Priceline Hotel: NYC 3.5* 10/22 - 10/24

[PlanMan]

Hey,

I'm going to New York with my girlfriend on Sat Oct 22 leaving Mon Oct 24.

Looking to stay somewhere in NYC at least 15 minutes to a subway station. It would be nice to have a 3.5* with a separate bathroom but this isn't a big priority. A 3* would be fine as well. Not sure what the 2.5*'s but we're just looking for something that is safe and clean.

Is it possible to get a room for less than $160 per night via Hotwire or PL?

If so, please let me know what you think a good bid strategy would be.

Thanks

PlanMan

[thereuare]

Welcome to BetterBidding!

At the moment i think your budget is going to fall a bit shy for anything 'nice' at the 3* or higher level, but if you want to give it a try... are you willing to pay more for a higher rated hotel OR is your goal the least expensive 3* or better for this stay? Also, a Downtown hotel will likely put you within 15 minutes of a subway, but it will then be another ~20 minutes to midtown (if that's where most of your activities will be); would this zone be acceptable?

Lastly, while not ideal for a 2 nite stay, another option to consider is SPLITTING YOUR PRICELINE BID. As Sunday nites are typically the least expensive hotel nite in NYC, i think you can get something very nice for Sunday (read: 4* possibly for $130-$145/nite). If so, you could then spend $175-$190 for a hotel for Saturday nite (which unfortunately may not be that easy of a win, but if SPLITTING YOUR PRICELINE BID is an option we can discuss some Saturday nite possibilities before bidding/committing to Sunday nite)

Please use the PRICELINE and HOTWIRE links on the board to begin your travel purchases... please click this PRICELINE link before replying. Thanks.

[PlanMan]

Thanks for your prompt response. My goal is the least expensive 3* or better. Yes 35 minutes to midtown is absolutely an acceptable zone.

I am interested in splitting my bid - let me know what my Saturday night options are please. $190 for a Sat night is a tough pill to swallow so anything less expensive would be ideal.

Thanks

[thereuare]

How are you arriving to NYC (plane, bus, train, car, etc) and where and what time do you arrive?

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

[PlanMan]

My flight lands at 10AM at Newark.

The gf's schedule is flexible and will be arriving by bus (probably Penn St.).

[thereuare]

Unfortunately the 4* hotel i was seeing HOTWIRE as the basis for the Sunday nite rate is no longer available so that will likely put a wrinkle in the idea behind SPLITTING YOUR PRICELINE BID. As a result, do you therefore want to first try bidding both nites together for a 3* hotel? If so, are CPS, Chelsea, DT, ESB, HK, MSG, MTE, MTW TS all acceptable? (there are a few other zones with 3* properties but they tend not to be as central as those above) $160 is your maximum bid?

Please confirm 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.

[PlanMan]

Hey - I'd like to just bid for the Saturday night please on a 3* with a max of $185 (I believe I can find alternates for the Sunday). All the areas you mentioned are fine.

[thereuare]

For Saturday nite HOTWIRE currently has a 4* hotel in the MTE zone for $185/nite with Restaurant, Fitness, Internet, Business, Tennis which i'm guessing is either the InterContinental Barclay or the Grand Hyatt. This is priced lower than any 3* or better hotel in Manhattan, so i would either take this, or if you want to try PRICELINE for a better price you can try as follows:

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 and MTW and TS and ESB...

Bid $130, if rejected add re-bid zone...

Bid $135, if rejected add re-bid zone...

Bid $140, if rejected add re-bid zone...

Bid $145, if rejected add re-bid zone...

Bid $150, if rejected add re-bid zone...

Bid $155, if rejected close browser and use this link to re-access PRICELINE

Select 4* CPS...

Bid $130, if rejected add re-bid zone...

Bid $135, if rejected add re-bid zone...

Bid $140, if rejected add re-bid zone...

Bid $145, if rejected add re-bid zone...

Bid $150, if rejected add re-bid zone...

Bid $155, if rejected close browser and use this link to re-access PRICELINE

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

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 the above is rejected you can take the 4* HOTWIRE property.

Any questions feel free to ask.

Please use the PRICELINE and HOTWIRE links on the board for all your bidding, searches and purchases.

Good luck and let us know how it goes.

[PlanMan]

Thanks for all the help.

I was unsuccessful at the first two blocks. I did not attempt the last block as I will be getting a B&B at a more affordable rate.

Thanks again. Also, if you could direct me to a link which explains the initial selection of zones (before rebidding) it would be appreciated. I will certainly be booking via PL in the future.

[thereuare]

Thanks for closing this thread with your decision for this stay... glad you found something that works for your needs.

I chose the zones above and the order based upon current rages and my knowledge of the area... CPS was added 'late' in the cycle simply because i thought your chances were so very low of winning a 4* hotel in this zone.

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