vegaspegas Posted August 18, 2005 Report Posted August 18, 2005 Hi friends,I'm planning a trip to New York in late September - Thursday September 29th for three nights to be exact.I am looking for a winning bidding strategy through Priceline.I want:- a four star hotel, minimum (I'll take 3-star on priceline, but i'd prefer 4)- to pay no more than $215 US per night- to stay either in Midtown West - or - Upper Midtown / Central Park South (I would consider Midtown East, but I'd rather be closer to Times Square)Is this possible with Priceline? How should I go about winning a bid?I have never used Priceline so any help is greatly appreciated!
thereuare Posted August 18, 2005 Report Posted August 18, 2005 Welcome to BetterBidding!First thing you'll need to do is understand re-bidding, which is explained here: PRICELINE RE-BIDDING EXPLAINED. At the 4* level you have two re-bid zones available, please read the previous link and feel free to confirm your re-bid zones with the board and/or ask any questions that you may have.Once you understand re-bidding we will be able to offer a step-by-step bidding strategy for you to follow.I will add (and this may be putting the cart before the horse):1) i think this is going to be a tough win, you may want to consider including MTE in your initial search, but if you don't mind the bidding process, you can try if/when your initial bids fail2) you may also want to consider if you eventually would be willing to SPLIT YOUR BID. Please use this HOTWIRE and these PRICELINE LINKS: HOTELS, CAR RENTALS, and AIRFARE to begin your travel purchases
vegaspegas Posted August 18, 2005 Author Report Posted August 18, 2005 Thanks. In your experience, what would you say is a price I should expect to pay for 4-stars at that time in the locations specified?
thereuare Posted August 18, 2005 Report Posted August 18, 2005 What is the best rate you can find at a 4* hotel thru conventional methods? Please use this HOTWIRE and these PRICELINE LINKS: HOTELS, CAR RENTALS, and AIRFARE to begin your travel purchases
vegaspegas Posted August 18, 2005 Author Report Posted August 18, 2005 I'd say between 300-400. But I'm not sure if a 4-star on Travelocity or Expedia or whatnot is the same as a 4-star on priceline.
thereuare Posted August 18, 2005 Report Posted August 18, 2005 Best way to find conventional rates is directly thru the hotel's website as that is the best indication of true demand. (you can view our hotel list to see the priceline star ratings for each hotel in the zone)If $215 is your budget we can suggest a strategy that only goes up to $215, i'm just forewarning you that i'm doubtful as to your success as rates are high for the Fall season and there is less reason for hotels to give inventory to the opaque providers if they thing they can get $300-$400/nite on their own.If you're not successful at the above figure, what will you do? Please use this HOTWIRE and these PRICELINE LINKS: HOTELS, CAR RENTALS, and AIRFARE to begin your travel purchases
vegaspegas Posted August 18, 2005 Author Report Posted August 18, 2005 I would appreciate a strategy to bid up to $215. And I am willing to increase my budget to $250. Does this make a difference?
thereuare Posted August 18, 2005 Report Posted August 18, 2005 ... and do you want to include MTE in this bidding? Please use this HOTWIRE and these PRICELINE LINKS: HOTELS, CAR RENTALS, and AIRFARE to begin your travel purchases
vegaspegas Posted August 18, 2005 Author Report Posted August 18, 2005 Yes. I would include MTE (thanks for your help, much appreciated)
vegaspegas Posted August 18, 2005 Author Report Posted August 18, 2005 Is there any information on the Internet that would tell me typical rates paid for a hotel (based on rating) during this time last year.ie. On the last Saturday in September of 2004, a 4-star hotel room in midtown new york averages $xxx.xx -- or even as specific as an individual hotel (not necessarily looking for priceline or hotwire information, just general pricing history)Thanks
dahammer Posted August 19, 2005 Report Posted August 19, 2005 if such information was accessable, what would it matter? you might want to start by looking at some of the postings from last year, but this is just a trip down memory lane as last year's rates are irrelevant to the room rates that hotels will charge (and get) this year........rates tend to follow the rule of supply and demand
thereuare Posted August 19, 2005 Report Posted August 19, 2005 At the 4* level you have two re-bid zones, if you're not sure of your re-bid zones please read PRICELINE RE-BIDDING EXPLAINED and feel free to ask questions and/or confirm your re-bid zones before bidding.If you know your re-bid zones this is how i would bid:Select 4* MTW...Bid $130, if rejected add re-bid zone...Bid $150, if rejected add re-bid zone...Bid $160, if rejected close browser and re-access priceline however you did previously.Select 4* MTE...Bid $130, if rejected add re-bid zone...Bid $150, if rejected add re-bid zone...Bid $160, if rejected close browser and re-access priceline however you did previously.Select 4* UM/CPS...Bid $140, if rejected add re-bid zone...Bid $150, if rejected add re-bid zone...Bid $160, if rejected close browser and re-access priceline however you did previously.Select 4* UM/CPS and MTW...Bid $170, if rejected add re-bid zone...Bid $180, if rejected add re-bid zone...Bid $190, if rejected close browser and re-access priceline however you did previously.Select 4* MTE and MTW...Bid $170, if rejected add re-bid zone...Bid $180, if rejected add re-bid zone...Bid $190, if rejected close browser and re-access priceline however you did previously.Select 4* MTE and MTW and UM/CPS...Bid $200, if rejected add re-bid zone...Bid $210, if rejected add re-bid zone...Bid $215.I did find one or two outlier prices that it pays, given that you have time before your stay, to try the lower bids recommended near the beginning of the strategy.Any questions feel free to ask. Good Luck and let us know how the above goes. Please use this HOTWIRE and these PRICELINE LINKS: HOTELS, CAR RENTALS, and AIRFARE to begin your travel purchases
vegaspegas Posted August 19, 2005 Author Report Posted August 19, 2005 Thanks for your help. I'll let you know how it works out.
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