Priceline Hotel: Bidding Strategy for NYC - 7/4 - 7/12

[Channie]

Hi

I'm going to be in NYC for the very first time between 7/4-7/12 and have been reading a lot of discussions on this forum and about Priceline. I'm new to Priceline and would like to give it a try. Although I have some idea how PL works (thanks to the forum), I'm totally clueless when it comes to actually making a bid or a bidding strategy. I would really appreciate your help and guidance on this.

I'm looking for 3.5* or 4* in MTE, MTW areas but will consider others as well (to be honest I'm not totally familiar with the areas but certainly would like to be as central as possible). My maximum budget is around $130 per night excl tax.

Any help will be much appreciated.

Channie

[thereuare]

Welcome to BetterBidding!

At the 4* level, for the average visitor, MTE, MTW, CPS, TS and ESB all typically work out quite well and are convenient. At the 3.5*, ESB, MSG, MTW, and TS all generally all considered acceptable... the CPS and MTE zone(s) require further discussion at this star level though. At 3.5* the MTE zone contains at least one hotel which is a 15 minute walk to the subway; fine for some but considered too far by others. As well, at the 3.5* level, the CPS has some properties with very small rooms; again, fine for some who view the room simply as a place to sleep, but not fine for others who prefer a bit more space.

Let us know you're thoughts regarding which zone(s) you'd like to bid and we'll advise accordingly. Also, are you willing to pay more for a higher rated hotel OR is your goal the least expensive 3.5* or better for this stay?

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

[Channie]

My order of preference would be

1) a 4* in the MTE.

2) a 4* in the MTW

3) a 3.5* in the MTW or MTE

4) TS area

Ideally closer to subway but don't mind with a little bit of walking if the hotel is good.

Don't like very small rooms.

My goal is the least expensive 3.5* or better.

Would Soho or Financial District be cheaper during July? How long is the journey from FD to down town on Metro?

Thanks a lot

PS - It's my intention to use the PRICELINE link on the board. :)

[thereuare]

How long is the journey from FD to down town on Metro?

The Financial District is Downtown... but i assume you want to know how far to Midtown? If so, figure 25 minutes +/- 5 minutes.

PS - It's my intention to use the PRICELINE link on the board. :)

You can start now with your searches :)

What is your nightly budget (per nite before taxes and fess) for this stay?

[Channie]

"The Financial District is Downtown... but i assume you want to know how far to Midtown? If so, figure 25 minutes +/- 5 minutes." - THANKS, indeed that's what I meant.

My nightly budget is $130 max excl tax.

I have tried bidding today but not successful. Will try again tomorrow.

Someone suggested in the forum that it is more difficult to bid for longer stay, is that right?

Would you recommend splitting the bids to two shorter stays (of course with the risk of not getting the same hotel)?

If so, how should I split e.g. Sunday to Thursday, then Friday to Monday? What would you advice?

[thereuare]

Your dates are during low season so i wouldn't recommend SPLITTING YOUR PRICELINE BID so far ahead of your stay as i think your budget should be 'in the ballpark'... if it were 3 weeks before your stay and still no successful then i would consider it, but i wouldn't go down that path 3 months ahead of time.

What bids did you make today which were rejected?

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

[Channie]

I tried bidding again today but still unsuccessful. I feel I have tried everything I possibly could, below are my bids yesterday and today

1) MTE 4* at $100

2) above + TS at $110

3) above + MTW at $115

4) above + Chelsea at $118

5) above + MSG at $123

6) above + CPS at $125

7) above + Brooklyn at $130

1) MTE 3.5* at $100

2) above + MTW at $110

3) above + ESB at $115

4) above + Chelsea at $120

5) above + upper east at $125

Not sure if I'm doing it right. Any other suggestions welcomed.

[thereuare]

Your stay is still nearly 3 months away so you have to be a little patient... hotels may not be willing to offer as much of a discount as you're seeking at this point in time.

Your bidding is fine, but it can be improved upon. Am i correct that you're willing to accept a 4* hotel in the MTE, MTW, CPS or TS zones... and at the 3.5* level you're willing to accept MTE, MTW and ESB? Is there a reason you're bidding ESB at the 3.5* level but not at the 4* level? Is there a reason you're not bidding the MSG zone at the 3.5* level?

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

[Channie]

Hi thereuare

There is no reason why i'm bidding ESB at the 3.5* level but not at the 4* level nor was there a reason for not bidding the MSG zone at the 3.5* level. I think i'm just confused with the areas and what i was bidding. :)

I have been trying for the past week and still unsuccessful. Does it have anything to do with 4 July as my first day of stay?

Any suggestions will be greatly received.

Regards,

C

[thereuare]

So let's back it up a moment as it looks like your goals have changed since your originally started this thread... what is it that you're looking for?

Are you willing to pay more for a 4* hotel vs. a 3.5* hotel OR are you looking for the least expensive 3.5* or better for this stay? (previously you stated you wanted the least expensive 3.5* or better... but yet you've been bidding higher for a 4* hotel before lowering your star rating and bids for a 3.5* property)

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

[Channie]

Hi thereuare

What I am looking for is a good 3.5* or 4* in a good location for no more than $130 excl tax.

I particularly like a hotels in the MTE area and have seen winning bids for the Grand Hyatt and Roosevelt for under that price and I like these hotels. So that's what I have been focusing on.

However, I have bid all the areas you suggested as well up to my maximum $130 budget and still no joy.

Can you help me with a strategy?

[AaronJB]

Rates do vary by dates; while some may have been able to get the Grand Hyatt or Roosevelt for dates early in the Spring, rates may be higher during this time period - and the longer stay may also be causing an issue, as well.

Thank you for using the site's HOTWIRE or PRICELINE links to start your purchases and searches.

[thereuare]

I particularly like a hotels in the MTE area and have seen winning bids for the Grand Hyatt and Roosevelt... I like these hotels.

At the 3.5* the MTE zone also contains the Millennium UN, which while a nice hotel with good reviews, it's about a 15 minute walk to the subway... would this be an acceptable outcome?

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

[Channie]

thereuare: The Millennium UN is an acceptable outcome. I'm sure we will be doing lots of walking in NYC so 15mins don't matter too much.

Aaron: thanks for your advice. I'm just totally clueless so any further pointers you and thereuare could give me will be appreciated.

Best wishes

C

[thereuare]

At the 4* level, for the average visitor, MTE, MTW, CPS, TS and ESB all typically work out quite well and are convenient. At the 3.5*, ESB, MSG, MTW, and TS all generally all considered acceptable... the CPS and MTE zone(s) require further discussion at this star level though. At 3.5* the MTE zone contains at least one hotel which is a 15 minute walk to the subway; fine for some but considered too far by others. As well, at the 3.5* level, the CPS has some properties with very small rooms; again, fine for some who view the room simply as a place to sleep, but not fine for others who prefer a bit more space.

I believe these are the zones i recommended at the 4 star level:

MTE, MTW, CPS, TS and ESB

and the following zones at the 3.5* level:

ESB, MSG, MTW, and TS, MTE (you've elected not to bid the CPS zone)

Is this correct and the zones you have been bidding?

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

[Channie]

Yes, these are the zones I have been bidding.

[thereuare]

The length of your stay may be an issue, but summer is slow season in NYC, so my guess is that it's just early. This is the strategy i would use bidding once/twice a week at the moment:

At the 4* level you have SIX re-bid zones... at the 3.5* level you have FOUR 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.

(NOTE: for the 3.5* strategy, 're-bid zone1' is not the same as priceline's Zone1, 're-bid zone2' is not the same as priceline's Zone2, etc, etc)

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

Bid $85, if rejected add re-bid zone...

Bid $90, if rejected add re-bid zone...

Bid $95, if rejected close browser and use our link to re-access PRICELINE

Select 4* ESB...

Bid $85, if rejected add re-bid zone...

Bid $90, if rejected add re-bid zone...

Bid $95, if rejected close browser and use our link to re-access PRICELINE

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

Bid $100, if rejected add re-bid zone...

Bid $105, if rejected add re-bid zone...

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

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, MSG, MTW, TS, MTE

Bid $75, if rejected add re-bid zone1...

Bid $80, if rejected add re-bid zone2...

Bid $85, if rejected close browser and use our link to re-access PRICELINE

Select 3.5* ESB, MSG, MTW, TS, MTE and re-bid zone3

Bid $90, if rejected add re-bid zone1...

Bid $95, if rejected add re-bid zone2...

Bid $100, if rejected close browser and use our link to re-access PRICELINE

Select 3.5* ESB, MSG, MTW, TS, MTE and re-bid zone4

Bid $105, if rejected add re-bid zone1...

Bid $110, if rejected add re-bid zone2...

Bid $115, if rejected close browser and use our link to re-access PRICELINE

Select 3.5* ESB, MSG, MTW, TS, MTE and re-bid zone3 and re-bid zone4

Bid $120, if rejected add re-bid zone1...

Bid $125,if rejected add re-bid zone2...

Bid $130

Any questions feel free to ask.

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

Good luck and let us know how it goes.