arffff Posted August 3, 2012 Report Posted August 3, 2012 First time to NYC, want something near Times Square, Theatre district, Midtown west? three star preferred, would love a 4 star, who wouldn't. first time bidding. Any and all assistance appreciated. Would like to get something close to 200 taxes/fees/incl. I've read everything on the site, and understand the rebid process, and will definitely use the links on this site to make the bid.
thereuare Posted August 4, 2012 Report Posted August 4, 2012 Welcome to BetterBidding!To confirm, your check-in is Oct6 and checkout is Oct9?Your $200 all-in rate is equivalent to a $170/nite bid. At current rates I'm doubtful this will be enough for a 4* hotel for these dates and is probably not enough for a 3.5* hotel... and may not be enough for a 3* either.Did you first want to try for a 4* up to your limit, then a 3.5*, then a 3*... OR is your ultimately the least expensive 3* or better for this trip?I'll also add that a $200 bid price (before taxes and fees) may currently be enough for a 4* hotel for this trip, given how you said you would ideally prefer that, not sure if you're willing/able to increase your budget a bit for the higher rated accommodations.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
arffff Posted August 4, 2012 Author Report Posted August 4, 2012 Yes, our check in is Oct. 6, checkout is Oct. 9 (three nights accomm.)My objective would be to try for a 4*, then 3.5, then 3, we'd like to save money, and we don't mind walking. If 200.00 isn't enough, I'd increase to about 230.00 but beyond that, I'd probably just book a hotel in the exact area we want to be in, (Times Square - Theatre District) rather than risk the unknown. Thanks for the assistance.
AaronJB Posted August 4, 2012 Report Posted August 4, 2012 Retail prices in Times Square at most (if not all) properties for these dates is going to likely be more or much more (especially at the 4* level) than $230. I'm guessing that MTE would likely offer the best value at the 4* level for these dates and may be able to be won for at (or at least relatively close) to your budget. Would MTE be acceptable?Thank you for using the site's HOTWIRE or PRICELINE links to start your purchases and searches.
arffff Posted August 4, 2012 Author Report Posted August 4, 2012 I think MTE would work, we could take the Newark Airport Express to Grand Central, so that area would work as well as the Madison Square Garden area, the shuttle goes to Port Authority. We are arriving the early evening of the 6th, first timers, so having the hotel accessible to those places is probably smart. We are good walkers...Do you think I'll get a better price than Candlewood Suites is offering retail now? 696, for those three nights, taxes and fees not included. (no cancellations allowed.) Appreciate your opinion.
thereuare Posted August 5, 2012 Report Posted August 5, 2012 ...having the hotel accessible to those places is probably smart.Not really necessary, imo. Better to get a good deal on a hotel that works well for your plans throughout your stay, not just your arrival/departure location. As well, if you include other zones that are nearby, it shouldn't be much more than a $10 taxi ride from either of these locations to your hotel... even if yo pay this both ways it's $20; divide that by 3 nites and you're looking at $7/nite. Better to get the best deal you can on a hotel rather then focus on just these two zones... if you can get a hotel $7/nite less than you can in just the MSG or MTE zones, you're still ahead of the game. ;) As well, you originally posted that you wanted a 4* hotel and there are no 4* hotels in the MSG zone.I think you can get a 4* hotel in the MTE zone for $190-$210/nite... do you want to try for this first? Are there other zones that would be accptable... MTE, MTW, TS, CPS and ESB are all generally considered well located and convenient for the average visitor (an all of these should also be within a ~$10 taxi ride to MSG or Grand Central drop-off points for the Newark Airport shuttle (note that there is also a Newark Airport shuttle that picks-up/drops-off at the Port Authority)Let us know how you'd like to proceed and we'll advise accordingly.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
arffff Posted August 5, 2012 Author Report Posted August 5, 2012 Good Point. Now that I start thinking about the big picture, I think my preferable order would be TS, MTE, MTW, MSG, HK??,. I guess it would be fun to see if I could get a four star, (unrealistic at my price, probably) and knowing that MSG doesn't have 4 stars, I'd definitely appreciate your bidding assistance! (What are your opinions of Hell's Kitchen? is it too far off the beaten track? If you think so, then I'll take it out of the mix, I put it in there because of the 4 star possibility. Like I say, we have no problem walking....3.5 and 3* are also acceptable of course. I'm sure the fact that we arrive on Saturday night will mean the possibilities are limited, too likely a hotel will sell out on a Saturday night. If things look desperate, I could try one place on Saturday night, and then another on Sunday/Monday night. We travel very light, so switching hotels isn't a problem, it just eats up time otherwise spent touring.Again, I appreciate the help. This might be fun....
thereuare Posted August 6, 2012 Report Posted August 6, 2012 What are your opinions of Hell's Kitchen? is it too far off the beaten track?There is only one 'known' 4* hotel in this zone and that is Ink48, which gets great reviews, but is a bit 'off the beaten track'. It's a trade-off between hotel quality and convenience.My objective would be to try for a 4*, then 3.5, then 3, we'd like to save money, and we don't mind walking. If 200.00 isn't enough, I'd increase to about 230.00...Like I say, we have no problem walking....3.5 and 3* are also acceptable of course.It's not clear from your post, what is your maximum bid price (before taxes/fees) for a 4* hotel before you lower your star rating and try for a 3.5* property? As noted above, i think a 4* may be likely at $190-$210 bid price.I'm sure the fact that we arrive on Saturday night will mean the possibilities are limited, too likely a hotel will sell out on a Saturday night.I haven't looked at rates for your dates yet, but generally if it is necessary to SPLITTING YOUR PRICELINE BID, the split would more likely be Sat and Sun nites together and Monday nite separately... but we can cross that bridge if/when necessary.Please confirm your zones and maximum bid price 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
arffff Posted August 6, 2012 Author Report Posted August 6, 2012 Thanks for your patience with me.Let's not bother with HK.Maximum bid price would be 210.00 trying for a 4*Areas MTE, MTW, and ESB, then lower the star to 3.5 for TS, Thanks again!
thereuare Posted August 6, 2012 Report Posted August 6, 2012 Maximum bid price would be 210.00 trying for a 4*Areas MTE, MTW, and ESB, then lower the star to 3.5 for TSTo clarify further... you're not interested in a 4* hotel in the TS zone... or are you not including this since you don't think your budget would be enough for a 4* hotel in the TS zone? If the latter, and TS is acceptable at the 4* level, you could include it in your bidding which would give you more re-bid zones and more opportunities to bid... the best case scenario is that you win a 4* hotel in this zone at a price less than you thought possible... worst case scenario you got additional bidding opportunities.Please confirm if we can/should include TS in a 4* bidding strategy.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
arffff Posted August 7, 2012 Author Report Posted August 7, 2012 I'm sorry about that.... I am interested in a 4* in the TS zone, I didn't include it since I didn't think I would get it for my top price. Please include TS at 4*.
thereuare Posted August 7, 2012 Report Posted August 7, 2012 So to confirm we're starting with a 4* hotel in the MTE, MTW, ESB, or TS zones with a maximum budget of $210. If this is correct...When bidding 4* 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 and MTW...Bid $110, if rejected add re-bid zone...Bid $115, 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 close browser and use this link to re-access PRICELINESelect 4* ESB, and TS...Bid $110, if rejected add re-bid zone...Bid $115, 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 close browser and use this link to re-access PRICELINESelect 4* MTE and TS...Bid $145, 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 close browser and use this link to re-access PRICELINESelect 4* ESB, and MTW...Bid $145, 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 close browser and use this link to re-access PRICELINESelect 4* MTE and ESB...Bid $163, if rejected add re-bid zone...Bid $165, if rejected add re-bid zone...Bid $168, 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 close browser and use this link to re-access PRICELINESelect 4* MTW, and TS...Bid $163, if rejected add re-bid zone...Bid $165, if rejected add re-bid zone...Bid $168, 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 close browser and use this link to re-access PRICELINESelect 4* MTE and ESB and MTW...Bid $178, if rejected add re-bid zone...Bid $180, if rejected add re-bid zone...Bid $183, if rejected add re-bid zone...Bid $185, if rejected add re-bid zone...Bid $188, if rejected add re-bid zone...Bid $190, if rejected close browser and use this link to re-access PRICELINESelect 4* MTE and ESB and TS...Bid $178, if rejected add re-bid zone...Bid $180, if rejected add re-bid zone...Bid $183, if rejected add re-bid zone...Bid $185, if rejected add re-bid zone...Bid $188, if rejected add re-bid zone...Bid $190, if rejected close browser and use this link to re-access PRICELINESelect 4* MTE, MTW, ESB, and TS...Bid $193, if rejected add re-bid zone...Bid $195, if rejected add re-bid zone...Bid $198, if rejected add re-bid zone...Bid $200, if rejected add re-bid zone...Bid $203, if rejected add re-bid zone...Bid $205, if rejected add re-bid zone...Bid $208, if rejected add re-bid zone...Bid $210Any 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
arffff Posted August 7, 2012 Author Report Posted August 7, 2012 Yes, that is the plan. Before I give this a whirl, I want to make sure I don't screw up, so could you give me a more explicit description of the re-bid zones I would add, for example in my first bid. Then I should be able to take it from there. Select 4* MTE and MTW...Bid $110, if rejected add re-bid zone...Bid $115, 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...Thanks for holding my hand....I appreciate it!
thereuare Posted August 7, 2012 Report Posted August 7, 2012 If you've already read Priceline Re-Bidding Explained and it's still not clear, try the following:1) Use the PRICELINE search box on the upper right of this page, enter 'New York City, NY' 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 this HOTWIRE and these PRICELINE LINKS: HOTELS, CAR RENTALS, and AIRFARE to begin your travel purchases
arffff Posted August 8, 2012 Author Report Posted August 8, 2012 I think I've got it now. For example:The 7 rebid zones that don't offer a 4 star are CI, LIC, LES, MSG, Harlem, QSB, UES, So, I would add one of those each time in my preferred zones, but stay with the 4 stars, thus creating a "new bid". And then go from there. I'll give it a whirl, and report back. And I'll use the links here, for sure. Wish me luck!
thereuare Posted August 9, 2012 Report Posted August 9, 2012 Yes, you now have your re-bid zones correct :) However, always double check just before bidding to make sure that nothing has changed since you last looked (as new hotels can be added and/or other hotels can be upgraded/downgraded at any time)Thanks for using the PRICELINE and HOTWIRE links on the board.Good luck! Please use this HOTWIRE and these PRICELINE LINKS: HOTELS, CAR RENTALS, and AIRFARE to begin your travel purchases
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