peace Posted July 21, 2008 Report Posted July 21, 2008 Good afternoon,My boyfriend and I are flying into LGA on Aug 26 2008 and departing morning of Aug 31st from LGA as well. This will be his first visit to NYC so I would like for him to have a wonderful experience :) We're hoping to catch a game at Yankees stadium and a show at Richard Rogers Theatre, see the Brooklyn Bridge/Statue of Liberty (more so to get some nice photographs), Columbia U and enjoy some fun and tasty cuisine.We have used Priceline before (last September) for our Europe trip and got fantastic deals for our hotels in London, Rome, and Paris (all $150 or less a night for 4*). Our NYC bids haven't returned any results as yet. Like many, we're aiming for a 4* in a great location... for $150. Also wondering if staying Newark or another NJ city is a good alternative, considering our airport is LGA and we would have to be checked in for our departure around 8AM or sooner on a Sunday morning.My friend tried Hotwire a month before her trip on Aug 1/2008 and snagged the Warick hotel for $173/night.We'll try the zone re-bid suggestion I've seen posted here... any tips on timing and alternate areas to stay would be great.Thank you
thereuare Posted July 21, 2008 Report Posted July 21, 2008 Welcome to BetterBidding!Newark is not a viable option unless you have a car (even then it's not recommended)... Jersey City is the best of the outside of NYC options but given this is your boyfriend's first try to NYC i would recommend staying directly in the city and not considering this an option until you've exhausted all of your other "in" NYC alternatives.With this noted, current rates suggest a 4* for under $150 is going to be a tough win (even your friend's deal at $183 is for higher than your stated maximum bid and it's a 3* hotel) If you let us know which zone(s) you're willing to accept we'll suggest a strategy for you to follow.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
peace Posted July 21, 2008 Author Report Posted July 21, 2008 Thank you for responding!The zones:MTEMTWTSCPSMax bid: $180 inclusive of taxes/fees for 4*Would we be better off bidding for a 3*?
thereuare Posted July 22, 2008 Report Posted July 22, 2008 What is your maximum bid amount... i'm assuming that $180 'all-in' is about $150 before taxes and fees but let us know and we'll suggest a strategy up to that limit.If you prefer a 4* hotel i would try for that first... then if rejected try for a 3* (or choose to raise you bidding limit).Let us know and we'll advise acordingly.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
peace Posted July 22, 2008 Author Report Posted July 22, 2008 We've decided on our max bid to be $180 doe 4*. Is 5 nights too much for one bid?Thank you
thereuare Posted July 22, 2008 Report Posted July 22, 2008 Try for 5 nites first, if that is rejected, then we can disect if SPLITTING YOUR PRICELINE BID would likely help the situation at all.At the 4* level you have six re-bid zones avaialble. 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 add re-bid zone5...Bid $150, if rejected close browser and use our link to re-access PRICELINESelect 4* MTE, MTW, TS, and CPS and re-bid zone6...Bid $155, if rejected add re-bid zone1...Bid $160, if rejected add re-bid zone2...Bid $165, if rejected add re-bid zone3...Bid $170, if rejected add re-bid zone4...Bid $175, if rejected add re-bid zone5...Bid $180Any 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
peace Posted July 22, 2008 Author Report Posted July 22, 2008 great, thank you! i'll read up on it and try.i don't know what i wrote in my post.. $180 doe 4* ?!
peace Posted July 27, 2008 Author Report Posted July 27, 2008 an update:still patient... no luck as yet (I bid $180 and boyfriend bid $190 max). we'll keep trying :)
poppy9988 Posted July 28, 2008 Report Posted July 28, 2008 an update:still patient... no luck as yet (I bid $180 and boyfriend bid $190 max). we'll keep trying :)Just spotted your post - we're looking for exactly the same dates! I think the reason it may be more pricey is because it's the first week of the US Open in New York that week.Is the consensus then, that it's difficult to get 5 nights? Never thought about that when I first started - wish I'd booked an all-in flights and accommodation now, but it looked like I'd be able to get something cheaper on PRICELINE, I thought - oh dear!
peace Posted July 29, 2008 Author Report Posted July 29, 2008 oh le pooh! we're not giving up just yet!
poppy9988 Posted July 29, 2008 Report Posted July 29, 2008 oh le pooh! we're not giving up just yet!Have you had any luck yet? I'm just about to bid similar amounts but prepared to go down to 2* or even 2 1/2 as getting a bit desperate!!What is anyone's opinion - am I panicking too early? We're looking for same zones as want to be central for the tube to the tennis.Edit: I've just bid $175 for 4*, right thru to 2* and nothing!
peace Posted July 30, 2008 Author Report Posted July 30, 2008 I see that Expedia has the Beekman (3* by the UN) has an average rate nightly of $191 with a $50 voucher (I don't know if this can be applicable to this rate). Quickbook has the same hotel for $216 average nightly rate.Any thought's on this hotel?
thereuare Posted July 30, 2008 Report Posted July 30, 2008 The Beekman is a good property with large rooms (uncommon for NYC) and small kitchenettes (even less common for NYC). You won't get ultra-highend linens and the furniture may be a lilttle antiquated, but it's an acceptable choice for hard to book dates. The hotel is a little "out of the way" in that it's a bit east and a 10+ minute walk to the subway... but in a pinch it would do. With a month to go before your stay i would only book this as a cancellable back-up. You can read more reviews HEREPlease use these PRICELINE and HOTWIRE links to begin your travel purchases. (or Quickbook or Expedia if you go those routes)Keep us updated as to what you decide and how it goes or if we can be of further help. Please use this HOTWIRE and these PRICELINE LINKS: HOTELS, CAR RENTALS, and AIRFARE to begin your travel purchases
peace Posted July 30, 2008 Author Report Posted July 30, 2008 Thanks!Booked the Beekman as a backup through Quickbook.
peace Posted July 30, 2008 Author Report Posted July 30, 2008 ..actually, booked Ameritania... mixed reviews (love it or hate it) but closer to the tourist spots. Quickbook is great!
thereuare Posted July 31, 2008 Report Posted July 31, 2008 Glad you found a suitable back-up and know you'll have a roof over your head for this stay. Take a LOT of the pressure off when bidding, and now you know the deal you're trying to beat.Keep us updated with any PRICELINE or HOTWIRE attempts. Please use this HOTWIRE and these PRICELINE LINKS: HOTELS, CAR RENTALS, and AIRFARE to begin your travel purchases
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