Priceline Hotel: 4* NYC (MTW) Sheraton New York and Towers

[Sunny-Singh]

Hi,

This is my first post and i have never used priceline before. Im coming to NY from the 23rd April to 28th April (5 nights). Im looking for 4* in MTW. There is two of us going. What is the average starting bid or average price the hotels go for there? Do i just ut in a bid and wait to see if it gets acceppted or not? Im also from the UK so is using a Visa/Maercard ok?

Thanks

[thereuare]

Welcome to BetterBidding!

As far as bidding from UK you can follow the strategies outlined here: PRICELINE CANADA

For the average NYC visitor, MTE, MTW, and UM/CPS are acceptable zones... is there a reason you're only focussing on MTW? You can read this thread regarding PRICELINE ZONES for NYC.

Let us know if you want to include the other zones (you don't have to) and we will suggest a bidding strategy for you to follow.

[Sunny-Singh]

Thanks for the response.

We want to stay in MTW as we have both been to NY before but not stayed in MTW. We want to basically be on TS with the 5 days we have.

We also like the hotel list for the 4* which are the regular winning hotels (apart from the muse).

Any help would be greatly appreciated

[thereuare]

I would definatley consider expanding your zone preferences... many that want to stay "right in the center of Times Square" often don't want to the next time around. It's hard to walk the sidewalks every time you want to leave. As well, rates are high for part of your stay, so i would be looking to save as much as possible to help lower the costs, but it's your vacation and what is right for me may not be right for you, but that is my 2 pence :)

If you only want MTW, this is how i would proceed, where you have 2 re-bid zone available. 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* MTW...

Bid $120, if rejected add re-bid zone1...

Bid $130, if rejected close browser and re-access priceline however you did previously.

Select 4* MTW and re-bid zone2...

Bid $135, if rejected add re-bid zone1...

Bid $140.

I am doubtful the above will have success, but with so much time before your stay i would at least try the above lowball amounts first. If/when rejected, post back and we'll update as to what to try in 72 hours.

Any questions feel free to ask.

PS- if another round of bidding is required (likely) let us know if $175 is your maximum bid amount of your maximum "all-in" including fees and taxes

[Sunny-Singh]

Sorry about the late reply - been flat out at work!

I am going to attempt priceline tonight with the method you suggested and will let you know the outcome!

[Sunny-Singh]

No luck - went up to $140 :)

I can go up to $200 without taxs....

Any suggestions on what to do next will be much appreciated

[thereuare]

I'm fairly confident you will be successful up to your bidding limit, but i also think you can save some money if you are willing to SPLIT YOUR PRICELINE BID (as well as expand your zones, as previous discussed)

Is splitting the bid something you'd consider, or do you have no interest in changing hotels during your stay?

[Sunny-Singh]

I dont mind splitting my stay at all into a 3 day and 2 day stay or vice versa... Would just like to stay in MTW though for the stay and only in a 4* (sorry for being difficult)

[thereuare]

You're not being difficult... we will always try to suggest additional ways/options to save money, and realize ahead of time that these suggestions may not be right for everybody. Ultimately it's your trip and you know better than we do exactly what your needs are.

I would try the above strategy again, but using the following date combinations:

4/23-4/26

4/25-4/28

4/23-4/25

4/26-4/28

Good Luck and let us know how it goes.

[Sunny-Singh]

Tried all the dates suggested with the strategy you gave and no luck!

[thereuare]

Bump this thread just before your 72 hour lock-out period expires and we'll revise based upon current prices.

Hang in there and don't get discouraged :)

[Sunny-Singh]

Hi Thereuare,

You told me to bump this thread as my 72 hours was about to run out...

[thereuare]

Select 4* MTW...

Bid $145, if rejected add re-bid zone1...

Bid $150, if rejected close browser and re-access priceline however you did previously.

Select 4* MTW and re-bid zone2...

Bid $155, if rejected add re-bid zone1...

Bid $160.

I would try the above for your complete stay, and then try the sub-dates again:

4/23-4/26

4/25-4/28

4/23-4/25

4/26-4/28

Good Luck.

[Sunny-Singh]

thereuare,

my card was chewed up by a dodgy machine in London :)

im waiting for a replacement card to be sent out so cant bid till it comes!!

Will let you know how i got on when it arrives!

[Sunny-Singh]

Thereuare,

Im still waiting for my card to arive, i was searching hotel prices and found Novotel for $995 for my 5 nights stay without taxes - is this a good deal or do you think i can do better with Priceline?

Thanks

Sunny

[thereuare]

I don't think the Novotel is considered a 4* hotel.

[Sunny-Singh]

Thereuare,

Card finally been replaced and i have been told i can pick it up tomorrow from the bank.

Is the last suggestion you gave me on bidding still the best option?

Thanks

[thereuare]

Yes, with weeks before your stay i would begin with the above.

Let us know how it goes and we'll update from there.

[Sunny-Singh]

No Luck Thereuare...

Bids got rejected on all the above possibilites...

[thereuare]

On you're next round of bidding i would raise each bid by $15, which will then tak you up to your maximum bid fo $175.

[Sunny-Singh]

Went through SavingsBarn.com and got Sheraton New York Hotel And Towers for $170. Couldnt get all the days though i got 23rd - 26th April. Tried adding days but they were not available.

Have 72 hours lock out now before my next attempt.

How shall i go about bidding for 26th - 28th?

Thanks for the help on above - much appreciated

[thereuare]

Congratulations on your (partial) success!

Thank you for using the PRICELINE links at SavingsBarn.com to begin your bidding.

Please start a NEW TOPIC for the balance of your stay... this will enable us to ultimately reflect the details of your subsequent win (optimism :) ) in the topic title of that thread.

Thanks!