (average) $191 for the nights you are after. Favourable reviews on Trip Advisor and I think all the rooms are suites, if memory serves (from looking at them myself for my own dates). Keep an eye on TravelZoo as they also come up with some good deals. Hope this gives you a few ideas, i am wrestling with priceline myself for my own dates and its murder in NYC to get a good rate for my dates. I am living at my computer at the moment. :)

Hello thereuare, its me again. I am back and ready for a strategy for priceline. Here is the lowdown: I am after a 4* hotel, and as long as it is a nice area within walking distance to some attractions or near a metro then I am not bothered where I stay. I would prefer the midtown area, MTS/MTW/MTE/MTC/CPS are all absoloutely fine. As is DT-Soho (really like millenium hilton). TS region would be the icing on the cake but I am realistic to think that rates could be sky high but if I can land it all the better. My max budget is $215 - 220. But would ideally like to land something under $200 but again, this might not be possible for the star rating and time of year that I am after. Maybe, I am bidding on this a bit early (thereuare do you agree?) My dates are 4/25/08 - 5/1/08 (staying 6 nights). The length of the stay could be the hardest part here, I dont want to split my bids really. I am aware that most bidders are winning priceline for 1/2/3 nights but you never know one could accept a longer stay like mine. (thereuare, would you agree this could be tricky? and that alot of priceline wins are for very short stays?) Anyway, ready when you are and many thanks for your help as always thereuare and i hope you can help me land a great bargain! :) Rachel

I got to about 220 and then i left it. That was my lot. Thanks Aaron.

I should mention my dates are slightly further on than yours yamed. Mine are April 25 - May 1 - so perhaps this is the clincher. Further on into APril, probably the rates have gone up substantially. Expensive time and all.... But..its great you got such a good deal. Well done!

Thank you Aaron, i am sure thereuare was not being hostile but the tone certainly seemed ticked off. As i said above, it is just finding the best option I can for the money that i can afford. The hotels were both very nice but when the total with tax came in, it maybe (after converting it into Pounds) was a little out of my price range. But that does not mean to say that I did not appreciate the help. The priceline thing is frustrating, especially seeing that other bids have been accepted for near to my dates. But thats the luck of the game at the end of the day Aaron, isnt it? I thank everyone for their help with this, I expect i will post again with another identity problem, but i am sure one will fit the bill and we will crack it. Lets just say that i am a bit of a "challenge", yes!! Once again, thank you to you and thereuare for your help. I do not mean to be a pain in the rear!! :)

I have frequently been on Hotwire and I have not ever seen this price .... How did you do it? and when did you see it?? Well done by the way - wish i could have your luck! FYO, I am constantly trying on priceline for 4* hotels and cannot get anything - also cannot understand how you got such a fabulous price...i keep getting rejected and for more than the price you paid. I presum the hilton millenium is a 4*...?? good for you.

I was not saying that there was anything wrong. Like everyone on here, I am looking for good quality at the best price possible. I get the feeling that you are getting hostile. I have given you nothing but thanks and praise and perhaps I was getting a little frustrated and trying to understand the guidelines of bidding on priceline. Some people are not as quick to learn as others and I am sorry if you are ticked off by it. I printed off a strategy for a 4* hotel. One that you gave another poster on this forum and as I am not too worried really of where I stay being a "tourist" I only asked that it was near some attractions, and was not in a run down or shady part of Manhattan. I used your good advice before for my sucessful booking of the Hotel Palomar, I am only exploring all areas, trying to find the right hotel and yes, asking questions as much as possible. The hotels are expensive in Manhattan but with over 300 there is enough choice and variety to choose the right one! The Hotwire one (that you identified) after I had looked at it, although a super hotel and would be happy with it - was when totalled up coming to $1697.07 which for me is

Hi thereuare, I expect you will move this to my thread - even though it is on the hotwire forum but anyways. I wonder if you can help me with priceline strategy and bidding as I just dont get it. I think i am doing it all wrong. I have tried following a strategy that I have printed out from you but 1) i dont understand it, and where all the rejected bids come in without even a message saying duplicate request. This is all I seem to get. 2) by close browser - log off the site. go back to it again after - can you tell me what exactly this does? I do this but yet again, it tells me I have made this bid before and puts it as a duplicate bid. Are the duplicates, then counted in again in the 24 hours. Is it 24hours from your first bid or from the duplicate? 3)4* is what i am after - but i think you have said 4 re-bid zones. by re-bid - do you mean a different increment of your FIRST bid? Or the same bid again, but selecting now 2 areas as opposed to your 1st and original choice? These strategies go on for a sheet of A4 paper and I am trying to understand how all these bids are rejected and not one says duplicate bid? this is all i am getting ...so i am going round in circles. Thereuare, can you get me on the right track: as you know basically I dont mind where in Manhattan i stay - would prefer to be away from Upper West Side/East Side, Financial District/Downtown but the rest are fine. As long as I can get a 4*. I have a budget of about $200 incl tax but can go up at a push $20 more if need be. dates April 25- May 1st and yup, i know it is very expensive at this time. But as Hotwire has a few little deals going, the Hotels must be warming up by now and dropping rates a little. Thanks for any help, and can you keep this thread on the priceline forum as it does not relate to Hotwire on this occasion and the Hotwire one is going on and on... thanks!

Yes the Radio City Apartments. $175 per night but i feel i would like a bit more quality. any ideas on this one below. thanks 4* hotel in midtown east $239 per night Fitness Center Guests have access to exercise equipment; an additional charge may apply.Restaurant(s) Property offers at least one restaurant on the premises; hours and days of operation may vary. 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. Tennis Nearby Property is located within walking distance or a short drive of at least one tennis court; an extra charge typically applies.

And you have been absoloutely brilliant Aaron. I am not too keen on the splitting though, would rather stay put at 1. I know i am being pinnicky but I really dont think I would like the hassle nor my partner. But please, if you see other great deals - would you mind posting them on this thread for me. I am online every night on the hunt, and you are invaluable as is thereuare for your excellent knowledge and advice. I will also keep trying PRICELINE and checking back at HOTWIRE. It may mean waiting a little longer to see if rates come down much. we shall see. Keep posting me back in the mean time though. You are superb!

Thereuare and any other BB advisors, Can you help in identifying this hotel from Hotwire. It does have amenities which are common in NYC but still hope you can help. 3* Hotel in Midtown Central amenities in this order: Fitness Center/restaurants/Hi speed Internet access It has a 3.5 out of 5 rating on Trip Advisor - last review being Feb 08 (that narrows it down a bit....) Its for $199 per night. Would you be able to help ??? Also, is Midtown Central a good place to be, for sightseeing or is it just a few things but a bit of a walk or a bit run down. Is $199 a good price? Thought it might be quite a good price considering its expensive in April/May. Am after a chain brand but not really a boutique. Its just what I prefer as you know what you are getting. Many thanks as always and if it is what i am after, i will use your link to buy. Rachel

Not really. I guess I am being too choosy but i have a budget of about $210 incl taxes. So not leaving much room am i?? It might work out bit better closer to the date. Perhaps HOTWIRE prices will be a lot better and closer to my range. I mean picked up my DC hotel there, hotel palomar 4* for $89 + tax per night. not too shabby! wont get anything like that in NYC i know but maybe i can hit something of my budget closer to time with Hotwire. Still think its a bit of con, PRICELINE. I am yet to be convinced that there are as many wins as they say. For all we know it could be the websites friends and family and friends uncles brothers 2nd cousin sending in a "win". lol.

thanks Aaron. "get up to 60% off normal prices"?????? I cant get diddly percent off. These hotels that they have might be like finding a needle in a haystack. Whats to say that they just con the consumer and use this line just to get constant hits on their website. Apart from a few wins here and there, what evidence is there to support this "name your price" tag. Name your price, its stupid, we reject it....so you bid higher, we reject it again, you bid again and again, and again and again...until you actually reach the Hotel's own websites advertised rate!!!! hmmm. food for thought.

Priceline!!! is slowly driving me insane. Last went on, 24hrs ago (i think) - and everything i do it is coming up as DUPLICATE REQUEST. What does this mean (sorry i know what duplicate means) but in the "priceline world"???? It just seems like i cant follow any bid strategy (have looked at other forum threads for 4 * hotels) and it either comes up as duplicate or rejected. I mean, can understand the rejected bit but I dont know where i am with the duplicate thing. I look at previous requests on the website and most are duplicates...but it COUNTS them??? Somebody explain all this to a confused Englishwoman!!! I may have to lob my computer out of the window in a minute.... thanks!

have you checked out HOTWIRE??? They may have better deals and on this website, they are usually pretty good at identifying the hotel.

I am going INSANNNNEEEE!!!! It seems i have tried every combo for every price increment...and its rejection every time. what am i doing wrong. Am i too impatient? Or just my strategy all wrong. Should i wait a few days? I am beginning to wonder how on earth people win these hotels. They are so expensive in manhattan yet people (other than me) win with bids of $150 for 4* hotel!!!!!! I know it must be the time of year that i am going factor but hell, I cant get anywhere!!! not even for a 3 * upscale! not a sausage!!! any help appreciated.

sorry Aaron, yes i meant what are dates where prices are similar. I know it wont be spot on because the prices can fluctuate but rather i am looking for trends so to speak. New years eve in NYC i would imagine to be expensive...that sort of thing. Thanks what do you think of my PRICELINE scenario??

thanks Aaron (again!) I forgot to mention this was 4.30pm (Sunday afternoon) it is now 9.00pm here, so 24hrs have passed yes?? But do they calculate this 24hr thing from the last registered bid...(i did try a bid late about 11.00pm) or does this not matter. I am confused about the "rules" here. What do you think my chances are for getting a 4* at about 210$ including tax???? I do have a back up reservation but just would like a nice hotel since it is a year-long wait for this vacation! I know you mentioned the 3*'s being a gamble. But they mention the names that I dont mind: Courtyard, holiday inn, residence, marriott etc. So do you think i might get a run down boutique one?? Aaron, sorry to ask you so many questions .... just one more. If you could compare my dates - April 25 - May 1 to another period of the year, when prices are like 4 like, what month would this be (was thinking of looking at the calandar of wins and what sort of price won the bid). Thanks so much you have been real helpful. Rachel

RE: Priceline (not Hotwire) ok i have had several offers rejected from priceline and as it was about 4.30pm GMT here when i first tried priceline bidding - technically i should be able to rebid now. How do i go about doing this. Do i access my request number (i.e the FIRST one I bid) by clicking on it? Or do i just go in and act like its brand new and start the ball rolling again. Trouble is have tried the latter and it keeps saying "We were not able to process this request since our records indicate you have already made a request for this same trip. Your credit card has not been charged for Request Number XXXXXXXX" So what am i doing wrong and how can i start and do the bid process again. ???? Help! Thanks