Hotwire Hotel: Identify 3* MTE

[mell61]

I'm looking at bidding for 2 x rooms for Jan 14-19 in NY (preference is MTE), i've been checking prices on regular sites, historic prices for jan last year and current price ranges being accepted.

My concern is that I've to bid using the Priceline.co.uk site, so wondering if using a conversion of

[Blueskies]

Just set up a priceline.com account with a fake US address. I use a relatives address as I know this is a valid address. They don't send surface mail to you so it is irrelevant. It does not matter that your card is registered to a different address.

The current rate is between 1.7 and 1.8 dollars to the pound.

[thereuare]

Follow the techniques that PRICELINE CANADIANS had to use for some time.

Once you're set up let us know you're maximum bid and if you're willing to accept any other zones other than MTE... we'll then suggest a strategy for you to follow.

[mell61]

HI again,

I've set myself up with a US address and new profile, thanks for the tips.

I've been bidding for 2 x rooms, for 14-Jan-07 checking out 19-Jan-07.

I started at 4* at $100 and been increasing daily by $2-3 per day, currently at $130 - with no success. I'm looking at all areas except Upper East and West.

I've also bid for 3*, starting at $90, currently at $110, for MTE / MTW / MTS and Downtown (the 3* won in Central park area don't rate very well on tripadvisor, so I'd prefer to stay away from them).

Its a holiday for 4 of us, and I'm hoping to get something reasonably decent for less than $150 for a 4*, and up to $130 for a 3*.

Looking at rooms won for the same period in 2006 I think I've got a reasonably bidding strategy....

Any suggestions, hints... is there a possibility that I'm bidding too early, is it likely that more availability will come online closer to January?

We have rooms booked that we can cancel up until day prior to arrival, so are 'covered', but would like to get a good deal.

[Blueskies]

If you have a reasonable back up I would check back (i.e. bid) every 7-10 days to see if inventory has opened up. I have not started bidding for an October break to NY nor have I started bids for Thanksgiving trip. NY is a busy place all year round. Might be worth checking out when the January wins last year were placed. That may give an indication of when inventory opens "normally" (if there is such a thing with PL).

[thereuare]

Where and how much is your back-up?

[mell61]

We've booked the Radisson Lixington, its averaging (excl tax of course) at about $159.... its also out there with other sites at average cost of $135 p.n. but there is a cancellation policy of $25 there, so don't want to tie ourselves down just yet.

Blueskies, you're probably correct I've got to move away from the PC and give it a few days, before rebidding... I'm just too eager to get back to NY...

Thanks

[thereuare]

Please note (if you haven't), as per our support page, that we are affiliates of the Radisson and using our links helps keep this place a free resource.

Rates are not too bad for these dates, and winter is usually a slow time in NYC, so you should probably (eventually) find success with your stated bid amounts. Are you willing to bid up to $150 for a 4* now or did you want to keep your current bidding for a 4* at $130? (it may make the difference)

Two other back-ups which may be better than the Radisson: Quikbook has the Paramount for $153/nite (notoriously small rooms but a great location) and the Affinia 50 for $189/nite (more expensive than your current back-up but a great hotel as the Affinia brand 'does it right'). Both are available "Book Now Pay Later" so are fully cancellable.

[mell61]

I'm looking for help in identifying the following hotel, for the period 14-Jan-07 for 5 nights, 2 rooms.

There is a 3* hotel in MTE for $129, and is marked as a customer favourite:

Fitness Centre

Restaurangs

Business Centre

High Speed Internet

I did think this was the Roosevelt hotel, but there is no mention of 'customer favourite' on the info that is there for this hotel.

[thereuare]

Customer Favorite designations come and go, so that should not be a main criteria to use to ID a property. The amenities above are quite common for a city hotel, but they do match the Roosevelt exactly and the Customer Favorite comments seem to fit it well too... so that would be our best guess.

Please use this HOTWIRE link to begin any purchases you make.

Let us know how it goes of if we can be of further help.