Priceline Hotel: 4* NYC (MTW) Sofitel New York

[Dan96Z28]

I think I kind of understand what is going on but maybe not. I go to priceline and start off with a bid of $110 on 4* TSQ and it gets rejected. I then add MTW and change bid to $115 and its rejected. I then add in 3 1/2* and go to a bid of $120 and it is rejected. Since there is not a 3 1/2 or 4* on coney island, can I add it and not worry about getting a hotel there?

I see on the other post that is similar to mine that it shows this posted:

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

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

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

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

but I do not know that the re-bid zone is. Is this saying that each day select the same thing so wait the 24 hours? I do not believe so but I simply do not understand.

Any help is appreciated and I am a newbie.

Thanks in advance!

[yellowdog]

Welcome to BetterBidding!

Start with reading this link: Priceline Re-Bidding Explained Just ask if you have any questions about this.

If you would like to get help with a bidding strategy so please post your budget/night, zone(s) you're willing to stay in and desired star rating for the hotel.

Let us know how we can help you further.

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

Yellowdog.

[Dan96Z28]

Thanks! I do have a question, I see on other people's post there are comments like this:

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

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

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

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

When I try to bid say $110 on 4* TSQ, I don't have the option of changing just my price, or if I do, I do not know how to do it and do not understand from that posted page. Can you tell me how to just change the price and bid up?

I am looking to go arrive on 3/25/2011 and check out on 3/28/2011. I would like to stay in the TSQ area but would stay elsewhere for a good price but I want to be able to walk to most of the attractions around TSQ. I would like to stay the entire trip for less than a $600 hotel bill.

Any help is appreciated and I am a newbie and have very little knowledge of this!

Thanks in advance!

[Dan96Z28]

My other question would be since I am only looking at 3 1/2*+ hotels, can I add CI to drive the price up since CI does not have a 3 1/2*+ hotel listing?

[Romelle]

Dan96z28,

The idea of those "rebid zones" is to use zones that do not have the star level you are bidding, and do not have any higher star level.

The rebid zones are different at different star levels.

The post yellowdog cited is meant to teach people how to discover what the rebid zones are. It is important to know how to do it, because you need to check them each time immediately before you bid. Changes occur in them, and you can't rely on an old list somebody else worked up. If a zone gets a hotel at a star level it didn't have before, and you use it for a free rebid, you could end up winning in a zone you don't want.

If you post back your understanding of which NY zones are free rebid zones at the 4* level, somebody here will double check your list, and keep working with you until they are sure you've got it. (Or if you plan to bid at the 3 1/2* level, post that list.)

It sounds like you have the concept, but just to be totally sure....

It is not that the list is so important, but that the bidder knows how to determine the list.

Romelle

And yes, your assumption regarding using CI is correct. But there are also some more.

[thereuare]

We can try to breakdown re-bidding for you:

Start with the following...

1) Use the PRICELINE search box on the upper right of this page, enter "New York City" and your dates, and click "GO".

2) List each zone that is offered in this region.

3) Next to each zone list the highest star rating offered in the zone. The way to determine the highest tar rating offered n the zone is by selecting the first zone i the list, then scrolling down to see the highest star rating selectable (ie- not greyed out). NEXT UNcheck the selected zone, place a checkmark in the next zone, and repeat the process for each zone in the region. Each time you take note of the highest star rating in the zone, make sure that only ONE zone is selected above.

4) post your findings and we'll take it from there

If you don't follow the above just post back and we'll break it down further.

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

[Dan96Z28]

I think I figured it out. Here is what I have -> BKL, CI, LIC, MSG and UES do not have 4*. CI, LIC and UES do not 3 1/2*.

But something I noticed was when I click on 3 1/2* and TSQ with MTW, the suggested price is 365, but when I add UES it drops to 249. Why is that the case when there is not a 3 1/2* in UES?

Thanks for all the help!!

[Romelle]

I think I figured it out. Here is what I have -> BKL, CI, LIC, MSG and UES do not have 4*. CI, LIC and UES do not 3 1/2*.

But something I noticed was when I click on 3 1/2* and TSQ with MTW, the suggested price is 365, but when I add UES it drops to 249. Why is that the case when there is not a 3 1/2* in UES?

Thanks for all the help!!

I just double-checked, and you got it A-OK for both the 4* and 3 1/2*.

Regarding that suggested price mystery, I've seen it in other cities. Maybe the calculation is based on the hotels from the retail side of Priceline? There is a lot about the way Priceline does things that is mostly just a mystery.

Good luck with your bidding.

Romelle

[thereuare]

So now that you have your re-bids understood (always double check them just before bidding to make sure that nothing has changed since you last checked... as new hotels are added, and others are upgraded/downgraded frequently)

I don't think your budget is going to be an issue for this stay but for us to tailor a strategy for what you want for this stay... are you willing to pay more for a 4* vs. a 3.5*? (i think both are within your budget) I'm guessing a Times Square hotel may be somewhere in the area of $140-$150 where as a 4* in another centrally located midtown zone may be about $20-$30 less... would you want the lesser expensive 4* hotel or pay more to be in the TS zone?

Let us know the above and we'll suggest a strategy for you to follow.

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

[Dan96Z28]

I would prefer to stay in the TSQ area primarily but would stay in the MTW area for a good price (I think). I really just want to be able to enjoy walking around instead of catching a cab everytime. As long as it is 3 1/2* I think that will be very sufficient. Here are my bids (all declined) just after joining:

$125 for 4* TSQ

$128 for 4* TSQ & MTW

$120 3 1/2* TSQ & MTW - reloaded

$130 for 4* TSQ, BKL

$132 for 4* TSQ, BKL, CI

$135 for 4* TSQ, BKL, CI, LIC

$138 for 4* TSQ, BKL, CI, LIC, MSG

$140 for 4* TSQ, BKL, CI, LIC, MSG, UES

$133 for 4* TSQ, MTW, BKL, CI, LIC, MSG, UES

[thereuare]

You state above that a 3.5* should be sufficient for your needs, but it appears that most your bidding was at the 4* level... are you willing to pay more for a 4* vs. 3.5* or is your goal the least expensive 3.5* or better for this stay?

How much more are you willing to pay to stay in Times Square vs. MTW?

Lastly, while NYC is a walking city, you're not going to be able to walk everywhere as it's just too big of a city if you want to see/do as much as possible, i'd suggest getting comfortable with the idea of using the subway as it's the cheapest, and usually the quickest, way to get around. I'd also suggest considering other areas already discussed above, and not just MTW or TS, but it's your stay/trip and you need to be comfortable with your decision.

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

[Dan96Z28]

I quit on the 3 1/2* because I noticed that when I clicked on 3 1/2* and TSQ with MTW, the suggested price was 365, but when I added UES it drops to 249. That scared me, but someon up above explained that part to me.

I am fine with either TSQ or MTW. I understand your point about not being able to walk everywhere but I wanted to be centrally located to where I could most places. I have never been to Manhattan so I am just guessing at things when I say TSQ and MTW. They look centrally located to quite a few of the attractions.

[Dan96Z28]

$140 for 4* TSQ

$142 for 4* TSQ, BKL

$145 for 4* TSQ, BKL, CI

$147 for 4* TSQ, BKL, CI, LIC

$148 for 4* TSQ, BKL, CI, LIC, MSG

$150 for 4* TSQ, BKL, CI, LIC, MSG, UES - reloaded

$133 for 4* TSQ, MTW (received a one time opportunity deal of $168)

$135 for 4* TSQ, MTW, BKL

$137 for 4* TSQ, MTW, BKL, CI

$140 for 4* TSQ, MTW, BKL, CI, LIC

Congratulations, your price of $140 was accepted by Sofitel New York.

I am still interested in knowing what you would have done different. Do you think I would have saved much money by dropping the price and starting with 3 1/2*?

[thereuare]

Congratulations on your success!

This is a very nice deal for this centrally located property. Lowering your bid 3.5* would have likely saved you a few dollars, but may not have been as good of a value, as this property gets excellent reviews.

Thank you for sharing your win with the board.

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