Priceline Hotel: 4* NYC (Downtown-SoHo-Financial) Millenium Hilton

[mrsv]

Hi,

I am new to this so please bare with me and all the questions :)

4 adults (2 couples) are travelling to NY on Aug 1-4/2008. We would like to stay in a 4* or better in MTW, MTS or if we can get the are that the Hilton millenium (ground zero) or grand hyatt is at would be amazing.

I know there is nothing that says I will get these hotels but was wondering if anyone had any first time tips for me on how I should go about bidding and at what price range.

Thanks in advance!

:)

[thereuare]

Welcome to BetterBidding!

Few things to cover...

Are you looking for one room or two?

You mention wanting to stay in MTW or MTS zones... but the two hotels you mentioned aren't in either of those zones. The Millenium Hilton is is Downtown and the Grand Hyatt is in MTE. What exactly are your preferences?

Please use these PRICELINE and HOTWIRE links to begin your travel purchases.

[mrsv]

sorry, i m looking for 2 rooms. I would like to stay at those hotels but don't HAVE to. I am open as long as its not in NJ or up town.

[thereuare]

Let's back up a moment...

With PRICELINE you can choose the zone(s) you're willing to accept. You mentioned two zones, as well as two hotels... but the hotels are not in either of the zones you mentioned. So i'm not sure if you only want to bid the zones you mentioned, if you only wanted to bid the zones in which the two hotels you mentioned are located... or if any of the four zones are completely acceptable and you just want the least expensive out of any of them.

I can tell you that Downtown is a 'bit out of the way' and i wouldn't necessarily recommend bidding that zone at first unless you're unable to get a hotel in one of your other prefered areas at a reasonable price. It's not terrible to stay downtown, but if you intend to do 'mostly tourist' stuff and spend most of your time in Midtown, then you're better off staying at a hotel in midtown, imo.

At the 4* level most users bid the MTE, MTW, CPS, and Times Square zones... and for difficult (high priced dates) also include the ESB (Empire State Buidling zone). However, you should look at the PRICELINE boundaries of these zones, as well as the Downtown zone, to determine which would work for your needs.

Let us know which zone(s) you're willing to bid and we'll advise accordingly.

Please use these PRICELINE and HOTWIRE links to begin your travel purchases.

[mrsv]

Iam good with MTE,MTW,TS, ESB and downtown(only if I can get the hilton, so I don't think I should chance it.) Im just looking for the best rate possible and how to know what I may be bidding for on 'name your price'. 4* would be preffered as I can see what priceline is rating the hotels at and they all seem great.

When I put in an amount it tells me if my bid would most likely be accepted or has a small or no chance...is that accurate?

Also I need 2 rooms...will they be in the same hotel if booking on 'name your price'?

[thereuare]

If you select 2rooms when you bid both rooms will be at the same hotel.

You should ignore the "low chance" message from PRICELINE.

If you aren't willing to accept any 4* hotel in the Downtown zone other than the Millenium Hilton then i wouldn't use that zone when bidding.

We wouldn't want to suggest a strategy which was more than you were willing to pay... let us know your maximum bid and we'll suggest a strategy for you to follow.

Please use these PRICELINE and HOTWIRE links to begin your travel purchases.

[mrsv]

ok. I put in $115 in the bidding slot on priceline and it didn't come up with the 'no chance to accept offer.' Does that mean I should start with a lower bid and work up to $115? I didn't want to pay more than $150 a night really. Is that unreasonable?

[thereuare]

You should ignore priceline's "low chance" messages as they're not useful in determining your bidding strategy.

At the 4* level you have SIX re-bid zones. 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 4* MTE, MTW, TS, and ESB (you didn't include CPS as one your acceptable zones above but if that is acceptable you can include that too)...

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

Bid $125, if rejected add re-bid zone...

Bid $130, if rejected add re-bid zone...

Bid $135, if rejected add re-bid zone...

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

Bid $145, if rejected add re-bid zone...

Bid $150.

Any questions feel free to ask.

Please use these PRICELINE and HOTWIRE links to begin your travel purchases.

Good luck and let us know how it goes.

[mrsv]

If I start with all the zones selected doesn't that leave me with no zones to add or change?

[mrsv]

If I start with all the zones selected doesn't that leave me with no zones to add or change?

For some reason I only got to $140...all rejected. :)

[thereuare]

I don't think you understand re-bidding which involves addng zones that you don't really want, but which you won't receive either, as they only contain hotels rated lower than the minimum star rating you have selected.

Have you read the Priceline Re-Bidding Explained thread?

We strongly encourage you to confirm your re-bid zones and/or ask questions before attempting to add 'unwanted' zones to your bid.

Please read the above referenced threads and let us know if you're able to determine your re-bid zones OR if you're confused let us know and we'll break it down further for you step-by-step.

Please use these PRICELINE and HOTWIRE links to begin your travel purchases.

[mrsv]

That's scary. How do i know which area's for sure dont have that rating?

[thereuare]

From Priceline Re-Bidding Explained:

The way to check what star levels are available in each zone is to open a Priceline page, check ONLY the zone you are inquiring about, and then proceed to the next page (as if you were going to select a zone)... this will give you the available star ratings in that area. You can then hit BACK on your browser, uncheck the current box, check the next box, and repeat the process. It is important to do this before EACH attempt at adding a zone that you really don't want, as new hotels can be added and the star ratings can change at any time. (NOTE: for most users Priceline has updated their interface making the above process easier... simply check a zone and note the highest star rating available within each zone, UNcheck that zone and checkmark the next zone, repeating the process)

[mrsv]

I had 4* selected.

Started at $150 MTE, rejected

$155 MTE, MTW...rejected

$160 MTE, MTW, TS...rejected

$165 MTE, MTW, TS, Empire...rejected

$170 MTE, MTW, TS, Empire and downtown...WON!!!

Millenium Hilton.

Total for 3 nights Aug1-4 $605.02

Thanks!!!!

[thereuare]

Congratulation on your success and thank you for sharing your win with the board.

Glad to hear you're happy with the results. However, i still don't think you have an understanding of re-bidding as you didn't exactly bid accordingly to plan, and the above may be an overbid. Feel free to ask for help before bidding for your next stay.

Please use these PRICELINE and HOTWIRE links to begin your travel purchases.

Enjoy your stay.

[mrsv]

I did use the PRICELINE link you provided

I just didn't feel confortable using the re-bid system with selecting zones.

thanks

[thereuare]

I did use the PRICELINE link you provided

Thanks!! :)

I just didn't feel confortable using the re-bid system with selecting zones.

You could still use different strategies to bid more systematically... even if you don't want to use re-bids.