Priceline Hotel: Visiting NYC on May

[danal]

Hello,

I'm new to this site and to PRICELINE.

I am coming to NYC with a friend on May 13th - 17th.

We would love to stay at a hotel around midtown or CPS.

Is it possible to get a 4* hotel at a price of 150$ maximum (including tax)?

If not, is it possible to get a 3.5 * hotel at that price?

What is the best way to bid?

If, for example, I try CPS 4* with 100$ and nothing is found, can I immediately try 105$ and so on? or, do I have to wait 24 hours?

I heard of many people who got the Hilton at 100$-120$. Is it possible?

Thank a lot,

Dana

[thereuare]

Welcome to BetterBidding!

$150 all-in (which is equivalent to ~$125 bid) is not likely going to be enough for a 4* for this stay, and may be enough for a 3.5* property. You can try for the 4* first if you'd like, but i'd be surprised if you received anything within this price for this time of year.

If your first bid is rejected, you need to change something other than the price in order to bid again without wait 24 hours; so you can change your check-in or check-out date, lower your star rating, or add another zone. It is this last aspect where re-bidding comes into play, as you can add zones which only contain star ratings lower than the star category you have selected in order to essentially bid the same zone(s) again, and raise your bid amount. See this thread: Priceline Re-Bidding Explained for more information and feel free to ask any questions you may have and/or confirm your re-bid zones with the board. As you're new to the re-bid concept, it's highly recommended you confirm your re-bid zones with the board before utilizing this strategy. At the 4* level you have FIVE re-bid zones and at the 3.5* level you have THREE re-bid zones... see if you can determine which they are. If you read the previous link and are confused just post back and we'll break it down further for you.

Once you have re-bidding down, let us know which zones, by PRICELINE name (ie- "midtown" isn't the name of a PRICELINE zone, so please use the priceline names to avoid any confusion) and we'll suggest a strategy for you to follow. Also, note that at the 3.5* level in the MTE zone is the Millennium UN, which is a mostly well reviewed hotel, but about a 15 minute walk to the subway... if you feel this is too far of a walk then i wouldn't include this zone in your bidding.

Please use the PRICELINE and HOTWIRE links on the board to begin your travel purchases.

We'll start with the above and take it from there.

[danal]

Thank you so much for your detailed explanation.

If I understand correctly, Can I do the following:

MTW 4* 120$

if this is rejected I can try

MTW, UE 4* 125$ (Upper east does not contain 4* hotels) so that I can rebid with a higher price

Is that the point?

Is there a "suggested flow", assuming I strongly prefer the CPS, MTW or maybe TS at a maximum 150$ per night (3.5* and higher)?

Thank you again,

Dana

[thereuare]

Yes, you have the re-bidding concept understood :) However, you have FIVE such re-bid zones at the 4* level and THREE such re-bid zones at the 3.5* level.

Yes, there would be a recommended 'flow' which we can suggest, but you'll first need to let us know if you only want to try CPS and MTW up to your limit first or if you want to include TS in this bidding as well. However, as noted above, i don't think $125 is going to be nearly enough and you're going to need to adjust your maximum bid and/or expectations accordingly.

Let us know how you'd like proceed.

Please use the PRICELINE and HOTWIRE links on the board to begin your travel purchases.

[danal]

Thanks again for all the help..

I prefer the CPS and MTW but also TS is possible.

I would also add MTE but I read I can get a hotel too far from a subway station, which could be a problem.

Is 160$ maximum budget limit realistic for a 3.5* hotel?

How should I proceed, without taking the risk of getting a hotel too far from a subway station?

Dana

[thereuare]

Generally speaking the following zone(s) are 'fine' at each of the following star levels:

4* - MTE, MTW, CPS, TS and ESB

3.5* - MTW, ESB, MSG, TS

At the 3.5* level optional depending upon the user:

MTE - some nice hotels but 15 minute walk to the subway

CPS - well located hotels with easy access but some notoriously small room

Let us know which zone(s) you're willing to accept at each star level and we'll suggest a strategy for you to follow. $160 may be still be a bit of a stretch, but at least now within the realm of possibilities.

Please use the PRICELINE and HOTWIRE links on the board to begin your travel purchases.

[danal]

At 3.5* hotels at CPS I know the Hudson hotel and love it. I know that the rooms are VERY small but I it's fine.

What's important for me is a place which is clean and close to a subway.

The following zones are good: MTE, MTW, CPS, TS and ESB.

I wouldn't want a hotel located 15 minutes from a subway station though, if this is possible.

Thanks again!

[thereuare]

The following zones are good: MTE, MTW, CPS, TS and ESB.

Is this at both the 3.5* and 4* levels??

Are you willing to pay more for a 4* vs. a 3.5* OR is your goal the least expensive 3.5* or better? If bidding, 3.5* do you then not what to include the MTE zone since there is a chance you could end up a 15 minute walk to the subway?

Please use the PRICELINE and HOTWIRE links on the board to begin your travel purchases.

[danal]

Yes, this is for both 3.5* and 4* levels. I would like to exclude MTE at 3.5* level to prevent getting a hotel too far from a subway.

I am willing to pay more for a 4* hotel. I think that for a 4* hotel I would go up to 150$ bid (not including taxes).

[thereuare]

I think you're budget may fall a little short for a 3.5* property, but to give it a shot...

At the 4* level you have FIVE re-bid zones... at the 3.5* level you have THREE 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, CPS, TS...

Bid $110, if rejected add re-bid zone...

Bid $115, if rejected add re-bid zone...

Bid $120, if rejected close browser and use our link to re-access PRICELINE

Select 4* ESB...

Bid $110, if rejected add re-bid zone...

Bid $115, if rejected add re-bid zone...

Bid $120, if rejected close browser and use our link to re-access PRICELINE

Select 4* MTE, MTW, CPS, TS and ESB...

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

If the above is rejected, close browser and use our link to re-access PRICELINE

Select 3.5* MTW, CPS, TS...

Bid $115, if rejected add re-bid zone...

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

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

Bid $130, if rejected close browser and use our link to re-access PRICELINE

Select 3.5* ESB...

Bid $115, if rejected add re-bid zone...

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

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

Bid $130, if rejected close browser and use our link to re-access PRICELINE

Select 3.5* MTE, MTW, CPS, TS and ESB...

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.

Good luck and let us know how it goes.

[danal]

Thank you so much!

I'll try and let you know if I succeed :) ...