kpet Posted June 17, 2007 Report Posted June 17, 2007 As a "newbie" to Priceline, I began bidding on a hotel for an upcoming trip to NYC, July 16th-19th, with nothing but rejection. I then ran across this website and learned alot, but could still use some help with better strategy to get my end result if someone has some advice.I do have a back-up reservation at the Warwick for $225/night per chance I don't get a better deal through PL. My hotels of choice would be the Michelangelo, The Renaissance NY or the Hilton NY, all of which are 4 *. I did go back through as another poster had suggested and looked to see if there were 4 * hotels in the Upper East or Upper West sides in the 4 * range for rebidding purposes and did find that there is one in the UE (the Surrey) but did not find one in the UW side (unless I missed it).I don't know what is going on in NY at this time but the hotels are pretty high and some sold out including the Hilton NY. Most everything in the 4* range is well over $300, although I did find the Michelangelo for $295 and the Mela for $249.There will just be 2 of us traveling and we would prefer to stay in the Midtown West, Midtown East or Upper Midtown-Central Park South areas, in that order. We will also have quite a bit of luggage (so the need for a larger room which isn't always possible in NYC), due to this being a stop on the way home from moving my daughter back home. I booked the Warwick b/c I got a travelzoo promotion, and I know their rooms are larger than a lot of rooms in NYC hotels.Here is what I did when I started bidding and I only bid on 4 * rooms:Fri. 6/15 - 8:40 pm: MTW - Bid $165 - Rejected 9:14 pm: MTW - " $177 - RejectedSat. 6/16 - 10:10 am: MTW - Bid $189 - Rejected 11:17 am: MTW - " $195 -Told I couldn't rebid without changing either dates, zones, etc. or wait 24 hours. (I did not realize at that point that I had to do that if I was going up on the price.) 11:22 am: MTW, added MTE - $172 - Rejected 11:29 am: MTW, MTE, added UMT-CPS - Bid $178 - RejectedSo as you can see my bidding was all over the place, so I need some help! After finding this website and doing quite a bit of reading I see that my bidding was not the right way to go, but I also saw that my bids were quite a bit higher than what I see others have gotten 4* hotels for previously through PL. Maybe prices are higher this time b/c there is a shortage of rooms. At any rate I don't want to go over $200 with my bids, and I will just settle for my back-up at the Warwick where I know what I am getting.My dates are not flexible as my daughter has appointments there during this time and I don't want to split with all the luggage we will be carting. It has been 24 hours since I first began so if anyone has a strategy for me to try again I would certainly appreciate it. :)
thereuare Posted June 17, 2007 Report Posted June 17, 2007 Welcome to BetterBidding!another poster had suggested and looked to see if there were 4 * hotels in the Upper East or Upper West sides in the 4 * range for rebidding purposes and did find that there is one in the UE (the Surrey) but did not find one in the UW side (unless I missed it).How are you trying to determine which zones have 4* properties? You should be using this technique from Priceline Re-Bidding Explained:The way to check what star levels are available in each zone is to open a Priceline page, check ONLY the zone you are inquiring about, and then proceed to the next page (as if you were going to select a zone)... this will give you the available star ratings in that area. You can then hit BACK on your browser, uncheck the current box, check the next box, and repeat the process. It is important to do this before EACH attempt at adding a zone that you really don't want, as new hotels can be added and the star ratings can change at any time. (NOTE: for most users Priceline has updated their interface making the above process easier... simply check a zone and note the highest star rating available within each zone, UNcheck that zone and checkmark the next zone, repeating the process)Let us know if the above makes sense and if you're able to determine your two re-bid zones or ask questions if there is anything you dont' understand... we'll then be in a better position to sugguest a strategy for you to follow. Please use this HOTWIRE and these PRICELINE LINKS: HOTELS, CAR RENTALS, and AIRFARE to begin your travel purchases
kpet Posted June 17, 2007 Author Report Posted June 17, 2007 Thanks so much thereuare! I was not checking it like that but had seen the 4* property on the regular priced hotels and it fit into the map grid for that area.I get it now though! :) Checking the correct way, there are no listed 4* hotels for either the UES or UWS. So if you have a strategy for me to use, especially with what $ amount to start with, and increments to increase with for rebidding, that would be greatly appreciated.
thereuare Posted June 18, 2007 Report Posted June 18, 2007 Taking your previously failed bids into account, i would proceed as follows, 24 hours after your previously rejected bid:Select 4* MTE...Bid $150, if rejected add re-bid zone...Bid $160, if rejected add re-bid zone...Bid $170, if rejected close browser and re-access priceline however you did previously.Select 4* MTW...Bid $150, if rejected add re-bid zone...Bid $160, if rejected add re-bid zone...Bid $170, if rejected close browser and re-access priceline however you did previously.Select 4* UM/CPS...Bid $150, if rejected add re-bid zone...Bid $160, if rejected add re-bid zone...Bid $170, if rejected close browser and re-access priceline however you did previously.Select 4* MTE and MTW...Bid $175, if rejected add re-bid zone...Bid $180, if rejected add re-bid zone...Bid $185, if rejected close browser and re-access priceline however you did previously.Select 4* MTE and UM/CPS...Bid $175, if rejected add re-bid zone...Bid $180, if rejected add re-bid zone...Bid $185, if rejected close browser and re-access priceline however you did previously.Select 4* MTE and MTW and UM/CPS...Bid $190, if rejected add re-bid zone...Bid $195, if rejected add re-bid zone...Bid $200.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
kpet Posted September 28, 2007 Author Report Posted September 28, 2007 Thank you for the bidding plan you gave me in June. I continued trying every day until 24 hours before my departure, bidding up to $210 and was unsuccessful, so I went ahead and stayed at my back-up hotel, the Warwick for $225/night. And I did go through SavingsBarn to do my bidding. Thanks for your help. Maybe I'll get lucky the next time, which is coming up Oct. 16th.
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