unglee Posted September 9, 2005 Report Posted September 9, 2005 Hi,Just joined this forum, and I think I have a grasp of the rebidding strategy, but I still need some help because I can't seem to get any good rates from Priceline! Grr...I'm looking for a room (preferably two double beds) for Oct 7-10, and I'd like something 3-4 stars. Is it unreasonable to think I might find something for less than $200 for these dates? If so, please feel free to shoot me down...I don't mind any area in Manhattan, but I'd prefer somewhere in midtown.Any strategies to get the best rate? Thanks! Ung
thereuare Posted September 9, 2005 Report Posted September 9, 2005 Welcome to BetterBidding!It seems as if you have already tried bidding this? If so, what zone(s) did you bid and how much did you bid? If not, on what are you basing your comment "I can't seem to get any good rates from Priceline"?Let us know and we'll take a closer look. Please use this HOTWIRE and these PRICELINE LINKS: HOTELS, CAR RENTALS, and AIRFARE to begin your travel purchases
unglee Posted September 9, 2005 Author Report Posted September 9, 2005 Thanks for the response. I tried bidding by starting with MTE for 120 (4*), and then when it was rejected, adding MTW for 130, MTS for 130, etc. I eventually added all the regions, but never bid more than 150.Is there simply nothing available, or is there some secret I'm missing to "unlock" the great deals? Thanks!
thereuare Posted September 9, 2005 Report Posted September 9, 2005 Are you familiar with re-bidding? If not please read RE-BIDDING EXPLAINED and feel free to ask questions and/or confirm your re-bid zones with the board before proceeding (you have two re-bid zones at the 4* level).This is how i would bid:Select 4* MTW...Bid $150, if rejected add re-bid zone...Bid $160, if rejected add re-bid zone...Bid $170, if rejected clsoe browser adn re-access priceline however you did previously.Select 4* MTE...Bid $150, if rejected add re-bid zone...Bid $160, if rejected add re-bid zone...Bid $170, if rejected clsoe browser adn re-access priceline however you did previously.Select 4* UM/CPS...Bid $150, if rejected add re-bid zone...Bid $160, if rejected add re-bid zone...Bid $170, if rejected clsoe browser adn re-access priceline however you did previously.Select 4* MTW and MTE...Bid $175, if rejected add re-bid zone...Bid $180, if rejected add re-bid zone...Bid $185, if rejected clsoe browser adn re-access priceline however you did previously.Select 4* MTW and UM/CPS...Bid $175, if rejected add re-bid zone...Bid $180, if rejected add re-bid zone...Bid $185, if rejected clsoe browser adn re-access priceline however you did previously.Select 4* MTW and MTE and UM/CPS...Bid $190, if rejected add re-bid zone...Bid $195, if rejected add re-bid zone...Bid $200.I would give the above a try and if rejected then we'll suggest a strategy at the 3* level (if price is more imporant than quality than post back and we we'll suggest a different strategy to try first for a 3* property)Any questions feel free to ask.Good Luck and let u know how it goes. Please use this HOTWIRE and these PRICELINE LINKS: HOTELS, CAR RENTALS, and AIRFARE to begin your travel purchases
unglee Posted September 9, 2005 Author Report Posted September 9, 2005 Could you offer a strategy for 3* hotels? I tried the one for four stars, but I stopped at 190 (I don't think I want to pay more than that), was rejected every time.Out of curiousity, is there any significance when they direct you to the page that says "We're still working on your bid, please click this button to check the status in a couple of minutes"? They still rejected my bid, but does this mean it was a close call? Thanks!
thereuare Posted September 10, 2005 Report Posted September 10, 2005 No significance to the "check back within 15 minutes"... that is their old system (used to always have to wait for a reply) and sometimes it reverts back to it.Is $190 your limit at the 3* level as well? Please use this HOTWIRE and these PRICELINE LINKS: HOTELS, CAR RENTALS, and AIRFARE to begin your travel purchases
unglee Posted September 11, 2005 Author Report Posted September 11, 2005 Hi,Okay, so I've upped my budget, and now I'm willing to pay up to $300 for a 4*. What would be the best bidding strategy for that? Priceline says that I can't bid anymore for 72 hours--is there a way around this? I've already used up all my areas, etc.Thanks!Ung
thereuare Posted September 12, 2005 Report Posted September 12, 2005 Your 72 hours is up in a day, so just be patient and when you're eligible to bid again i would try as follows:Select 4* MTW...Bid $200, if rejected add re-bid zone...Bid $210, if rejected add re-bid zone...Bid $220, if rejected clsoe browser adn re-access priceline however you did previously.Select 4* MTE...Bid $200, if rejected add re-bid zone...Bid $210, if rejected add re-bid zone...Bid $220, if rejected clsoe browser adn re-access priceline however you did previously.Select 4* UM/CPS...Bid $200, if rejected add re-bid zone...Bid $210, if rejected add re-bid zone...Bid $220, if rejected clsoe browser adn re-access priceline however you did previously.Select 4* MTW and MTE...Bid $230, if rejected add re-bid zone...Bid $240, if rejected add re-bid zone...Bid $245, if rejected clsoe browser adn re-access priceline however you did previously.Select 4* MTW and UM/CPS...Bid $230, if rejected add re-bid zone...Bid $240, if rejected add re-bid zone...Bid $245, if rejected clsoe browser adn re-access priceline however you did previously.Select 4* MTW and MTE and UM/CPS...Bid $250, if rejected add re-bid zone...Bid $255, if rejected add re-bid zone...Bid $260.I stopped the above at $260 as Hotwire has a 4* hotel at $285 (and also another 4* at $302). I wouldn't want to drag my feet in case the Hotwire offers disappear, but i think trying the lower bids above is right given the amount of time before your stay.Any questions feel free to ask.Let us know how it goes. Please use this HOTWIRE and these PRICELINE LINKS: HOTELS, CAR RENTALS, and AIRFARE to begin your travel purchases
unglee Posted September 13, 2005 Author Report Posted September 13, 2005 Well, I bid tonight and was unsuccessful at $200-$230, but finally got a bid accepted at $240 for the Hotel Intercontinental The Barclay. It wasn't my top choice, but it certainly looks nice and I hope I didn't overpay, or rather, overbid.What do the experts think? Reasonable rate for October?
thereuare Posted September 13, 2005 Report Posted September 13, 2005 Congratulations on your win!For these particular dates i think it is a very good deal... hotel's website is showing $366/nite so you saved over $100/nite on this winning bid. It's unfortunate for visitors, but NYC hotels have been very expensive for stays from mid-September onward.By bidding the way we suggested you know that this isnt' an overbid since you were previously rejected as high as $230.For users staying in this area i usually recommend Ess-A-Bagel for breakfast one morning... it's inexpenisve and has one of the best bagels NYC has to offer!Enjoy your stay. Please use this HOTWIRE and these PRICELINE LINKS: HOTELS, CAR RENTALS, and AIRFARE to begin your travel purchases
unglee Posted September 13, 2005 Author Report Posted September 13, 2005 Thanks for the recommendation, and all your help!
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