Priceline Hotel: NYC 3/31-4/4

[toothmom]

am trying to book a last minute trip for myself and my daughter and would like to ask a bidding strategy on priceline. Would love to stay at the Hilton (Midtown West zone) as I have stayed there in the past ($99 years ago pre-9/11) but would consider any 3* or 4* in that or a nearby area. Would love to stay in the $150/night range. Any ideas? THANK YOU!!

[thereuare]

Is MTW the only zone you're willing to accept (MTE and UM/CPS are generally considered 'centrally located' too (at least at the 4*, at the 3* level the Millennium UN comes into play, which isn't bad, but a little 'out of the way' than the other properties).

Would you prefer to bid up to your limit for a 4* and then try for a 3* if rejected, or is price most important and the least expensive 3* or better hotel is acceptable?

Let us know the above and we'll advise accordingly.

[toothmom]

Thanks for the response! I would prefer bidding at the 4* and then go to the 3*level and keep to the most central location as possible. I can go up to $200 but would prefer the $150 price point.

[thereuare]

keep to the most central location as possible

Not sure what to make of this... do you only want to bid MTW or are you willing to add the other zones? If price is a factor i would add the other two zones to 4* bidding but not include MTE for 3* bidding... but you let us know your preference and we'll suggest a strategy accordingly.

I can go up to $200 but would prefer the $150 price point

How high do you want to go for a 4* before switching to a 3*?

[toothmom]

Am willing to go to $200 for MTW 4* and $150 for 3* there

Same for UM/CPS

Would go up to $150 in ME 4* but not go for a 3* in that zone

Would like to try for a 3* first in MTW (any ideas what hotels are being successfully bid on lately?), then the same for UM/CPS (up to $150). Then 4* for MTE (up to $150) then 4* MTW and then 4* UM/CPS (up to $200). THANKS!

[thereuare]

We can suggest a strategy for what you propose, but it will take a long time to bid since you really want to bid up to your limit in each zone before moving on to the next zone. Since you don't have much time you run the risk of an overbid (which is fine as long as price isn't the most important factor)

Incorporating your wishes above, and if price is a factor, i think a better approach would be to accept any 3* hotel in MTW or UM/CPS up to $150... then if that is rejected accept any 4* hotel in the MTE, MTW, or UM/CPS zone up to $200.

Let us know your thoughts on which approach you'd prefer to take (or if you don't see the difference between the two we'll explain further) and we'll suggest a strategy to follow.

[toothmom]

Your idea seems simple and to the point. What would you suggest I do first?

..................................................................

"i think a better approach would be to accept any 3* hotel in MTW or UM/CPS up to $150... then if that is rejected accept any 4* hotel in the MTE, MTW, or UM/CPS zone up to $200."

[thereuare]

I would try bidding as follows:

At the 4* level you have two re-bid zones, only one at the 3* level. If you're not familiar with re-bidding please read Priceline Re-Bidding Explained and feel free to ask questions and/or confirm your re-bid zones with the board before proceeding.

Select 3* MTW...

Bid $120, if rejected add re-bid zone...

Bid $130, if rejected close browser and re-access priceline however you did previously.

Select 3* UM/CPS...

Bid $120, if rejected add re-bid zone...

Bid $130, if rejected close browser and re-access priceline however you did previously.

Select 3* MTW and UM/CPS...

Bid $140, if rejected add re-bid zone...

Bid $150.

Any questions feel free to ask.

If the above is rejected we'll then move on to a 4* strategy (as well as discuss one other option)

Good Luck and let us know how it goes.

[toothmom]

I decided not to go on the trip after it looked like it was going to be too steep. Thanks for the help and ideas!