bionictrout Posted July 10, 2008 Report Posted July 10, 2008 I am looking for help trying to bid on a 3* hotel in midtown NYC for 8/6 - 8/8. There is a lot in the forum about 4* hotels, but not much for 3's, particularly with regard to bidding strategy (since there really are no rebidding zones.) I want to avoid Uptown and Downtown areas, mainly because I need to be close to the south end of the Park. Specifically, I would prefer zones 2, 8, 9 or 10 on Priceline. I would be willing to add 5 and 7 if it really dropped the price. I would be willing to drop up to $160 a night, but would hope to get lower, since I can get close to that on direct buy sites.Thanks for your help.
thereuare Posted July 10, 2008 Report Posted July 10, 2008 Welcome to BetterBidding!(since there really are no rebidding zones.)There are actually three re-bid zones when bidding 3 stars in NYC. If you're not sure of them please read Priceline Re-Bidding Explained and feel free to confirm with the board and/or ask questions before bidding.I would prefer zones 2, 8, 9 or 10 on Priceline. I would be willing to add 5 and 7 if it really dropped the price.What are the PRICELINE names of the zones (please don't use zone numbers)I would be willing to drop up to $160 a night, but would hope to get lower, since I can get close to that on direct buy sites.What 3* hotels are you seeing for $160 for your nites?Please use these PRICELINE and HOTWIRE links to begin your travel purchases. Please use this HOTWIRE and these PRICELINE LINKS: HOTELS, CAR RENTALS, and AIRFARE to begin your travel purchases
bionictrout Posted July 17, 2008 Author Report Posted July 17, 2008 I prefer Central Park South, Mid Town East, Mid Town West, and Times Square - Theater District. I would be willing to add Empire State Building Area and Madison Square Garden - Convention Area as well.Let me know what you think a reasonable strategy would be. Thanks.
thereuare Posted July 17, 2008 Report Posted July 17, 2008 What 3* hotels are you seeing for $160 for your nites?I prefer Central Park South, Mid Town East, Mid Town West, and Times Square - Theater District. I would be willing to add Empire State Building Area and Madison Square Garden - Convention Area as well.So do you want to start by only bidding the CPS, MTE, MTW and TS zones... or did you also want to include ESB and/or MSG?Please use these PRICELINE and HOTWIRE links to begin your travel purchases. Please use this HOTWIRE and these PRICELINE LINKS: HOTELS, CAR RENTALS, and AIRFARE to begin your travel purchases
bionictrout Posted July 17, 2008 Author Report Posted July 17, 2008 That should read $180 a night. The Skyline Hotel can be booked for that on several sites I have checked. I am also not sure if the fees are more on Priceline, or about the same as direct book sites. I seem to recall them being higher, but it has been a long time since I have booked. I am not sure about the quality of that hotel, but the comments seem to be fine.If I could get away with the first set of zones, that would be best, but if you think is would be better to add the last two, or use them for rebidding, let me know.Thanks.
thereuare Posted July 17, 2008 Report Posted July 17, 2008 If you really only want the first set of zones then that's all i would recommend bidding at this point. Did you want to keep your maximum bid at $160 or increase it to $180?I'm not that optimistic in regards to your chances of success, but we'll suggest a strategy for you to give it a try. Also, while i'm not that familiar with the Skyline Hotel, i wouldn't expect too much from it as i get the impression it's a basic, no frills, property (if you're expecting a Days Inn you'll be happy... if you're looking for a Courtyard or similar you may be disappointed)Please use these PRICELINE and HOTWIRE links to begin your travel purchases. Please use this HOTWIRE and these PRICELINE LINKS: HOTELS, CAR RENTALS, and AIRFARE to begin your travel purchases
bionictrout Posted July 17, 2008 Author Report Posted July 17, 2008 I will trust your best judgment. Let me know what you think would be the most likely to be successful. Also, I tried booking the Belvedere at Quickbook, but it doesn't seem to be available those nights. Must be popular.Thanks.
thereuare Posted July 18, 2008 Report Posted July 18, 2008 Well if the Skyline is cancellable you may want to at least reserve that as a back-up since i think a 3* hotel is going to cost you consdierably more... probably along the lines of $225 or so (but of course we'll star lower and work your way up)Quikbook appears to be down right now so i'm not able to see what is potentially available there.What is your current maximum bid for a 3* property?Please use these PRICELINE and HOTWIRE links to begin your travel purchases. Please use this HOTWIRE and these PRICELINE LINKS: HOTELS, CAR RENTALS, and AIRFARE to begin your travel purchases
bionictrout Posted July 18, 2008 Author Report Posted July 18, 2008 OK, I will try to book it (or the lowest one I can find) using Quickbook or something else that lets me cancel. I would say my max would be $180. I can try on multiple days with different results, right?
thereuare Posted July 18, 2008 Report Posted July 18, 2008 At the 3* level you have three re-bid zones. 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* CPS and MTW...Bid $110, if rejected add re-bid zone...Bid $115, if rejected add re-bid zone...Bid $120, if rejected add re-bid zone...Bid $125, if rejected close browser and use our link to re-access PRICELINESelect 3* MTE and TS...Bid $110, if rejected add re-bid zone...Bid $115, if rejected add re-bid zone...Bid $120, if rejected add re-bid zone...Bid $125, if rejected close browser and use our link to re-access PRICELINESelect 3* CPS and MTE...Bid $130, if rejected add re-bid zone...Bid $135, if rejected add re-bid zone...Bid $140, if rejected add re-bid zone...Bid $145, if rejected close browser and use our link to re-access PRICELINESelect 3* MTW and TS...Bid $130, if rejected add re-bid zone...Bid $135, if rejected add re-bid zone...Bid $140, if rejected add re-bid zone...Bid $145, if rejected close browser and use our link to re-access PRICELINESelect 3* CPS and MTW and TS...Bid $150, if rejected add re-bid zone...Bid $155, if rejected add re-bid zone...Bid $160, if rejected add re-bid zone...Bid $165, if rejected close browser and use our link to re-access PRICELINESelect 3* CPS and MTW and MTE...Bid $150, if rejected add re-bid zone...Bid $155, if rejected add re-bid zone...Bid $160, if rejected add re-bid zone...Bid $165, if rejected close browser and use our link to re-access PRICELINESelect 3* CPS and MTW and TS and MTE...Bid $170, if rejected add re-bid zone...Bid $175, if rejected add re-bid zone...Bid $180, if rejected add re-bid zone...Bid $185 (if you want to go for the extra $5)Any questions freel free to ask.Please use these PRICELINE and HOTWIRE links to begin your travel purchases.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
bionictrout Posted July 18, 2008 Author Report Posted July 18, 2008 Thanks for the instructions. I went through that, and was unsuccessful. I went ahead and booked the skyline. For the location and the reviews it got, it is a pretty good deal. Can I do a similar thing on HOTWIRE? I have never used it before.
AaronJB Posted July 18, 2008 Report Posted July 18, 2008 I've stayed at the Skyline in the recent past. However, keep in mind I stayed there when $99 was a normal price. Now $200-300 is a normal price. It was more than fine for $99, and there are some gorgeous views from the pool area. However, as thereuare said, it's a BASIC hotel - I would definitely exhaust *all* (!) my options on PRICELINE and HOTWIRE before resorting to paying $200+ for the Skyline, and I'd even pay more on HOTWIRE or PRICELINE if it meant staying at a high 3* or 4* instead of the Priceline for more than $200.
bionictrout Posted July 18, 2008 Author Report Posted July 18, 2008 Thanks for the advice. I booked the Skyline as a backup for 190 a night. I want to try HOTWIRE to see if I am more successful than with PRICELINE.
thereuare Posted July 19, 2008 Report Posted July 19, 2008 There is no bidding on HOTWIRE, and prices are shown... if you do a HOTWIRE search for your dates there is nothing within your budget.Please use these PRICELINE and HOTWIRE links to begin your travel purchases. Please use this HOTWIRE and these PRICELINE LINKS: HOTELS, CAR RENTALS, and AIRFARE to begin your travel purchases
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