worldcitizen Posted September 2, 2006 Report Share Posted September 2, 2006 Hi everyone. Just came across this forum. It's brilliant!I've been trying to get a room in NYC in the dates above for a couple of weeks and even after reading the tips here today I still haven't had any luck, even after several re-bids, trying all NYC areas except for Soho.I tried 4* and 3* with bids of up to $150. By looking at the other posts, this seems like a decent bid.Do you have any suggestions to help increase my chances? I'll consider your opinion.Thanks! Link to comment
thereuare Posted September 2, 2006 Report Share Posted September 2, 2006 Welcome to BetterBidding!Rates are extremely high for these dates and $150 is not likely to be enough... do you have a back-up reservation anywhere? If so, where and how much? Please use this HOTWIRE and these PRICELINE LINKS: HOTELS, CAR RENTALS, and AIRFARE to begin your travel purchases Link to comment
worldcitizen Posted September 2, 2006 Author Report Share Posted September 2, 2006 Thanks.No, I don't have any backup reservations yet. I will do it by Monday if I don't get lucky.However, looking at recent posts by BurtonC and loveolive, they have rates under $150 for similar dates (end of August and end of September). Do rates really change that much in a space of two weeks?If I split the bid am I more likely to be accepted? Link to comment
thereuare Posted September 2, 2006 Report Share Posted September 2, 2006 ...they have rates under $150 for similar dates (end of August and end of September). Do rates really change that much in a space of two weeks?Besides seasonality factors, rates are date specific.Taking the 3* win that you reference above (loveolive's win)... rates for his/her date at the hotel won average $275/nite; rates for your dates above at the same hotel average over $500 per nite :) I would earnestly look today at a back-up plan or reservation (use our BetterChecker to easily search multiple sources for your dates. Once you have an idea of what a hotel will likely cost you without the opaque services, i'd adjust your maximum bid accordingly, and then we can suggest a strategy for you to follow. Please use this HOTWIRE and these PRICELINE LINKS: HOTELS, CAR RENTALS, and AIRFARE to begin your travel purchases Link to comment
worldcitizen Posted September 2, 2006 Author Report Share Posted September 2, 2006 Thanks for the link. It's very helpful. I had no idea rates were that high. I think I need a couple of hours to recover from shock. :) I'm hoping to be able to stay under the $200 mark. Do you think that's realistic? I just want to go over the odds in a hotel room when I'm probably just going to be there to sleep, so I could even go down to 2 1/2 as long as I'm not going to end up anywhere dangerous.The only things I would prefer not to change are my dates and Manhattan as a location. I will consider anything else. So do you have any recommendation? Link to comment
thereuare Posted September 3, 2006 Report Share Posted September 3, 2006 I think under $200 is going to be tough for these dates, but for starters you can try as follows:At the 3* level in NYC you have one 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 3* MTE...Bid $135, if rejected add re-bid zone...Bid $140, if rejected close browser and re-access priceline however you did previously.Select 3* MTW...Bid $135, if rejected add re-bid zone...Bid $140, if rejected close browser and re-access priceline however you did previously.Select 3* UM/CPS...Bid $135, if rejected add re-bid zone...Bid $140, if rejected close browser and re-access priceline however you did previously.Select 3* MTS...Bid $135, if rejected add re-bid zone...Bid $140, if rejected close browser and re-access priceline however you did previously.Select 3* MTE and MTW...Bid $145, if rejected add re-bid zone...Bid $150, if rejected close browser and re-access priceline however you did previously.Select 3* UM/CPS and MTS...Bid $145, if rejected add re-bid zone...Bid $150, if rejected close browser and re-access priceline however you did previously.Select 3* MTE and UM/CPS...Bid $155, if rejected add re-bid zone...Bid $160, if rejected close browser and re-access priceline however you did previously.Select 3* MTW and MTS...Bid $155, if rejected add re-bid zone...Bid $160, if rejected close browser and re-access priceline however you did previously.Select 3* MTE and MTS...Bid $165, if rejected add re-bid zone...Bid $170, if rejected close browser and re-access priceline however you did previously.Select 3* MTW and UM/CPS...Bid $165, if rejected add re-bid zone...Bid $170, if rejected close browser and re-access priceline however you did previously.Select 3* MTE and MTS and MTW...Bid $175, if rejected add re-bid zone...Bid $180, if rejected close browser and re-access priceline however you did previously.Select 3* MTE and MTS and UM/CPS...Bid $175, if rejected add re-bid zone...Bid $180, if rejected close browser and re-access priceline however you did previously.Select 3* MTW and UM/CPS and MTE...Bid $185, if rejected add re-bid zone...Bid $190, if rejected close browser and re-access priceline however you did previously.Select 3* MTW and UM/CPS and MTS...Bid $185, if rejected add re-bid zone...Bid $190, if rejected close browser and re-access priceline however you did previously.Select 3* MTW adn UM/CPS and MTS and MTEBid $195, if rejected add re-bid zone...Bid $200, if rejected close browser and re-access priceline however you did previously.===================================================================Select 3* Downtown...Bid $140, if rejected add re-bid zone...Bid $150, if rejected add MTE...Bid $155, if rejected add MTW...Bid $160, if rejected add UM/CPS...Bid $165, if rejected add MTS...Bid $170, if rejected close browser and re-access priceline however you did previously.Select 3* UES...Bid $140, if rejected add re-bid zone...Bid $150, if rejected add MTE...Bid $155, if rejected add MTW...Bid $160, if rejected add UM/CPS...Bid $165, if rejected add MTS...Bid $170, if rejected close browser and re-access priceline however you did previously.Select 3* Downtown and UES...Bid $175, if rejected add re-bid zone...Bid $180, if rejected add MTE...Bid $185, if rejected add MTW...Bid $190, if rejected add UM/CPS...Bid $195, if rejected add MTS...Bid $200.Any questions on the above feel free to ask.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 Link to comment
worldcitizen Posted September 3, 2006 Author Report Share Posted September 3, 2006 Thanks for putting that together. I will try it out tomorrow when my 24h have elapsed.If that doesn't work, I'm starting to consider broadening my area to outside Manhattan. Which area do you recommend? Jersey, Brooklyn? If I go outside I prefer not to go below 4* and hope that any hotel there will give me easy access to Manhattan. What would be a good maximum bid in that case? $100-$120?Also, I know this goes a bit out of the scope of this forum, but what hotel recommendations would you have out of Manhattan as a backup plan?Oh, one more thing. I got a room in Boston for $110 a night for 3 nights in a hotel with $379 regular rate for my dates. That's less than 30% of the full price. Is that unusual with priceline or each city has its own rules? I was hoping I could get the same saving in NYC. Link to comment
worldcitizen Posted September 3, 2006 Author Report Share Posted September 3, 2006 Hey, I just found out one more thing. Take a look at this win: NYC Embassy SuitesIt's in the same days I will be there, except that my stay is longer. Does that explain why I'm not winning with a higher bid? Sorry, I'm just trying to understand the logic behind all this. Link to comment
dahammer Posted September 3, 2006 Report Share Posted September 3, 2006 Oh, one more thing. I got a room in Boston for $110 a night for 3 nights can you please post this as a new topic so that the information will benefit others? thanks! Link to comment
thereuare Posted September 3, 2006 Report Share Posted September 3, 2006 Please post your Bostin win as a new topic in the Priceline Massachussettes forum and we'll then continue this thread.Thanks. Please use this HOTWIRE and these PRICELINE LINKS: HOTELS, CAR RENTALS, and AIRFARE to begin your travel purchases Link to comment
worldcitizen Posted September 3, 2006 Author Report Share Posted September 3, 2006 Sorry, I should have thought of doing it before. I created the post now. Link to comment
thereuare Posted September 3, 2006 Report Share Posted September 3, 2006 Don't know if you noticed, but the Embassy Suites link you provided above is for 9/14-9/16... 2006, so has little relevance to your own stay.Try the above strategy and we'll then cross the bridge (or tunnel :) ) once the above fails. The best alternate location is the waterfront area in Jersey City, but the hotels there are currently sold-out for your dates. Please use this HOTWIRE and these PRICELINE LINKS: HOTELS, CAR RENTALS, and AIRFARE to begin your travel purchases Link to comment
worldcitizen Posted September 3, 2006 Author Report Share Posted September 3, 2006 Okies. I tried the strategy and no luck. I also tried Jersey City bidding $110 for a 3*, but like you said, it seems to be sold out.Then I decided to go down to 2 1/2* rating in Manhattan and my highest bid was $130 with no luck either.Any ideas? I'm getting desperate! Link to comment
thereuare Posted September 4, 2006 Report Share Posted September 4, 2006 I think you should do as posted yesterday:I would earnestly look today at a back-up plan or reservation (use our BetterChecker to easily search multiple sources for your dates. Once you have an idea of what a hotel will likely cost you without the opaque services, i'd adjust your maximum bid accordingly, and then we can suggest a strategy for you to follow.You need to determine your best non-opaque alternative so that you can determine your true maximum bid amount. SPLITTING YOUR PRICELINE BID is another option... did you want to try running thru the above strategy again for 9/12-9/15, 9/13-9/16, 9/14-9/16, and 9/12-9/14? Please use this HOTWIRE and these PRICELINE LINKS: HOTELS, CAR RENTALS, and AIRFARE to begin your travel purchases Link to comment
worldcitizen Posted September 4, 2006 Author Report Share Posted September 4, 2006 Tried that and no joy yet. I haven't exhausted all date combinations yet, but by the looks of things it won't make a big difference.I still want to stay under $200, but I will be happy to stay outside Manhattan in a less than great hotel. I will do as you said and book something as I'm getting too close to my dates.In your experience, if I get really close to my dates (like 2 or 3 days), am I more likely to have a bid accepted? Obviously I will have booked another hotel by then, but I'm just wondering if I will be able to get something better last minute. Link to comment
thereuare Posted September 4, 2006 Report Share Posted September 4, 2006 I will be happy to stay outside Manhattan in a less than great hotelThe best alternate location is the waterfront area in Jersey City, but the hotels there are currently sold-out for your datesThe next best alternative (imo) is the Meadowlands/Secaucus/Rutherford area, where most of the hotels have some sort of access, or a shuttle to access, to mass transit into NYC. You give up the PATH train option to NYC and would need to commute by bus, about 20-25 minutes depending upon traffic. Hotels in this area are currently within your budget... but it is less convenient than Manhattan itself or Jersey City.Availability thru the opaque providers changes all the time based upon reservations and cancellations that the hotel receives, but with rates extremely high for these dates (and not just 'moderately' expensive) i wouldn't bet the ranch on rates dropping substantially in the next week.Please use the links in our Support Page for your back-up reservation... although when i looked briefly the other day i didn't see anything that could be used as a viable back-up in the sub-$200 range. Please use this HOTWIRE and these PRICELINE LINKS: HOTELS, CAR RENTALS, and AIRFARE to begin your travel purchases Link to comment
GM Mike Posted September 6, 2006 Report Share Posted September 6, 2006 I will also suggest, if you truly get very desperate, southwest Connecticut (Stamford, Norwalk, etc.) can work. 45-60 minutes to Manhattan on Metro North. Link to comment
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