revolvermoni Posted August 16, 2011 Report Posted August 16, 2011 Hi, and thank you for this great forum! I bid through PL twice within the last two years not really knowing what I was doing and always made what I thought were good deals but I am having trouble right know with the followingNYC TS or MTW4* or 3,5* levelOct. 6th through 10th2 roomsI went up two $ 240 last night but was always rejected. Since I thought I read somewhere in this forum that winning bids were around $230 I simply stopped and am not sure how to proceed. Any help is highly appreciated!Thanks, Monika
AaronJB Posted August 16, 2011 Report Posted August 16, 2011 Welcome to Betterbidding. :)Rates change (often significantly in NYC or other major cities) from day/to/day and season/to/season. What others may be winning hotels for dates around this time period is going to be different than what may be required for October, which is when NYC starts to get busier and more expensive.What would be your desired max budget per night for this stay?Thank you for using the site's HOTWIRE or PRICELINE links to start your purchases and searches.
revolvermoni Posted August 16, 2011 Author Report Posted August 16, 2011 Hi, well I have made a deal with myself that I will stay below 200 Euros which is about 280 USD but that should include taxes. So I would say USD 250 max. Also I am one of the persons who is willing to risk sleeping on the floor as one room actually needs to accomodate two adults and a teenager. I know the priceline policy regarding double occupancy only but decided to take the risk. But I thought it would bve safe to pay a little less in case the hotels charges extra for triple occupancy.I've checked HW as well but did not find anything suitable. Thing is we are traveling with my sister and her family and they want to be really near TS otherwise I would go for another zone. Thanks!
revolvermoni Posted August 16, 2011 Author Report Posted August 16, 2011 Hi,it's just me again. I just realized that last time we stayed at the Novotel which is 3* and was perfectly fine so I think going down to that level would be fine as well.
thereuare Posted August 16, 2011 Report Posted August 16, 2011 I went up two $ 240 last night but was always rejected.Was this at the 3.5* or 4* level?Now that you're also willing to bid 3* are you willing to pay more for a higher rated hotel OR is your goal the least expensive 3* or better for this stay?I'll throw my .02 in that i think it's a mistake to only focus on these two zones as much of what you will be doing will be outside of Times Square, and even if you want to spend the majority of your time there, NYC is compact enough and mass transit relatively inexpensive and easily accessible that it's not necessary to stay in just these two zones, imo. I think you can do significantly better if you include other zones in your bidding. However, ultimately it's your stay and you're the one who needs to be happy with where you end up.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
revolvermoni Posted August 17, 2011 Author Report Posted August 17, 2011 I think the $240 bid was for 4* only. My goal is to get the least expensive 3* or better. Thanks for your opinion on the zones. As I wrote before this is not my decision alone as other persons are involved who are all first time visitors. I'll take it up with them again but until then I will have to keep looking within these two zones.
thereuare Posted August 17, 2011 Report Posted August 17, 2011 I think the $240 bid was for 4* only. My goal is to get the least expensive 3* or better.If your goal is the least expensive 3* or better you realize your goal contradicts the way you've been bidding? (as you would never bid 4* if your goal was the least expensive 3* or better) If you do want a 4* hotel i do think you could be accepted at about $240, or just a few dollars more, in the MTE zone....other persons are involved who are all first time visitors.Direct them to the board and this Hotels Near Times Square thread.Please use the PRICELINE and HOTWIRE links on the board to begin your travel purchases.Talk it over with the others and let us know how you'd like to proceed. Please use this HOTWIRE and these PRICELINE LINKS: HOTELS, CAR RENTALS, and AIRFARE to begin your travel purchases
revolvermoni Posted August 18, 2011 Author Report Posted August 18, 2011 To be honest I think I will have to read the instructions on this board again to make sure I know how to bid the best way. As I wrote in my first post I have been using priceline twice before not really knowing what I was doing but was always very pleased with the outcome as I got great deals compared to what had been offered on other online sites. I have read several posts that said bidding in the MTE zone is risky because some hotels are pretty far from the subway and because of the Hudson hotel with the small rooms that has been mentioned several times in this forum. Is this only a matter if you go for a 3* hotel or on any levels? I am really lost here, sorry! Okay, my first main goal is to stay at a decent hotel, not neccessarily a 4*. Second is to be close to Times Square (whatever area this would be). Third is to get a good deal. Does this help?
thereuare Posted August 18, 2011 Report Posted August 18, 2011 I have read several posts that said bidding in the MTE zone is risky because some hotels are pretty far from the subway and because of the Hudson hotel with the small rooms that has been mentioned several times in this forum.These are only an issue at 3.5* and less... not at the 4* level. All 'known' 4* hotels in the MTE zone are well located, and with the Hudson Hotel currently being rated 3.5*, it's not a possible win if bidding 4*.I do think you have a chance at a 4* hotel in the MTE zone at a $240 bid or less (likely outcomes are often the InterContinental Barclay or the Grand Hyatt) OR you can bid other zones at the 3.5* level.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
revolvermoni Posted August 19, 2011 Author Report Posted August 19, 2011 Thanks for the advice regarding the two hotels in MTE. I have read the instructions regarding the re-bid zones again and think I understood the concept. Just one more question before I decide how to proceed. What do you think would I have to bid for a 3,5* hotel in areas TS, MTW or MTE. If it was significantly lower than $ 240 I would reconsider the star level. Otherwise I would try for a 4* hotel in areas TS, MTW and MTE.
thereuare Posted August 19, 2011 Report Posted August 19, 2011 If you're also willing to bid MSG and ESB at the 3.5* level i think the savings may be ~$40/nite or so.Let us know how you'd like to proceed.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
revolvermoni Posted August 19, 2011 Author Report Posted August 19, 2011 Hi, than I would like to try 4* TS, MTW and MTE.
thereuare Posted August 20, 2011 Report Posted August 20, 2011 At the 4* level you have FIVE 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...Bid $150, if rejected add re-bid zone...Bid $160, if rejected add re-bid zone...Bid $165, if rejected add re-bid zone...Bid $170, if rejected add re-bid zone...Bid $175, if rejected add re-bid zone...Bid $180, if rejected close browser and use this link to re-access PRICELINESelect 4* MTW...Bid $150, if rejected add re-bid zone...Bid $160, if rejected add re-bid zone...Bid $165, if rejected add re-bid zone...Bid $170, if rejected add re-bid zone...Bid $175, if rejected add re-bid zone...Bid $180, if rejected close browser and use this link to re-access PRICELINESelect 4* TS...Bid $150, if rejected add re-bid zone...Bid $160, if rejected add re-bid zone...Bid $165, if rejected add re-bid zone...Bid $170, if rejected add re-bid zone...Bid $175, if rejected add re-bid zone...Bid $180, if rejected close browser and use this link to re-access PRICELINESelect 4* MTE and MTW...Bid $185, if rejected add re-bid zone...Bid $190, if rejected add re-bid zone...Bid $195, if rejected add re-bid zone...Bid $200, if rejected add re-bid zone...Bid $205, if rejected add re-bid zone...Bid $210, if rejected close browser and use this link to re-access PRICELINESelect 4* MTE and TS...Bid $185, if rejected add re-bid zone...Bid $190, if rejected add re-bid zone...Bid $195, if rejected add re-bid zone...Bid $200, if rejected add re-bid zone...Bid $205, if rejected add re-bid zone...Bid $210, if rejected close browser and use this link to re-access PRICELINESelect 4* TS, MTW and MTE...Bid $215, if rejected add re-bid zone...Bid $220, if rejected add re-bid zone...Bid $225, if rejected add re-bid zone...Bid $230, if rejected add re-bid zone...Bid $235, if rejected add re-bid zone...Bid $240Any 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
revolvermoni Posted August 21, 2011 Author Report Posted August 21, 2011 Hi, thank you so much for the strategy! It was kind of scary bidding on zones where you definetely don't want to stay but of course I understand the pros of this method. I didn't win though, every bid was rejected so I am not sure what to do now. Shall I wait for 24 hours and try again then or should I go down to 3,5* hotels? If so, can I use the same strategy again with the re-bid zones for 3,5* level or do you have any other suggestions?
AaronJB Posted August 21, 2011 Report Posted August 21, 2011 If you've gone up to $240 and that is your max at the 4* level, then you can either wait 3-5 days and try again up to the same level in the hopes that inventory comes online (it may not.) Or, if you are willing to continue higher, you can continue higher by $5's. Or you can go down to the 3.5* level. However, as noted, some 3.5*'s in the MTE level are rather far E in MTE and the Hudson in CPS has infamously small rooms (even for NYC.)Are more than 2 people going to be in each room?Thank you for using the site's HOTWIRE or PRICELINE links to start your purchases and searches.
thereuare Posted August 22, 2011 Report Posted August 22, 2011 If you're willing to go a bit higher HOTWIRE has a 4*hotel in the MTE zone for $258/nite with Restaurant, Fitness, Internet, Business, Tennis... best guess is the Grand Hyatt or InterContinental Barclay, if this would work for your needs.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
revolvermoni Posted August 25, 2011 Author Report Posted August 25, 2011 This search for a hotel has been so frustrating as everything is either too expenisve or too risky.I decided to not try priceline this time because we do need one room for three people and one room for two people and after checking some reviews I am a little scared we actually might end up with one person sleeping on the floor. I think you'll see me again in the hotwire forum as I have decided to give that site a try although I did not see the offer thereyouare mentioned.Just since you all seem to know the hotels in NYC pretty well. I do have quite a good offer from the Milford Plaza but it has been getting some horrible reviews on trip advisor. Does anyone know the place, especially since it has been renovated?Thanks for all your help and advice!
AaronJB Posted August 26, 2011 Report Posted August 26, 2011 Please keep all posts for this stay within this thread and then we will move to the appropriate forum after a decision has been made.The Milford Plaza would be a significant downgrade from the level of hotels you were looking at; if you don't want to go for a 4*, I'd try to go for a decent 3* rather than going for the Milford, which has had some seriously negative reviews in the past and recent reviews still don't look great.Thank you for using the site's HOTWIRE or PRICELINE links to start your purchases and searches.
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