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Hi, I need a bidding strategy for Fort Lauderdale 1 Night - Sunday Jan. 7th 4* or 3* Budget: $65-$75 range Any hotel around the Marina area is fine as we will be embarking on a cruise the next day. I am not at all familiar with the area. Any advice would be much appreciated. Thanks!

I just lucked out in a huge way!!! Decided to check Jersey City on Hotwire (via your HOTWIRE link) as Priceline's prices haven't budged. Saw a 4* with a pool and knew it had to be the Hyatt. Reservation Details: Hyatt Regency on the Hudson Jersey City-Hoboken 2 Nights $97.00 After struggling with bidding strategies for JC and NYC on Priceline - this is a real score! :)

The Hotwire 3* is $130/night for my dates Amenities: Fitness Center, Business Center, Restaurant, High Speed Internet "This midscale establishment offers more than just the basics in style, comfort and customer service." I'm just a little unsure about the quality of a 3* in Manhattan - if I look on priceline, some 3*'s look like 4* quality and others look more like a 2*. There's also a 4* on Hotwire for $135.00 but in Midtown East. My backup is my friends couch in Queens....not ideal as their apartment is very small (and we are 2 people)and they have a baby. We would just prefer to fork over money for a hotel. Even though I am 3 days away from my stay I know I can find something....my max bid now would be $130.00. I'm going to continue scouting prices on priceline and hotwire but would appreciate any suggestions. Thanks.

As time is of the essence, I did some research and after looking into previous advice from this forum, areas, star ratings and re-bid zones I tried the following: Accessed Priceline via the Savingsbarn.com site Downtown Soho Financial District 4* Bid $110 Rejected Added re-bid zone Bid $115 Rejected Added re-bid zone Bid $120 Rejected Re-accessed Priceline Selected Midtown South 4* Bid $110 / $115 / $120 (with rebid zones) Rejected (I realized that UES and UWS do not offer 4*) I see some pretty good deals on Hotwire - 3* Soho $134.....wondering about that one - does anyone have a clue? I know I may have a better chance in Midtown but I'd rather not stay in that area - too congested and we often get lucky with parking in downtown / financial district. I have a backup plan for now so I may only try again tomorrow --not willing to bid more than $130 or so. I would be open to trying for a 3*.....need a new strategy......any suggestions?

I see the 4* Millenium - Lower Manhattan Church Street is listed at $199.00 on Priceline....but I don't understand the priceline maps - would that be downtown Soho district??? I would love to get that hotel... Edit: Considering that hotel is in the downtown soho financial district - I would change my preferences as follows: 1-Downtown Soho Financial District 2-Midtown South 3-Upper East Side 4-Upper West Side

Desperately need last minute bidding advice for NYC Saturday, August 19 - Monday, August 21, 2 nights. I've noticed that list prices on priceline and hotwire are quite reasonable for my dates ($200-250 range). Hoping to get a deal!! I'd like a strategy based on the following: Price Range: $110 - $125 Rating: 4* Areas: 1-Upper East Side, 2-Upper West Side, 3-Midtown South, 4-Dowtown Soho I've never bid for NYC before so any advice would be much appreciated.... :) Curious to know what thereuare thinks? Thanks.

Ok, after much debate we've decided to put Jersey City on the back burner and try our luck for Manhattan. Jersey City prices seem way out of whack and we realized that area and convenience for shopping / restaurants in Manhattan is #1 priority. We've had luck in the past with parking in Manhattan on weekends and will also factor in the cost for parking lot fees if it comes to that. I have noticed on both priceline and hotwire that some 4* hotels have come down substantially in price for my dates ($200-$250) range. I'm hoping to get something in the $110 - $125 range 4*. I will post a new topic under the New York forum- and please, any advice on bidding strategy would be much appreciated...! :)

Once again, NO LUCK :) Accessed Priceline.com via the SAVINGSBARN.COM website. Jersey City 3* Bid $85.00 Rejected Added Re-bid zone Elizabeth Bid $90.00 Rejected Re-accessed Priceline.com via the SAVINGSBARN.COM website. Jersey City 2.5* Bid $85.00 Rejected Added 2* Bid $80.00 Rejected I'm guessing that I'll only have a chance of getting any of these hotels if I bid in the $100 range. At this point, my max for that area is $100.00 - I noticed that a few of the hotels dropped a little in price but Hyatt hasn't budged. I'm not ready to try for Secaucus yet....I'm exploring my other options and I think I will give Jersey City another try tomorrow morning - but raise my bids this time. Hoping for a miracle!! Any suggestions?!

theruare: I just bid this morning - do I have to wait 24 hours to bid again??

Thanks. That strategy makes sense to me...I will wait to see what thereuare thinks I should do. The only thing that worries me is that, in the past, priceline would prompt me right away to up my bid by lets say $10.00. If I was only $5.00 off from the Doubletree, wouldn't they just give me the option to rebid right away - or does that depend on available inventory? If I rebid at $85.00 and get rejected I will have to wait out the 24 hours - correct? It's strange that the lower rated hotels are more expensive....I'm still not understanding why the prices are so out of whack for my dates...I suppose bidding last minute around this time of year is not a good idea!! Any suggestions theruare?

No Luck :) Via the SAVINGSBARN.COM link: 8/19/06 - 8/21/06 2 Nights Selected Jersey City 3* $75.00 Bid Rejected Added Re-bid zone Elizabeth $80.00 Bid Rejected What do you suggest I do? :)

Thanks thereuare. No, I have not bid on this stay yet...I've just been researching area and prices. I will follow your advice and let you know the outcome.

Ok, so using both this forum and priceline.com via the SAVINGSBARN.COM link, I've researched prices as well as areas and would like a bidding strategy based on the following..hoping to get some advice from thereuare :) : I would like to exhaust all possibilities for Jersey City before I move on to any other area. The Doubletree, Courtyard and even Candlewood would suit us fine. I know that the Candlewood has free parking and the other hotels may offer parking for a small fee - $10 a day is not a big deal. And there's always the possibility to find parking on the street. Again, proximity to PATH train and shortest travelling time to NYC is a priority. Price Range: Hoping for $65-$75 range, but willing to bid a max of $90 range I would prefer to keep the Secaucus option as a backup for now as I am not completely comfortable with the fact that it is not on the PATH line. Buses take longer and are not as reliable and we will most likely stay in NYC late both nights so the bus would be a huge inconvenience as we will also want to return to the hotel before dinner to drop off shopping bags. I've taken the PATH train several times before and although the wait time is longer after midnight, it is still a great mode of transportation. Also, I was wondering what anyone has to say about the possibility of the Hyatt prices dropping in the next few days ??? Wishful thinking...?? I just find the price completely outrageous for that weekend, considering it's not a holiday. Much thanks!!

Thanks blindman. I never considered Secaucus but will research the area to see if that could be a 2nd option - free parking would be great. I'm hooked on the Jersey City Hyatt but I see that the current going rates for my dates are way too high. The Doubletree or Candlewood may be a possibility. Basically we plan to spend most of our time in NYC so a hotel that is close to the train and as short of a distance to the city as possible is very important. And of course, parking is a huge issue.

Hello! I would like some bidding advice for a 2 night stay - Saturday August 19 and Sunday August 20 in Jersey City...preferably the Hyatt. I haven't bid for JC in quite some time so any advice would be much appreciated. I've noticed that the Hyatt has recently been won in the $65-75 range - this is the range I am hoping for. I'd be willing to go up to the $90 range. I realize my dates are only one week away but I am hoping to still be able to score a deal. I would rather not split my bid. Also, any advice on parking would be appreciated.....would we encounter problems parking on the street overnight on the Sunday? Other than JC, I would consider NYC ($100 max - 4* or 3*...I know, I am dreaming)...but I would be worried about parking in NYC. Also would consider Stamford or Greenwich CT as a last resort. Hope to hear from you soon...Thanks much!! :)

Thanks for the info....I will use that for my next bids later on as I'll need to return to this area often over the summer. I got your message a bit too late...my fault for waiting so long to bid, I notice some prices go up at a last minute. Here's my winning bid: Linked to Priceline through SavingsBarn.com May 21 - 1 Night Manchester - Vernon 2.5* Bid: $42.00 Rejected Added 2* Bid $37.00 Accepted Extended Stay Manchester All in all, I'm happy with that....it will do for a one night stay and my entire weekend is within budget! :)

I'm ready to bid...but how do I add a rebid zone for the 2.5* rating? thenewbie.....anyone???

Hmmm...I'm a little worried about this hotel: The Westin Stamford. I just read a bunch of reviews on tripadvisor and it sounds terrible...I'm wondering how that could be the case if it is listed as a 4*?? We certainly don't plan on spending alot of time in the hotel but I'm hoping it's not nearly as filthy as people describe it! Is it safe to park around there??? Anyways, that's the risk you take on priceline.....does anyone have experience staying at this hotel? :) edit: just found out that parking is underground for only $5.00 per stay....that's a plus.

Thanks for the info. $45.00 would be my max budget for this area.

Winning Bid: The Westin Stamford 4* Greenwich - Stamford May 19 - 21 / 2 nights Offer Price: $63.00 Accepted I am a bit disappointed it's not the Hyatt but I'm sure it will be fine...I've read some negative reviews but I hear the beds are comfy... Thereuare: Now I would like to bid for one night in Machester - please refer to my other post... Thanks!

Done. New topic posted. Thanks for the info thenewbie, I'll take your advice.

Hi, I'd like a bidding strategy for a one night stay, Sunday May 21 in the Hartford area - around Manchester or Vernon. 2 or 3* - price is priority....within $40 range. Thanks! :)

Thanks thereuare - I have not bid yet as we now have a slight change of plans. I'd like to start my bidding by tomorrow, Monday... We decided it would be best to only stay in Greenwich for the first 2 nights May 19 and May 20, then switch to somewhere near Storrs / Hartford on May 21 for the remaining night. Should I keep with the same bidding strategy for Greenwich as noted above? Also, any advice on bidding for a hotel near or around Hartford. We have to be at the University of CT on Monday morning so staying somewhere within a 20 minute drive or so would be great. We would like something no lower than a 2.5*, in a good location, and cheap ($45 range)...also, somewhere where parking would not be an issue. I'm thinking Downtown or East Hartford would be good. We are not familiar with that area at all so any advice would be appreciated. Thanks much! :)

Yes, I would prefer to try for the same property for all 3 nights....and hopefully get the hyatt!! :) Thanks.

Thanks for the info! So I would still have a shot at the hyatt but it's a big risk...and I notice that nobody has won the hyatt recently... :) I checked the Hyatt Greenwich site and the "prevailing rate" for those 3 nights is $139.00, which isn't bad but still a little out of our price range. I would love to get the hyatt but I would be willing to get another nice hotel in the same area...as for the splitting bids, I would really only want to switch hotels one night...preferably the sunday night...I could even stay in hartford on the sunday. We have a car so it's doable. What do you suggest I do? Do you think I am better off booking last minute - 2 or 3 days before??