Priceline Hotel: New to Hotel Bidding - NYC Mid Decemeber/Mid Week

[nycrocker]

Hello everyone, 

 

I'm new to this hotel bidding thing but have done a bit of research. I think bidding through priceline is best for me, as I am not too particular about the hotel but do want quality and location. My understanding is that you can score a better price via priceline - and as a college student, that sounds great. 

 

Surprising my girlfriend with tickets to a show at Lincoln Center and am looking for a room for one night on 12/10. I've been looking at the Central Park South zone as the location is close to Lincoln center. 

Am hoping to land a 4.5/5 star hotel. Giving myself an ideal budget of around $200. If that seems like a reach, I could lower my star rating to 4 stars. The 4 star hotels in that zone certainly seem great as well. 

 

I plan on starting with a higher star rating and adding in zones without higher stared hotels so i can get extra bids and hoped that using this technique, I could score something good. 

 

Also had two basic questions. 

1. I noticed there is trip protection for $5. If purchased, is it possible to cancel reservations for any reason?

2. Is it better to wait until the date of my stay gets closer (in hopes of getting a better price), or is there no difference? 

 

I think that is all the questions I have for now. 

I'd love to hear any suggestions/tips you guys have. I could use all the help I can get.

 

Thank you!

[thereuare]

Welcome to BetterBidding!

Surprising my girlfriend with tickets to a show at Lincoln Center and am looking for a room for one night on 12/10. I've been looking at the Central Park South zone as the location is close to Lincoln center. 

Am hoping to land a 4.5/5 star hotel. Giving myself an ideal budget of around $200. If that seems like a reach, I could lower my star rating to 4 stars. The 4 star hotels in that zone certainly seem great as well.

Your budget is likely a stretch for even a 4* hotel in this zone... if you're trying for a 4* hotel i think your best chance of landing something at $200 or less would be in the MSG zone (which would be an easy subway and/or taxi ride to Lincoln Center)... but you should include all acceptable zones on your bidding (even if you think your budget won't be enough) as this will give you more bidding opportunities, and the worst case scenario is that you win a hotel in a zone that you thought would otherwise be over your budget.

 

1. I noticed there is trip protection for $5. If purchased, is it possible to cancel reservations for any reason?

No, the insurance covers certain conditions... usually health and/or trip interruption related.

2. Is it better to wait until the date of my stay gets closer (in hopes of getting a better price), or is there no difference?

Not necessarily. There is a further discussion of this subject in our PRICELINE FAQ, but you need to also keep in mind that historically this is one of the more expensive times of year in NYC (it's the end of the busy holiday season, and the holiday season tends to get busier and busier as the season draws to a close) For comparison purposes, you can get a good feel for 'regular rates' for these dates using our sister site MAPS and HOTELS.com.

 

Once you're ready to start bidding let us know 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.

[nycrocker]

So I guess you were right, gave it a shot and couldn't find anything within my original requests. 

 

What are your thoughts about my original requests if I raise my bid to lets say $300?

[thereuare]

If you only are interested in Central Park South i think $300 will still fall short for a 4.5* or 5* hotel.. at current rates you would likely need to be in the $350 area.

HOWEVER, you know your needs better than i do, but for a one nite stay i wouldn't spend the extra money needed for a 4.5* or better property... with check-in not available until the late afternoon, check-out usually late morning or noon, and your plans to go to the show at nite (and i'm sure other activities during the day), you just don't have enough time in the room to make the added costs worthwhile, imo.

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

Let us know how you'd like to proceed and we'll advise accordingly.