ddlabcret

Alright guys...I just succeeded in bidding for NYC stay - shout out to thereuare for the tips!! ...and thinking about doing the same for Chicago, and maybe later Vegas, with re-bid approach. Already set the out the 4* selection and determined the FIVE re-bid zones I could use for the strategy. Slight dilemma: The areas that I am targeting, which are Millenium-Loop-Grant & North Mich Ave (pretty much Chicago Downtown area), have 4* Whitehall Hotel with a published rate of $81. The other 4* hotels in the areas are publishing rates around $110-170ish. Looking at the Whitehall website and profile, I am very keen on avoiding this hotel as much as I can whilst doing the bidding. Is that even remotely possible? Any loophole, or strategy to execute this preference? Really wish they downgrade it to 3.5*, but oh well... Whitehall does publish the cheapest rate, and I am quite sure if I proceed with bidding strategy, I have a much bigger chance (maybe 90% or above) that I'll end up with Whitehall instead. Any thoughts? Will Hotwire be any different? As always, thanks in advance!

I suppose I could ask whether they could upgrade the room if those rooms are available...Heard that guest could be upgraded if they can't fill out the suites, since selling the "more affordable"-standard rooms to last minute walk-ins is easier than selling the suites at premium price. But then again, I could be just assuming...any thoughts? I also believe I am at their mercy of putting me in the interior view or the city view, thou both are considered as "standard" room based on Warwick description. By the way, are you talking about the food stall with a long line located in front of Hilton Hotel at the Ave of America?! If so, I had tried those on my previous NYC trip....delicioso! They should prob. print out a biz card, I keep forgetting about that stall unless someone reminded me so. Anyhow, quick question: I am planning to - for the first time ever - celebrating the countdown @ TS...advice, advice please...I heard people saying they close down the section since 12 noon...if i plan to count down at TS, when would be best time to start waiting at TS? I only will be arriving in NYC around 4 pm on the 31st...I can't believe you'd need to queue up since 12 noon, what gives?!? Also heard that you cannot leave your spot even for bathroom break, since you won't be allowed to return to your spot in the middle of TS..rumors? or true story? Thanks for sharing!

Hi all, just want to share the successful bid story... I actually exhausted all of bidding strategy from thereuare and reached till the last section of the bidding: selected MTW, MTE: bid 205, got rejected...add CPS bid 210, got rejected...add Brooklyn bid 212, got rejected...add Coney Island bid 214, got rejected...add Long Island bid 216, got rejected...add Madison Sq bid 218, got rejected...add Upper East bid 220, got ACCEPTED I checked on Priceline, and their published rate is $342 Truthfully, I was a bit bummed out thou...since I was hoping that I could score $195 like chechein on W hotel. But knowing that I am getting the hotel at Midtown West area, I think I should just be happy and thankful that I got a good deal as well...as least it's a 4* hotel...anyone ever stayed at Warwick and experienced a good stay?! please share... Here is my hotel: Warwick New York Hotel 65 West 54Th Street At Avenue Of Americas New York, NY 10019 Thanks to all for the advice and tips! I appreciate the help.... And YES, i did use the PRICELINE link provided by thereuare. Cheers! One last question: is it save to assume that we are only bidding for the standard room at any hotel? With the rate that I'm getting, I am pretty sure I am not getting the suite, or even the deluxe room...is there such event as in room upgrade from the hotel? also, is our reservation guaranteed providing no cancellation?

I think I got it now...those five re-bid zones are: Brooklyn, Coney Island, Long Island, Madison Sq., and Upper East these five areas do not have 4* hotels on their roster...now your scenario does make sense!

This one is very clear, i understood this concept since the beginning of the this section's inquiries. I guess the subject in which I am not following is the FIVE re-bid zones. I am assuming those re-bid zones are the ones that I can add without risking the 4* preference...now that I think about it, I'm beginning to think that I need to add area such as Brooklyn since it doesn't have 4* hotels. Is this what you are referring to? If so, what other areas are you referring to? I just crossed out Upper Manhattan, Chelsea, and Wall St... they all have 4* hotels in their roster.

I am still somewhat confused, appreciate if you're breaking it down for me. I however, prefer to stay in 4* hotel, and 3.5* only if I have to. I am not looking for hotels which only contain hotels rated less than 4* Does that change the dynamic of the re-bid zones?

now that you mentioned it, yes i am unsure. what would the zone(s) be? do you mind elaborate first section of your suggested scenario? my understanding of the re-bid zone(s): TS, MTW, MTE, CPS. any correction or clarification is appreciated. thanks!

btw chechein, does your $195/night success include taxes and service charge? or is it just the usual standard rate, in which taxes will be added in the final price? thanks! it has been a while since i used PRICELINE.

I only have FOUR re-bid zones, not five. Interestingly, I tried to make a bid on PRICELINE using a different combination of different zones, but Priceline recognized that those areas have been selected in the previous bid, for eq. instead of TS CPS MTW, I selected MTW TS MTE (note that TS CPS MTW MTE had been selected in the failed bid scenario the first time around). Since I can afford to wait for another 24hrs, I am going to reset, and try again tomorrow. Any take on this? Any scenarios would be considered. Any other suggestions or tips are welcome. Thanks guys!

Thanks fellas! I saw chechein's win at W hotel for $195 that's mind-boggling....awesome stuff! Will take the suggestion, thanks a lot...any other tips? Should I start with 4* and keep adding the zone until it's successful? or adding 3.5* in the bidding will lower the chance of getting the 4* hotel? Does HOTWIRE give preferable results vs PRICELINE, or both are pretty comparable?

looking at the roster of the hotels on MTW/MTE/Times Square-Theater/Central Park South area, ideally would rather get the 4* hotel as much as i can, with 3.5* as acceptable option.

I would hope to get a bargain price at $250/night max for 3* or better. Yes, I will use the PRICELINE link for travel purchases. Would like to keep the cost down as much as I can. thanks

Greetings, Could you kindly give tips/help on how to successfully book the hotel room in New York - Midtown East/West, Times Square - Theater District or Central Park South area? 3* and above is preferable. Date: 12/31/10 - 01/04/11 Thanks so much! really appreciate your help/suggestion

Hi, I'm looking for a good deal for New Year at Las Vegas. Hotels at the strip is very preferrable. I tried with $135 and it got rejected. I just wanted to know what is the price that I need to aim and bid for. Any hotels in the strip would be fine, I guess (Venetian, Monte Carlo, Alladdin, Luxor, Paris, etc.) Any comments and/or bidding suggestion are appreciated. Thank you

Hi, want to report this bidding. Bid from Priceline for $30/day for a week... first try and it got accepted, what a surprise... suppose I could go lower huh?!? :) I checked on Expedia and Orbitz -- they listed the rates as $298 and $268, respectively for a minivan :) I ended up paying $238 for the price. :o I guess I didn't really pay that much attention from the Orbitz website before. But priceline mentioned that I saved about $237 (50%) on the rates. OK then.. hope it helps and any comments are always welcomed Thanks

thanks again. by the way, do you know about this hotel somehow? I saw that the rating is 3.5*... so I think it might be a good one. that's all. just want to make sure cheers

Well I decided not to include Costa-Mesa. And also decided to add the Buena Park area. Since from the map it seems that Buena Park is closer to Anaheim than Fullerton-Brea, I put it first as the additional zone for bidding strategy Thanks. sorry for the confusion

just want to report the result. :) I got the Radisson Knotts Berry Farm with $41 pn for two days (12/27/04-12/29/04) First, I started with $40 on Disneyland area -- rejected. Then add Buena Park - Cypress area and upped my bid to $41 -- it got accepted. I checked the website and it was stated as 3* hotel. Does anyone know about this hotel? One good thing tough, it is close to Disneyland and provides FREE shuttle from the hotel. :)

well ... that's not what I mean I tried to add Fullerton, Costa-Mesa Irvine, Fountain Valley, and Newport Area for the re-bidding schemes. well, I started with $25 until $35 with those addition. Does it mean I just need to up my bid? Or is there any other way to get around 30s? (like others) Thanks thereuare

Oh yeah, I've been trying to add and re-bid strategy, but could not suceed :) any other tricks I could try on? Thanks

have been trying to bid for 3* (or 3.5*) hotels in Anaheim or Irvine. (Anaheim is preferred though :) ) will try to stay over there from 12/27/04-12/29/04. I tried $25, $27, $33, $35 but have not succeeded. I thought I could ask for some suggestion. Thanks cheers :)

Hi lml, I'd like to ask you about this Broadwaybox.com. I checked on the website and it doesn't have any discounted price beyond November. I'm planning to see either Wicked/Mamma Mia!/The Producer :) on broadway and I'm trying to get cheaper tickets for me and my family. We will be staying from 12/23-12/27 this coming December. Is broadway show open during Xmas season? Can you suggest on how to get cheaper tickets for those shows. Any comments and/or suggestions are really appreciated. Thanks a lot Cheers

Thanks mr. drew, I'll keep that in mind next time. Now that the hard part over, I'd like to ask some tourist attractions worth seeing. :) Are Empire State and Chrysler Building worth seeing? Any particular ideas for shopping suggestion? I heard that Woodbury outlet is good. How about Soho square? For foods, is there any good and affordable restaurants in MTW/MTE/UM-CPS? I think the parents would prefer Asians, but any good food is always welcome. :) We know that we'd want to go to Chinatown at least, so that part of the town is already taken care of (in terms of food). Does anyone know if St. Patrick Cathedral would be crowded on the Xmas eve? If we want to join the people there, what time it would be wise to start waiting on the Cathedral? Thanks a lot guys. cheers!

Oh yeah, the train from White Plains will take about 40 minutes ride and it will make a stop at Grand Central Station. From there on, I think taxi would be feasible. Any comments are appreciated. Obviously, La Guardia and Newark airports options are more convenience. Thanks again

HI, the way I did it is just the same as you suggested. But I just went with lower price... since I heard that usually the priceline prices is about 1/3 of the Expedia's.. so I thought I gave it a shot. I started with around $80, and it got rejected... :) then I upped the price to $100, and still got rejected... :o then I tried $115 -- no luck obviously. Next, $120 --- score... maybe I got lucky since I only chose MTW, MTE, and UM/CPS. And from your suggestions, I kinda knew what price I wanted to fix on (which around $120-$135) :) , because personally, $150 from priceline is kinda too much for me when you can get them for $191.50 from Expedia. Maybe it was just luck but I hope it helps. Another thing, I asked about the train from White Plains (which costs $9 per person) and not using taxi and/or bus. I do agree with you thereuare, that taxi and bus will cost additional bucks and would be too much hassle, especially when travelling with the elderly. Would this option worth thinking for? Thanks again.