Priceline Hotel: Bidding Strategy for 08/14/2012-08/18/2012

[cwkls]

I have been bidding on 4* plus hotels for our honeymoon in the general area of central park south/times square/empire state bldg. Would like to be within walking distance (10 mins) of times square or no more than 10 mins on the subway. Stayed in Hoboken at the W booked through priceline last year. Loved the hotel, but found the distance to the city a little too long. I have bid up to $112 unsuccessfully. Hotwire currently has a rate of $126 in the empire state bldg area.

My main question is, am I trying to book too far in advance? Am I more likely to get a better deal as we get closer to August?

Newbie to this forum, so any help is appreciated.

[AaronJB]

Welcome to Betterbidding. :)

Traditionally, mid-August is one of the slowest periods of the year, as hot temperatures generally result in slower traffic (not the slowest period of the year - which is generally Jan/Feb - but slower). This is rather far ahead, but still worth trying. What zones have you tried so far?

Thank you for using the site's HOTWIRE or PRICELINE links to start your purchases and searches.

[thereuare]

Thank you for using the site's HOTWIRE or PRICELINE links to start your purchases and searches.

... and please read your messages and click each of these PRICELINE and HOTWIRE links before replying.

Thanks.

[cwkls]

I have tried Central Park South, Empire State bldg area, Midtown East & West, & Times Square-Theatre District. These are the areas we would like to stay in most. I am in no rush, as we have plenty of time to wait for the best deal. I just wasn't sure if there was a rule of thumb to follow in terms of how far in advance the best deals can be booked.

[thereuare]

While rates can (and do) vary from year-to-year, using the Priceline and Hotwire Calendar of Wins you'll see that rates at 4* hotels this time of year, for midweek stays, were more in the mid-$100's (generally $150-$175) and although you do have time before your stay, i would increase your bid to a more reasonable level (with increased probability of success) at this time. If you were to be successful at $120-$125 and rates did eventually more lower, i don't think it would be by very much, and based upon historical pricing i believe there would be a greater chance of rates moving higher from the $125 area than lower.

HOWEVER, if we're currently seeing the same HOTWIRE property offered in the ESB zone at $125/nite, my guess is that this is the Roger Williams, which is one of the only hotels (that i'm aware of) in NYC that charges a 'resort fee' of about $20/nite, which brings the 'true' cost of this hotel to $145/nite. You might now want to bid up to $145 at this time, but i would think a win in the $125 area would be 'pretty good' at this point in time (taking all things into consideration, including peace of mind of having this part of your plans settled, time used to bid every few days, the risk of rates moving higher/lower, etc)

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

Keep us updated on your progress and let us know if we can be of further help along the way.