bzmissy Posted July 31, 2012 Report Posted July 31, 2012 Hi! I need help on figuring out the best strategy to bid for a hotel for 4 nights from Sep 1-5. Preferrably a 4* which generally tend to be larger as we are going to try and fit 3 adults in one room, but we can deal with a 3.5* too. We would like the downtown areas close to all the touristy things - Times Square, Midtown East or Midtown West (MTE is most preferred for proximity to Grand Central Stn). Could you please advise if the max budget of $200 is too little this far in advance? Thanks a lot!
thereuare Posted July 31, 2012 Report Posted July 31, 2012 Welcome to BetterBidding! Please start by reading your messages and clicking each of these PRICELINE and HOTWIRE links... then reply to this thread and we'll have a look at your post above. 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
bzmissy Posted July 31, 2012 Author Report Posted July 31, 2012 Done and done. I understand that I will be bidding through the links on your website. Thank you.
thereuare Posted August 1, 2012 Report Posted August 1, 2012 Few comments to get started:Preferrably a 4* which generally tend to be larger as we are going to try and fit 3 adults in one room, but we can deal with a 3.5* too.The 4* is usually bigger than a 3* doesn't really apply in NYC... you can get a small room at any star level. We really don't recommend bidding on PRICELINE for more than double occupancy in NYC. While room size and comfort is one issue, the bigger issue is how many NYC hotels have a such a large percentage of rooms with only one bed in them, so there may not be enough room for everyone to sleep (comfortably at least). Using HOTWIRE, and including three people in your search, would be a better (although slightly more expensive) option. Of course it's ultimately your decision how much risk you'd like to take.We would like the downtown areas close to all the touristy things - Times Square, Midtown East or Midtown West (MTE is most preferred for proximity to Grand Central Stn).For clarity going forward, note that these zones are considered 'Midtown' and Downtown is a different zone that is located at the southern end of Manhattan (around the financial district area). At the 4* level all the 'known' hotels in the MTE zone are acceptable... but at the 3.5* level there are some known hotels that can be up to a 15 minute walk to the subway, would this be acceptable?Let us know your thoughts regarding the above 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
bzmissy Posted August 1, 2012 Author Report Posted August 1, 2012 I am going under the assumption that all 4 star hotels have roll-away beds available (typically at a surcharge of about $20-25). Should I not hope for that in NYC? With respect to your comment in MTE for 3.5*... I think that I'd like to limit to 4* only for now. I'd like to minimize walking time to subway.Also, I was looking closer at the map of areas in Midtown Manhattan. And since I'll be limiting my search to 4* only, I think that we can expand the search area to any of the following: TS, MTE, then if nothing there MTW, CPS... and if nothing there, then I can consider MSG and ESB. Do the 4* hotels in these areas mentioned happen to be close to subway? One more thing: my previously mentioned budget of $200/night was actually including taxes/fees. So if I'm making bids, I'm thinking that the max I would pay per night is $180 (before tax/fees).Thanks so much for your help! PS. Should I start bidding now or wait until closer to the date of arrival?? I am getting a bit worried, bcs I read on one of the posts that Sept and Oct are really busy in NYC and I should be booking as soon as possible, or they'll run out of rooms! (??)
AaronJB Posted August 1, 2012 Report Posted August 1, 2012 I would not necessarily expect it - there are a number of properties (even at higher star ratings) in NYC where the rooms may not be big enough to fit a rollaway.)Traditionally, September through around mid-December is definitely busier/more expensive in NYC, and I'd definitely be persistent in trying to lock something in. Running out of rooms is not going to be an issue, but finding a reasonable rate in the Fall in NYC has definitely been a problem in the past.Thank you for using the site's HOTWIRE or PRICELINE links to start your purchases and searches.
bzmissy Posted August 2, 2012 Author Report Posted August 2, 2012 Ok. Thank you for the warning. I think that we would still like to take the chance with booking on priceline. I just called up a few places and they're quoting $30-35 per night for a roll-away. I checked hotwire and the difference for a 4* in MTE from 2 person to 3 person (either Kimberly or Helmsley - I think) is $50 (for 4 nights that makes quite a difference). We prefer being squished in the room to save more cash for shopping!:) As an aside: Noticed also that both Kimberly and Helmsley are listed as 4* for hotwire but 3.5* for priceline... Is that normal or is one of the lists out of date?Could you please help me figure out a strategy for a 4* in the areas I listed in my previous post?Thank you very much! I really appreciate your help!!
thereuare Posted August 2, 2012 Report Posted August 2, 2012 I think that we can expand the search area to any of the following: TS, MTE, then if nothing there MTW, CPS... and if nothing there, then I can consider MSG and ESB. Do the 4* hotels in these areas mentioned happen to be close to subway?At the 4* level all of these zones should be fine. However, above you eluded that budget was an issue (would rather be cramped n a room and save money for shopping), if this is the case why not include all acceptable 4* zones above in your bidding and let the one with the least expensive rate be the one to accept your bid? for example, given your scenario if a MTE hotel is available for $200 but a MTW hotel is available for $140... you never give yourself a chance to win the $140 property and instead would win the $200 property. It's up to you, but if trying to save as much money as possible, and all zones are acceptable, thyen you should be bidding for the least expensive 4* or better.Ok. Thank you for the warning. I think that we would still like to take the chance with booking on priceline. I just called up a few places and they're quoting $30-35 per night for a roll-away. I checked hotwire and the difference for a 4* in MTE from 2 person to 3 person (either Kimberly or Helmsley - I think) is $50 (for 4 nights that makes quite a difference). We prefer being squished in the room to save more cash for shopping!:)Each service uses their own criteria to rate hotels so it's not uncommon to see a difference in star rating between PRICELINE and HOTWIRE. They are often the same, but when different, it's usually HOTWIRE that is a bit more 'generous' in their star rating.Please use the PRICELINE and HOTWIRE links on the board to begin your travel purchases.Let us know above regarding the zones and we'll take it from there. Please use this HOTWIRE and these PRICELINE LINKS: HOTELS, CAR RENTALS, and AIRFARE to begin your travel purchases
bzmissy Posted August 2, 2012 Author Report Posted August 2, 2012 Budget is definitely important. However, if we're staying in TS or MTE, then we'll pay higher price and save on subway tolls and save on time travelling in the subway. Additionally, we're using the train to get to Boston after, so proximity to Grand Central is equally important since we'll be saving money on getting there from the hotel. The bidding max for these two zones would be $180 (plus fees and taxes) - hopefully that's not too low.The other locations are acceptable only if nothing is available in MTE and TS. Thank you!
thereuare Posted August 3, 2012 Report Posted August 3, 2012 ...and save on subway tolls...so proximity to Grand Central is equally important since we'll be saving money on getting there from the hotel.The amount of money you're talking of is inconsequential relative to the hotel cost... better to save $20 per nite (or even $10 per nite) on a 4 nite hotel stay and spend $15 (once) on a cab ride to Grand Central vs. pay an extra $20 per nite for each nite of your stay. As well, the NYC subway is 'pay per ride' regardless of distance traveled, so you're not saving any money taking shorter subway trips (and unlimited ride cards are available)Anyway, it's your trip so if you want to try MTE and TS first we'll advise accordingly...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...Bid $110, if rejected add re-bid zone...Bid $120, if rejected add re-bid zone...Bid $125, if rejected add re-bid zone...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 rejeted close browser and use this link to re-access PRICELINESelect 4* TS...Bid $110, if rejected add re-bid zone...Bid $120, if rejected add re-bid zone...Bid $125, if rejected add re-bid zone...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 rejeted close browser and use this link to re-access PRICELINESelect 4* MTE and TS...Bid $155, if rejected add re-bid zone...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 $173, if rejected add re-bid zone...Bid $175, if rejected add re-bid zone...Bid $178, if rejected add re-bid zone...Bid $180Any questions feel free to ask.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
AaronJB Posted August 6, 2012 Report Posted August 6, 2012 Please keep us updated and let us know if you have any questions.Thank you for using the site's HOTWIRE or PRICELINE links to start your purchases and searches.
bzmissy Posted August 11, 2012 Author Report Posted August 11, 2012 Hi,I'm still not getting anything... I've noticed that someone's got the Mariott Marquis in TS for the weekend that I'm there at $160/night. I've bid up to $180 with no success. Do you think it would be worth while for me to split my stay into Sat/Sun/Mon and then try and find separate accomodations for Tues night? Or do you think that the prices might still come down closer to the dates I'm travelling??Thank you!
thereuare Posted August 12, 2012 Report Posted August 12, 2012 I've noticed that someone's got the Mariott Marquis in TS for the weekend that I'm there at $160/night. I've bid up to $180 with no success. Do you think it would be worth while for me to split my stay into Sat/Sun/Mon and then try and find separate accomodations for Tues night? Or do you think that the prices might still come down closer to the dates I'm travelling??Nobody can say if rates will come down, or move higher, between now and your stay.However, there are two 'issues'... the win that you're referencing at $160/nite is in the middle of your stay, so even if the same room rate as the other user's win is still available, the rate for first and/or last nites of your stay are still unknown and may still prevent you from duplicating their successful bid.If you want to SPLITTING YOUR PRICELINE BID i would try the previous strategy for the following date ranges:9/1-9/59/1-9/49/2-9/5Personally i wouldn't try for just two nites of your stay until i've secured the other three nites. If the above fails for MTE and TS, i do think you'd be successful at the amounts you've previously bid if you also include the UWS zone, but not sure if this location is acceptable or not.Please use the PRICELINE and HOTWIRE links on the board to begin your travel purchases.Let us know what you decide and how it goes or if we can be of further help. Please use this HOTWIRE and these PRICELINE LINKS: HOTELS, CAR RENTALS, and AIRFARE to begin your travel purchases
thereuare Posted August 12, 2012 Report Posted August 12, 2012 I've noticed that someone's got the Mariott Marquis in TS for the weekend that I'm there at $160/night. I've bid up to $180 with no success. Do you think it would be worth while for me to split my stay into Sat/Sun/Mon and then try and find separate accomodations for Tues night? Or do you think that the prices might still come down closer to the dates I'm travelling??Nobody can say if rates will come down, or move higher, between now and your stay.However, there are two 'issues'... first being that you're only bidding on two zones which limits the number of hotels that can accept your bid. The second being that priceline win that you're referencing at $160/nite is in the middle of your stay, so even if the same room rate as the other user's win is still available, the rate for first and/or last nites of your stay are still unknown and may still prevent you from duplicating their successful bid.If you want to SPLITTING YOUR PRICELINE BID i would try the previous strategy for the following date ranges:9/1-9/59/1-9/49/2-9/5Personally i wouldn't try for just two nites of your stay until i've secured the other three nites. If the above fails for MTE and TS, i do think you'd be successful at the amounts you've previously bid if you also include the UWS zone, but not sure if this location is acceptable or not.Please use the PRICELINE and HOTWIRE links on the board to begin your travel purchases.Let us know what you decide and how it goes or if we can be of further help. Please use this HOTWIRE and these PRICELINE LINKS: HOTELS, CAR RENTALS, and AIRFARE to begin your travel purchases
bzmissy Posted August 25, 2012 Author Report Posted August 25, 2012 Just wanted to say thank you for helping me with the strategy. I never did get anything bidding up to $160 plus fees/taxes in either TS or MTE (I was holding out for a cheaper rate...) Now with a week out to departure date, I've decided not to risk it with Priceline for 3ppl in one room any more. I came across a cancellable deal for a room with two beds (+ kitchenette = bonus!) at Belvedere a few days ago at $190 (taxes in). So we'll just be sticking with that.Again, thank you very much. This is a wonderful site!
AaronJB Posted August 25, 2012 Report Posted August 25, 2012 Thank you for keeping us updated and glad you were able to find a hotel that works well for your travel plans.Please use the site's Support Links page to book regular rate.Enjoy your stay.
Recommended Posts
Register now, we have a huge community of travel enthusiasts to answer any questions you might have.
Sign In Now