Priceline Hotel: NYC Oct22-28

[lockmat]

I have never used Priceline before. I typed in $50 for a 4-Star hotel in NYC October 22nd-28th and it brought me to the "Please Review Your Request" screen. Does that mean they actually will give me a 4-star hotel for $50?!??!?!

I mean, there's not such thing as a crappy 4-star hotel, right? 4-star means 4-stars. Please let me know if I should be weary. I'm completely inexperienced at this.

Thanks so much in advance!

[AaronJB]

Welcome to Betterbidding.

The please review your request screen is just the final summary of the bid before you click to finalize and have the service search to see if a hotel will accept. It is not an indicator of whether or not a hotel will accept.

This is one of the most expensive times of the year in NYC (much of the Fall and early Winter is expensive, with few exceptions) and a 4* in Midtown is likely going to take $175-200+.

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

[mtbscott]

Review the "Priceline list of New York Hotels" for an idea of what 4 start hotels might be included in different areas. You WILL get a 4 start hotel if that's what you bid for, but no way you're getting one for even close to $50 in October, one of the most expensive months for NYC.

Not sure what screen you're referring to. If you start by clicking through one of the PRICELINE links on this site, you'll get their homepage. Then click on the Name Your Price link and start going from there. You'll get to pick your zones, pick your star rating, and your price, then you'll get a preview page with the price. You'll then have to give credit card info and authorization, initial it, then submit your bid. If they find you a hotel that accepts your offer, you're charged immediately and you'll get the hotel info. If you're refused, you'll get a message telling you so and inviting you to rebid by adding zones, changing dates, upping your price, etc. You can only make the exact same bid once in 24 hours.

[lockmat]

Welcome to Betterbidding.

The please review your request screen is just the final summary of the bid before you click to finalize and have the service search to see if a hotel will accept. It is not an indicator of whether or not a hotel will accept.

This is one of the most expensive times of the year in NYC (much of the Fall and early Winter is expensive, with few exceptions) and a 4* in Midtown is likely going to take $175-200+.

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

Okay, thank you for your reply!

Also, this is my honeymoon. I noticed in their terms and services that they guarantee either a double bed or two twins. Is it worth the risk of using priceline if I'm going to end up in two twin beds on my honeymoon?!

I also noticed they cannot guarantee a non-smoking room, even though that's what they request. How likely is it that I get a non-smoking room considering this is the busiest time? Do they give higher priority to full-priced paying people or is it first come first serve?

[lockmat]

I have an additional question to the one above. Does priceline consider how safe the areas of their hotels are? I've heard since Bloomberg has been mayor, NYC is the safest city in America, but that's just in general. I know if you stay out of the bad neighborhoods, you should be safe. I'm assuming priceline's hotels are within decent areas, is this true?

Thanks,

lockmat

[lockmat]

When you say they are likely $175-200+, do you mean normal price, or a winning bidding price? What do yall think I should shoot for, $100? $120? $200? Thanks!!! This site is awesome.

[AaronJB]

Congrats on your honeymoon! :)

PRICELINE only guarantees one bed. You may end up with two beds, but that's unlikely in NYC - a city where rooms are often very small (and occasionally too small to fit a rollaway, even at higher star ratings) and rooms with two beds often go for a premium.

PRICELINE does not consider safety when structuring zones. Much of NYC is quite nice - I recommend taking extremely comfortable shoes because you'll be doing a lot of walking - and October is actually a nice time because longer walks are easier in cooler temps. However, NYC is like any other major city - you have to be aware of what's going on around you.

$175-200 (at least, and quite possibly higher) is what I'm guessing it will take for a 4* property for these dates, and Midtown 4*'s may require going towards the mid-$200's. Regular rates are generally around $300-450+ for a 4* for these dates.

What would be your desired budget per night for this stay, and which zones would be of interest?

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

[thereuare]

lockmat,

Please read your messages and clicking each of these PRICELINE and HOTWIRE links... then reply to this thread and we'll continue the discussion for your trip above.

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

Thanks.