STLman Posted June 29, 2010 Report Posted June 29, 2010 I have looked through the strategies and am new to this board. I am traveling September 28th - October 2nd and would like to be in close walking distance to Time Square. I am looking to spend around $175 a night. Should I wait awhile (later in July) before I bid? Could you offer me a strategy for bidding? I developed a spreadsheet and found the areas that don't have 4* like Chelsea, Coney Island, Upper East Side. Should my first bid be on Time Square alone then keep adding one of these areas?Any advice would be helpful.STLman
AaronJB Posted June 29, 2010 Report Posted June 29, 2010 Welcome to Betterbidding. :)Sept/Oct is generally a busy time of year in NYC and prices are above-average. Are you only looking to stay in TS, or would you be interested in any of the other nearby zones (MTE, MTW, CPS or ESB, MSG?) TS is almost always the most expensive zone in the city, and including some of the other zones in your bidding may allow a better chance of being accepted within your budget range.Additionally, are you looking to spend $175 "all-in" (including taxes/fees) or $175 + taxes/fees? I wouldn't recommend waiting; I would suggest at least starting to research and begin to try bidding at this point in time. Please let us know if you are interested in any other zones and clarify budget and we would be happy to offer further suggestions.Please use the site's HOTWIRE or PRICELINE links to start your purchases and searches.
STLman Posted June 30, 2010 Author Report Posted June 30, 2010 I'd be open to other areas...My wife and I have never been there before so as long as it's close to the action we'd be okay. I was thinking under $200 w/taxes...Thanks for your response and your help is appreciated.
thereuare Posted June 30, 2010 Report Posted June 30, 2010 Should I wait awhile (later in July) before I bid?See the "bid early or late" link in our PRICELINE FAQ. However, since this is a busier than usual time of year, i would begin bidding sooner rather than later.Could you offer me a strategy for bidding?Bidding strategies are based upon current rates, so let us know once you're ready to begin bidding and we'll suggest a strategy at that time.I developed a spreadsheet and found the areas that don't have 4* like Chelsea, Coney Island, Upper East Side. Should my first bid be on Time Square alone then keep adding one of these areas?You actually have SIX re-bid zones at the 4* level in NYC... see this thread: Priceline Re-Bidding Explained and feel free to confirm and/or ask question if you're not able to determine your SIX re-bid zones.Also, is the Times Square zone the only zone you're willing to accept... or are other nearby zones equally acceptable?Lastly, if you haven't see it yet, i'd give this Hotels Near Times Square thread a read.Please use the PRICELINE and HOTWIRE links on the board to begin your travel purchases. Please use this HOTWIRE and these PRICELINE LINKS: HOTELS, CAR RENTALS, and AIRFARE to begin your travel purchases
STLman Posted June 30, 2010 Author Report Posted June 30, 2010 I read those threads you posted for me and thank you...Yes, I am open to other surrounding areas and Yes I am ready to begin bidding. Please assist if possible...STLman
thereuare Posted June 30, 2010 Report Posted June 30, 2010 So to confirm you're looking for a 4* hotel in any of the following zones:MTE, MTW, CPS, TS or ESB... with a maximum bid of $175/nite.My guess is that your budget will likely fall a bit short, but to give it a try: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, CPS, and TS...Bid $120, if rejected add re-bid zone...Bid $130, 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 rejected add re-bid zone...Bid $155, if rejected close browser and use our link to re-access PRICELINESelect 4* ESB...Bid $120, if rejected add re-bid zone...Bid $130, 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 rejected add re-bid zone...Bid $155, if rejected close browser and use our link to re-access PRICELINESelect 4* MTE, MTW, CPS, TS and ESB...Bid $160, if rejected add re-bid zone...Bid $163, if rejected add re-bid zone...Bid $165, if rejected add re-bid zone...Bid $168, if rejected add re-bid zone...Bid $170, if rejected add re-bid zone...Bid $173, if rejected add re-bid zone...Bid $175Any 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. Please use this HOTWIRE and these PRICELINE LINKS: HOTELS, CAR RENTALS, and AIRFARE to begin your travel purchases
STLman Posted July 1, 2010 Author Report Posted July 1, 2010 Well I tried it all and no luck...when is the next time I can try? Are 3.5 stars nice around there and if so what price should I be looking at? If so do you have some samples of these 3.5 hotels in the area. Thanks again for your help...STLman
AaronJB Posted July 1, 2010 Report Posted July 1, 2010 You can find the NYC PRICELINE hotels that have been reported to the board at this link: Priceline Hotel List for NY If a particular bid is rejected, you can not make that bid again for 24 hours.Please use the site's HOTWIRE or PRICELINE links to start your purchases and searches.
thereuare Posted July 1, 2010 Report Posted July 1, 2010 You can try for a 4* hotel again 24 hours after your last bid. If you decided to try for a 3.5* property you could do so immediately as lowering your star level is one item which you can change which allows you to bid again immediately. You can see 3.5* hotels reported to the board in the Priceline Hotel List. Note the location of the Millenium UN and the rooms size of the Hudson Hotel if you decide you want to bid the 3.5* level.. as well as consider adding the MSG zone to your bidding.Let us know how you'd like to proceed and we'll advise accordingly.Please use the PRICELINE and HOTWIRE links on the board to begin your travel purchases. Please use this HOTWIRE and these PRICELINE LINKS: HOTELS, CAR RENTALS, and AIRFARE to begin your travel purchases
STLman Posted July 2, 2010 Author Report Posted July 2, 2010 I just finished my second day of bidding 4 star with the strategy above...I increased my final bid to $185 with no luck...I'll try again tomorrow.
thereuare Posted July 2, 2010 Report Posted July 2, 2010 What is your 'new' maximum bid for this stay?Thanks for using the PRICELINE and HOTWIRE links on the board to begin your bidding. Please use this HOTWIRE and these PRICELINE LINKS: HOTELS, CAR RENTALS, and AIRFARE to begin your travel purchases
STLman Posted July 6, 2010 Author Report Posted July 6, 2010 So far I have bid four days in a row following your strategy...For a 4* room I got all the way up to $200. Quit a bit more than I wanted to bid (I think I just got carried away with the bidding process). I moved onto 3.5* hotels yesterday (still unsuccessful), my final bid yesterday was $165. I think I would be open to 3* as well. Since I am staying Tuesday - Friday nights I thought maybe it's best to bid for three nights (not including the Friday night) since Friday nights tend to be more expensive. Our flight out is 6am Saturday morning so, I thought to get a hotel near the airport for cheaper Friday night. Am I thinking correctly or should I just bid it as a 4 night trip.Let me know your thoughts...STLman
thereuare Posted July 6, 2010 Report Posted July 6, 2010 Which airport are you flying out of?Please use the PRICELINE and HOTWIRE links on the board to begin your travel purchases. Please use this HOTWIRE and these PRICELINE LINKS: HOTELS, CAR RENTALS, and AIRFARE to begin your travel purchases
thereuare Posted July 7, 2010 Report Posted July 7, 2010 Staying out by LGA your last nite is an option, but it may be a bit early to make this compromise, imo. The risk is that something is available now in Manhattan for your first 3 nites, and while you wait for more/better inventory for your complete stay, it may not materialize, rates can go even higher, and you ultimately still need to SPLITTING YOUR PRICELINE BID but rates for the first 3 nites become more even expensive.What time does your plane arrive the first day?Please use the PRICELINE and HOTWIRE links on the board to begin your travel purchases. Please use this HOTWIRE and these PRICELINE LINKS: HOTELS, CAR RENTALS, and AIRFARE to begin your travel purchases
STLman Posted July 7, 2010 Author Report Posted July 7, 2010 My plane arrives around 9ish on Tuesday morning.
thereuare Posted July 7, 2010 Report Posted July 7, 2010 I thought perhaps if you arrived late you could stay near the first nite on your arrival date, but arriving at 9am it's not a viable option.So it basically comes down to my post above... LGA the last nite is an option, but i wouldn't make that move just yet, with the risk being that a currently available rate is not available as you get closer to your stay. You may want to book a fully cancellable back-up if you choose to wait it out.Please use the PRICELINE and HOTWIRE links on the board to begin your travel purchases. Please use this HOTWIRE and these PRICELINE LINKS: HOTELS, CAR RENTALS, and AIRFARE to begin your travel purchases
STLman Posted September 10, 2010 Author Report Posted September 10, 2010 After weeks and weeks of checking, bidding, checking, bidding I have been successful. I started my bids around $175 and ran thru the 4* bid zones until $200. Then lowered to 3.5* and attempted the same price range, unsuccessfully. I then again lowered to 3* and bid CPS, TS, ESB with a $175 starting bid, added MTW-$180 and finally added MTE$185 and caught my fish.I won a bid for $185 a night in the ESB area from Sept. 28 - Oct 2. The hotel I won looks like it has never been hit within priceline and is rated a 3.5* on the Hotwire hotel list. The Marcel at Gramercy, the reviews look great so I am excited. Used your link!!!STLman
AaronJB Posted September 10, 2010 Report Posted September 10, 2010 Congrats on your success. :)Quite a nice deal for this well-reviewed boutique! Thank you for letting us know about this new PRICELINE hotel so that we can update the site's Priceline Hotel List for the state.Thank you for sharing your win and using the site's PRICELINE link.Enjoy your stay.
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