Priceline Hotel: bid strategy needed. NYC 4* 10/2-10/12 $150?

[mm2ndj]

i used to contribute a lot to this board but haven't traveled in yrs due to preparing for my baby, caring for him...now i'm confused as to what the strategy is for bidding.

can you give me a strategy for a 4* in manhattan (prefer not to stay in the financial district). [thought i'd use the 4* MTE strategy you gave but i want to stay in CPSo area ideally and/or any other 4* other than financial districft so not sure what my extra bids would be and if different strategy than what you gave justin].

why do i close the browser and restart the bidding without waiting 24 hrs? is hotwire the same exact bidding strategy as priceline? do people do the same strategy on both back-to-back?

thank you kindly, Alex

[mm2ndj]

hi, we need a specific bid strategy for getting a 4* hotel. our ideal location is CPS but don't know if we can get a 4* there for $150 (we did 3 years ago). next best location may be MTE. and we always use the PRICELINE links on this site so this awesome site stays in business. thank you! Alex

[mm2ndj]

we will probably stay only 4 nights in that 10 day window (flexible on dates in there). (side note: not sure how or if yom kippur an important jewish holiday which is starting towards tail end of those dates may affect hotels in nyc)

Question is: how would we integrate our flexible dates into our step by step priceline bidding strategy?

[thereuare]

I'm doubtful $150 will be enough for a 4* for these dates... when you were successful a few years ago at $150 was that during the same time of year?

Did you want to bid up to your limit in the CPS zone first and then move on and try in the MTE zone... or are you looking for the least expensive 4* hotel in any of your acceptable zones? (are any other zones acceptable... if you're keeping your maximum bid low, adding more zones can increase you chances by increasing the number of hotels able to accept your bid)

Are you ready to bid know? (or still haven't figured out how many days of your stay you'd like)

Please use these PRICELINE and HOTWIRE links to begin your travel purchases.

[mm2ndj]

strongly prefer CPS zone over MTE (no 4* on Upper East Side on priceline or hotwire?).

i would like to go up to my max on Central Park South zone first, right? if i strongly want CPS and have some time before departure?

what is the difference between priceline and hotwire now in pricing andd hotels and bidding style?

i have figured out my ideal dates:

Oct 1. and check-out Oct. 5.

i need the step by (detailed) step strategy instructions because it's been years since i did this and i don't seem to understand the techniques you outlined in other posts. we'll be going up every month or so hopefully so it's worth it for me to understand the best possible way to get the lowest luxury hotel! thank you (now that i'm busy caring for my baby all of the time, i don't have the time i need to figure this out on my own.) thank you! Alex

[mm2ndj]

i thought i saw a few $150/nt wins for 4* MTE or MTW - but i don't want MTW. i think MTE is fine.

what do you think is a reasonable rate for 4* for CPS? and for MTE?

i'm used to the Essex House or Waldorf (used to get them so cheaply on priceline)-- are there any priceline hotels on upper east side that compare for under $200/night (which is the max i think i can possibly go for CPS and i think $150 for MTE may work based on the board but correct me if i'm wrong)? thank you!

[thereuare]

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* 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 rjeected close browser and use our link to re-access PRICELINE

Select 4* 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 rjeected close browser and use our link to re-access PRICELINE

Select 4* 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 $200

Any 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.

[mm2ndj]

i do not understand and yet i do understand the rebidding ideas and i just reread your rebid board several times. i have used the technique on priceline but i am confused now:

1. why don't i use all 6 rebid zones in the first go - why only use 5 before closing the browser? does that trip the system and allow me to restart without the 24 hr wait?

2. why do i close the browser and reenter priceline?

3. how is the re-bid zone1 not the same as priceline zone1?

4. you only show me adding re-bid zone5 and then re-bid zone6 to CPS -- do i also select CPS and re-bid zone 3 and 4 and 1 and 2 and keep trying without waiting the 24 hrs if i want to go above $200?

5. should i try rebidding the same amount that was rejected again within 24 hrs. to see if priceline wants to accept it now - maybe new hotels/rooms become available to priceline?

thank you, alex

[mm2ndj]

you didn't tell me what you think of $150 for MTE and what is realistic for CPS in first week of october?

how do i bid different amounts for MTE vs. CPS?

if i can't get CPS for under $250 then i'd go to MTE but like to cap MTE at around $160.

how can i do that while going for 4* in each zone?

and can i try to bid for week nights separately from week ends?

i do have more than one email /credit card account (mine, my spouse's) i can use.

thank you, alex

[mm2ndj]

i have a question: why didn't you tell me to add rebid zone 5 and 6 together and rebid that way also like you did another person asking for a $* (s/he's looking downtown)?

and after that step is there another step that works like rebid zone 5, 6 and 1 together?

and i thought the rebid zones were the same as the priceline zones: what are they?

(yes, i'm ready to bid now for oct.2-5)

[thereuare]

Let's take it one step at a time...

Are you able to identify your six re-bid zones?

[mm2ndj]

no. why don't you just write a response that answers my questions. i don't think that's asking too much. it would take you a paragraph. i would write a paragraph to my readers if i wanted to have a profitable website.

Let's take it one step at a time...

Are you able to identify your six re-bid zones?

[audreydoll]

mm2ndj,

That's an incredibly rude response. Reading through all your questions would give anyone a headache and yet thereuare responded to you in a courteous manner, simply asking if you understood rebidding. This is something you have to understand if you want to be able to use Priceline successfully so he's trying to help you out here and didn't deserve such a nasty reply.

Frankly, if I were him, I wouldn't waste another minute trying to help you out. Go ahead and book the Waldorf.

[thereuare]

why don't you just write a response that answers my questions

I did when we suggested the bidding strategy for you to follow, but given the fact that you didn't understand it, the best course of action is to break it down, taking it one step at a time, so that can ultimately follow the suggested couse of action posted HERE.

The next step is to make sure that you understand re-bidding and know how to determine your re-bid zones.

If you'd like to continue trying for help with this stay, list each NYC zone and the highest star rating available in each, 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 then post back and we'll break it down further for you.

Please use these PRICELINE and HOTWIRE links to begin your travel purchases.

[mm2ndj]

yes i know my 6 rebid zones. can you answer the questions i have about the specific groupings in the strategy? thanks

[mm2ndj]

how does 1 do the different price maximums for 2 different zones both at 4*?

i guess i could max out for MTE and then add CPS- but would limit my number of rebids?

why not group 5 & 6 together like you said in a different person's post? the rebid zones and priceline zones are different how?

[mm2ndj]

i still would like an answer to a Question. why don't i combine rebid zone 5 & 6 together after trying each separately?

thank you! :)

[mm2ndj]

also: i had asked days ago a couple of other questions and still waiting on an answer.

for example: what about splitting up my bidding for the midweek vs. the weekend dates. does priceline allow one to bid different dates at the same time?

and 3rd Q: if my max $ bid for MTE or MTW is lower than CPS (all for 4*): how do i do the bidding strategy that way?

after waiting a few days to understand this on the board and lots of reading the board, i'd like to get started. i only have 10 dys until i arrive in nyc. thank you!

i keep having to think of my Qs over and over again and then how to word them. then, type out my questions again...

i have had to memorize all the possible issues and then try to keep remembering them -- i am becoming too much of a priceline bidding expert here and i need to take care of my baby instead so i do want your help. thanks for your helping us out :)

[dahammer]

Let's take it one step at a time...

Are you able to identify your six re-bid zones?

Your next reply to this topic should be a list of all six rebid zones by name, not number. Its better to teach you to fish rather than give you a fish.....you will become a BetterBidder this way.

Also could you use your Shift key once in awhile? :) It makes reading a lot easier.

[mm2ndj]

can someone explain why to not add rebid zones 5 & 6 together when going for a 4* in NYC (6 rebid zones)?

and how to break up midweek vs. weekend bidding?

it seems the moderator deleted my last post by mistake of these 2 questions so i'm reposting.

[dahammer]

for the third time, reply to the following, please.

Let's take it one step at a time...

Are you able to identify your six re-bid zones?

Don't use zone numbers, list these by name: Mid Town East, Times Square, etc.

You get more bees with honey than with vinegar....

[blythenyc]

Hello, Will Priceline let me do this:

Max bid for 4* Downtown: $150

Max bid for 4* CPS: $250 (Without getting a Downtown 4* instead)?

Thank you kindly for anyone responding.

[mm2ndj]

i know the rebid zones but i hope to please finally receive answers to my questions!

i'm having faith that i'm going to get answers.

ok, my rebid zones are:

long isl city

jfk

lga

chelsea

madison sq

brooklyn

note: that upp east and upp west no longer seem to qualify.

now: why not combine rebid zones 5 & 6 together for an additional rebidding session?

why not have zone 6 at the end of rebid zone 5's session (why only go 1-4)?

thank you! Mom to NDJ

[thereuare]

Welcome to BetterBidding!

Essentially you're willing to accept either the CPS or the Downtown zone up to $150, but if it's going to cost more than that you only want the CPS zone... is that correct?

You can accomplish the above by bidding in a specific sequence and opening/closing browsers at specific times.

If you let us know the dates of your stay we'll suggest a strategy for you to follow.

Are you ready to bid now? Also, is there a reason you're not interested in the other midtown zones which have 4* bidding (MTE, MTW, ESB, Times Square)?

Please use these PRICELINE and HOTWIRE links to begin your travel purchases.

[mm2ndj]

Welcome to BetterBidding!

Essentially you're willing to accept either the CPS or the Downtown zone up to $150, but if it's going to cost more than that you only want the CPS zone... is that correct?

Yes.

You can accomplish the above by bidding in a specific sequence and opening/closing browsers at specific times.

ok. Please explain further.

If you let us know the dates of your stay we'll suggest a strategy for you to follow.

Are you ready to bid now? Also, is there a reason you're not interested in the other midtown zones which have 4* bidding (MTE, MTW, ESB, Times Square)?

Yes, ready to bid now. I only want Downtown (4* but for less that will pay in CPS) or 4* CPS. Thank you for your help.

Please use these PRICELINE and HOTWIRE links to begin your travel purchases.

OK