Priceline Hotel: Help for 2.5-4* 10/27-10/30, noobie

[mookster]

Looking for a hotel in any of these areas: MTW, MTE, MTS, DOWNTOWN, UM-CPS.

Willing to accept 2.5* to 4 *

Hoping to find it for under $120 for fri -mon (10/27-10/30), is this unrealistic?

I know its been said that it doesn't matter if you wait til the last week, but it seems people have been having better results when waiting to the last second. Do you think I should wait til the week before?

There's been mention of a convention the week before thats been increasing the prices, has anyone heard anything about that for this weekend?

Thanks for the help!

[thereuare]

Do you think I should wait til the week before?

Do you have a back-up reservation? If so, where and how much?

[mookster]

No back up reservation yet. Hopeing I'll be able to priceline something.

[thereuare]

No back-up = don't wait until the last minute.

I think your chances are low, but given it's a weekend (+ Sunday nite) it's worth a shot. Do you want to bid up to your maximum at each star level before dropping down to the next category (ie- try up to $120 for a 4* in any of the above zones, then try up to $120 for a 3*, then try up to $120 for a 2.5*) OR is price you primary objective and any 2.5* or better, for $120 or less, will do?

[mookster]

Actually I've tried bidding up to $120 for both the 4 and 3* for all the areas allready. I don't think i've done so for the 2.5 yet though. I wasn't sure if I should just yet, since I might still be able to get a 3*. I've seen People get great deals for the month of september on 4* and 3*, is that just out of the question for October? Low $100's....

[thereuare]

This is a peak period in NYC.

Your maximum bid should be based upon what you'd be paying if you weren't able to use the opaque providers... not on somebody else's winning bid for dates a month prior to yours.

You'd usually be lucky to get a hotel in NYC for under $120 during 'normal' circumstances... during a peak period just makes it that much tougher, and you need to realistic in your bidding.

[GlennTheBaker]

Hi there.

I'm travelling to NYC on the exact same dates as you and I have a cancellable backup in place in case my Priceline efforts come to nothing. It is at the 3* Marriott Financial Center in the Downtown area and it is $175 per night. Go to THIS page and plug your dates in. The rate rules say 'Must be booked by Sep 1' and that is it a Marriott Rewards promo but you can still book the rate now and you are not required to enter a Marriott Rewards number (although you may as well join because membership is free).

You can cancel the reservation up to 24 hours before without penalty. I stayed at the hotel in 2002 and it was really lovely so I have no qualms about staying there again.

Hope this is of use to you.

[mookster]

Thanks for the tips on the back up hotel, just booked the marriott. Still trying to get a hotel for under $120, bid again on all the areas today, no luck. I'll keep trying

[GlennTheBaker]

Yeah, I'm in the same boat. At least we will have a roof over our heads!