jbarber Posted August 12, 2013 Report Posted August 12, 2013 Hi guys, long time reader, first time poster. LOVE these boards, I've usually been able to get enough information just from reading the boards on my other priceline/hotwire purchases, but I've been having a bit more difficulty with new york, primarily due to the taxes. In most cities in the world, the price you pay is the price you pay, but i've noticed for new york there is the 14.7% tax and then a $3-$7 tax per night tagged onto room rates. That is fine but i've just had trouble figuring out with some websites whether those taxes are included in the hotel room or not. This is my primary concern with this trip. On hotwire you can tell there is a substantial tax tagged onto the room rate, so i'm assuming these taxes are included in the total prepaid price (meaning you won't be asked to pay the taxes upon arrival at the hotel or upon leaving). My first question is does the same work with priceline. If I put a bid of say $200/night into priceline and win, do i pay just the final price of $200 per night or do you pay $200 per night plus applicable taxes (if so what taxes would you have to pay). I'm just nervous about this as it could blow my budget if i'm not bidding properly. I'm planning to travel August 29 to September 3. Trip is purely pleasure and would like to be in a decent neighbourhood, but price ultimately beats out neighbourhood for the most part. As long as i'm staying on Manhattan (to limit travel) i'm happy. Any help/bidding tips on prices/areas to focus on would be extremely grateful!Thanks alot for your time!
thereuare Posted August 13, 2013 Report Posted August 13, 2013 Welcome (officially) to BetterBidding!LOVE these boards, I've usually been able to get enough information just from reading the boards on my other priceline/hotwire purchasesWe're glad to hear you enjoy the site, but it's disappointing that this is your first post :( It would be appreciated if you started to share your wins with the board so that others can benefit from the information, just as you have benefited from those who have posted before you. ;)Room tax is added on to your bid price, but on the page where you review your bid before it is submitted, the total amount you will be charged (if your bid is accepted) is displayed on that page. The only additional charges are 'resort fees' which is almost a non-factor in NYC as i know of only one hotel that charges a resort fee. There may be a handful of hotels that still collect an 'energy surcharge' but these are relatively few in number and it's not a large amount (may be $2-3 per day)What is your maximum budget (before fees/taxes) for this trip and what is your desired star rating?Please use the PRICELINE and HOTWIRE links on the board to begin your travel purchases.PS- please read your messages before replying. Thanks. Please use this HOTWIRE and these PRICELINE LINKS: HOTELS, CAR RENTALS, and AIRFARE to begin your travel purchases
jbarber Posted August 13, 2013 Author Report Posted August 13, 2013 Thanks for the reply! info really helps. Ill also make sure i post successes on bids going forwards. I'm hoping to stay under $200/night taxes included. If need I would be willing to go as high as 230/240 max. Again I'm flexible anywhere in manhattan. Any recommendations or tips are again greatly appreciated.
thereuare Posted August 13, 2013 Report Posted August 13, 2013 What is your desired star rating?Also, to avoid any confusion, please list, by PRICELINE name, the zones that you are willing to accept and we will 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
jbarber Posted August 13, 2013 Author Report Posted August 13, 2013 Desired Zones:Midtown EastTime Square - Theatre DistrictDowntown - Financial District Central Park SouthEmpire State Building AreaMidtown WestMadison Square Garden - Convention areaSoho-TriBeCaLower East SideChelsea AreaUpper West SideUpper East SideDesired Star Rating4 star (but would drop to 3 if necessary)
thereuare Posted August 13, 2013 Report Posted August 13, 2013 Your $200 all-in price is equivalent to ~$165/nite bid price.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, TS, DT, CPS, ESB, MTW...Bid $125, if rejected add re-bid zone...Bid $130, if rejected add re-bid zone...Bid $135, if rejected close browser and use this link to re-access PRICELINE...Select 4* MSG, Soho, LES, Chelsea, UWS, UES...Bid $125, if rejected add re-bid zone...Bid $130, if rejected add re-bid zone...Bid $135, if rejected close browser and use this link to re-access PRICELINE...Select 4* MSG, TS, DT, CPS, ESB, MTW...Bid $138, if rejected add re-bid zone...Bid $140, if rejected add re-bid zone...Bid $143, if rejected close browser and use this link to re-access PRICELINE...Select 4* MTE, Soho, LES, Chelsea, UWS, UES...Bid $138, if rejected add re-bid zone...Bid $140, if rejected add re-bid zone...Bid $143, if rejected close browser and use this link to re-access PRICELINE...Select 4* MTE, Soho, DT, CPS, ESB, MTW...Bid $145, if rejected add re-bid zone...Bid $148, if rejected add re-bid zone...Bid $150, if rejected close browser and use this link to re-access PRICELINE...Select 4* MSG, TS, LES, Chelsea, UWS, UES...Bid $145, if rejected add re-bid zone...Bid $148, if rejected add re-bid zone...Bid $150, if rejected close browser and use this link to re-access PRICELINE...Select 4* MTE, TS, LES, CPS, ESB, MTW, MSG, Soho, DT, Chelsea, UWS...Bid $153, if rejected add re-bid zone...Bid $155, if rejected add re-bid zone...Bid $158, if rejected close browser and use this link to re-access PRICELINE...Select 4* MTE, TS, LES, CPS, ESB, MTW, MSG, Soho, DT, Chelsea, UES...Bid $153, if rejected add re-bid zone...Bid $155, if rejected add re-bid zone...Bid $158, if rejected close browser and use this link to re-access PRICELINE...Select 4* MTE, TS, DT, CPS, ESB, MTW, MSG, Soho, LES, Chelsea, UWS, UES...Bid $160, if rejected add re-bid zone...Bid $163, if rejected add re-bid zone...Bid $165Any questions feel free to ask.If the above is rejected post back as i'll then have another option for you that i think will get you very close to a 4* hotel very near your budget.Please use the PRICELINE and HOTWIRE links on the board to begin your travel purchases.Let us know 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
jbarber Posted August 13, 2013 Author Report Posted August 13, 2013 awesome! thank you! I'll post results
AaronJB Posted August 13, 2013 Report Posted August 13, 2013 Thank you for keeping us updated and please let us know if you have additional questions.Thank you for using the board's HOTWIRE or PRICELINE links to start your purchases and searches.
jbarber Posted August 20, 2013 Author Report Posted August 20, 2013 Ended up using a similar strategy to what others have used on this board. Had been hoping for the ink48 in Hell's Kitchen (it was the only hotel listed in that zone) and since we will be attending a music festival on Randall's Island my preference was to stay in the upper east side or upper west side. Using your Priceline hotel list I figured by using those 3 zones I had a good chance at either the empire or ink48. I started at 145 and bid up in $5 increments until $170 was accepted. Come to ~$1000 after taxes and fees which was right around my budget. Overall very happy with my deal as you can see looking at prices how busy of a weekend it is in NYC. . Thanks for the assistance!
AaronJB Posted August 20, 2013 Report Posted August 20, 2013 Congrats on your success. :)Glad you are pleased with the result and are looking forward to your stay.Thank you for sharing your win and please use the site's PRICELINE or HOTWIRE links to start your purchases and searches.Enjoy your stay.
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