Priceline Hotel: Need help :) 3 * NYC July 9-16

[Lune]

Hi there,

I just registered for betterbidding because I need help :) . I've used Priceline multiple times for other hotels and mostly my bids were accepted. Unfortunately for my upcoming trip to NYC, no luck yet. I tried to get a 3*hotel for July9-16 with your PRICELINE link, but I guess it is rather hard to find a bid accepted in New York for a week long stay (?). So I thought, I can split my stay in NYC in two.

I was wondering if you guys could help me with a biddingstrategy?

Date: July 9-16 split in two: 9-12 & 12-16

Our maximum is about 100 dollar (or is that too low for a three star property?)

Ideal zones: MTE,MTW,TS,ESB,CPS

Thanks in advance,

Lune

P.S. Could it be that we started too early bidding for a NYC hotel in July?

[AaronJB]

Welcome to Betterbidding. :)

This time period (and especially a little later in July and into August) is a slow season in NYC due to the Summer heat. It isn't the slowest time of year (that would be around Jan-early March), but it's fairly slow.

That said, I don't think this is an issue of splitting the dates as prices seem pretty even across the board during this period.

Have you bid up to $100 yet? If not, how much have you bid up to at this point and in which zones?

I would definitely try bidding up to $100, but unfortunately, looking at HOTWIRE, $100 may be not quite enough for this time period. Rates may fluctuate between now and then, but there is no way to know whether or not demand will result in prices falling, rising or staying flat at these levels.

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

[Lune]

No, I haven't bid up to 100 $ yet, because I saw people winning 3*property (like Affinia) in the range between 65-99$ for February/April. So I'd figured, I have about 4 more months before my trip, so I don't want to raise too soon.

At this point I'd bid up to 85 $ in my ideal zones, but also HK and all the other areas surrounding MTW/MTE etc. Haven't tried Upper East/West and Long Island. Should I include these zones to increase my chances? Of course, if our maximum bid of 100 $ is not going to be accepted, we can stretch the budget up to 115-120$.

[thereuare]

At this point I'd bid up to 85 $ in my ideal zones, but also HK and all the other areas surrounding MTW/MTE etc.

Exactly which zone(s) have you already bid?

Any time you can get a 3* hotel in NYC for under $100 it's a pretty good deal, imo. To get something under $100 for a longer term stay becomes a bit more difficult, and i would sooner bid up to your $100 limit then hold out for the lowest rates you've seen in the zone. I wouldn't increase to $120 just yet as you can often (not always) get 3.5*4* hotels around this price range during the summer.

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

[Lune]

I have bid on Midtown West, Midtown East, Central Park South, Times Square - Theatre District, Madison Square Garden - Convention Area, Empire State Building Area, Hell's Kitchen and Chelsea Area. I've bid up to 85 dollar for a weeklong stay. I also bid 85 dollar for the same zones for 9-12 and 12-16 July.

[thereuare]

I assume you're "ok" with the small rooms at the Hudson Hotel and the location of some of the MTE hotels? (which can get to be a bit far east... up to a 15 minute walk to the subway)

I wouldn't 'panic' for this stay given it's summer in NYC, but i think you should be prepared to go to at least $100 for a 3* hotel... while sub-$100 wins do happen, it's more the exception than the rule. It comes down to how patient you are (and you still may need to increase your bid from current levels) vs. wanting to get this taken care of and focusing on other aspects of your trip.

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

Keep us updated and let us know if we can be of further help along the way.