marino Posted July 18, 2008 Report Posted July 18, 2008 Hi everyone. I'm a newb so I'd appreciate any advice. We're heading to NY from Aug 15-20 and I'd like to bid. Just not exactly sure of how to start. We're looking in these areas...MTE, MTW, Central Park South and Chelsea. 3-4* Thanks for your help.
thereuare Posted July 18, 2008 Report Posted July 18, 2008 Welcome to BetterBidding!Few questions to get started...How many people will there be? What is your maximum budget for this stay? (pre nite before fees and taxes) Are you willing ot spend more for a 4* vs. a 3* or is your goal the least expensive 3* or better hotel for these dates?Also, is there a reason you're avoiding the Times Square zone?Let us know the above and we'll advise accordingly. Please use this HOTWIRE and these PRICELINE LINKS: HOTELS, CAR RENTALS, and AIRFARE to begin your travel purchases
marino Posted July 18, 2008 Author Report Posted July 18, 2008 2 peopleMax: $200No real reason to pass Times Square, I guess I just forgot to include.I'm willing to spend more on a 4*thanks
thereuare Posted July 18, 2008 Report Posted July 18, 2008 So to confirm, you first want to try for a 4* up to $200 and then, if rejected, we'll lower to 3* and try again?If we have it correct, at the 4* level you have six 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.(NOTE: 're-bid zone1' is not the same as priceline's Zone1, 're-bid zone2' is not the same as priceline's Zone2, etc, etc)Select 4* MTE, MTW, TS, and CPS...Bid $125, if rejected add re-bid zone1...Bid $130, if rejected add re-bid zone2...Bid $135, if rejected add re-bid zone3...Bid $140, if rejected add re-bid zone4...Bid $145, if rejected close browser and use our link to re-access PRICELINESelect 4* MTE, MTW, TS, and CPS and re-bid zone5...Bid $150, if rejected add re-bid zone1...Bid $155, if rejected add re-bid zone2...Bid $160, if rejected add re-bid zone3...Bid $165, if rejected add re-bid zone4...Bid $170, if rejected close browser and use our link to re-access PRICELINESelect 4* MTE, MTW, TS, and CPS and re-bid zone6...Bid $175, if rejected add re-bid zone1...Bid $180, if rejected add re-bid zone2...Bid $185, if rejected add re-bid zone3...Bid $190, if rejected add re-bid zone4...Bid $195, if rejected add re-bid zone5...Bid $200Any questions feel 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
marino Posted July 18, 2008 Author Report Posted July 18, 2008 Thanks for the info. I will give it a try. BTW what are the re-bid zones for 3* hotels?
thereuare Posted July 19, 2008 Report Posted July 19, 2008 You should be able to determine your re-bid zones on your own as they can, and do change, frequently... so you need to check them before every bidding cycle.Have you read Priceline Re-Bidding Explained?If so and you're still confused, see if you can list each zone in the NYC region and list the highest star rating avaiablle in each zone, 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)If you're unable to follow the above just post back and we'll break it down further for you.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
marino Posted July 23, 2008 Author Report Posted July 23, 2008 I've tried bidding for the past week or so with not much success at the price I was hoping for. I was considering splitting my bid. We are in NY from Friday to the following Wed. Any suggestions as to the best way to split my bid...ie. on the Sunday or Monday?thanks
thereuare Posted July 23, 2008 Report Posted July 23, 2008 Did you bid all the zones above up to $200/nite? Please use this HOTWIRE and these PRICELINE LINKS: HOTELS, CAR RENTALS, and AIRFARE to begin your travel purchases
marino Posted July 24, 2008 Author Report Posted July 24, 2008 Yup, I've tried them multiple times up to and slightly over $200. Any suggestions?
thereuare Posted July 24, 2008 Report Posted July 24, 2008 You can repeat the previous strategy for each of the following date combinations:8/15-8/208/15-8/198/16-8/208/15-8/188/17-8/20You best chance is probably for the 8/15-8/18 dates, but try the others in order to first try to get the most number of days possible.I do have some alternate back-up ideas if the above fails.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
marino Posted July 25, 2008 Author Report Posted July 25, 2008 Nothing...I tried each combo of dates and no success. I'm thinking trying for a 3 star hotel. Any suggestions of what price to start at?thanks
thereuare Posted July 25, 2008 Report Posted July 25, 2008 Which zone(s) do you want to bid at the 3* level... still $200 limit?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
LaurRne14 Posted July 25, 2008 Report Posted July 25, 2008 Travelzoo has a special right now through the Hudson Hotel that works out to an average of $219/night for your dates, just in case your bidding doesn't pan out.
marino Posted July 25, 2008 Author Report Posted July 25, 2008 Which zone(s) do you want to bid at the 3* level... still $200 limit?I'm fairly open to most areas. I've never been to NY, so I don't really know where to stay for convenience, but I figure most locations should be okay...we don't mind walking. The only other area I was thinking of adding was Chelsea, but if anyone has suggestions?thanksTravelzoo has a special right now through the Hudson Hotel that works out to an average of $219/night for your dates, just in case your bidding doesn't pan out.I'll check that out. Thanks.
thereuare Posted July 26, 2008 Report Posted July 26, 2008 The rooms at the Hudson are incredibly small, and before spending $219/nite there, if you could stretch your budget to $241/nite, i'd sooner book the Fitzpatrick Grand Central thru Quickbook (please use this link) which gets very good reviews. Yeah, it's a $100 more over the 5 nites of your stay, but the hotel is worth the extra $20/nite over the Hudson, imo.To try for a 3* do you want to include Downtown which is a little out of the way OR do you want to stick with the midtown locations (MTE, MTW, CPS, TS, Chelsea, MSG, ESB)?Let us know regarding the zones and we'll advise accordingly.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
marino Posted July 28, 2008 Author Report Posted July 28, 2008 Went up as far as $250 with no success on a 4*. I tried various date combos and tried a run at the 3* level up to $200. I assume it's the date's that I was working with. I'm getting pressed for time and won't have computer access for about a week...so I booked the Fitzpatrick on Quikbook as suggested. Thanks for everyone's help.
thereuare Posted July 28, 2008 Report Posted July 28, 2008 Glad we could help and you found something which works for your needs.The Quikbook reservation is cancellable up until a few days before your stay so you could continue to try to do better in a week once you have computer access once again.Let us know if any update or change in your plans. If you do continue to try please use our PRICELINE and HOTWIRE links.Enjoy your stay. Please use this HOTWIRE and these PRICELINE LINKS: HOTELS, CAR RENTALS, and AIRFARE to begin your travel purchases
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