Priceline Hotel: 4* NYC (MTE) InterContinental Barclay

faughaballagh · July 24, 2007

Seems like Priceline is a great site for NYC hotels (and betterbidding a great site for PL). I've never hoteled on PL before, but I get the idea, including the rebid. Here's my situation:

No backup needed. Nonetheless, I'd like to be pretty sure to get something in the next 48 hours. I can stay in any zone aside from Soho/Financial, and any star-level from 2* on up. My only caveat to that is that I don't want a really tiny room, so maybe that leaves me in the 3* range with a little downward flex? I think that makes sense, though corrections are welcome.

So, a few questions:

What's a good goal for pricing in the 3* range when it's all said and done?

Also, given my limitations (and great flexibility), how should I best proceed? Let's say I don't want to pay more than $200 for now, and would love under 150.

Thanks for the advice. I'll be using the ref links when it's my time to bid.

thereuare · July 24, 2007

Welcome to BetterBidding!

My only caveat to that is that I don't want a really tiny room, so maybe that leaves me in the 3* range with a little downward flex?

I have to disagree, there are small rooms at all star levels, afterall, this is NYC we're speaking of! Perhaps somee of the smallest rooms are found at the Parmount, which is a 3* rated hotel on Priceline. There are probably some 4* hotels too where the room could be labeled "small" (the W New York comes to mind, but only some of the rooms there are below average size-wise)

Not sure how much your desire for a big room is more of a want vs. a need, and if the above precludes you from using the opaque providers.

Let us know your thoughts and we'll advise accordingly.

faughaballagh · July 24, 2007

Definitely more of a want than a need -- considering that the best I'm finding off-opague is 198/night at Comfort Chelsea, I'm willing to risk a smaller room.

thereuare · July 24, 2007

Then the next question of you're willing to pay more for a higher star rated hotel? (would you prefer a 4* hotel at $200 or a 3* hotel at $170? <-- just picking numbers, don't assume these are the prices you'll get)

For example, i think you have a decent chance at a 4* near your $200 limit (if that's bidding amount, and not net of taxes/fees) and that would probably give you a slightly better chance at a bigger room... but again, not sure if budget wins out.

I don't recommend bidding less than 2* in NYC (unless prices are really high and no alternatives available)

Let us know the above and we'll suggest a strategy accordingly.

faughaballagh · July 24, 2007

Then the next question of you're willing to pay more for a higher star rated hotel? (would you prefer a 4* hotel at $200 or a 3* hotel at $170? <-- just picking numbers, don't assume these are the prices you'll get)

If you think a four at 200 is plausible but a little stretch (as it seems to sound), then I think I'd want to start in 3's. I'd like as much as possible to fall closer to 150 than to 200; though 50/night is not too big of a difference, over four nights, it's pretty substantial.

How about a plan for a three-star capping at 170 and a four capping at 210? Are these reasonable goals? I would be able to bid both without the 24hour wait, as best I understand... correct me if needed.

Thanks for being so diligently helpful!

thereuare · July 24, 2007

I would be able to bid both without the 24hour wait, as best I understand... correct me if needed.

Not usually if you intend to bid the 3* hotel first, but in this situation we can arrange it so that you will be able to. Actually, i just found a 3* on HOTWIRE in the MTS zone for $159/nite (believed to be the Holiday Inn Express), so assuming this is "ok" with you we will cap your 3* bidding at that amount and don't need to be concerned with 4* bidding since you now have an acceptable fallback if the following bidding should fail.

At the 3* level 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* UM/CPS...

Bid $100, if rejected add re-bid zone...