boohowre Posted September 5, 2011 Report Posted September 5, 2011 Greetings, first time poster and first time priceline bidder here. I am looking to book a trip to NYC from Portland Oregon arriving 10/13 and leaving 10/17. 2 of us will be traveling, would ideally like to keep tickets to $350ea or under and hotel stay 250/night or under. For hotel, would prefer 4star but could go down to 3 star if we had to. Would ideally like to be in either the chelsea (zone 3) or downtown (zone 5) areas. Must haves are: close to subway, close to cool places to eat, drink and shop, close to art galleries/museums a plus.Should I bid on BOTH flight and hotel? Would really rather not have to connect but would be willing to do one short layover if we had to.Could really use advice on a bidding strategy...Oh, and am open to hotwire or priceline, depending on who offers better deal.thanks so much!
AaronJB Posted September 5, 2011 Report Posted September 5, 2011 Welcome to Betterbidding. :)Please start a thread in the airfare forum and we would be happy to help with bidding on airfare.In terms of hotel, when bidding on PRICELINE, there's no way to guarantee being right nearby a subway or a particular property/location. HOTWIRE is a little better in this regard as one can make an educated guess as to which hotels are showing based upon the information given. HOTWIRE is less opaque, but as a result, more expensive than PRICELINE.October is unfortunately an expensive period in NYC, and rates are on the high side for these dates. For a 4* in either of these zones, you're likely looking at $175-225, although quite possibly a bit higher. I'd start bidding at $150 and working higher by $5's.Thank you for using the site's HOTWIRE or PRICELINE links to start your purchases and searches.
Romelle Posted September 5, 2011 Report Posted September 5, 2011 As I type this, Jet Blue has a non-stop $379 PDX-NYC. The only other non-stop is a United $499. The low connecting flight is $388. I seem to remember Priceline promising no more than a 4 hour connect, but I suggest you read the fine print carefully before bidding. Romelle
boohowre Posted September 6, 2011 Author Report Posted September 6, 2011 I think I got it. I'll just start in my preferred area @ $150, then up by 5 per bid using the re-bid techniques outlined elsewhere in the forum??I think I'll just buy plane tickets straight up. I'd be willing to accept a layover as part of a better package deal w/hotel but would be unhappy with a longer route and layover...
Romelle Posted September 6, 2011 Report Posted September 6, 2011 Direct purchase of the plane tickets probably is the better approach. With bidding, if you happen to get a very late in the day outbound, and a very early in the day return, it can really bite into the edges of a relatively short stay. And for the hotel, best to jump in now with the bidding, as there isn't a lot of time left.Good luck. Romelle
thereuare Posted September 6, 2011 Report Posted September 6, 2011 Would ideally like to be in either the chelsea (zone 3) or downtown (zone 5) areas. Must haves are: close to subway, close to cool places to eat, drink and shop, close to art galleries/museums a plus.Why these two zones? While there are places to eat, drink and shop throughout the city, most galleries are in Soho (and new ones sprouting up in Chelsea), but the major Museums are mostly located in midtown and the upper east and upper west sides. As well, your best subway access (to multiple subway lines) will likely be in midtown... from Downtown (even if you're close to a subway station) to Midtown will likely be ~20+ minutes.Given your budget i would include as many zones as possible, as i think your best chance for a 4* hotel in the MTE zone, which (at the 4* level) is generally considered by most to be well located and a good 'launching pad' for exploring elsewhere in the city. There is so much going on in NYC, each in a different part of the city, that it's difficult to be close to everything, so it's often more important to have everything easily accessible, rather than trying to be closer to it all.Let us know how you'd like to proceed and we'll take it from there. Please use this HOTWIRE and these PRICELINE LINKS: HOTELS, CAR RENTALS, and AIRFARE to begin your travel purchases
boohowre Posted September 6, 2011 Author Report Posted September 6, 2011 A friend is having a show in the chelsea area, but I am open to areas really as my girlfriend has never been and we'll be exploring all over, so I like the idea of staying in midtown. That said, I get kinda turned off by Times Square area as it's so touristy. I would say Soho is ideal but i know it gets pricey, really just looking for the best deal on a decent hotel. Thanks for all the advice!
thereuare Posted September 7, 2011 Report Posted September 7, 2011 Given your budget i would include as many zones as possible, as i think your best chance for a 4* hotel in the MTE zone......really just looking for the best deal on a decent hotel.Which, as per above, is why i suggest including as many zones which are acceptable as possible.Within midtown i think MTE and ESB offer your best shot at the best deal/value. You mention Soho as ideal, but the problem with this area is not necessarily price, but more so that it's part of the larger 'Downtown-Financial' district zone, and you could end up anywhere within the zone... not necessarily in Soho. With this noted, the Downtown zone is often (but not always) one of the least expensive zones, but you are more likely to end up in a non-Soho part of the zone then within Soho itself.Please confirm the zone(s) you're willing to accept and we'll suggest a strategy to follow.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
boohowre Posted September 7, 2011 Author Report Posted September 7, 2011 Cool, In order of preference I would say: 3,5,9,7,13,6
thereuare Posted September 7, 2011 Report Posted September 7, 2011 Are you willing to pay more to stay in Zone3 vs. Zone5 vs. Zone9, etc, etc OR is the goal the least expensive 4* or better in any of these acceptable zones? Also, please list the zone names, and not the numbers, as it will give this thread longevity... the zone numbers will change as PRICELINE re-names and/or adds new zones; as well, i know what MTE, MTW, CPS, etc each are off the top of my head, so having the names saves me a trip to PRICELINE to figure out which zone you're referring to :)Also, to confirm, your maximum bid is still $250/nite?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
boohowre Posted September 7, 2011 Author Report Posted September 7, 2011 I would be willing to pay more for those zones, up to probably $250 night. That said, if I got a way better deal in other zones, that could be appealing too. Hope that helps?Order of Preference is -Chelsea-Downtown-Madison sq garden - convention-hells kitchen-times sq-empire state
thereuare Posted September 7, 2011 Report Posted September 7, 2011 I would be willing to pay more for those zones, up to probably $250 night. That said, if I got a way better deal in other zones, that could be appealing too.As nobody knows what deal might be available in the 'other zones'... how high do you want to bid in the first 3 zones before trying the 3 'alternate' zones? Then how high do you want to bid in the 'alternate' zones before re-trying the original 3 zones up to your maximum bid? (if you're able to follow that)HOTWIRE does currently have a 4* hotel in the Chelsea zone for $238/nite with Boutique, Smoke Free, Fitness, Internet... but unfortunately this property has not yet been reported to the board, but it is encouraging that it's within your budget and in your most preferred zone.Please use the PRICELINE and HOTWIRE links on the board to begin your travel purchases.Let us know how you'd like to proceed and we'll advise accordingly. Please use this HOTWIRE and these PRICELINE LINKS: HOTELS, CAR RENTALS, and AIRFARE to begin your travel purchases
boohowre Posted September 7, 2011 Author Report Posted September 7, 2011 Dang, this is complicated! thanks for the help though, I appreciate it.first 3 before alternates = $215alternates = $185then up to max of 250 on original 3.
thereuare Posted September 8, 2011 Report Posted September 8, 2011 We're bidding 4* properties, correct? If so, your first round is Chelsea, Downtown, or MSG up to $215/nite. However, there are no 4* hotels in the MSG zone so we'll just be bidding Chelsea and Downtown this first go round.When bidding 4* in NYC you have FIVE re-bid zones available. 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* Chelsea...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 add re-bid zone...Bid $185, if rejected close browser and use this link to re-access PRICELINESelect 4* Downtown...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 add re-bid zone...Bid $185, if rejected close browser and use this link to re-access PRICELINESelect 4* Chelsea and Downtown...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 add re-bid zone...Bid $215Any 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
boohowre Posted September 8, 2011 Author Report Posted September 8, 2011 So I went to $220 on those and my last bid got rejected, am wondering what next steps are? Do ya think I should go down to 3.5 stars....or try my other areas?
thereuare Posted September 8, 2011 Report Posted September 8, 2011 Do ya think I should go down to 3.5 stars....or try my other areas?This is really only something you can decide based upon what you look for in a hotel (do you normally stay at 4* or 3.5* places and would you be disappointed (or elated) by what a 3.5* may offer), zone location relative to your plans, budget, etc.Your original plans was to now try the three alternate zones... what were your thoughts at the time you posted that and what has caused you to re-consider the original gameplan?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
boohowre Posted September 10, 2011 Author Report Posted September 10, 2011 So I won the marriott Downtown @ $250/night.Thanks better bidding!
AaronJB Posted September 11, 2011 Report Posted September 11, 2011 Congrats on your success. :)First-rate result for this Marriott property! Hope you are looking forward to your stay.Thank you for sharing your win and please use the site's PRICELINE or HOTWIRE links to start your purchases and searches.Enjoy your stay.
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