pototes Posted February 9, 2014 Report Posted February 9, 2014 Hello,My husband and I are going to New York Thursday 29th May - Sunday 1st June for a wedding. We want to stay minimum 3.5* & are ok to pay up to $250/night including taxes. Not sure when the best date to book is, don't mind booking now or last minute. I've seen this one on Priceline Express (I used the link in Aaron's signature)3½ Star Hotel in Madison Square Garden - Convention Area for $178/nightGuaranteed Amenities: Free Breakfast Free Internet in room Pets Allowed Business Center Fitness CenterTotal for 3 nights: $650.88 inc taxesWe don't mind if breakfast is included or not but if it is included then we want it to be good quality ie not processed or we'd rather pay the same rate for a nicer hotel without breakfast. We are also not too bothered about area either as long as it is within Manhattan. We split our stay last time we went and stayed 4 nights in Queens (awful) and 3 nights in the financial district (loved it).Can anyone help ID the hotel noted above?
thereuare Posted February 9, 2014 Report Posted February 9, 2014 My guess for the PRICELINE EXPRESS property above would be the Element New York Times Square West.Please use the PRICELINE and HOTWIRE links on the board to begin your travel purchases.Let us know if this suits your needs and 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
pototes Posted February 9, 2014 Author Report Posted February 9, 2014 Thank you for that. I was hoping it would be the Marriott Courtyard based on a post a few weeks ago on this forum. The Element has bad reviews for long waits for lifts and very poor breakfast so would not be my first choice unless the rate was exceptionally good.Is a 4* hotel for the same price a reasonable expectation if we use the bidding route? We are open to location within Manhattan, no desire to stay in a particular area.
thereuare Posted February 9, 2014 Report Posted February 9, 2014 If all zones within Manhattan are acceptable then i think you have a pretty good shot at a 4* hotel for $180 or less.To avoid any confusion, please list the zones, by PRICELINE name, that you're willing to accept and we'll advise accordingly.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
pototes Posted February 9, 2014 Author Report Posted February 9, 2014 In no particular order:2 Central Park South 3 Chelsea Area5 Downtown - Financial District 6 Empire State Building Area 7 Hell's Kitchen9 Lower East Side10 Madison Square Garden - Convention Area 11 Midtown East12 Midtown West 15 SoHo - Tribeca17 Upper East Side18 Upper West SideI've not put down Times Square as we don't like noise. We've been to NY before & were very happy walking around everywhere. If we can get a good hotel close to Grand Central Station then this would be great as we have to get a train to the wedding & back late night/early morning but if there is better value elsewhere for our budget then we'd prefer value over location.
thereuare Posted February 10, 2014 Report Posted February 10, 2014 Note that CPS has the Hudson hotel which has notoriously small rooms (even by NYC standards) so the strategy below was written so that you can follow it as written OR simply not include CPS in your bidding if you prefer not to risk the Hudson Hotel (should such a small room be an issue for you)...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* Chelsea, DT, ESB, Soho, LES, UES, UWS, CPS...Bid $110, if rejected add re-bid zone...Bid $115, if rejected add re-bid zone...Bid $120, if rejected close browser and use this link to re-access PRICELINE...Select 4* MSG, MTE, MTW, HK...Bid $110, if rejected add re-bid zone...Bid $115, if rejected add re-bid zone...Bid $120, if rejected close browser and use this link to re-access PRICELINE...Select 4* MSG, MTE, ESB, HK, LES, UES, UWS, CPS...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* Chelsea, DT, MTW, Soho...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* Chelsea, MTE, MTW, HK, LES, UES, UWS, CPS...Bid $140, if rejected add re-bid zone...Bid $143, if rejected add re-bid zone...Bid $145, if rejected close browser and use this link to re-access PRICELINE...Select 4* MSG, DT, ESB, Soho...Bid $140, if rejected add re-bid zone...Bid $143, if rejected add re-bid zone...Bid $145, if rejected close browser and use this link to re-access PRICELINE...Select 4* Chelsea, DT, ESB, HK, LES, MSG, MTE, UES, UWS, CPS...Bid $148, if rejected add re-bid zone...Bid $150, if rejected add re-bid zone...Bid $153, if rejected close browser and use this link to re-access PRICELINE...Select 4* Chelsea, DT, ESB, HK, LES...Bid $148, if rejected add re-bid zone...Bid $150, if rejected add re-bid zone...Bid $153, if rejected close browser and use this link to re-access PRICELINE...Select 4* Chelsea, DT, ESB, HK, LES, MSG, Soho...Bid $148, if rejected add re-bid zone...Bid $150, if rejected add re-bid zone...Bid $153, if rejected close browser and use this link to re-access PRICELINE...Select 4* MTE, MTW, Chelsea, DT, ESB, HK, LES, UES, UWS, CPS...Bid $155, if rejected add re-bid zone...Bid $158, if rejected add re-bid zone...Bid $160, if rejected close browser and use this link to re-access PRICELINE...Select 4* MTE, MTW, Chelsea, DT, ESB, HK, MSG...Bid $155, if rejected add re-bid zone...Bid $158, if rejected add re-bid zone...Bid $160, if rejected close browser and use this link to re-access PRICELINE...Select 4* MTE, MTW, Chelsea, DT, ESB, HK, Soho...Bid $155, if rejected add re-bid zone...Bid $158, if rejected add re-bid zone...Bid $160, if rejected close browser and use this link to re-access PRICELINE...Select 4* Chelsea, DT, ESB, HK, LES, MSG, MTE, MTW, UES, UWS, CPS...Bid $163, if rejected add re-bid zone...Bid $165, if rejected add re-bid zone...Bid $168, if rejected close browser and use this link to re-access PRICELINE...Select 4* Chelsea, DT, ESB, HK, LES, MSG, MTE, Soho...Bid $163, if rejected add re-bid zone...Bid $165, if rejected add re-bid zone...Bid $168, if rejected close browser and use this link to re-access PRICELINE...Select 4* MTW, Soho, Chelsea, DT, ESB, HK, LES, MSG, UES, UWS, CPS...Bid $170, if rejected add re-bid zone...Bid $173, if rejected add re-bid zone...Bid $175, if rejected close browser and use this link to re-access PRICELINE...Select 4* MTW, Soho, Chelsea, DT, ESB, HK, LES, MTE...Bid $170, if rejected add re-bid zone...Bid $173, if rejected add re-bid zone...Bid $175, if rejected close browser and use this link to re-access PRICELINE...Select 4* Chelsea, DT, ESB, HK, LES, MSG, MTE, MTW, Soho, UES, UWS, CPS...Bid $178, if rejected add re-bid zone...Bid $180, if rejected add re-bid zone...Bid $183Any 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
pototes Posted February 10, 2014 Author Report Posted February 10, 2014 Brilliant, thank you :)We plan to book our flights tonight / tomorrow so will start the bidding as soon as we've booked flights.We do not want to stay at Hudson, I've seen the tripadvisor reviews & think we can get better for our money elsewhere.
thereuare Posted February 10, 2014 Report Posted February 10, 2014 Let us know how it goes or if we can be of further assistance along the way.Please remember to use the requested PRICELINE and HOTWIRE links on the board to begin your bidding.Good luck! Please use this HOTWIRE and these PRICELINE LINKS: HOTELS, CAR RENTALS, and AIRFARE to begin your travel purchases
pototes Posted February 10, 2014 Author Report Posted February 10, 2014 Hi, apologies, where can I find the instructions on how to bid? (I forgot how I did it last time). I searched the re-bidding thread but couldn't find how to start off.Do I add all zones then place my first bid or select 1-2 zones, place a bid, add another zone, place my next bid...I selected 4* Chelsea, ESB, Soho, LES, UES, UWS then placed a bid. Got rejected & it asked me to change my star or zone in addition to changing the price.
thereuare Posted February 10, 2014 Report Posted February 10, 2014 Hi, apologies...Not a problem... we prefer you ask questions rather than make a mistake. :)...it asked me to change my star or zone in addition to changing the price.By adding a re-bid zone you're 'adding a zone' so that you're able to bid again immediately. However, by definition, re-bid zones only have hotels less than the star rating you're bidding so you can't win a hotel in the re-bid zone since there are no hotels in that zone that meet the minimum star level you are bidding.Do I add all zones then place my first bid or select 1-2 zones, place a bid, add another zone, place my next bid...You do it line by line, so using the first block of bids:Select 4* Chelsea, DT, ESB, Soho, LES, UES, UWS, CPS... (include all of these zones in your first bid)Bid $110, if rejected add re-bid zone... (if rejected add one re-bid zone to previous bids... so 8 zones above + 1 re-bid zone)Bid $115, if rejected add re-bid zone... (if rejected add one re-bid zone to previous bids... so 8 original zones, plus fist re-bid zones, plus second re-bid zone)Bid $120, if rejected close browser and use this link to re-access PRICELINE...Select 4* MSG, MTE, MTW, HK... (include all FOUR of these zones in your bid)Bid $110, if rejected add re-bid zone... (if above rejected add first re-bid zone... so 4 zones + 1 re-bid zone)Bid $115, if rejected add re-bid zone... (if above rejected add second re-bid zone... so 4 zones + first re-bid zone + second re-bid zone)Bid $120, if rejected close browser and use this link to re-access PRICELINE...Does the above answer your question(s)?Thanks for using the PRICELINE and HOTWIRE links on the board. Please use this HOTWIRE and these PRICELINE LINKS: HOTELS, CAR RENTALS, and AIRFARE to begin your travel purchases
pototes Posted February 11, 2014 Author Report Posted February 11, 2014 Thank you, yes I'll try again :DI take it the break in paragraphs between the bidding is for me to leave a 24 hour gap before I try again?
pototes Posted February 11, 2014 Author Report Posted February 11, 2014 I am on the second bidding paragraph now but there don't seem to be many options for re-bid areas with no hotels in that star rating.Select 4* MSG, MTE, ESB, HK, LES, UES, UWS, CPS...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* Chelsea, DT, MTW, Soho...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...I am now on Select 4* Chelsea, DT, MTW, Soho...Bid $125, if rejected add re-bid zone...Do I assume that the re-bid zone should not include MSG, MTE, ESB, HK, LES, UES, UWS? It should only include regions where no 4* hotel is listed? According to the standard booking, the only area with no 4* hotels are:LaGuardia Airport (LGA) 0 hotelsKennedy Airport (JFK) 0 hotelsLong Island City - Astoria 0 hotelsAnd according to the re-bid options, Long Island City is the only option to re-bid meaning I can't put i another bid for $135 as there are no further re-bid zones (unless I include MSG, MTE, ESB, HK, LES, UES, UWS)?
thereuare Posted February 11, 2014 Report Posted February 11, 2014 According to the standard booking, the only area with no 4* hotels are:LaGuardia Airport (LGA) 0 hotelsKennedy Airport (JFK) 0 hotelsLong Island City - Astoria 0 hotelsAnd according to the re-bid options, Long Island City is the only option to re-bid meaning I can't put i another bid for $135 as there are no further re-bid zones (unless I include MSG, MTE, ESB, HK, LES, UES, UWS)?It appears that you're using the retail side of their site to determine your re-bid zones, which is NOT what you want to do... the retail side and bidding side of PRICELINE use different zone boundaries as well as a different universe of hotels.The correct (and only) method that should be used is detailed here: Priceline Re-Bidding ExplainedPlease read the information as the thread linked above and see if you can determine your TWO re-bid zones at the 4 star level. If you have read the previous thread and are still confused let us know and we'll break it down further for you. Please use this HOTWIRE and these PRICELINE LINKS: HOTELS, CAR RENTALS, and AIRFARE to begin your travel purchases
pototes Posted February 11, 2014 Author Report Posted February 11, 2014 Thank you! That makes more sense. So according to the link on the top right of this forum, I can use Long Island City and Morningside Heights - Harlem as my two re-bid zones.
thereuare Posted February 11, 2014 Report Posted February 11, 2014 Yes, you have it correct now... but always double check your re-bid zones just before bidding to make sure that nothing has changed since you last looked.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
pototes Posted February 11, 2014 Author Report Posted February 11, 2014 Ok, so it took me awhile and I've gone up to $183 with no luck yet. I did exclude the following zones as I wasn't 100% keen on the hotels that have been reported as won on this board: DT, CPS & Soho. We also changed our dates to add an extra day, 28th May - 1st June.I've booked a cancellable deal at the Avalon for $233/night including taxes. I've noticed that a number of the wins on this board are ~$5-10/night less than the Priceline Express deals. When I see the price drop on PRICELINE EXPRESS, I'll try again on the bidding strategy.Thanks so much for all your help so far :)
AaronJB Posted February 12, 2014 Report Posted February 12, 2014 Thank you for keeping us updated. I'd definitely keep at it and be persistent; these date/s are (at least traditionally) on the busy side. While PRICELINE bidding is often not that much cheaper than the Express Deals, hopefully you will get something for a larger % less than the Express Deals listings for these date/s.Thank you for keeping us updated.Thank you for using the board's HOTWIRE or PRICELINE links to start your purchases and searches.
pototes Posted March 22, 2014 Author Report Posted March 22, 2014 Good Morning, I logged onto Priceline.Express this morning and saw they had a deal for a 4* hotel in Central Park South advertised with the following amenities: Guaranteed Amenities: Free Internet in public areas Pets Allowed Business Center Fitness Center 4 Star Hotel in Central Park South Area for $131/night Summary of Charges Price per night: $131 Rooms: 1 Nights: 4 Room Subtotal: $524.00 Travel Insurance $0.00 ( DECLINED ) + Add now Recommended! Taxes & Fees: $118.48 Priceline Hotel Coupon: -$26.20Congratulations! 5% discount successfully applied! Total Price: All prices are in US dollars. $616.28 It sounded like a much better deal than all of the posts I've seen for end of May so I booked through your [url=http://www.betterbidding.com/clicks/click.php?afsrc=1&id=40]PRICELINE[/url] link, used the coupon and ended up with Renaissance Hotel 57. I'm really pleased, I thought it was an absolute bargain. Thanks so much for your help :)
thereuare Posted March 22, 2014 Report Posted March 22, 2014 Congratulations on your success! An excellent deal for NYC for this time of year! Glad to see you're pleased with the purchase and looking forward to your trip. You're also near my often recommended Ess-A-Bagel (Third Ave at 51st St) which has one of the best bagels in the city, makes for a nice, and relatively inexpensive, breakfast among local NYers. Thank you for sharing your win and using the PRICELINE links on the board to begin your purchase. 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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