Southpaw69 Posted September 19, 2006 Report Posted September 19, 2006 HiI just found this site the other day and have been having a good look over the past few days. Hi everyone.I am from the UK and would like to ask some questions regarding Priceline. I have heard of it but have never used it before.Its my girlfriends birthday and as a special treat am looking to take her to New York.I have been to New York in the past an stayed at the Drake Swissotel. Which I thought was a great hotel in a great location however it seems that it is no longer a hotel.Therefore i would like something in that location or near (Midtown just below Central park).The dates we are looking for is 9th November until 12th November 2006.Ideally 4* or 3*.My questions are:Are taxes included in the amount you bid on Priceline or would they be added on at time of stay?Also I understand that once the bid is accepted then you own the booking but what happens if you arrive at the hotel and are not happy? Is it just tough? (I'm not expecting this but just wanted to ask.My budget is a maximum of $200 per night inc taxes. What can I relistically expect for this at that time of year.And lastly (sorry) should I start low e.g $100 and then build up $10? And if so is there a limit on the amount of bids you can make?Thanks in advance It seems that there are a lot of people here who are very knowledgable and I for one are very grateful for their help. :)
thereuare Posted September 19, 2006 Report Posted September 19, 2006 Welcome to BetterBidding!If you haven't seen it already, i would start with this thread: I've Never Used Priceline or Hotwirei would like something in that location or near (Midtown just below Central park).You can't choose such a precise location, you can choose to be in a predifined zone (set by priceline) and your hotel can be anywhere within that area.Are taxes included in the amount you bid on PricelineNot included in your bid, but is included and shown separately in the total amount before you agree to place your bid.I understand that once the bid is accepted then you own the booking but what happens if you arrive at the hotel and are not happy? Is it just tough?Use the hotel lists here as, while it doesn't provide any guarantees, it usually will give you a very good idea of what you can expect and zone(s) to avoid.My budget is a maximum of $200 per night inc taxes. What can I relistically expect for this at that time of year.... should I start low e.g $100 and then build up $10? And if so is there a limit on the amount of bids you can make?Figure out your maximum bid (before taxes and fees) and we will suggest a strategy for you to follow. However, your budget is not likely enough for a 4* and may not be enough for a 3* either (this is a very expensive time of year in NYC), so you may want to consider expanding the zones that you are willing to accept. Most are fine with MTE, MTW, UM/CPS, and (often) MTS... let us know which you're willing to accept and your maximum bid amount and we will 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
Southpaw69 Posted September 19, 2006 Author Report Posted September 19, 2006 HiThanks for the response.I'm not too sure what your Hotel taxes are in New York but all in a maximum of $200 at this stage.Although I very much liked the location of the Drake Swissotel this was just for reference.I would take pretty much any good area in Manhatton although my preferences in order would be Upper Midtown- Central Park South, Anywhere Midtown, then Downtown with Upper sides last. What kind of prices do you think are realistic for a 4* and a 3*?
Southpaw69 Posted September 21, 2006 Author Report Posted September 21, 2006 Can anyone offer a strategy?
thereuare Posted September 21, 2006 Report Posted September 21, 2006 Figure out your maximum bid (before taxes and fees) and we will suggest a strategy for you to follow.I'm not too sure what your Hotel taxes are in New York but all in a maximum of $200 at this stage.Go to priceline, enter a bid amount and get to the confirmation screen (DON'T submit the bid... just get to the confirmation screen). You'll then see the total for that bid including taxes and fees. You can then hit BACK on your browser and raise/lower the bid amount depending upon how close to $200 'all-in' you are.Let us know your maximum bid amount and we will 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
Southpaw69 Posted September 22, 2006 Author Report Posted September 22, 2006 HiOk. I just did a check. After seeing how much the taxes are I am now willing to increase my maximum to $250 not inc taxes.However I would be happier to spend less than this. BUT I would like to take a chance and see if we can get a 4* for this price. If not then a 3* would be good.I don't have a preference of which area too much but would rather be midtown (anywhere) as 1st choice and downtown as second choice.I'd rather not stay on the upper east or wet side, just because most of what we want to see and do is below Central park and not above.I'm willing to go with your advice on this.Thanks
thereuare Posted September 22, 2006 Report Posted September 22, 2006 At the 4* level you have two re-bid zones 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 $140, if rejected add re-bid zone...Bid $150, if rejected add re-bid zone...Bid $160, if rejected close browser and re-access priceline however you did previously.Select 4* MTE...Bid $140, if rejected add re-bid zone...Bid $150, if rejected add re-bid zone...Bid $160, if rejected close browser and re-access priceline however you did previously.Select 4* UM/CPS...Bid $140, if rejected add re-bid zone...Bid $150, if rejected add re-bid zone...Bid $160, if rejected close browser and re-access priceline however you did previously.Select 4* MTS...Bid $140, if rejected add re-bid zone...Bid $150, if rejected add re-bid zone...Bid $160, if rejected close browser and re-access priceline however you did previously.Select 4* MTW and MTE...Bid $165, if rejected add re-bid zone...Bid $170, if rejected add re-bid zone...Bid $175, if rejected close browser and re-access priceline however you did previously.Select 4* UM/CPS and MTS...Bid $165, if rejected add re-bid zone...Bid $170, if rejected add re-bid zone...Bid $175, if rejected close browser and re-access priceline however you did previously.Select 4* MTW and UM/CPS...Bid $180, if rejected add re-bid zone...Bid $185, if rejected add re-bid zone...Bid $190, if rejected close browser and re-access priceline however you did previously.Select 4* MTE and MTS...Bid $180, if rejected add re-bid zone...Bid $185, if rejected add re-bid zone...Bid $190, if rejected close browser and re-access priceline however you did previously.Select 4* MTW and MTS...Bid $195, if rejected add re-bid zone...Bid $200, if rejected add re-bid zone...Bid $205, if rejected close browser and re-access priceline however you did previously.Select 4* MTE and UM/CPS...Bid $195, if rejected add re-bid zone...Bid $200, if rejected add re-bid zone...Bid $205, if rejected close browser and re-access priceline however you did previously.Select 4* MTW and MTE and UM/CPS...Bid $210, if rejected add re-bid zone...Bid $215, if rejected add re-bid zone...Bid $220, if rejected close browser and re-access priceline however you did previously.Select 4* MTW and MTE and MTS...Bid $210, if rejected add re-bid zone...Bid $215, if rejected add re-bid zone...Bid $220, if rejected close browser and re-access priceline however you did previously.Select 4* MTW and UM/CPS and MTS...Bid $225, if rejected add re-bid zone...Bid $230, if rejected add re-bid zone...Bid $235, if rejected close browser and re-access priceline however you did previously.Select 4* MTE and UM/CPS and MTS...Bid $225, if rejected add re-bid zone...Bid $230, if rejected add re-bid zone...Bid $235, if rejected close browser and re-access priceline however you did previously.Select 4* MTE and MTW and UM/CPS and MTS...Bid $240, if rejected add re-bid zone...Bid $245, if rejected add re-bid zone...Bid $250.If the above fails we'll then find out if you want to try for a 4* Downtown or a 3* in Midtown (it wasn't clear which you'd prefer)Any questions 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
Southpaw69 Posted May 19, 2008 Author Report Posted May 19, 2008 Just to close this topic just wanted to add that I actually stayed at Millenium UN after getting a good deal from a local travel agent. However really do appreciate the help and advice given and apologise for not replying to the topic at the time. I understand that this can be annoying to all readers and helpers. Sorry again.
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