eltee69 Posted April 1, 2014 Report Posted April 1, 2014 Looking for any tips for bidding on Priceline for a room in Times Square. I'll be staying either April 24-26 or April 25-27. My price range is between 185-225. So far I have been unsucessful at 180 and 190. My girlfriend and I have a limited budget but would love to find a deal in the TS area so that we can walk to most places (i.e. restaurants, bars, clubs etc.). If the price that I'm considering is completely out of range of TS hotels, what other areas would you suggest that would have hotels in that price range?
AaronJB Posted April 1, 2014 Report Posted April 1, 2014 Welcome to Betterbidding. :) Rates for date/s (even slightly different) can vary quite a bit. I'd also highly recommend considering other zones besides Times Square, which is generally the most expensive (and crowded/hectic) zone. I'd recommend considering Midtown East (which has a 4.5* property for $195 for your date/s, so a higher star rating for about the same price as you've bid up to in TS.)I'm also seeing what appears to be the St Giles the Court (a former W hotel) for $185. The only concern with 4* in MTE is that the OneUN is a possibility - that is not very convenient towards the very far E border of the MTE zone. I'll also note that the 25th-27th looks somewhat less expensive than the 24th-26th. Let us know your thoughts and we would be happy to offer further suggestions. Thank you for using the board's HOTWIRE or PRICELINE links to start your purchases and searches.
thereuare Posted April 2, 2014 Report Posted April 2, 2014 Looking for any tips for bidding on Priceline for a room in Times Square.I don't think that Times Square needs to be avoided, but it also doesn't need to be your sole focus either. If you look at the PRICELINE map and the zone boundaries the zones are not geographically that large and many zones are adjacent to one another, with one side of the street being ZoneA and the other side of the street being ZoneB. I'll be staying either April 24-26 or April 25-27.Are your dates flexible or not yet confirmed? My price range is between 185-225. So far I have been unsucessful at 180 and 190.Have you bid this for both sets of dates or only one of the date sets above? ...in the TS area so that we can walk to most places (i.e. restaurants, bars, clubs etc.).The clubs and real NYC restaurants are not really in Times Square... you'll more likely find chain restaurants in Times Square that you have in your own home town (Red Lobster, TGI Fridays, Applebees, etc) with the only difference to the same restaurant in your hometown being the menu prices. ;) Even if this is where you want to dine, it is easy enough to get here via subway from most other midtown locations, and doesn't need to be where your hotel is located. As well, this is not where the clubs are located. If after reading the above you still want to stay in Times Square, what looks to be the 4* Row NYC is offered on HOTWIRE for $196/nite (Fitness, Smoke Free, Free Internet, Hi-Speed Internet, Business, Travel Accessible, Room Accessible)... if you're open to other zones let us know and we'll advise accordingly. Let us know the information above or how you'd like to proceed and we'll take it from there. 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
eltee69 Posted April 2, 2014 Author Report Posted April 2, 2014 My dates are only as flexible as 4/24 to 4/27 since it will be a birthday celebration. I have bid for both sets of dates but it has mostly been for 4/25 - 4/27. After reading your tips and suggestions I will try the MTE zone. I am not familiar with the OneUN but will research. Finally, are the prices that you are quoting hotels that I can reserve without bidding? Thanks thereuare and Aaron for your help.
thereuare Posted April 2, 2014 Report Posted April 2, 2014 After reading your tips and suggestions I will try the MTE zone.I would look into MTE, MTW, TS, MSG, and ESB. As well, Chelsea can be a 10-15 minute walk to the subway if you end up in the far west side if the zone, but this is a 'hot' area right now with lots of clubs, cafes, boutiques, etc. to this may be a zone you want to consider as well. Once you decide upon the zone(s) let us know which ones you're willing to accept, and your maximum bid, and we'll suggest a strategy for you to follow. ...are the prices that you are quoting hotels that I can reserve without bidding?They were deals i had seen earlier today offered on HOTWIRE... the hotel names were not shown, but the above was my best guess for each. 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
eltee69 Posted April 2, 2014 Author Report Posted April 2, 2014 I'm having a problem posting on here so I apologize if this posts more than once. I am not familiar with the TMW zone abbreviation but have decided on Midtown East. We are older so trendy clubs aren't something that's important. More along the lines of a jazz spot or cozy bar. We will be arriving on Amtrak so something that's a walk or short taxi ride from Penn Station would be ideal. Maximum bid is $200 for a 3.5 and above star rating. Thanks very much for your help.
thereuare Posted April 3, 2014 Report Posted April 3, 2014 ...so that we can walk to most places (i.e. restaurants, bars, clubs etc.)...trendy clubs aren't something that's important. More along the lines of a jazz spot or cozy bar.You're not likely going to find the type of clubs that you're looking for in the Times Square zone, but again, as per above, you will likely be doing many things all over the city during your 2 nite stay and the hotel will likely be more of a 'launching pad' in the morning, (possibly) return to the hotel before dinner to get ready, then not return until it's time for bed... you really don't necessarily need to be where you think your nighttime activities will take you. Do you now only want to bid MTE or is TS still acceptable? Did you first want to bid up to your maximum bid for a 4* hotel, then if rejected try for a 3.5* property... OR is the goal the least expensive 3.5* or better for this trip? 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
eltee69 Posted April 3, 2014 Author Report Posted April 3, 2014 "You're not likely going to find the type of clubs that you're looking for in the Times Square zone"...Ok let's forget about being close to clubs in TS. I'm sure we will be taking the subway or walking to most places. That's not a problem. "Do you now only want to bid MTE or is TS still acceptable?" ...I am choosing MTE since it seems I can get a better hotel at a cheaper price. "Did you first want to bid up to your maximum bid for a 4* hotel, then if rejected try for a 3.5* property... OR is the goal the least expensive 3.5* or better for this trip?"I don't want to bid my maximum but prefer to start lower. What do you suggest my starting bid should be for a 3.5 star in MTE? Same question for 4 star in MTE? If you have any hotel preferences in that zone, what should be my bidding strategy (if there is one) to improve my odds of getting it. Thanks again.
thereuare Posted April 3, 2014 Report Posted April 3, 2014 I don't think you're following 100% so let me try better to explain some of the nuances and bidding strategies... I am choosing MTE since it seems I can get a better hotel at a cheaper price.You think you can get a better price in the MTE zone, and while that very well may ultimately be true.... it also may not prove to be the case. By including all zones that are acceptable, you increase the number of bidding opportunities you have, give more hotels the opportunity to accept your bid price, and can increase your bids in smaller dollar increments; all of this should equate to getting the best possible price within your desired parameters for this trip. For example, let's assume you think MTE is the least expensive location where you can win a hotel, but TS, MSG, and/or ESB are all acceptable as well. As long as the other zones are acceptable, what is the worst case scenario of including these others zones... you potentially win a hotel for less than you thought would be possible. I don't want to bid my maximum but prefer to start lower.Of course we wouldn't suggest bidding your maximum bid to start, all of our bidding strategies start low and then gradually increase the bid price, and this is where, as per above, including more zones gives you more flexibility in making more bids and increasing the bid price in smaller increments and obtaining the best deal possible. What do you suggest my starting bid should be for a 3.5 star in MTE? Same question for 4 star in MTE?This comes back to our previous question of whether you're willing to pay more for a higher rated hotel OR if the goal is the least expensive 3.5* or better. For an example (not specific to your dates so don't get hung up on the actual prices involved) assume the following two hotels exist for your dates: 4* MTE for $180/nite 3.5* MTE for $155/nite If you first try bidding for a 4* hotel and gradually bidding up to your $200 maximum (again, starting low and gradually increasing the bid amounts) you would be successful at $180/nite which is good, but not necessarily if budget is the primary concern and you would have preferred a 3.5* hotel for less (since you never gave yourself a chance to win it by only bidding at the 4* level). The corollary is also true... if you start at 3.5* you would eventually win at $155/nite which is also within your parameters, but perhaps your goal is the best hotel your money will allow, and you would have preferred a higher rated hotel for a little more per nite... by bidding for the 3.5* hotel first, you never gave yourself a chance to win the slightly more expensive 4* hotel for a little more. Let us know any questions/concerns/thoughts you have regarding the above and we'll take it from there. 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
eltee69 Posted April 4, 2014 Author Report Posted April 4, 2014 Pardon me for not grasping what you were suggesting. I normally bid in smaller cities, nothing the size of NYC. I'm starting to understand what you're saying. With that in mind, I will include 3.5* and 4* in MTE, TS and MTW. I heard that MSG was safe but a little uncomfortable to walk at night. Feel free to give your opinion on that. Once again, I apologize for being a little slow.
thereuare Posted April 4, 2014 Report Posted April 4, 2014 Pardon me for not grasping what you were suggesting.No apology needed... we're happy to help. :) Generally speaking NYC is safer today than it was 10-20 years ago but you still should be aware of your surroundings regardless of what part of the city you're in. I think the MSG zone is fine, although 3 years ago i needed to walk in this area at about 3am with luggage in hand and i was a little uneasy, but i think i would have felt this way in most parts of the city at this hour. During late hours i usually suggest avoiding the subway (after 11pm or midnite), take a taxi if it's very late at nite (especially if you've had a few too many adult beverages ;) ), and if you are walking try to stay on more heavily trafficked streets (both foot traffic and vehicular traffic)... but this isn't specific to the MSG area, it's good advice for any city (and like i said above, NYC is safer than it has been in years) Let us know what you'd like to do regarding including/excluding MSG and we'll take it from there. Also, let us know if you first want to try for a nice hotel up to your maximum bid OR prefer a lower rated 3.5* for less money. 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
eltee69 Posted April 4, 2014 Author Report Posted April 4, 2014 I want to try a 4* in TS, MTE and MTW up to my max. I really appreciate your help.
thereuare Posted April 4, 2014 Report Posted April 4, 2014 When bidding 4* in NYC you have ONE re-bid zone. 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* TS... Bid $170, if rejected add re-bid zone... Bid $175, if rejected close browser and use this link to re-access PRICELINE... Select 4* MTE... Bid $170, if rejected add re-bid zone... Bid $175, if rejected close browser and use this link to re-access PRICELINE... Select 4* MTW... Bid $170, if rejected add re-bid zone... Bid $175, if rejected close browser and use this link to re-access PRICELINE... Select 4* TS and MTE... Bid $180, if rejected add re-bid zone... Bid $185, if rejected close browser and use this link to re-access PRICELINE... Select 4* TS and MTW... Bid $180, if rejected add re-bid zone... Bid $185, if rejected close browser and use this link to re-access PRICELINE... Select 4* TS, MTE, MTW... Bid $190, if rejected add re-bid zone... Bid $195 If the above is rejected, PRICELINE EXPRESS has a 4* hotel in the MTE zone with: Free Internet in public areas Restaurant Business Center Fitness Center The rate is $211/nite but using the link and code in my signature gives an extra 5% OFF bringing this right down to your budget at $201/nite, and you could then take this offer if the above fails. (NOTE: today is the last day for the 5% discount) Any 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
eltee69 Posted April 4, 2014 Author Report Posted April 4, 2014 I got One UN @ $180. What kind of reviews has this gotten? Of course I will check for myself but I really appreciate you teaching me the ropes of bidding. Thanks so much.
AaronJB Posted April 4, 2014 Report Posted April 4, 2014 Congrats on your success. :) Good deal for this NYC property. This hotel is at the E border of the zone, but given where it is there is some possibility of views. Reviews have always been reasonably good for NYC, but appear to have improved lately since it is no longer a Millennium property. 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.
eltee69 Posted April 5, 2014 Author Report Posted April 5, 2014 Thanks Betterbidding for showing me how to book a wonderful 4* at this price in NYC.
eltee69 Posted April 5, 2014 Author Report Posted April 5, 2014 Thanks Aaron. The reviews are wonderful and I'm excited not only for my visit but the price is sweet. Special props to thereuare for bearing with me and showing me how the process works.
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