Ritchierich Posted June 5, 2013 Report Posted June 5, 2013 Hi, I am new to the board. Heading to New York July 9 to 12. I have used Priceline and Hotwire once or twice and that it so I am far from a pro. We are looking to stay in Midtown East or West or Times Square. Would love to get a four star and ideally pay around $200/night. A few questions:1. Is that a realistic budget? Where do I start my bidding?2. Is there much of a difference between the 3 and 4 star hotels that I would get (looking for clean, nice, etc, but ultimately we will be using it as a place to sleep)3. I noticed there are a lot of fees added onto the price when you go to bid. Are these fees that I will pay through other sites?4. Do rates get higher closer to the date? Am I better to bid now or in a couple of weeks.Thanks a lot for the help.
thereuare Posted June 5, 2013 Report Posted June 5, 2013 Welcome to BetterBidding!1. Is that a realistic budget? Where do I start my bidding?Your budget is reasonable for this time of year. At current rates a 4* hotel will likely be near the top of your budget, but it's do-able.2. Is there much of a difference between the 3 and 4 star hotels that I would get (looking for clean, nice, etc, but ultimately we will be using it as a place to sleep)Since there can be so much variance within the same star level it's difficult to answer this question. In any given zone there may be hotels within a given star rating that you'd love to get... while other hotels in the same star level that you may be hoping to avoid. As well, in some areas there may be 3* hotels that you would prefer over some of the 4* rated one.If this aspect is a big concern of yours then you may want to consider HOTWIRE where a little more is known about the hotel so that you can take an educated guess as to what it is that you may receive. As well, HOTWIRE often provides user review information which even if you're unsure which hotel you may be receiving, you can often at least ascertain that it's a "good" one based upon the review information provided. While both PRICELINE and HOTWIRE usually offer great rates, HOTWIRE usually costs a little more than PRICELINE, so you have to determine what is most important to you for this trip... the absolute lowest price OR the ability to know a little more about the hotel and take a guess as to which one it may be.3. I noticed there are a lot of fees added onto the price when you go to bid. Are these fees that I will pay through other sites?All 3rd party booking sites charge fees. For the most part they all charge about the same since they need to be competitive with each other. The thing about PRICELINE and HOTWIRE is that since you're buying an opaque hotel, the rates are usually lower than you can find anywhere else, which should make up for any additional fees.4. Do rates get higher closer to the date? Am I better to bid now or in a couple of weeks.See the related 'Bid Early or Close to Check-in' link in our priceline.faqPlease use the PRICELINE and HOTWIRE links on the board to begin your travel purchases.Let us know once you're ready to move forward and commit to a non-refundable purchase and we'll suggest a strategy for you to follow. Please use this HOTWIRE and these PRICELINE LINKS: HOTELS, CAR RENTALS, and AIRFARE to begin your travel purchases
Ritchierich Posted June 5, 2013 Author Report Posted June 5, 2013 Thanks for the reply. I read over the strategies about rebidding, those are awesome tips. It looks like there are two zones in New York without 4 star hotels to use for rebidding. Great to know about the difference between hotwire and Priceline. I will likely try some bidding on the weekend if I do see any deals before that.I have noticed in a few threads that you suggest closing the browser after bidding. Does this help me in some way? Thanks
thereuare Posted June 5, 2013 Report Posted June 5, 2013 If you haven't yet please start by reading your messages.Depending upon your bidding strategy closing the browser at certain times can help you get more bidding per bidding cycle. Once you're ready to move forward and bid let us know which zones are acceptable, your maximum bid, and desired star rating and we'll suggest a strategy for you to follow.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
Ritchierich Posted June 6, 2013 Author Report Posted June 6, 2013 Thanks I checked the message sections. I hope to have time to bid on Friday or Saturday. If using PRICELINE I would like Midtown East, Midtown West or Times Square. If using HOTWIRE then Times Square, Midtown East or Midtown Central. I would like to aim to be $600 - 650 taxes and fees included at a 4 star for the three nights. I see hotwire has a 4 star listed for $200 now, it works out to $729, so I am guessing my ideal max bid would be around the $175ish mark.Thanks
thereuare Posted June 6, 2013 Report Posted June 6, 2013 I hope to have time to bid on Friday or Saturday.Please post once you're ready to bid and we'll suggest a strategy to follow based upon the most current rates and what is offered at that time.Please use the PRICELINE and HOTWIRE links on the board to begin your travel purchases.Thanks. Please use this HOTWIRE and these PRICELINE LINKS: HOTELS, CAR RENTALS, and AIRFARE to begin your travel purchases
Ritchierich Posted June 7, 2013 Author Report Posted June 7, 2013 Alright, I am ready to bid. Plan to set aside a bit of time tomorrow (Friday).
thereuare Posted June 7, 2013 Report Posted June 7, 2013 When bidding 4* in NYC you have TWO 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...Bid $130, if rejected add re-bid zone...Bid $140, if rejected add re-bid zone...Bid $145, if rejected close browser and use this link to re-access PRICELINE...Select 4* MTW...Bid $130, if rejected add re-bid zone...Bid $140, if rejected add re-bid zone...Bid $145, if rejected close browser and use this link to re-access PRICELINE...Select 4* TS...Bid $130, if rejected add re-bid zone...Bid $140, if rejected add re-bid zone...Bid $145, if rejected close browser and use this link to re-access PRICELINE...Select 4* MTE and MTW...Bid $150, if rejected add re-bid zone...Bid $155, if rejected add re-bid zone...Bid $160, if rejected close browser and use this link to re-access PRICELINE...Select 4* MTE and MTW...Bid $150, if rejected add re-bid zone...Bid $155, if rejected add re-bid zone...Bid $160, if rejected close browser and use this link to re-access PRICELINE...Select 4* MTE and MTW and TS...Bid $165, if rejected add re-bid zone...Bid $170, if rejected add re-bid zone...Bid $175Any 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
Ritchierich Posted June 7, 2013 Author Report Posted June 7, 2013 Used your links, tried it all and no luck. I think I will now try bidding for 3.5 and 3 star hotels. I realize there are no rebidding zones for this star level. What do you think would be a reasonable amount to bid and hopefully get a room?Thanks
Ritchierich Posted June 7, 2013 Author Report Posted June 7, 2013 Also, if I buy the secret hot rate at HOTWIRE for 3.5 or 3 star what hotel am I looking at?
AaronJB Posted June 7, 2013 Report Posted June 7, 2013 If you would like us to help try to ID a listing, please provide the full set of amenities showing with the listing, price, star rating and zone. You can also find the complete list of hotels reported to the board by clicking the "Can't Find What You're Looking For?" box in the upper corner and clicking "See Hotel Lists".Thank you for using the board's HOTWIRE or PRICELINE links to start your purchases and searches.
Ritchierich Posted June 8, 2013 Author Report Posted June 8, 2013 Right now PRICELINE has a 3 star in Times Square for $159.00. Restaurant, business center, fitness center and bed choice available.They also have a 3 star in midtown west for $185.00. Fitness center and bed choice available. Any guesses?
thereuare Posted June 8, 2013 Report Posted June 8, 2013 The amenities associated with the PRICELINE EXPRESS offers above are too generic, and no additional clues are provided by PRICELINE, that i don't have any insight into either of these.However, i'd suggest looking at the 3.5* on HOTWIRE in the MSG-Hell's Kitchen zone for $140/nite with:Free Internet Smoke Free Fitness Restaurant Business Hi-Speed Internet Travel Accessible Room Accessible Bathroom Accessible Roll-in Shower ... this property also has a 4.5/5.0 TA rating (which is excellent) and my best guess for this one would be the Tryp Times Square South.This property was seldom seen in the past but has been appearing very frequently the last few days and has been getting purchased by many users. This property is 3* rated on PRICELINE, but if you go that route you're subject to any 3* hotel (or higher) in the zone and may not land this one, and therefore may not have such good reviews as this offer.Please use the PRICELINE and HOTWIRE links on the board to begin your travel purchases.Let us know how you'd like to proceed and/or how it goes or if we can be of further help. Please use this HOTWIRE and these PRICELINE LINKS: HOTELS, CAR RENTALS, and AIRFARE to begin your travel purchases
Ritchierich Posted June 8, 2013 Author Report Posted June 8, 2013 Thanks for the heads up. I had not been looking in that area. I checked out TRYP and it looked good and still close to the main attractions.Took the chance and you were right, we are booked in to the TRYP. Total cost was $516.00Last night I had done some more bidding on both 3 and 3.5 star hotels in ME, MW and times square. I went from 130 up to 145 but was rejected each time.Thanks.
thereuare Posted June 8, 2013 Report Posted June 8, 2013 Congratulations on your success! Nice to see you received the hotel you were hoping for and are looking forward to your stay at this well reviewed property.Thank you for sharing your win with the board. Please use the PRICELINE and HOTWIRE links on the board to begin your travel purchases. Enjoy your stay. Please use this HOTWIRE and these PRICELINE LINKS: HOTELS, CAR RENTALS, and AIRFARE to begin your travel purchases
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