backpacknorway Posted October 13, 2011 Report Posted October 13, 2011 Hi!I realise I should probably be asking for help regarding bidding on Hotwire and Priceline on this site, but since I've been getting a lot of tips just reading other posts, I'm hoping someone could help me out on my thoughts on hotels for our trip, March 7th - 12th.We have already booked two rooms at Cassa hotel and Recidenses. At an average of $171 + tax pr night. This is a nice hotel from what I understand, so the price seams good. My only worry is that it's the suites and larger rooms in this hotel that are good. The standard room that we've got might not be nice at all..... Anyone who knows?I'm also considering booking a New Yorker Queen room at "The New Yorker" Hotels.com has a limited time offer now at $149 + tax. It says that my credit card will be charged fully at the time of booking, but it also says free cancellation.... so I'm a bit confused. Does anyone know if the New Yorker rooms are renovated as well?Third option I'm looking at is the Grand Hyatt, which is now on priceline for $179+ tax in March. Is this walking distance to Times Square? I'm also confused about the cancellation policies on this special offer. It says: "Hotel cancellations or changes made 3 day/s prior to check in time (Noon local hotel time), will be subject to 1 night/s feeHotel cancellations or changes made 1 day/s prior to check in time (Noon local hotel time), will be subject to a full fare feeNo-show is subjected to a full fare fee"Does that mean that more cancellations made more than 3 days prior I get a full refund? Other hotels I've considdered are: Washington Jefferson and Paramount hotel. I'm then concidering paying a bit more for a deluxe roome, since I read that the rooms are exstremely small. I'm not too picky, just want to be able to put my luggage somewhere...So, any comments on this, you experts out there? Or any other suggestions? Will I be able to get better deals on travelzoo, if I wait a bit longer? I see that the Grand Hyatt is even $30 less in jan and feb, but maybe the prices in general are higher in March.... As I mentioned we are staying March 7-12 and our budget is 140-180 + tax 180 is a bit on the high end, but we'll go there if its worth it...Thanks for your help, and for a perfect web site :-)
thereuare Posted October 13, 2011 Report Posted October 13, 2011 Welcome to BetterBidding!I'm also considering booking a New Yorker Queen room at "The New Yorker" Hotels.com has a limited time offer now at $149 + tax. It says that my credit card will be charged fully at the time of booking, but it also says free cancellation.... so I'm a bit confused. Does anyone know if the New Yorker rooms are renovated as well?The New Yorker was renovated about 2-3 years ago. it used to get very poor reviews, but since the renovations, it mostly gets favorable reviews. You'll need to confirm the terms with Hotels.com (please use this link on the board if you go this route) but from as yo posted, it would seem that you're billed immediately, but will receive a refund if cancelled.Third option I'm looking at is the Grand Hyatt, which is now on priceline for $179+ tax in March. Is this walking distance to Times Square?Yes, about a 10 minute walk.I'm also confused about the cancellation policies on this special offer. It says: "Hotel cancellations or changes made 3 day/s prior to check in time (Noon local hotel time), will be subject to 1 night/s feeHotel cancellations or changes made 1 day/s prior to check in time (Noon local hotel time), will be subject to a full fare feeNo-show is subjected to a full fare fee"Does that mean that more cancellations made more than 3 days prior I get a full refund?Again, you should confirm with the supplier, but what this typically means is:Cancel at least 3 days prior to arrival = full refundCancel inside of 3 days prior to arrival but at least one day prior to arrival = 1 nite fee cancellation penaltyCancel inside of 1 day prior to arrival = no refundMy thought is that if you're flexible on zones and willing to stay in those most commonly bid at the 4* level, you should be able to get a 4* hotel for this stay via PRICELINE for $120-$145/nite, and would a better value then the options above.Please use the PRICELINE and HOTWIRE links on the board to begin your travel purchases. (or our Hotels.com or any of the other links in our support page if you choose to book direct)... please click each of these PRICELINE and HOTWIRE links before replying. Please use this HOTWIRE and these PRICELINE LINKS: HOTELS, CAR RENTALS, and AIRFARE to begin your travel purchases
backpacknorway Posted February 24, 2012 Author Report Posted February 24, 2012 Hello!Just discovered this fabulous page of yours, and thought I
thereuare Posted February 24, 2012 Report Posted February 24, 2012 Please keep all posts for the same trip in the same thread.NYC taxes run about 14.5%, but in the case of PRICELINE the total amount you will be charged will be shown before you place your bid (on the 'review your information before submitting' page, a price will be shown at the bottom with the total should your bid be accepted)... with HOTWIRE the total is shown on the left side of the page after clicking the "CONTINUE" button. Not really applicable to NYC bidding, just so you know for any future purchases, if a hotel charges 'Resort fees' this would be payable directly to the hotel and in addition to the amount you pay PRICELINE / HOTWIRE. I only know of one such hotel in NYC that charges 'resort fees', the Carlton on Madison Ave, and it has only been reported to the board thru HOTWIRE... never thru PRICELINE.With PRICELINE once you submit your bid if a hotel is will to accept that price you're told the name of the hotel and your reservation is confirmed. You're not given the opportunity to see amenities that the hotel has or any other information. For more on the similarities, and differences, between PRICELINE and HOTWIRE see this thread: I've Never Used Priceline or Hotwire.Let us know how you'd like to proceed and we'll take it from there.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
backpacknorway Posted February 24, 2012 Author Report Posted February 24, 2012 Sorry about the wrong posting. Thought i did it all wrong the last time i tried, because I couldnt find my post, so I gave up. Now i can read the answer I got back then as well :-)Anyway, thanks for your answer. Have a better understanding for the two bidding sites now. My thought now is to try priceline for a 4* in some of the central areas. Maybe start at 125....? Since i dont have much time, i feel that its better to give priceline a shot than to wait for a good deal on hotwire. Only wish i could see the visitor ratings on pricline. Tend to trust those more than star ratings :-)What areas do you recomend? First time in the city, so we're looking for the best NY experience. Thenks again.
thereuare Posted February 25, 2012 Report Posted February 25, 2012 At the 4* level MTE, MTW, TS, CPS and ESB typically all work well for the average user. Assuming these are all acceptable, i'd try as follows:At the 4* level in NYC You have SEVEN 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, MTW, TS, and ESB...Bid $125, if rejected add re-bid zone...Bid $130, if rejected add re-bid zone...Bid $133, if rejected add re-bid zone...Bid $135, if rejected add re-bid zone...Bid $138, if rejected add re-bid zone...Bid $140, if rejected add re-bid zone...Bid $143, if rejected add re-bid zone...Bid $145, if rejected close browser and use this link to re-access PRICELINESelect 4* CPS...Bid $125, if rejected add re-bid zone...Bid $130, if rejected add re-bid zone...Bid $133, if rejected add re-bid zone...Bid $135, if rejected add re-bid zone...Bid $138, if rejected add re-bid zone...Bid $140, if rejected add re-bid zone...Bid $143, if rejected add re-bid zone...Bid $145, if rejected close browser and use this link to re-access PRICELINESelect 4* MTE, MTW, TS, ESB and CPS...Bid $148, if rejected add re-bid zone...Bid $150, if rejected add re-bid zone...Bid $153, if rejected add re-bid zone...Bid $155, if rejected add re-bid zone...Bid $158, if rejected add re-bid zone...Bid $160, if rejected add re-bid zone...Bid $163, if rejected add re-bid zone...Bid $165Any questions feel free to ask. If the above is rejected i do have some other suggestions/ideas, but we can start with the above and take it from there.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
backpacknorway Posted February 25, 2012 Author Report Posted February 25, 2012 Tanks for good adwise. I've started biding, but have problems finding rebid zones. Any tips? I've done ordinary hotel search on priceline to find what areas doesn't have 4* hotels. But the areas to choose from differ from what i can choose when I bid.....
AaronJB Posted February 25, 2012 Report Posted February 25, 2012 Please do not use the retail side of the service when researching re-bid zones; you can see star rating availability in each bidding zone on the first page of the bidding process when zones are selected and then the star ratings in that zone that are available and not (not able to be selected) can be seen. Please let us know if you have any questions.Thank you for using the site's PRICELINE or HOTWIRE links to start your purchases and searches.
thereuare Posted February 25, 2012 Report Posted February 25, 2012 If you're not following Priceline Re-Bidding Explained, try the following:Start with the following...1) Use the PRICELINE search box on the upper right of this page, enter 'New York City' and your dates, and click "GO".2) List each zone that is offered in this region. 3) Next to each zone list the highest star rating offered in the zone. The way to determine the highest star rating offered in the zone is by selecting the first zone i the list, then scrolling down to see the highest star rating selectable (ie- not greyed out). NEXT UNcheck the selected zone, place a checkmark in the next zone, and repeat the process for each zone in the region. Each time you take note of the highest star rating in the zone, make sure that only ONE zone is selected above.4) post your findings and we'll take it from thereIf you don't follow the above just post back and we'll break it down further.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
backpacknorway Posted February 25, 2012 Author Report Posted February 25, 2012 Thank you for the explanations. Figured out how to find my rebid zones and everything went smooth :-) I've tried up to 155 now, without any luck. Not sure yet if I want to go higher or just go for my 171 at cassa. Will let you know.
thereuare Posted February 25, 2012 Report Posted February 25, 2012 Not sure of your thoughts on budget vs. quality, but what i'm guessing to be the Roosevelt is offered for $115/nite. The hotel has it's issues, and it's not as nice as the Cassa (although the lobby of the Roosevelt is quite grand), but if you're looking to save money, at $115/nite it's certainly do-able.Keep us updated on your progress and let us know if/how we can be of further help along the way.Thanks for using the PRICELINE and HOTWIRE links on the board. Please use this HOTWIRE and these PRICELINE LINKS: HOTELS, CAR RENTALS, and AIRFARE to begin your travel purchases
backpacknorway Posted February 27, 2012 Author Report Posted February 27, 2012 Yes, has definitely been considering this. The price is really good for a 4*. I was a bit skeptic considering the only 75% recommendation
AaronJB Posted February 27, 2012 Report Posted February 27, 2012 It also depends on how much you're going to be in the room; the Roosevelt may be an older hotel, but at a discounted rate (and a great location), there's definitely a greater chance it may meet expectations than regular price.Thank you for using the site's HOTWIRE or PRICELINE links to start your purchases and searches.
backpacknorway Posted February 27, 2012 Author Report Posted February 27, 2012 I was too slow acting on the 115$ one.... Regretting now.Anyway, any idea what this might be?4* Midttown East area for 166$ (march 7-12)Amenities:Fitness Center, Restaurant(s), Business Center, High-Speed Internet Access, Spa Services 90% hotwire customer recomendation.
backpacknorway Posted February 27, 2012 Author Report Posted February 27, 2012 And this one:4* midttown central167$Amenities:Smoke Free Rooms, Fitness Center, High-Speed Internet Access 90% recomended
AaronJB Posted February 27, 2012 Report Posted February 27, 2012 The MTE is a possible match for the W. I'm not seeing a 4* MTC listing when searching for 3/7-12.Thank you for using the site's HOTWIRE or PRICELINE links to start your purchases and searches.
backpacknorway Posted March 5, 2012 Author Report Posted March 5, 2012 Ok, so now its final... Got the W New York on Priceline for 160$ (Searched 2 rooms March 7-12 4*)Not quite sure how I feel about it. Guess I'd hoped for one with some better reviews.Anyway, thank for great help both with PRICELINE bidding and HOTWIRE hotels.And of course I used the links on the board to do my searches :-)
thereuare Posted March 5, 2012 Report Posted March 5, 2012 Congratulations on your success! Hope you're pleased with the results and looking forward to your trip.You're also near my often recommended Ess-A-Bagel (Third Ave at 51st St) which has one of the best bagels in the city, makes for a nice, and relatively inexpensive, breakfast among local NYers.Thank you for sharing your win and using the PRICELINE links on the board to begin your bidding.Enjoy your stay. Please use this HOTWIRE and these PRICELINE LINKS: HOTELS, CAR RENTALS, and AIRFARE to begin your travel purchases
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