cymbolz

I'm more than convinced now that I have a reasonable deal with the Roosevelt, and wouldn't get anywhere bidding further on PRICELINE at this stage. That is, given I've already reached roughtly my limit on my 3.5* and 4* approaches (one being MTW & Times Square and the other MTW, Times Square, MTE & ESB). I want to wrap this up before I leave in early May so I cannot see myself trying to bid for a "last minute" type of deal (say a few days before I arrive in NYC). Unless you have any other suggestions, I'll rest my case here. Thank you for being prompt and very helpful. Even though this one didn't work out, I have won bids for other locations (Cleveland and Valencia California). Cheers, Matt

My maximum will be $200 including taxes, so that would make it approximately $164 without (give or take a few dollars of course). I'd much prefer not to, so I can avoid a mid visit change of hotels. Interestingly for my stay at the Roosevelt the first two nights, one of the middle nights and the last two are much more expensive (compared to other nights) I must confess I didn't use the Expedia link...my bad and will not make the same mistake again.

I got back into bidding today without success. My measuring stick was an offer on Expedia for the Roosevelt Hotel New York. As it looks to be in a great location and based on the price (was starting at $202 per night including tax but I upgraded to a bigger room for $217 per night including tax) I booked it already. Can be cancelled, so if I can get something for around $150 (excluding tax) then I'll take it and cancel the Roosevelt. But I am doubtful. I had 4 strategies on PRICELINE: 4* MTW & Times Square. Started $125 and stopped at $164 without success. 4* MTW, Times Square, MTE & ESB. Also started $125 and stopped at $164 without success. 3.5* (same two approaches) started $110 stopped at $164 without success. I haven't considered 3* bidding yet... So to conclude, I have a known location for a good price (Roosevelt) and doesn't look like I can save any money (in fact I'd almost have to spend more) if I continue with the above bidding approaches on PRICELINE. I'd appreciate any opinions to back me up on this, or suggest something else I should be trying (to get into MTW and Times Square as a priority, or even MTE and ESB also).

Finally got back to bidding after a few weeks without a computer (darn technology). Won the Courtyard By Marriott Santa Clarita Valencia for $69 per night (total for two nights including taxes is $163.78) for May 7-9. I was bidding at 3* level and started at $45 with increments of 2-3. Also found a 2.5* on Hotwire for $76 and 3* for $80 so that was going to be my limit. Thanks to all of you for the input.

My budget is $200 per night before tax. I'd prefer to be close to the subway (although I have no issues with walking either) and want to select areas that will likely have lots of subway stations near the most likely hotels. The areas I'm interested in staying in are CPS, MTW and TSQ. I'm aware of the opinions about Times Square but I don't mind if it means I'm very central. Based on this, 3* gives me only 1 rebid zone so too painful. I'm leaning towards starting with 3.5* as I don't think my budget will get far on 4* in those areas I prefer. 3.5* gives me 4 rebid zones and I have plenty of time to do this (stay is 5/31 - 6/7) so I can wait a day between various bids. I'd also consider MTE (although read that some of the hotels are very far east and not near the subway), Hell's Kitchen, ESB and MSQ if you think I should go for these also. Looks like Chelsea, SOHO and Upper East/West are too far out. So, 3.5* CPS, MTW and TSQ (plus any others you recommend). Looking at HOTWIRE as a guide I see 3* in Midtown Central for $183 so should I start around $130 with $10 increments to $160 then $5 or less from there? Is it worth having a go at 4* first (has 6 rebid zones) up to my budget just to see if anything good happens? (I cannot see any harm myself) Of course I'll be using this PRICELINE link to do all my bidding!

I'm back and with good news. My first PRICELINE win! My $59 bid for 3* Cleveland Downtown was accepted, and I'm staying at Radisson Hotel Cleveland Gateway. Dates are 5/23 - 5/25, total including taxes is $145.98 for the two nights. I'm very pleased and was a good experience. Since my last post I haven't tried anything, so revisited this evening. Started 4* with a few rebid zones and got up to $65 - I didn't really want 4* and wasn't expecting a good price this far out from my stay (I understand it cannot be accurately predicted, but it seems the higher star hotels offer better prices at the last minute). Then I tried 3* with 3 rebid zones starting at a very low $35 and moving up by roughly $5 until I got to $59 and was accepted. My last bid was going to be $61 as I was then going to take up the HOTWIRE offer of $62 for 3*. Either way I would have been a winner! Thanks everyone for your help and advice. Now onto New York and California...plus maybe some others.

Hi, Looking to book two nights, Saturday May 7th to Monday May 9th in Valencia for a Six Flags visit. I think I've got this one working out ok but would appreciate any advice prior to my bidding on PRICELINE. Originally was looking at booking directly in Holiday Inn Express or Embassy Suites. I don't mind the Hyatt Regency (lots of wins reported on this one) but prefer what the other two offer. Looks like 3.5* bids normally result in Hyatt Regency while 3* has recenty resulted in Embassy Suites plus a few others that I'd consider acceptable also (Courtyard & Residence Inn) So my plan is to start low ~ $40 and increments of $5 ish on 3* - unfortunately only 1 rebid zone, please confirm. Upper limit around $70 as I can then get 2.5* for $71 (smoke free, breakfast, internet) from HOTWIRE (no idea which hotel this could be) Is there any chance if I start 3* it will offer my the 3.5* Hyatt? I believe this is possible...any reports / experience of this? If so and it's common, I'm tempted to just do 3.5* and take the Hyatt as there are more rebid zones (4) so the process will be much easier/quicker.

Hi, I'm after feedback and suggestions in general, plus thoughts on where I should pitch my starting bid and increments ($ wise). Using PRICELINE of course! Planning a NYC stay Tuesday May 31st to Tuesday June 7th and undecided on 4*, 3.5* or 3* so will put a plan together for each. Not keen on splitting my stay (moving hotel) but will consider recommendations to do this. Areas interested in (apologies if not the usual acronyms): CPS, ESB, HK, MSG, MTE, MTW, TSQ Maybe: CH, UES, UWS, QB, SOHO My criteria is that it must be very close to the subway (not a 3-4 block walk...) so please let me know any thoughts on areas to include / exclude based on above preference. Any which zones should I avoid for 4*, 3.5* or 3*? 4* - 6 rebid zones (obviously cannot stay in any preferred zone that doesn't have 4* such as MSG)...am I correct on rebid zones, and what is a good starting bid and increment? $80 + $10 increments (plenty of rebidding options)? 3.5* - 4 rebid zones...again, correct on rebid zones and good starting bid and increment? $75 start + $5 increments? 3* - only 1 rebid zone (Coney Island) so limited ability to rebid without waiting 24 hours. Starting bid and increment suggestions? $60 start + $10 increments (as limited rebid zones)? A general question - if I wanted to try 2.5* then all I believe there is only 1 rebid zone - Coney Island. If I'm correct, Hell's Kitchen is not a rebid zone - no 2.5* but it has 3*, 3.5* and 4*. Did I get the theory right? As a price guide / comparison, HOTWIRE has a 3* suite for $179 or $196 - although have a low (75%) recommendation rating; and 2.5* SOHO for $179; and 3* MTC for $185. But I'll use these as an alternative if my PRICELINE bidding doesn't go too well. NB: I am also in the process of bidding on a Cleveland stay and will soon be doing an LA stay, but yet to get a win (taking my time) so I'm technically a newbie still! :)

Hi Romelle - thanks for the compliment. I'm an engineer so have been "engineering" my strategy - plus have spent lots of time researching & checking out prices others have won at (on these forums) and the advice from those who have been there, done that. I bet I’m still asking some “dumb” questions but am enjoying the learning experience. I think I’m now addicted to PRICELINE, and as I’ve invested the time to learn I might as well see what comes of it. The element of surprise and suspense in not knowing exactly which hotel, is sucking me in! One question, you mention looking at the total with taxes etc included. Wouldn’t they be the same (assuming there aren’t fees, or very low, and that taxes should be identical)? I’ve been only comparing base rates assuming that, for the same location the taxes etc would roughly be the same. Thereuare – thanks for the patient advice and pointing me to the info sources. I’ve read up the stuff you pointed me to and have now decided I’ll dabble a bit more in PRICELINE and then revert to HOTWIRE. Either way the experience has been enjoyable and I’ll be saving over the retail/public rate (or whatever we normally call it). If PRICELINE doesn’t get me what I want for the right price, I’m looking at either of these on HOTWIRE: 3.5* Downtown Cleveland area Hotel (showing me $72) - Fitness, Restaurant, Business Center, Laundry, Internet, Golf, Tennis My guess: Radisson or 3* Downtown Cleveland area Hotel (showing me $62) - Breakfast, Fitness, Business Center, Laundry, Internet My guess: Holiday Inn Express or Residence Inn

I'm leaning towards the 3* option on HOTWIRE as it has a higher recommendation rate of 90% versus the 3.5* that is only 80%. And the 3* has breakfast included which is convenient. The price difference isn't much so no issue with either from a budget.I do wonder if I should spend the time on PRICELINE bidding on 3*? Given the hotels in scope are different to the Hotwire 3* (according to this forum, Priceline might include: Hilton Garden Inn, Radisson Gateway, Residence Inn) I would certainly not get HI Express but might get Residence Inn - a few historic results show both Residence Inn and Hilton Garden Inn coming up on 3* wins. Do you think it's worth the time bidding on Priceline for 3* (if I started at $40) or would it not be worth my time and I should just go for Hotwire at $62? In general, should I wait until closer to my vacation dates? It seems the price from my 3.5* Priceline bidding experience was higher than recent history...could that be due to the period I'm travelling (summer vs many seem to be in colder months) or that I should wait until closer to the date? I leave Australia on May 7 (2.5 weeks before I arrive in Cleveland) so I'd want to have it sorted out around one week before my departure. Use the links, absolutely. Thanks for the HI link also, I didn't know about that one. So now I'm looking for your advice on 3 options - (a) go with Hotwire 3*; (:) try bid on Priceline 3* up to $60 otherwise go with Hotwire $62;

I decided to bid for 3.5* (still with plenty of re-bid zones) - started at $42 and now at $74 with no success. Haven't decided if I will keep going or lower to 3* and start low again. Originally (before thinking about priceline bidding) I was aiming for $80-100 per night, and would be more than happy with something such as Holiday Inn Express (currently $108 on hotels combined). My limit on 3.5* is almost reached, as I can see on Hotwire a 3.5* for $72 and a 3* for $62 (with breakfast and has 90% customer rating) - might be Holiday Inn Express (which is 3* on Hotwire but 2.5* on Priceline). So I'm tempted just to go for one of these - maybe try 3* bidding at Priceline starting ~ $40 up to high 50s, then get onto Hotwire. I'll think about my next move over the coming day or so...still plenty of time. Feel free to add any thoughts/suggestions.

Hi, This is my first attempt at Priceline. Looking at Cleveland Downtown for 2 nights 5/23 to 5/25. Will start at 4* and see if I get one at a reasonable price, otherwise more than happy to try 3.5 or 3*...this post will focus on 4* bidding Tried Priceline earlier today 4* Cleveland Downtown for $50 - was rejected, as I expected. But now I've read up on re-bidding and doing some quick research I see 10 re-bid zones - everything except Cleveland Heights & Downtown Cleveland So now I'll work my way up from $50 in small increments up to around $75 selecting only 4* and using the re-bid zones. There are some examples of 4* in Cleveland Downtown going for mid 60's but was for December stay so might need to bid more for May. I'd appreciate someone tell me I'm on the right track with understanding the re-bid zone concept and any other advice (such as I'm crazy for thinking I'll get 4* even for $75...but that's OK, it's my first go at this, I have plenty of time and I will drop to 3.5* then 3* as I'd like to keep my budget to < $75 + tax per night - and my next shot at this is New York, so this is a warm up :) Thanks, Matt