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dahammer

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Posts posted by dahammer

  1. As always, I used the BetterBidding Win Alerts app on my iPad to simultaneously check rates on HOTWIRE, Hotels..com, and PRICELINE. This is a must have app to save time with the bidding process. I made several unsuccessful bids in the North Bergen and Meadowlands Zones, I was really trying to get something for under $50. I mean, who in their right mind would travel with single digit temperatures and 25 mph winds?

    Finally had my same day bid accepted for the Extended Stay America on Edwin Ward Blvd.

    Offer price: $51.00

    Taxes & fees: $15.50

    Total: $66.50

    I seem to be getting these Extended Stay properties frequently as there are four located within close proximity of the Secaucus Meadowlands area and all are rated as 2*. The rooms no longer have dishes, glasses, or cookware; guests must now ask for these amenities at check in. Overall, I was pleased with the results, the room is fine for a one night stay, but you really need a car in this area. Many of the Extended Stay America properties now offer free shuttle bus service within a limited radius of the hotel.

  2. Made a same day bid using BetterBidding's WinAlerts app. I probably overbid, but I wanted to stay in this zone and time was not on my side. This property is in a good location and the hotel has a free shuttle that operates locally on a limited schedule.

    Room Cost: $61.00

    Taxes and Fees: $17.37

    Total Charges: $78.37

    The NJ Transit Route 129 bus stops right in front of the adjacent Red Roof Inn and has frequent service to Manhattan. Extended Stay America hotels now offer a very limited breakfast of coffee, tea, granola bars, instant oatmeal, oranges and apples.

  3. I used Priceline Express to via the WinAlerts app on my iPad to book this room. I didn't have the time to go through the bidding process and rolled the dice on a 1* with Parking and WiFi amenities, turned out to be the Rodeway Inn on Rt. 3 in Secaucus. Overall, I liked the price and the room was not that bad, the rack rate was $79, so not huge savings. The hotel offers a continental breakfast.

    Room Cost: $54.00

    Taxes and Fees: $14.17

    Total Charges: $68.17

  4. Made this bid a week ago, I believe HOTWIRE was around $26 per day.

     

     

    EDIT: I was given the hard sell by Avis to take insurance and also to get an upgrade to a Hyundai Sonata, I said to the clerk that I would be happy to accept a complimentary upgrade.  She didn't go for that, so I got the Chevy Cruze.  I forgot to check the fuel gauge before I left the lot and it was a hair below full, probably off by a gallon or so. 

  5. Amenities shown prior to purchase: Breakfast, Wifi, Pool, Parking and 7+ rating. I wanted to stay near the falls, but didn't want to pay for parking, so bidding was not an option for me, I checked with PRICELINE EXPRESS using the WinAlerts app and I was able to narrow down the hotels that offered free parking.

    Room Cost: $40.00

    Hotel Fee: $1.24

    Taxes and Fees: $10.44

    Total Charges: $51.68

    This hotel is in a perfect location, across the street from the Fallsview Casino and a short walk down the hill to the Falls.

  6. I make many of my same day bookings while on the road. I second thereuare's advice regarding Hot.wire and Price.line's Express Deals, you will save a lot of time by not having to wait and rebid. If you have an iPhone, you can download the WinAlert app which will let you quickly check Price.line, Hot.wire, and Hotels.com simultaneously. Just pull off the road and grab a coffee, don't bid and drive. ;)

    I would also try to avoid small markets that have only a couple of properties, sometimes the hotels in these zones don't discount much off regular rates. But generally speaking, many hotels are slow during Thanksgiving. With that said, good luck and please post the results of your "win" as the information might help another board member seeking similar accommodations.

  7. One of the problems with Chicago is when a large trade show is booked at the McCormick Center, rates probably will go up as dates get closer. I played this game two years ago and actually had to book a room at a hostel, every hotel was sold out. Thankfully, hurricane Sandy cancelled my flights and I didn't have to share a bathroom down the hall from my single room. There is a large trade show from November 2-5 that will probably come close to selling out local hotels and may force attendees to stay out by the airports. I would check with the convention and visitors bureau, good luck.

  8. I think it would be wise to book a cancelable backup reservation now so that you can be assured of lodging. Monitor the rates with RateDrop.com so you can monitor the prices. I had previously stayed at the Manhattan Times Square Hotel and it was perfect for my needs: close to the Theater District, close to the subway, close to Times Square and close to Central Park. This property was a former Sheraton, a little worn around the edges, but clean and I felt safe. I made my booking with Hotwire. Good luck and remember that there is a first time for everything.

  9. I was a little surprised to get this on the first bid, but I have stayed here before and it is a decent property. There is no elevator, only stairs to the second floor. Rack rate was $159 plus tax, so I am pleased with the bid.

    Room Cost: $82.00

    Taxes and fees: $ 20.48

    Total Charges: $102.48

    Used the Win Alerts app on my iPad to check both Hot.wire, Price.line and Hotels.com, and to submit my winning bid.

  10. This win was for the hotel on Route 3, it was a good location with easy access to the North Bergen Park and Ride. Parking and round trip fare to the Port Authority Bus Terminal via the Route 320 bus is $9.50. I think the round trip bus fare without parking is $6, still a good deal considering the frequency of service into Manhattan. Another tip is to grab a $1 slice of pizza on 9th ave across the street from the PA.

    Offer Price: $ 61.00

    Taxes & Fees: $ 17.60

    Total: $ 78.60

  11. This was a bit of a marathon session, getting no love from bids in the mid fifties. I usually get the Clarion, former Holiday Inn when bidding in this area, but it was not to be. Ended up increasing my bids and eventually got the Ramada right off the LIE. I would have preferred to stay in the Hauppauge area, but this zone is becoming very pricey, how I miss those $41 wins at the Hyatt Wind Watch. I used the BetterBidding WinAlerts app to check HOTWIRE prices along with those of Hotels..com simultaneously, its a great app for anyone with an apple or android device.

    Offer Price: $ 62.00

    Taxes & Fees: US$ 16.49

    Total $ 78.49

  12. Booked a Priceline Express deal, the amenities shown were free breakfast, free parking, swimming pool. This was formerly a Fairfield Inn that was refurbished about 4 years ago, it was fine. The location is as short drive to the casinos in the Marina district. I used the Win Alert app to book the room. Made it over to the White House for a White House Special, the bread is the best.

    Room Cost: $129.99

    Taxes & Fees: $17.65

    Total: $147.64

  13. I always wanted a Cadillac, but not this one. Once again, Hot.wire's star inflation let me down, I was surprised that this property was rated 2* as it is barely a 1* property. The amenities were free parking and internet. This is a 50+ year old motel with outside entrances and a parking space in front of each room. All of the non smoking rooms were given to customers paying the rack rates of $59. I used the WinAlerts app to make my purchase.

  14. As for a car rental, I have used Hot.wire several times in Florida and never had a problem. And your English is very good, much better than my Portuguese! By the way, my new favorite cocktail is a capirihina, cheers! Have a great trip. By the way, if you stayed in Miami Beach, you might not need a car to get around.

  15. Made my same day bid using BetterBidding's WinAlert app. It appeared that prices went down from the previous night, so I put in a bid of $57 and was accepted immediately.

    Room Cost: $57.00

    Taxes and Fees: $15.74

    Total Charges: $72.74

    This property is on the far eastern edge of the zone, but it's fairly new and I have stayed here several times previously. It has all of my favorite freebies: parking, wifi, breakfast. The rooms are mini-suites with a comfy king with a room divider that separates the sleeping area from a desk/sitting area with a small frige and microwave oven. Dining options are limited in this area, but there's a Ruby Tuesday nearby. At $57, this place is a great deal and its one of my favorites when in this neck of the woods.

  16. This hotel is the former Holiday Inn near the Mac Arthur Airport. I tried to bid in the Hauppauge zone but was rejected.

    Room Cost: $63.00

    Taxes and Fees: $16.64

    Total Charges: $79.64

    Rack rate was $149, so I'm pleased with this bid and would stay again. Used the BetterBidding WinAlerts app on my iPad to check Hot.wire rates and to make my Price.line bids.

  17. We are stopping in the area on our way from Ohio to Boston and were wondering whether you can name your price for this hotel? I noticed it has 4* but there is no 4* option for Wilkes Barre area. Also any advice on a nice golf courses in the area? Thanks

    I recently stayed at the Genetti Best Western which is about a 10 minute drive from the casino. I think this hotel was recently renovated and I would stay here again. With that said if you are looking to stay right on property at the casino, you might want to call a host and see if they could give you a casino rate or possibly match an offer or your status from a casino that's local to you. The casino itself is very nice and fairly new, I felt it was a little smokey. There was a promotion at the time for $10 freeplay if you provided an email address and agreed to receive future promotions in this way.

    As for golf, I can't help you very much, but I do know at there are several good courses in the Poconos which are about 30-45 minutes away. Wilkes Barre is not considered the Poconos. There is another casino actually in the Poconos called Mt. Airy, its a little smaller than Mohegan, but only about 4 years old. Good luck!

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