Priceline Hotel: Bidding advice - NY Oct 4th - 13th 2014

[MissAussie]

Hi there,

Have bought express deals before on PRICELINE but haven't bid before.

Need advice on what I should bid price wise for the following.

Area: TS or MTW or around that area. 3.5 star or higher.

Are you able to assist?

Thank you.

[thereuare]

Welcome to BetterBidding!

This is generally an expensive time of year in NYC, so that we don't suggest a strategy that goes higher than you're willing to pay, what is your expected budget (per nite before fees/taxes) for this trip?

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

[MissAussie]

Hi & thanks.

Yes I was in NY in Oct just gone however I stayed with family but was lucky enough to get 2 nights on a secret deal with priceline at the millennium on broadway for a total of $240 a night.

My budget is up to around $250 (tax inclusive), as looking at 9 nights.

[thereuare]

You know your plans/needs better than we do, but i'd suggest including more zones if possible as it will give more hotels the opportunity to accept your bid, which should result in the lowest price possible, as well as give your more bidding opportunities in order to gradually increase your bid in smaller increments. For most users MTE, MTW, TS, MSG and ESB are all generally considered to be well located and convenient to transportation... are there other zones besides TS and MTW that you're willing to accept, or do you only want to include these two zones in your bidding?

Please confirm and we'll take it from there.

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

[MissAussie]

Thanks Again.

I know my plans/needs however I have never done the bidding before which is what I need help with.

I am open to other areas around TS, but just not sure what price to start my bidding at to have a realistic chance of securing a 3.5/4 star in this are. ie, what would be the realistic rock bottom price to start bidding at? Or should I wait a few more months?

[AaronJB]

As noted above, this is definitely a busy time of year and prices are high. Having a stay of this length MAY (or may not) also make getting a deal a little more difficult. In recent years I have occasionally seen people get decent deals earlier in the year for Fall (and then the prices really ramp closer to their stay), but unfortunately I'm not seeing anything of note on HOTWIRE for these date/s.

I'm seeing HOTWIRE listings in the neighborhood of $200-275 (and over $300) for 3.5-4* in Midtown. Given the rates that I am seeing *at this point* (and I emphasize that as you do have a lot of time, but that can mean rates can change in both directions), I do think that a 3.5* or higher in the areas that you are looking for will possibly take as much as $175 or higher (how much higher depends on zone and star rating.)

I would absolutely start lower, but I think how much lower becomes a matter of how long you want the process to be.

You can either: start very low and pick a "ceiling" and keep going up to that point once or twice a week for 2-3 months and if you don't get a bid accepted, you can then start to move your "ceiling" higher. You can do this in the hopes that inventory at lower prices may come online closer to your stay.

Or:

You can try to push higher until you get a bid accepted to try and get it done and locked in sooner than later.

Let us know your thoughts.

Thank you for using the board's HOTWIRE or PRICELINE links to start your purchases and searches.

[thereuare]

I am open to other areas around TS, but just not sure what price to start my bidding at to have a realistic chance of securing a 3.5/4 star in this are.

The zones you include in your bidding will have an effect on the amount needed for a win and/or a suggested starting price, which is why we asked if other zones were acceptable besides TS and MTW.

Generally speaking MTE, MTW, TS, MSG, and ESB all work well for the average user and are considered to be well located with good access to mass transit (most of MTE is centrally located, but there are few hotels than can be 10+ minute walk to the subway but at the beginning of October the weather should still be relative nice and not too much of an issue, but you can decide if this is a zone you want to include or not). Also, Chelsea can be considered but some hotels here are also 10+ minutes to the subway, but this is a 'happening' area right now with lots of bars, restaurants, cafes, etc. so it may also have some appear from that aspect.

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

Please confirm the zone(s) you're willing to accept and we will advise accordingly.