Priceline Hotel: New to priceline, some advice needed

[taabish]

Hello,

Im looking to try and book a hotel on priceline, my dates are the 6/28 to 7/3 and ill be booking through the UK priceline. I want to get a 4* hotel such as the waldorf astoria or the hilton on times square. Im not too picky on location as getting about new york is easy, i just want a good hotel.

What kind of bid should i be looking to put in? And what are the likely candidates for my hotel?

Thanks

[Blueskies]

You should look at the hotel list and do your homework via Tripadvisor or Fodors or any other review site. Then you will know if you are happy to get any of the hotels listed as won in the area you are bidding at the star level or above (as you can be upgraded).

To get an idea of bid amounts look at the bids won at the level and area and also dates. Thereuare will help but you need to be know that you might not get the one you want. Hotwire might suit better if you want to target but it is not always possible. Also good to state the rates off Hilton.com for these hotels for your date and party size.

[taabish]

I've looked at the list of hotels, at 4* and above i should be happy with any i receive i think.

[Blueskies]

Since you are new and from UK (like me) - I have looked at the rates on Hilton.com and here are the best ones - Waldorf Astoria $209 net direct rate and $329 for Hilton Times Square(best available). This gives you an idea of what you are aiming to undercut. So you are looking at bidding for either Midtown East or Midtown west 4*.

If you like the Hilton group, Doubletree Metrolpolitan is another one to look at - quoting rates of under $180 for your dates if booked through Hilton.com and it looks central and reviews look reasonable.

Remember if you book direct use the link from this site - Click on Support Better Bidding and then Hilton.

This is a great board. If you give Thereuare as much information as you can then it helps him do the best job in the quickest time.

PS you can use Priceline.com and the Savingsbarn link even if you are from UK but you have to choose a state and make up a ZIP code and it is a bit daunting but once you have it set up its works fine.

[taabish]

Im thinking of putting a bid in for

[Blueskies]

You might be safer to stick with Uk version in your case.

Personally with people winning bids for Waldorf Astoria at around $120 (67 pounds) and other 4 stars in your areas at less (Grand Hyatt and Hilton & Towers NY (which is not available BTW) at nearer the $100, I would start lower and use the rebids you have and then revisit after 72 hours if you need to. I don't know if NY is busier at that time but I am sure that others will be able to help. You should make sure you understand the instructions about re-bidding and know your re-bid zones while you wait for other replies.

I think you will get something for less than $145 but I am no expert. You will get a bidding strategy if you are patient.

[thereuare]

I would start as follows:

Select 4* MTE...

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

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

Bid $120.

Try the above first and then we'll start to consider other zones if that's rejected.

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 withe the rest of the board.

Any questions just ask.

Let us know how it goes.

[taabish]

So i should only bid for MTE, and not something like central park south in hopes to get something like le parker meridien / westin or is that aiming too high?

[Blueskies]

I think you perhaps need to be clearer about what you are looking for. You mention Hilton Times Square and Waldorf Astoria and now you are looking at UM-CPS. I don't see a lot of UM-CPS wins and I believe your bid would have to be considerably higher for this area(nearer $200). Of course, if you are happy with ALL of the 4 stars in this area you can add it as a re-bid zone or start a bid for that area.

Perhaps you should list all the areas you are interested in and ask for a strategy but if you are looking for a low rate in MTE (Waldorf Astoria area) go ahead and use the above strategy. It is really up to you but you need to be clear with what you are looking for to get the best from the board.

You should also do your homework and read the previous posts as well as the posts about using the re-bidding process and the mechanics of the system.

Good luck.

[thereuare]

I think if you can be successful at the Waldorf for the bids about i would try that first as it will likely be your best value... if unsuccessful, then we'll try an "all-out" strategy trying the other zones for the best possible price.