Priceline Hotel: 3* Hotels

[Toffer]

Hi

I'm lookig to travel to NY in September from 15th - 20th have been trying for 4* hotel on MTE, MTW and UMT plus South Central Park highest bid I have made is $152 with no success.

I really don't want to go any higher than about $130 before taxes so was considering lowering my bid to a 3* can you give me some advice on this rating of hotel.

Thanks!

[thereuare]

Welcome to BetterBidding!

Unfortunately there is often very little price difference between 3* and 4* hotels in NYC (yes, there is a difference, but it is usually a small difference). You can see a list of 3* hotels already reported in our PRICELINE HOTEL LISTS for this area.

Prices are high for your dates, and thru a little research for a previous poster, it is believed likely due to the UN being in session during part of your above stay.

If $130 is your maximum bid we will suggest a strategy to try, but keep in mind you may have to increase this number in the near future (or be open to alternate plans).

Is SPLITTING YOUR BID an option?

[Toffer]

Would prefer not to split so what would you suggest bidding if I did go for the 3* option ?

If I had to split, what would be the best way to do it ?

Also do you know the specific dates that the UN is planned and also if it is set in stone.

Thanks

[thereuare]

I don't know the specific dates of the UN Session... when i was researching for another user i noticed that inventory was low and prices high so i asked one of our suppliers why and i was told, "I think UN is in session... and it is fall in NYC"

Please think about whether you want to split your bid or lower your star rating and we will suggest an appropriate strategy.

[Toffer]

Don't want to split the bid but would be happy to go for a 3* as long as we got something decent.

What strategy would you suggest for bidding for a 3* and at what price.

Thanks

[thereuare]

You have one re-bid zone at the 3* level...

Select 3* MTE...

Bid $100, if rejected add re-bid zone...

Bid $110, if rejected close browser and re-access priceline however you did previously.

Select 3* MTW...

Bid $100, if rejected add re-bid zone...

Bid $110, if rejected close browser and re-access priceline however you did previously.

Select 3* UM/CPS...

Bid $100, if rejected add re-bid zone...

Bid $110, if rejected close browser and re-access priceline however you did previously.

Select 3* MTW and UM/CPS...

Bid $115, if rejected add re-bid zone...

Bid $120, if rejected close browser and re-access priceline however you did previously.

Select 3* MTE and UM/CPS...

Bid $115, if rejected add re-bid zone...

Bid $120, if rejected close browser and re-access priceline however you did previously.

Select 3* MTE, MTW and UM/CPS...

Bid $125, if rejected add re-bid zone...

Bid $130.

Any question feel free to ask.

[Toffer]

I bid at the exact strategy that you suggested and every bid was unsuccessful.

[thereuare]

Given direct rates i'm not surprised... but we only went up to $130 since that is was the bidding limit you set.

What will you do if unsuccessful with any of the opaque providers? How much will you pay (and where) if you're not successful? What are your back-up options?

[Toffer]

I am setting myself a limit of $150 at the moment but I do not know if that is realistic ?

I have not got a backup strategy, do you have any suggestions ?

[thereuare]

Another user is looking for the same dates in this PRICEINE NEW YORK CITY post and i just replied with the following:

NYC is an expensive hotel market and although the deals with Priceline are excellent, higher bids are often required when demand picks us (and there are higher prices thru conventional means as well).

From the hotels pespective: If the UN is in session, and it's the fall season when the NYC hotel market begins to come out of its summer slump, why 'give-away' hotel rooms at rock-bottom prices if it will be busy and they're likely to sell them at regular rates?

Check the HILTON website as just one example... rates for this timeframe are $400+ per nite! :)

Is SPLITTING YOUR BID an option?  How about staying in NJ for part of the stay? (to save money and then be able to spend more for the NYC portion of the stay)

[Toffer]

I'm starting to think that I will need to split the bid to actually get anything. Can you suggest an appropriate strategy for splitting please as not sure if should opt for 15th - 18th and then 18th - 20th or 15th - 17th and then 17th - 20th.

Thanks in advance!

[thereuare]

Not sure how much splitting your dates will help during this peak period, but this is what i would try.

Follow this strategy for your complete stay:

Select 3* MTE...

Bid $120, if rejected add re-bid zone...

Bid $130, if rejected close browser and re-access priceline however you did previously.

Select 3* MTW...

Bid $120, if rejected add re-bid zone...

Bid $130, if rejected close browser and re-access priceline however you did previously.

Select 3* UM/CPS...

Bid $120, if rejected add re-bid zone...

Bid $130, if rejected close browser and re-access priceline however you did previously.

Select 3* MTW and UM/CPS...

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

Bid $140, if rejected close browser and re-access priceline however you did previously.

Select 3* MTE and UM/CPS...

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

Bid $140, if rejected close browser and re-access priceline however you did previously.

Select 3* MTE, MTW and UM/CPS...

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

Bid $150.

If the above is rejected, i would then repeat the same strategy, first for 9/17-9/20 and then (if rejected) again for 9/15-9/17.

I also found the Best Western Convention Center for only $137/nite for your dates. It's a fairly new hotel with the downside of its location... not too much around in the immediate area, not really a 'city' feel, but it's not too bad of a walk to 'city civilization' and it will probably do if you're in a pinch... here are some reviews.