Priceline Hotel: Bidding Assistance 2* 9/16 to 9/21

Vegeta · August 29, 2006

Hi! I was just referred to this board, love the concept, and think you guys have done a great job as evidenced by all the good deals ppl have gotten. This is my first post so be gentle. <G>

I've never used Priceline or Hotwire before--I don't even see where you can bid on Hotwire (can you?). But Priceline's where I've started.

I'm looking for a 2* hotel (something along the lines of a Holiday Inn, Days Inn, or Super 8 maybe) in Midtown Manhattan or as close to it as possible. I'd consider farther uptown, Long Island City, or somewhere equally close if that's the only way I can get a good price. It'd be nice to have high speed Internet, but not required. If I'm not in Midtown, easy access to the subway/bus lines is a must.

I'm shooting for $150/night or less, including taxes (so maybe $130 before). Does this seem realistic? Too low/high? I'd like to make reservations soon for peace of mind, though they seem to be much cheaper (but it's also riskier!) if you wait until the last minute. If nothing else, I could shorten my visit by a day (I haven't bought plane tickets yet, but want to do that ASAP for the same reason) and up my price a bit.

Thanks!

thereuare · August 29, 2006

Welcome to BetterBidding!

First a warning... are you sure you want to bid on a 2* hotel in NYC? We really dont' see much bidding at this star level because you are buying an opaque product; so while some 2* hotels my suit your needs, other 2* properties may not (and Holiday Inns are more of a 3* property than a 2*). If this is the quality level you want i would sooner look towards non-opaque suppliers such as EasyClickTravel, Quickbook, or hotel-direct (use our BetterChecker for any easy way to search among numerious hotel websites)

With the above said, rates are very high for your dates but if you confirm that a 2* is sufficient for your needs we will suggest a strategy to try (are all NYC zones acceptable?) I also don't think you can 'safely' bid Long Island City and other nearby zones as you can't assure that you'll be close to a subway... your hotel can be anywhere within the shaded region as defined by priceline (and i would be even more leary of a 2* hotels in Queens)

Vegeta · August 29, 2006

(Hmmm, I never got an e-mail notification that you replied, and it's been over an hour...)

I picked my * level based on Priceline's descriptions. For 2* it has:

"Moderate Hotels: Priceline's 2 Star hotels are national name brand and quality independent hotels with a reputation for offering a consistent level of quality and amenities. Participating hotels are well-regarded, with high customer satisfaction ratings. These hotels are generally located near major attractions, intersections and casual dining restaurants. Some hotels may offer limited restaurant service within the hotel."

I certainly don't need to pay more for an "Upscale Hotel" (3*) when I don't plan to do more than shower, sleep, and keep my stuff in my room. My last time in New York, I spent one night at a $35/night hostel (a 20 sq ft room w/ plywood walls) and $105/night hostel (w/ no heat, in early April--both places list price), so I imagine 2* will be a pretty good step above that. What about 2* hotels do you think would be so bad? Do you think Priceline's description is pretty optimistic? The reviews on the hotels listed at that level sounded good...

Why would prices be high for those dates? Is it because it includes a Saturday, or is that a popular time of year? If I'm pushing it to get a 2* for my price range, I don't think going to 3* will help unless I want to wait until the last minute; do you think I'd have much chance w/ a 3*?

I briefly checked EasyClickTravel and there were very few choices w/ private rooms below $150/night (one of which used the dubious phrase "budget-conscious" about 10 times in its description--not a good sign). Of course I'd love to go with a non-opaque supplier, but it seems like the quality I'd get in my price range is even worse there than taking my chances on Priceline. Again, I've never done this before, though; do you disagree?

As for NYC zones, anything near public transportation is fine. I'd prefer Midtown (any zone); barring that, elsewhere in Manhattan; barring that, the Brooklyn zone on there has a ton of subway and bus lines nearby (you're right, about half the LIC zone is near public transportation and half of it isn't).

Thanks for the advice!

dahammer · August 29, 2006

(Hmmm, I never got an e-mail notification that you replied, and it's been over an hour...)

did you enable email notification of replies?

Also, you mentioned the possibility of staying in Long Island City, which is not convenient; would you also consider staying in Jersey City? Would you consider splitting your bid (with the possibility of changing hotels)?

Vegeta · August 29, 2006

did you enable email notification of replies?

Yep, I was sure to check that when I signed up. Also, every time I post or reply, it says "You are currently receiving email notification of replies" below.

Also, you mentioned the possibility of staying in Long Island City, which is not convenient; would you also consider staying in Jersey City? Would you consider splitting your bid (with the possibility of changing hotels)?

I hadn't looked into Jersey City. If it's close to the PATH it probably wouldn't be a big deal, but I'd rather stay in New York proper (incl. Brooklyn). And I'd rather not change hotels unless there'd likely be a big benefit to me doing so.

blindman · August 29, 2006

I think it might help if you listed your priorities for this visit and it's purpose.

Do you have to be in Manhattan for the 'big' city feel (and late night partying)?

What about 2* hotels do you think would be so bad?

Value for money and safety.

Do you think Priceline's description is pretty optimistic?

YES!

Why would prices be high for those dates? Is it because it includes a Saturday, or is that a popular time of year

Popular time, maybe a convention in town. Weekends could be cheaper as the business traffic has left, though tourists fill the central hotels.

I hadn't looked into Jersey City. If it's close to the PATH it probably wouldn't be a big deal, but I'd rather stay in New York proper (incl. Brooklyn).

I suggest you look at the Jersey city options to see what's usually available and when.

thereuare · August 29, 2006

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Star Ratings and Value:

The real value with the opaque suppliers is at the higher star levels. There is much more margin, and room for discounting, in a $200/nite room than in an $80/nite room. This isn't too say that there can't be value at the lower star ratings (as we do see frequent $25 wins for 2* properties... but these are not in NYC). As i mentioned above, while some of the hotels at the lower star ratings may be 'fine', some may not be; since you can't choose which you receive you have to take a "buyer beware" approach. With that said, if you're accustomed to staying at hostels than maybe a 2* would be fine for your needs.

Do you still want to bid for a 2* within any Manhattan zone with a $130 maximum bid? If that is correct we'll suggest a strategy with those parameters, if not let us know what to update and we'll suggest a strategy within your parameters.

Vegeta · August 29, 2006

I'm going on vacation. As I said, I don't plan to do more than shower, sleep, and keep my stuff in my room. I'm fine w/ a bit of a spartan place.

Mainly I want to be in Midtown just because it'd be cool to stay in a Midtown hotel and I never have. If I can get a decent hotel there for that cheap, awesome. It'd be closer to most stuff I want to do, a ton of good restaurants, etc. If I can't, I'll book the Holiday Inn Express in LIC today for $150/night and be done with it. (It's a couple blocks from the subway, and then a 15 minute ride to Midtown.)

Weekends could be cheaper as the business traffic has left, though tourists fill the central hotels.

At least for non-bid prices, almost every case I've seen is higher for a Saturday night than most weekday nights. I already know weekends are more expensive (again, at least for non-bid standard prices, and I don't know why bidding would be any different in that regard); I was just wondering if there was a particular reason thereuare said those dates would be pricey--why THOSE dates in particular.

Do you still want to bid for a 2* within any Manhattan zone with a $130 maximum bid?

Yes, favoring any of the Midtown zones above uptown/downtown. If you think I have a chance at getting a 3* in Midtown with a $130 max bid this far in advance, then by all means, let's start with that and work our way down.

thereuare · August 29, 2006

I would try as follows:

Select 2.5* MTE

Bid $100, if rejected add UM/CPS...

Bid $105, if rejected close browser and re-access priceline however you did previously.

Select 2.5* MTW

Bid $100, if rejected add UM/CPS...

Bid $105, if rejected close browser and re-access priceline however you did previously.

Select 2.5* MTS

Bid $100, if rejected add UM/CPS...

Bid $105, if rejected close browser and re-access priceline however you did previously.

Select 2.5* Downtown

Bid $100, if rejected add UM/CPS...

Bid $105, if rejected close browser and re-access priceline however you did previously.

Select 2.5* UES

Bid $100, if rejected add UM/CPS...

Bid $105, if rejected close browser and re-access priceline however you did previously.

Select 2.5* UWS

Bid $100, if rejected add UM/CPS...

Bid $105, if rejected close browser and re-access priceline however you did previously.

Select MTE and MTW and MTS...

Bid $110, if rejected add UM/CPS...

Bid $115, if rejected close browser and re-access priceline however you did previously.

Select Downtown and UES and UWS...

Bid $110, if rejected add UM/CPS...

Bid $115, if rejected close browser and re-access priceline however you did previously.

Select MTE and MTW and MTS and UES...

Bid $120, if rejected add UM/CPS...

Bid $125, if rejected close browser and re-access priceline however you did previously.

Select MTE and MTW and MTS and UWS and Downtown...

Bid $120, if rejected add UM/CPS...

Bid $125, if rejected close browser and re-access priceline however you did previously.

Select all Manhattan zones...

Bid $130.

If the above is rejected close browser and re-access priceline however you did previously...

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Select 2* MTE...