Priceline Hotel: 3.5* NYC (MTW) Club Quarters

[Getaway]

Hi all,

It's my first time bidding on Priceline and would like some assistance here.

Travelling between 3/18 to 3/23. Hoping to get a 3.5* Hotel for max $100 a night.

I just tried 2 bids to start off (using the PRICELINE link here), guessing that they are prob too low (but trying my luck anyway).

3.5*

$80 Times Square - Theatre District - rejected

$85 Times Square, MTE - rejected

I am inclined to bid low after seeing a successful $95 bid for the period I am staying at Sheraton Manhattan. Do the experts reckon $95 is just a one-off or achievable?

There is a Interphex biotech/pharmaceutical convention going on at the Jacvits Centre from March 16 to 19. So I am wondering to what extent does this conference affects my strategy?

FYI, here are the lowest rates for selected MTE and Times Sq Hotels for the same period.

Times Sq

Sheraton Manhattan Best Available Rate 239.00 USD 1 King Bed

Millennium Broadway Best Available Rate 269.00 USD Standard 1 King Bed

Marriott Marquis Best Available Rate 267.00 USD Standard 1 King Bed

MTE

Doubletree Metropolitan Hotel Internet Best Rate 239.00 USD 1 King Bed Non Smoking Best Available Rate

Millennium UN Best Available Rate 271.00 USD Standard 1 King Bed

Marriott Eastside Best Available Rate 275.00 USD Standard 1 King Bed

Finally, I have more of an FAQ question. I am not from US/Canada, and when I reach the page where u enter credit card and billing information, I was given only two options when inputting billing country - US and Canada. But from what I understand, Priceline is not country-restricted. So why does this happen? How can I overcome this?

(Sorry if I have posted this in a wrong place)

Thanks everyone for any help or advice! Much appreciated!

[thereuare]

Welcome to BetterBidding!

If you let us know which zone(s) you're willing to accept we'll suggest a strategy for you to follow, one which starts low and goes up systematically to make sure that you don't overbid at all.

I'm guessing it will likely take somewhere between $90-$110 to be successful for a 3.5*, but keep in mind there is a good chance you could be successful for a 4* between $100-$120 (in the MTE zone), so not sure if the higher star rated hotel is worth a few extra dollars to you.

Also, if you haven't seen them, some of the reviews for the Sheraton Manhattan (the hotel won for $95/nite) are decidely mixed.

Let us know how you'd like to proceed and we'll advise accordingly.

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

[Getaway]

Thanks for your reply.

It's our first time to NYC, so I guess as much as possible, we want to be close to the action. So we want to look at TS, MTE, MTW, CPS. Madison Sq Garden and ESB seems within walking distance so we're willing to consider these locations as well, though not as a priority.

As much as possible we want to stick within 3.5*. But we can consider both 3* and 4* as well.

I know our requirements are not v specific, but hope this is enough information for advising.

Thanks again!

[thereuare]

While i'm doubtful you'll be successful for a 4* for $100 or less, did you want to start there, trying up to your budget, then starting over for a 3.5*... OR are you looking for the least expensive 3.5* or better with a $100 limit?

Let us know and we'll advise accordingly.

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

[Getaway]

We'll try $100 for 4* and if it gets rejected, we'll start with a fresh bid of 3.5* starting low.

So 4* $100? Should I try TS first, then MTE??

[thereuare]

we want to look at TS, MTE, MTW, CPS. Madison Sq Garden and ESB

Judging from the punctuation it appears that your first choices are TS, MTE, MTW, or CPS... then less so MSB and ESB? If this is correct, i would begin as follows...

At the 4* level you have FIVE 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 TS, MTE, MTW, and CPS...

Bid $85, if rejected add re-bid zone...

Bid $90, if rejected add re-bid zone...

Bid $93, if rejected add re-bid zone...

Bid $95, if rejected add re-bid zone...

Bid $98, if rejected add re-bid zone...

Bid $100

Any questions feel free to ask.

If the above is rejected post back and we'll revise for 3.5* bidding.

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

Good luck and let us know how it goes.

[Getaway]

Nope, didnt manage to get anything.

Bid $85, rejected

Bid $90, added MSG, rejected

Bid $93, added UES, rejected

Bid $95, added Chelsea, rejected

Bid $98, added Brooklyn, rejected

Bid $100, added LIC, rejected

Guess we'll go ahead with the 3.5* then. For 3.5*, we only have 3 rebid zones though, Chelsea, Long Island, UES.

We have tried $85 previously for 3.5* and was rejected. Should we start with $90?

[Getaway]

Using the strategy you taught us, we went ahead and bidded for 3.5*

MTW, TS, MTE, CPS

Bid $85, rejected

Bid $90, added Chelsea, rejected

Bid $95, added UES... ACCEPTED

Club Quarters Midtown.

While the reviews have not be all glowing and not as modern as we would have like (we would have preferred a branded hotel like Marriott, Millennium, Sheraon), we're happy with it nonetheless, as the location seems amazingly central.

Thanks v much!

[thereuare]

Congratulations on your win!

Club Quarters properties tend to offer basic accomodations, but they're clean, and in this instance the location is very good and should work well for your needs.

Thank you for sharing your results with the board.

If you didn't, please remember to start your purchases with the PRICELINE and HOTWIRE links on the board.

Enjoy your stay.