Priceline Hotel: NYC: need help!!! 11/26-11/29

[cupidarr0ws]

Hello! I am going to Manhattan on 11/26-11/29. I have tried bidding on Priceline for a 4* hotel for $140. That was rejected of course. Then I added a 3* for $140 and that was rejected as well. Any tips on how much I should bid? I just need a decent hotel and I understand that November in NYC is BUSY and rates are high.

I'm new at this so any tips on how much to bid would help.

Thanks!

Jen

[thereuare]

Welcome to BetterBidding!

What zone(s) did you bid with the above rejections? Which zones are acceptable?

Is this Thanksgiving weekend?

[cupidarr0ws]

Thank you for the welcome.

Well, we want to stay in either upper east, upper west, midtown, midtown south... we are not that particular about exactly which zone (it's our first time there!). but our preference would be the upper west and upper east. Yes, this is Thanksgiving weekend. I don't want to spend more than $200 a night for a hotel...

Thanks.

Jen

[cupidarr0ws]

Oh, I bid on the upper and and added the upper west. I think I also added midtown b/c they didn't have any 4* hotels (following ur rebidding rules).

[thereuare]

Actually it's Upper West and Upper East that dont' have any 4* hotels... midtown east and midtown west most certainly do. Can you clarify what zones and star levels you did bid? Also, before you bid, you may want to confirm your re-bid zones with the board.

Since you said that this will be your first time to NYC can i ask why you prefer the Upper West side and Upper East side zones? They're not typically a user's first choice and are a bit more residential than the other midtown areas. As well, i think there are fewer hotels in these two zones (not to mention no 4* hotels in either of them)

So that i supply an appropriate strategy, is price or star rating more important? For instance, would you rather a 4* hotel at $200/nite or would you prefer a 3* at $160?

Let us know and we'll supply a strategy to meet your needs. Also, if you have questions about re-bidding feel free to ask them as well.

[cupidarr0ws]

I would prefer a 3* for 160 rather than a 4* for 200.

Okay, I believe I bidded on upper west and midtown south 4*for 100 (because it asked for 2 zones) then I bidded 120 for upper west, east, and midtown south (because it asked to add zones that I would accept). and i went to 140 and added something but I don't remember what. I'm sorry, but this is as close to it as I can remember. Let me know if this doesn't make sense.

If it's easier for you, maybe you can give me a strategy from the beginning.

We actually didn't know where to stay and the people at work suggested upper east/west, so if you're saying those areas are more residential then we'd rather stay in the nidtown east/west like you say.

Does that clarify things? :)

[thereuare]

Please read about rebidding in this thread: PRICELINE REBIDDING EXPLAINED and ask any questions that you may have. You have two re-bid zones when bidding 4* and only one when bidding 3*... please confirm them with the board before bidding.

This is the strategy that i would follow (but as i said above, please confirm your re-bid zone with the board to avoid any potential mistakes).

Select 4* MTW and...

Bid $140, if rejected add MTE and...

Bid $150, if rejected add UM/CPS and...

Bid $160, if rejected add re-bid zone and...

Bid $170, if rejected add re-bid zone and...

Bid $180.

If all the above is rejected, close that browser and re-access priceline however you did previously.

Select 3* MTE and...

Bid $140, if rejected add MTW and...

Bid $150, if rejected add UM/CPS and...

Bid $160, if rejected add re-bid zone and...

Bid $165.

If all the above is rejected, i would go to QUICKBOOK and book the Millenium UN as a back-up at $199/nite.

Let us know how it goes. If rejected, we'll adjust the strategy accordingly.