Priceline Hotel: Help! 21st Oct - 26th Oct

[stu1901]

Hi,

I am planning a trip to New York in October.

The dates are Thursday 21st October for 7 nights.

I am hoping not to pay more that $120 a night, hopefully less (maybe between

[thereuare]

Probably a bit early but no harm in trying for 4* at this point and seeing if you get lucky. I know there are lots of posts with 'wins' at 4* for less than $120, but rates in NYC have been firming and $120 is now the usual low end of the range.

Assuming you know and understand RE-BIDDING, you have two re-bid zones when bidding at the 4* level (if you don't, please ask for clarification and/or confirm your re-bid zones with the board before proceeding):

Select 4* MTW and...

Bid $95, if rejected add MTS and...

Bid $100, if rejected add re-bid zone and...

Bid $110, if rejected add re-bid zone and...

Bid $120.

Personally i wouldn't lower to 3* at this point because there is plenty of time between now and your stay (but do book a cancellable back-up in the meantime!)

Is there a reason you're avoiding the MTE (or even the UM/CPS zones?). The MTE zone offers some of the best value in NYC (in my opinion) and the UM/CPS is usually more expensive than you're bidding limit, but it's a very nice zone (albeit expensive) and if you're willing to accept that zone too you can use it to get add'l bidding opportunities. Don't know if you saw this thread but it may be a good read for you: PRICELINE ZONES

Feel free to ask any questions you may have regarding the above.

Good Luck and let us know how you make out.

[stu1901]

Hi,

Thanks. I have just booked the flights but changed my dates to Thursday 21st October to Tuesday 26th October.

I will try bidding tomorrow.

I will ideally need 2 beds... do most hotels offer and allow this for priceline winners?

Thanks

:)

[thereuare]

BED SIZE AND NUMBER

4 PEOPLE IN A ROOM

QUAD OCCUPANCY

ADJOINING ROOMS

All of the above touch upon the subject of room assignment and you can read them for more info, but essentially rooms are assigned at check-in based upon what's available.

You can call the hotel after you 'win' and put in a request... but it is just that, a request. Your chances of getting what you want are better if you are checking in early in the afternoon (after most rooms are clean but most arrivals haven't yet checked-in) and if the hotel has low occupancy.

[stu1901]

Hi, I bid MTW 2 night ago and got rejected. If I add MTS, is it an even chance to get MTW and MTS? I aske this because from looking at other posts, when some add a new zone they get a hotel in their original zone.

Thanks

:)

[thereuare]

Usually the less expensive zone are bid first in the bidding process... this way when adding zones and raising your bid your not as likely to get an over-bid. This also explains why most 'wins' result in the original zone... because it's the least expensive of the zones they're bidding.

By bidding tonite you re-set your 72 hour clock so i would just hold off wait until your 72 hours period beins again (so that you can utilize all your re-bid zones).

You never answered my question regarding MTE (and i'd throw UM/CPS in too for that matter)... is there a reason why you're avoiding these zones? The MTE offers some of the best value in the city and the UM/CPS is usually expensive, so can be used as a pseudo re-bid, but only if you're also willing to stay in that area.

[stu1901]

Hi, I have read your views on the different zones on this site.

MTE seems quite a good spot and will probably add this area.

I would prefer to be in the heart of the touristy areas (like MTW), is MTE touristy?

I am having second thoughts about MTS as from the description it says that it gets quite quiet at night.

:)

[thereuare]

MTE can get 'quiet' at nite also.

Even though Grand Central in right nearby, the area is mostly offices and at nite can be quiet. However, i wouldn't let any of this deter you... the city is small enough that 'action' is just a short cab ride away. After the hectic pace of a Manhattan afternoon, coming back to a quiet and peacful hotel can be appealing.

However, it's your trip and you know your personality better than i do, so it's for you to decide what is most important to you. As you share more of that with us we can continue to advise of the best course of action.

[lwitchel]

Seriously, each of those zones is under a 15-20 minute walk from the other. As a New Yorker (I live in the MTW zone) I'd say MTS is the most removed, and not by all that much. It's not like being in an outer arrondissement of Paris or the outskirts of London. You should be all right in any of those zones.

[stu1901]

I bid up to $140 per night and still got rejected.

[thereuare]

I thought your maximum was $120? What was your bidding history (zones and prices).

I wouldn't rush to raise my bid on this since your date is so far off but if you tell us your thoughts i'll comment furhter.

[stu1901]

Hi,

I had won an auction thru SkyAuction for the millenum hotel broadway, but yesterday got an email saying they couldn't fulfill my request! I have just checked various websites and the prices has gone up really high.

MY travel details

Checking in on Thursday 21st October

Checking out on Thuesday 26th October

Just tried 5 star MTW for $150 and not got anything. I have seen the marriott marquis hotel on here for that amountish.

Would it be better trying for say Thursday night then the last 4 nights seperatly?

thanks

[thereuare]

Please keep all of your posts for the same stay in the same thread.

There is no 5* bidding in MTW... did you bid for a 4* or did you bid MTE?

What zones are you willing to accept, what is your minimum star rating, and what is your maximum bid?

[stu1901]

Hi sorry... was going to use priceline first then found out about the auction site...

Well i have gone down to 2 stars, still in MTW and still can't get anything with $120 even in the 2* region!

[thereuare]

Very often you won't find much price difference between the star ratings in NYC. I have also seen 4 star properties be less expensive than 3* properties at times.

Are you still only interested in MTW and that is the only zone you are bidding? Unless there is some extenuating circumstance, i don't know why you would prefer (and try for) a 2* hotel in MTW before trying a 4* hotel in another nearby zone (MTE, UM/CPS, etc).

I think your zone restriction is too great if price is also important to you. However, we'll help based upon the parameters you want, so let us know your zone requirement and your maximum bid and we'll provide a strategy that you can follow.

[stu1901]

hi again.

Location i would like is to be central and near the times square and theatre area. What other areas would you suggest?

Thanks

[thereuare]

I would recommend MTE, MTW, and UM/CPS.

NYC is so compact that nothing is too far away and you'll find the mass transit system to be convenient and affordable. I'll also bet that once you are actually here you will find yourself spending a lot of time outside of the Times Square/Theater District area... and i hope you do, there is so much more to NYC than this area (Village, Soho, Downtown, Seaport, new walkway along the westside highway, etc, etc).

Once you decide upon the zone(s), we'll also still need to know your maximum bid.

[stu1901]

Didn't ever get anything through priceline in the range i wanted and alot of hotels were booked up due to conventions, so i eventually found a hotel with a room thru a different website.

[thereuare]

What website, what hotel, and how much?

All the above can help other users who may be having a problem with getting their own NYC bids accepted.