Priceline Hotel: 4* New York City (Midtown East) Intercontinental The Barclay

[rabunc]

Hello,

New user here looking for some help booking a first time trip to NYC from 11/21-11/25. We're considering flying if it's possible to get a great 'combo-deal', but again I wouldn't be able to recognize a great combo deal from a full priced one. I'll definitely be clicking the betterbidding referral link before I make the purchases, so thanks for the help in advance.

Info:

---Flight Dates---

Leave from Raleigh, NC *no sooner than* 10am on 11/21/2011, however after that, the earlier the departure the better.

Return to Raleigh, NC *as late as possible* on 11/25/2011, to avoid needing to stay another night, while having the most time in the city possible.

**If flying out on the 26th is significantly cheaper due to Thanksgiving prices, we could instead depart on the 26th no later than 3pm.**

---Hotel Preferences---

2 people (married couple)

Location = in the city (the 'city vibe' as I've seen it called on this site)

Non-smoking room

3*/3*+/4* hotel

Hotel Budget = $100-$140/night ($140 ideally being to stretch for a really nice proposition)

Looking to get the best overall experience possible for the budget as the priority.

---Questions---

What should my expectations be about flight prices? What is considered a 'steal' vs 'retail'?

Is there any need for urgency to 'lock in' prices for a trip taking place primarily on weekdays (Monday-Friday)?

Are prices more likely to rise or fall as the above travel dates approach?

Thanks,

Ryan

[thereuare]

Welcome to BetterBidding!

---Flight Dates---

Leave from Raleigh, NC *no sooner than* 10am on 11/21/2011, however after that, the earlier the departure the better.

Return to Raleigh, NC *as late as possible* on 11/25/2011, to avoid needing to stay another night, while having the most time in the city possible.

**If flying out on the 26th is significantly cheaper due to Thanksgiving prices, we could instead depart on the 26th no later than 3pm.**

You won't be able to bid on PRICELINE for the airfare portion of your trip since you have specific flight time needs. When you bid on airfare you need to be willing to accept a flight which departs any time within the designated window (iirc, currently 6am-10pm).

---Hotel Preferences---

2 people (married couple)

Location = in the city (the 'city vibe' as I've seen it called on this site)

Non-smoking room

3*/3*+/4* hotel

Hotel Budget = $100-$140/night ($140 ideally being to stretch for a really nice proposition)

Looking to get the best overall experience possible for the budget as the priority.

At the moment i'm guessing a 4* hotel thru PRICELINE will cost ~$160-$175, a 3.5* hotel about $140-$160, a 3* hotel perhaps just a little lower than that.

---Questions---

What should my expectations be about flight prices? What is considered a 'steal' vs 'retail'?

Is there any need for urgency to 'lock in' prices for a trip taking place primarily on weekdays (Monday-Friday)?

Are prices more likely to rise or fall as the above travel dates approach?

You can research 'retail' airfare thru the usual places, such as Expedia, Orbitz, etc. Then determine flights which meet your needs, add them to the hotel prices i've quoted above, and this would be your 'price to beat' thru a package deal... if packages are cheaper than purchasing airfare on its own and then bidding on PRICELINE for a hotel then that would be your best route, if packages cost more than purchasing the airfare 'ala carte' and the hotel prices above, then purchasing each separately would be the better option.

Let us know what you find and 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.

[rabunc]

Thanks for the advice.

I went ahead and got the flight booked; arrival in NYC is early on the 21st and departure is at 10pm on the 25th, allowing us to have a full final day in the city.

I won a 4* Midtown East bid for $160/night. Was given "Intercontinental The Barclay". Any thoughts on this hotel or advice for things to do to ensure the best stay possible? I see mixed reviews for the hotel.

I did remember to use the PRICELINE link provided.

Thanks again,

Ryan

[thereuare]

Congratulations on your success!

Looks like a nice deal for this time of year, especially for dates which include the Thanksgiving Day Parade which typically increases the crowds, and hotel rates, in the city.

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.