Priceline Hotel: 4* NYC (MTW) Westin Times Square

[ntuitive1]

Hi, I am new to this board and Priceline and I need a little advice on bidding. I am a native New Yorker displaced in Hartford and I'm going to be a tourist in my home town over the long weekend mentioned above.

Here is the situation:

I am looking for a 4* hotel - One room, two people in the room.

The areas I would consider (in order of ideal preference) are:

MTE

UM/CPS

MTW

UW

MS

UE

From your last reply it looks like MTE and CPS might be out of my price range as I am looking to go no higher than $150, and in reality would prefer lower (more like $120), but then I saw you recently advise someone to start bidding at $110 or $115 for these areas, which is confusing me.

Also, can I even hope to find a room in MTW in my comfort zone of $120 or am I dreaming there too? I wouldn't mind MTW if I could get a better price there, but since I am a native I don't have my heart set on staying near Times Square (been there done that and who needs the crowds, LOL). I am also not looking to stay in lower Manhattan, and Midtown South and the Upper East Side are not really high on my list either.

Also, I have read all the info. about how to tell what star ratings are in which neighborhoods on Priceline, but I'd like to get a general idea of that before I start and have to make a quick decision while hitting the forward and back buttons. For example, based on prior research I have a feeling that finding a 4* hotel in the UW is not really possible, nor is it possible near JFK, but I am not sure what Priceline considers a 4* hotel. I'd like to know which neighborhoods are commonly used for rebid purposes that don't have 4* hotels so I know what to expect. I realize this information changes but if you could just ballpark it for me for educational purposes, I'd appreciate it. :o

Can you help clarify and give me a bidding strategy based on the above mess? :)

Sorry for throwing a lot at you but thanks so much for your help! :)

P.S. By the way, I've never tried Essabagel, but thanks for the tip. I usually like Tal and H&H myself.

[thereuare]

Rates are date specific which is why you saw two very different bidding strategies (price-wise) as the stays were for different dates.

It seems that you, and correct me if i'm wrong, would ideally like to bid MTW, MTE and UM/CPS for the time being as the other zones are a distant second choice.

We will suggest a strategy based upon the above unless you state that isn't your wish, but first you'll need to understand re-bidding. Have you read thru Priceline Re-Bidding Explained?

If you have and are still confused, list each zone and the highest star rating available within each zone, using the follow technique:

The way to check what star levels are available in each zone is to open a Priceline page, check ONLY the zone you are inquiring about, and then proceed to the next page (as if you were going to select a zone)... this will give you the available star ratings in that area. You can then hit BACK on your browser, uncheck the current box, check the next box, and repeat the process.

[ntuitive1]

Thanks for replying. OK, I guess I thought you might know the information about which zones have 4 star hotels or not offhand, but that's OK, I figured it out for myself. I wasn't getting anywhere for a while but then I realized I had to open a page as if I am starting the process of bidding. That wasn't specified but I figured it out anyway. I found out that UW does not have any 4* hotels, like I suspected, and neither does UE. The rest of the zones listed all have 4* hotels. So that answers that question (and yes, I have read the instructions about rebidding).

As far as the order of my preference goes, you're right that the three zones you mentioned are my top pics but not in that order. I'd keep them in the preference order I originally put them in, like this, unless you think I should change that based on my price preference:

MTE

UM/CPS

MTW

Anyway, I await your suggested bidding strategy in my price range. If you think I will have to bid at a higher price level than I am hoping for on my specified dates, don't hesitate to tell me I'm dreaming and recommend a higher price range.

Thanks!

[thereuare]

I'd start with the following:

Select 4* MTE...

Bid $110, if rejected add re-bid zone...

Bid $115, if rejected add re-bid zoen...

Bid $120, if rejected close browser and re-access priceline however you did previously.

Select 4* UM/CPS...

Bid $110, if rejected add re-bid zone...

Bid $115, if rejected add re-bid zoen...

Bid $120, if rejected close browser and re-access priceline however you did previously.

Select 4* MTW...

Bid $110, if rejected add re-bid zone...

Bid $115, if rejected add re-bid zoen...

Bid $120, if rejected close browser and re-access priceline however you did previously.

Select 4* MTE and UM/CPS...

Bid $125, if rejected add re-bid zone...

Bid $130, if rejected add re-bid zoen...

Bid $135, if rejected close browser and re-access priceline however you did previously.

Select 4* MTE and MTW...

Bid $125, if rejected add re-bid zone...

Bid $130, if rejected add re-bid zoen...

Bid $135, if rejected close browser and re-access priceline however you did previously.

Select 4* MTE and MTW and UM/CPS...

Bid $140, if rejected add re-bid zone...

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

Bid $150

The above will systematically take you up to your maximum bid.

Any questions feel free to ask. Good Luck and let us know how it goes.

[ntuitive1]

Hi, thanks so much, this is great! One stupid question (forgive my ignorance), but is it true that if rejected after adding the rebidding zones, can I can start a whole new bidding session immediately after closing the browser and reaccessing Priceline, or do I have to wait the requisite 24 hours before doing so? Or is there something I'm missing here (as usual)? I'm happy to have found this site! I think it's great that you offer this service. If I win something I will definitely post it here.

[thereuare]

You can not simply bid again by closing the browser and starting over.

However, if you understand re-bidding (Priceline Re-Bidding Explained) then none of the above bids will be viewed as duplicates. If you look closely, you are never making the exact same bid as you did previously. Each of the above bids adds a zone or a new combination of zones.

[ntuitive1]

Ah, I get it now! Thanks very much! I will post here with the details when I win something.

[ntuitive1]

Followed your suggested strategy but got rejected every time even with adding the rebid zones. I suppose I should keep doing the same exact bidding every 24 hours for a while but how many days do you think I should I do that before I give up and go higher than $135?

[thereuare]

The above strategy goes up to your maximum bid of $150... are you only bidding up to $135?

[ntuitive1]

I figured I'd wait to see if I could get something cheaper before going all the way up to $150 as that's my ceiling. I was afraid I'd get something for $150 right away if I didn't give it a few days to see if I could get something cheaper than that. I figure $150 and possibly higher will be when I'm getting desperate, LOL. Is that not a good idea in your opinion?

[thereuare]

What if $150 would be accepted today but rates go up and therefore is no longer available in a week or two?

For a full discussion on "the best time to bid" see the related link in our PRICELINE FAQ.

I'll add that if budget is a factor you may also want to consider Jersey City which i believe you can probably get for $65 or $75 per nite.

Keep us updated on your progress.

[ntuitive1]

Well, it seems that there is no best time to bid, judging from the responses in that thread. It depends on a lot of factors that we can't really psyche out. I thought the whole point was to have nerves of steel and not engage in "What if the prices go up?" kind of thinking. I am noticing as many people getting prices within my range on those dates as not, so why not try for it? I am not desperate. I only live 2 hours away from NY and I can go there any time. I drive there and so I don't have to get those exact dates.

And no, no Jersey City for me, thanks. I can afford up to $150 and judging from what I've seen here I don't think I should have to go above that. If that happens to me it would just be the luck of the draw on those dates, so I'd just go back to the drawing board as far as my dates go, that's all.

[thereuare]

I thought the whole point was to have nerves of steel and not engage in "What if the prices go up?" kind of thinking

Not really, i don't think 'nervers of steel' have anything to do with it. It's about getting a great deal by evaluating the situation and taking a systematic approach to bidding to make sure you don't overbid.

I am noticing as many people getting prices within my range on those dates as not...

Are these for the exact same dates as yours? Obviously $135 is not currently enough for these dates otherwise your previous bids would have been accepted. Given that you stated your maximum bid was $150 we suggested a strategy based upon that amount, which is why i inquired if you stopped at $135, as the extra $15 may make the difference between success and failure.

[ntuitive1]

I thought that the situation changes daily. If I give in and keep raising my bid just to get a room today and the price decreases tomorrow, I will have overbid. From what I am reading here and eslewhere, I can't assume that prices are static and will only get worse as time gets closer to my dates for a Priceline room. I have heard that people keep bidding every day up to the same amount without a bite and then one day all of a sudden get a room. If a block of rooms that was reserved is released a few days from now I might get lucky. Of course it is a gamble, but I didn't expect there to be any sure bets in this business.

[ntuitive1]

Well, I bid all the way up to $160 now with no luck. I am fresh out of ideas unless you have any. Should I split my reservation? I'm not sure how much useful advice you will give me now if you were already ready to ship me off to New Jersey before.... :)

[ntuitive1]

Two things - From doing spot checks at certain hotel websites that give separate rates for different dates, like the Intercontinental/Barclay and the Grand Hyatt, it seems as though there might be a problematic date in this itinerary - Thursday is showing as about $30 more expensive than Fri. and Sat. at the Hyatt and it's just not available at all at the Barclay, although Fri. and Sat. are still available.

I am thinking that Thursday might not be available at other hotels or inventory is low for that date, and that is why I got rejected all the way up to $160, not because I am not bidding enough. Rates in MTW for those dates are all between $230 and $240 except for the Westin, which is $294/night. Perhaps it's time to split my itinerary. I await your advice, thanks! :)

[GM Mike]

For your first night, have you considered staying in Norwalk or Stamford and taking Metro North in?

[ntuitive1]

No, I won't do that. I might as well just cancel the first night of my trip as drive in all the way from there. I only live 2 hours away!! I have plenty of time and surely there are better alternatives than that, such as coming down a star level for that night or considering staying in lower Manhattan for the first night, etc. I'd rather hear what thereuare has to say about this first before doing anything.

[thereuare]

I'd rather hear what thereuare has to say about this first before doing anything.

It's hard for me to advise as i'm not really clear on your priorities and your maximum bid... i thought you were going to cancel/postpone the trip if you couldn't be successful at $150 or less; but now you've bid more than that and are talking about SPLITTING YOUR PRICELINE BID in the Downtown zone which (i don't believe) you have even tried yet (or is this only an option for one nite of your stay and not both?).

What exactly are your priorities and trade-offs you're willing to make for the sake of price?

[ntuitive1]

Well, I meant I'd cancel the trip if I was unsuccessful finding a room period, not necessarily a 4* room. I'd be willing to come down to 3 stars, but only if and when I get desperate, and I am not close enough to my dates to be desperate. From what I am hearing a lot of people bid up to the same price for weeks and then get lucky within the 10 day window, so I won't get desperate until I'm far closer to my dates. I would also consider another zone, like the downtown zone, but again, only when I am getting desperate.

As far as splitting the itinerary, I'd do that too but only closer to my dates. I might consider trying for one night in one zone and one in another if it looks like one of the dates is problematic, as Thursday is beginning to look.

I am really looking to go no higher than $150. I suppose I was curious as to whether an extra $10 was going to make a difference, but it did not.

[ntuitive1]

Your thoughts on this?

[thereuare]

I think if you go as high as $170 you'll have a good chance at being successful (you're bidding MTE, MTW, UM/CPS, correct?)

I'd also re-consider Jersey City... 8 minutes to downtown Manhattan, great views of the skyline, and if you can get it for $75 or less you'd have an extra $100/nite to spend in the city. Above you allude that you're looking for a deal (ie- value)... this is the best deal going in the area.

[ntuitive1]

Yes, thanks. I might have to go up to $170, but not just yet. Actually I am considering booking a regular reservation in Secaucus as a backup. Don't know why but Jersey City doesn't appeal as much as Secaucus. And there are always the outlets in Secaucus too, which I haven't been to in about 10 years...Secaucus is less expensive than Jersey City and pretty accessible to Manhattan by bus to the Port Authority. It is only 5 miles from Manhattan. And I'll have my car and will be able to drive in to Manhattan if I want to. I am not crazy, I just know where to park, that's all! :)

[thereuare]

Don't forget the hotel-direct rates in our support page if you book direct (or use it for a back-up).

You have a pre-1995 vision of Jersey City, the area where the 3* hotels are located, on the waterfront, are MUCH better choices than Secaucus (other than the parking charge associated with the area, which you may be able to avoid by parking on the street on a weekend, if you're comfortable with that)

[ntuitive1]

Thanks for the advice. The only thing that puts me off about J.C. is not the area but the fact that it connects you to lower Manhattan. I don't plan to go farther South than the Village, if that. I'll take your word for it that the hotels are better but I guess for my purposes I'd rather come into Manhattan further uptown, and the hotels being cheaper in Secaucus helps too.

THANKS!