giantgiraffe Posted August 19, 2007 Report Share Posted August 19, 2007 Hi all-I'm looking for any suggestions regarding a NYC hotel for 9/21 - 9/24I prefer 4* (but 3* would be fine too)1 roomprice range $100-$200/nightLocation: MTE, MTW or CPSSo far I've been trying 4*s @ $100-$140 with no luck. I have also been adding UWS & UES as free bids since they don't have 4* hotels.I'm not sure if I'm just bidding too far out. I wonder if I'll have more luck closer to the dates I need.Any thoughts?Thanks!! Link to comment
thereuare Posted August 19, 2007 Report Share Posted August 19, 2007 Welcome to BetterBidding!I don't think you're bidding high enough for this time of year, which is the beginning of one of the most busy 'seasons' we see in NYC.Are you looking for the least expensive 3* or better hotel in the zones you selected OR are you willing to pay more for a 4 star property? Did you want to go up to your limit for a 4* before trying for a 3* or is a 4* worth $xx more to you than a 3 star?Let us know and we'll advise accordingly. Please use this HOTWIRE and these PRICELINE LINKS: HOTELS, CAR RENTALS, and AIRFARE to begin your travel purchases Link to comment
giantgiraffe Posted August 20, 2007 Author Report Share Posted August 20, 2007 Good points - No we don't have to have a 4*, just thought it might be a nice perk especially if we could get it for a reasonable rate. We are definitely willing to have a 3*.This NYC trip will be for tourist activities. We thought CPS, MTW & MTE would be our best bets in terms of location. Any suggestions you might have would be appreciated. Link to comment
thereuare Posted August 20, 2007 Report Share Posted August 20, 2007 I'm not sure if i was clear above, so let me just clarify to make sure we give you the strategy for what you're seeking... would you (for example) prefer a 4* hotel for $190 or a 3* hotel for $160? Please use this HOTWIRE and these PRICELINE LINKS: HOTELS, CAR RENTALS, and AIRFARE to begin your travel purchases Link to comment
giantgiraffe Posted August 20, 2007 Author Report Share Posted August 20, 2007 A 3* for $160 would be great. Thanks! Link to comment
thereuare Posted August 20, 2007 Report Share Posted August 20, 2007 ...would you (for example) prefer...I'm certainly not suggesting that $160 will be the likely price, i was just checking to make sure that you wanted a the least expensive 3* in the area (even if a 4* was available for slightly more)Since you're trying for a 3* or better, did you also want to include the MTS zone, which is often a 'low price acceptor' at the 3* level.Let us know to include MTS or not and we'll then suggest a strategy to follow. Please use this HOTWIRE and these PRICELINE LINKS: HOTELS, CAR RENTALS, and AIRFARE to begin your travel purchases Link to comment
giantgiraffe Posted August 20, 2007 Author Report Share Posted August 20, 2007 I think I'll pass on MTS.Why don't you give me a strategy for just MTW, MTE & CPS.Sorry for flip flopping, but I think I would like a 4* for slightly more, if possible.Once again I'd like to come in around $150-200 for a room. Thanks! Link to comment
thereuare Posted August 20, 2007 Report Share Posted August 20, 2007 I do think a 4* for under $200 is likely going to be a touch call, but to give it a try...Select 4* MTE...Bid $130, if rejected add re-bid zone...Bid $140, if rejected add re-bid zone...Bid $150, if rejected close browser and re-access priceline however you did previously.Select 4* MTW...Bid $130, if rejected add re-bid zone...Bid $140, if rejected add re-bid zone...Bid $150, if rejected close browser and re-access priceline however you did previously.Select 4* UM/CPS...Bid $130, if rejected add re-bid zone...Bid $140, if rejected add re-bid zone...Bid $150, if rejected close browser and re-access priceline however you did previously.Select 4* MTE and MTW...Bid $155, if rejected add re-bid zone...Bid $160, if rejected add re-bid zone...Bid $165, if rejected close browser and re-access priceline however you did previously.Select 4* MTE and UM/CPS...Bid $155, if rejected add re-bid zone...Bid $160, if rejected add re-bid zone...Bid $165, if rejected close browser and re-access priceline however you did previously.Select 4* MTE and MTW and UM/CPS...Bid $170, if rejected add re-bid zone...Bid $175, if rejected add re-bid zone...Bid $180.I'd start with the above... if rejected just post back and we'll take it from there.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 Link to comment
giantgiraffe Posted August 21, 2007 Author Report Share Posted August 21, 2007 Sorry if this is an obvious question, but the 2nd & 3rd paragraphs (Select 4* MTE and MTW...) would have to be done 24 hours after the first paragraph, correct? I had no luck on the first paragraph, but was unable to do the 2nd paragraph since I had already bid on a 4* in those specific areas.Plus I assumed that "add re-bid zone" meant to add the 2 areas that do not have 4*s. Correct?Can I use this same strategy to bid on 3*s if I'm not getting anything accepted?Thanks for your help! Link to comment
thereuare Posted August 21, 2007 Report Share Posted August 21, 2007 All of the above should be able to be done within the same bidding session.Did you try the second paragraph and were told by Priceline that it was a duplicate bid, or did you assume it would be rejected as a duplicate. If you were told by priceline it was a duplicate, what exactly did you add for each of your re-bid zones?You can't use the same strategy for 3* bidding since there is only one re-bid zone at the 3* level.... but i think we should try to figure out 'what went wrong' above first before venturing into a 3* approach. Please use this HOTWIRE and these PRICELINE LINKS: HOTELS, CAR RENTALS, and AIRFARE to begin your travel purchases Link to comment
giantgiraffe Posted August 21, 2007 Author Report Share Posted August 21, 2007 Yes, Priceline said that paragraph #2 was a duplicate bid. In the first paragraph, I used UES & UWS for the rebid areas. Link to comment
thereuare Posted August 21, 2007 Report Share Posted August 21, 2007 The above should not be a duplicate bid... are you sure you closed your browser each time as indicated above?The second paragraph should be 'fine' since you previously never bid both the MTE and MTW zones together. Please use this HOTWIRE and these PRICELINE LINKS: HOTELS, CAR RENTALS, and AIRFARE to begin your travel purchases Link to comment
giantgiraffe Posted August 21, 2007 Author Report Share Posted August 21, 2007 Odd... yes, I'm sure I closed the brower. I'll give it another try tonight when my 24 hr window opens again :)Thanks! Link to comment
DHohio Posted August 21, 2007 Report Share Posted August 21, 2007 giantgiraffe,just an FYI. I've been bidding on priceline for sometime for NYC Tue 10/9/07 to Sun 10/14/07, not too far away from your time. We have a backup reservation for $299 / night + tax etc. I have been bidding on 4* in MTW, MTE, CPS and have been going up to $240 w/o any luck. Again, not the same time window as your stay, but close- also, we're staying 5 nights so that might make it tougher for us compared to you to get a win.good luck! Link to comment
giantgiraffe Posted August 22, 2007 Author Report Share Posted August 22, 2007 Hi -Got the entire bidding strategy to work :) Well except for the winning part :)I used explorer instead of firefox and cleaned out my internet history, etc each time. So who knows, maybe that fixed it or maybe I just messed up last time...Anyhow, no luck yet. I guess I better drop down to a 3* hotel with a price range max of $200.If you could send a strategy for that I'd appreciate it :oThanks again... Link to comment
thereuare Posted August 22, 2007 Report Share Posted August 22, 2007 Before looking at a 3*, did you want to go up to $200 for a 4*?Also, not sure if you're interested but to give you an option, on HOTWIRE a 4* just appeared in the Downtown zone for $199/nite (best guess is the Millennium Hilton) and the reviews are very good... but it comes down to location vs. 'luxury'.If you do search/purchase the above please use this HOTWIRE link.Let us konw your thoughts and we'll take it from there. Please use this HOTWIRE and these PRICELINE LINKS: HOTELS, CAR RENTALS, and AIRFARE to begin your travel purchases Link to comment
giantgiraffe Posted August 22, 2007 Author Report Share Posted August 22, 2007 I think I'll just go for a 3*. For this trip, location bets luxury :)Thanks! Link to comment
thereuare Posted August 22, 2007 Report Share Posted August 22, 2007 One more question...MTS is usually not a likley outcome at the 4* level, but it becomes a definate possibility at the 3* level... did you want to inlcude MTS in your 3* bidding? Please use this HOTWIRE and these PRICELINE LINKS: HOTELS, CAR RENTALS, and AIRFARE to begin your travel purchases Link to comment
anightout Posted August 22, 2007 Report Share Posted August 22, 2007 Before looking at a 3*, did you want to go up to $200 for a 4*?Also, not sure if you're interested but to give you an option, on HOTWIRE a 4* just appeared in the Downtown zone for $199/nite (best guess is the Millennium Hilton) and the reviews are very good... but it comes down to location vs. 'luxury'.If you do search/purchase the above please use this HOTWIRE link.Let us konw your thoughts and we'll take it from there.Hey this sounds like just what I was looking for however I clicked on your link and navigated only to find the offering at 299 per night. I am looking at the 3rd weekend in October though.... Link to comment
giantgiraffe Posted August 22, 2007 Author Report Share Posted August 22, 2007 No I don't think I want to include MTS at the 3* level. Just MTW, MTE & CPS.Thanks :) Link to comment
thereuare Posted August 22, 2007 Report Share Posted August 22, 2007 Hey this sounds like just what I was looking for however I clicked on your link and navigated only to find the offering at 299 per night. I am looking at the 3rd weekend in October though....Rates are date specific. If you'd like help with your own stay please start a NEW TOPIC.No I don't think I want to include MTS at the 3* level. Just MTW, MTE & CPS.Thanks :)At the 3* level you have one re-bid zone. 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* MTE...Bid $120, if rejected add re-bid zone...Bid $130, if rejected close browser and re-access priceline however you did previously.Select 3* MTW...Bid $120, if rejected add re-bid zone...Bid $130, if rejected close browser and re-access priceline however you did previously.Select 3* UM/CPS...Bid $120, if rejected add re-bid zone...Bid $130, if rejected close browser and re-access priceline however you did previously.Select 3* MTE and UM/CPS...Bid $140, if rejected add re-bid zone...Bid $145, if rejected close browser and re-access priceline however you did previously.Select 3* MTW and UM/CPS...Bid $140, if rejected add re-bid zone...Bid $145, if rejected close browser and re-access priceline however you did previously.Select 3* MTE and MTW and UM/CPS...Bid $150, if rejected add re-bid zone...Bid $155.I think the chances of the above being successful are less than 50/50, but with a full month before your stay i would start with the above, if rejected post back and we'll revise to try again in 24 hours.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 Link to comment
giantgiraffe Posted August 22, 2007 Author Report Share Posted August 22, 2007 one quick question before i start bidding...why is there only 1 re-bid zone for 3*? i'm looking and it looks like neither UWS nor UES have 3* hotels. although they both have 2.5*what should i use as my re-bid zone?thanks! Link to comment
thereuare Posted August 23, 2007 Report Share Posted August 23, 2007 You're correct... both zones now only offer 2.5* as the highest level of bidding (this is a recent change within the last few days... UES used to offer 3* bidding)You can therefore try as follows:Select 3* MTE...Bid $120, if rejected add re-bid zone...Bid $130, if rejected add re-bid zone...Bid $140, if rejected close browser and re-access priceline however you did previously.Select 3* MTW...Bid $120, if rejected add re-bid zone...Bid $130, if rejected add re-bid zone...Bid $140, if rejected close browser and re-access priceline however you did previously.Select 3* UM/CPS...Bid $120, if rejected add re-bid zone...Bid $130, if rejected add re-bid zone...Bid $140, if rejected close browser and re-access priceline however you did previously.Select 3* MTE and MTW...Bid $145, if rejected add re-bid zone...Bid $150, if rejected add re-bid zone...Bid $155, if rejected close browser and re-access priceline however you did previously.Select 3* MTE and UM/CPS...Bid $145, if rejected add re-bid zone...Bid $150, if rejected add re-bid zone...Bid $155, if rejected close browser and re-access priceline however you did previously.Select 3* MTE and MTW and UM/CPS...Bid $160, if rejected add re-bid zone...Bid $165, if rejected add re-bid zone...Bid $170. Please use this HOTWIRE and these PRICELINE LINKS: HOTELS, CAR RENTALS, and AIRFARE to begin your travel purchases Link to comment
giantgiraffe Posted August 23, 2007 Author Report Share Posted August 23, 2007 well, no luck. at one point, with a $150 bid it rejected it but said if i bid at least $25 more then i could retry w/o changing my bid zones.i didn't take it, but i wonder if that would have been a good idea. do you know if people usually get lucky if they just bid $25 more? i wasn't sure what to do.so should i use the same bidding strategy, but bum the bids up a bit? Link to comment
AaronJB Posted August 23, 2007 Report Share Posted August 23, 2007 If it's saying you can bid $25 more, then it likely will result in a win, although you may want to try to see if you can't bid $15-20 more to get the win (undercut priceline's offer, in other words.) Link to comment
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