Priceline Hotel: Bidding advice needed please

[always]

I am in need of a bidding strategy for 5/17-5/19. I am looking for 3* pretty much anywhere south of Central Park. Evenings will be spent in the Theater District but taking the subway or paying for a cab isn't a big deal. My max is $170. I have been trying for about two weeks now using the rebid strategies here but have come up empty handed while people have gotten hotels in the zones I am bidding on for up to $60 less according to Priceline during the same period. For example, the $102-104 winning bids in Chelsea and Soho-Tribeca and the $150 3* winning bid for MTW yesterday. My max bid yesterday, for all acceptable zones and 3*, was $168.

What am I doing wrong?! I am really not picky about the zone but is there a specific order in which I should add them when rebidding?

Thanks in advance.

[thereuare]

Welcome to BetterBidding!

Rates are date specific (and can vary greatly from just one day to the next) so you won't always be able to replicate another win you see on the board if their dates are different then your own. The alerts that PRICELINE sends out are not date specific and you're probably seeing wins for the very near future (which is end of low season in NYC) whereas your stay next month is at the start of high season.

Exactly which zone have you bid? Using our sister site MAPS and HOTELS.com what is the best rate you're able to find for an acceptable hotel in NYC for your dates?

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

PS- if you haven't yet please read your messages. Thanks.