Priceline Hotel: 4* hotel help

[Deviatorz]

I need some help with PRICELINE. I have never used it before, I mostly book with HOTWIRE. I am look to stay 3 nights June 18 to 21. Looking for Downtown financial, ESBA, HK, LIC, LES, MSG, ME, MW, SoHo, TS, UWS areas. Should I start from downtown financial and work my way up? Is $170 a good price point? I will be using the forum link once i am confident to bid.

Thanks in advanced.

[thereuare]

No, what you propose above is not a good strategy.

Few questions/clarifications first and then we'll suggest a strategy for you to follow...

I'm assuming that you're looking at PRICELINE for this trip since the least expensive 4* hotel on HOTWIRE in one of the equivalent zones to the above is priced at $300+? If so, although you can try and we can assist, i wouldn't expect PRICELINE to be nearly half of HOTWIRE. Have you looked at rates for these dates and this is this the reason for looking at PRICELINE this trip instead of your usual HOTWIRE?

Also, note that at the present time there are no 4* hotels offered in the Long Island City zone, so we will exclude this from a bidding strategy assuming you decide to move forward with a 4* hotel on PRICELINE.

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

PS- if you've made any HOTWIRE (or PRICELINE) purchases in the last 3 years please begin to share your wins with the board do that others can benefit from the information. Thanks.

[Deviatorz]

Thanks for the reply. I have done some research as to how "rebidding" works. I looked and 4.5* hotels actually have alot of free rebid zones so I will start with that.

Free re-bid zones:

brookyln

hk

long island city

lower east side

msg

morning sidr heights

upper west side

I can start off with CA and ESBA first. However I am having trouble deciding what price I should start off with. Should I take 60% off a 4.5* in those area? Let's say I start at $130, I'll just add on free redbid zone and add in increments of $5. Is this good?

[thereuare]

You have your 4.5* re-bid zone correct but always double check them just before bidding to make sure that nothing has changed since you last looked.

Current zones that offer 4.5* or higher bidding:

CPS, Chelsea, DT, ESB, MTE, MTW, Soho, TS, UES

Which of these zones do you want to include in your bidding?

Using our sister site MAPS and HOTELS.com i search 5 miles from Times Square NYC, then:

Only selected 4.5* and 5* hotels

Sorted by price

The least expensive 4.5* property offered is $468/nite which would make your previously mentioned maximum bid of $170 of not very likely... do you want to revise this number for 4.5* bidding?

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

Let us know the above and we'll take it from there.

[Deviatorz]

I am willing to switch to 4*, but I could only find two free re-bid zones. I tried up to $175 for the 4.5* and its a no go. In terms of where to live, it would be nice if its in the MSG, CA, ESBA, TS, ME or HK areas. But anywhere in Manhattin is ok such as SoHo, LES, and Downtown. Outside (Brooklyn) is fine but as last resort.

[thereuare]

At the 4* level which zones do you want to try first?

Only MSG, CA, ESBA, TS, ME or HK... or should other zones such as SoHo, LES, and Downtown be included in the first attempt? (still using $175 as maximum bid?)

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

Let us know the above and we will suggest a strategy for you to follow.