adre Posted July 24, 2009 Report Posted July 24, 2009 First time trying Priceline - I am taking my 18 year old daughter to NY for the first time and want to stay in a nice hotel. My preference would be something nice and in a good location, but hopefully the hotel has some "character". Desire:4* hotel MTE or CPS9/13/09 - 9/17/09 Sun-ThursStarted bidding at $150. Went as high as $190 and still no success. Am wondering if I am suffering from the Sun-Thurs timing and traveling in September? Am I anywhere near a bid that should be accepted? Any suggestions? Should I be using Hotwire instead?Thanks for any help!
thereuare Posted July 24, 2009 Report Posted July 24, 2009 Welcome to BetterBidding!Rates are high for these dates, probably due to both points that you mentioned... a midweek stay and a busier time of year than the very low summer rates we've been seeeing.Given the higher rates, is there a reason you're not including the MTW, TS, and/or ESB zones to increase the number of hotels that could accept your bid? Given current rates i'm not sure it will help, but it certainly wouldn't hurt.How high are you willing to go for a 4* hotel for these dates? I see what i believe to be the 3.5* rated Tudor Hotel at the UN (reviews) for 'just' $169... less than you have already bid for these dates and in one of the zones you have already bid. It may not be exactly what you're looking for, but does appear to offer good value for these dates relative to other prices... not sure if you're willing to lower your star rating, raise your bid, or just wait it out and hope for lower prices in the weeks ahead.Let us know your thoughts and we'll advise accordingly.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
adre Posted July 25, 2009 Author Report Posted July 25, 2009 Thanks thereuare! I am willing to go ~$230 but was hoping the great summer deals would extend into the fall. It doesn't look like it though! I did not include TS since I don't want to stay in that area. I should have included MTW - I was confused at one point because one of the PL maps combines TS and MTW into one area. I see now that the "Name Your Own Price" section separates these into two zones. I will try again in a few days and see if I get any takers. I had not considered The Tudor but the reviews look good. Thanks.I had a regular PRICELINE user advise me that I should have better results if I wait until days before my trip - that the hotels are less willing to take a lower offer this far out. I will post my results as soon as I get one! :) Thanks again.
AaronJB Posted July 25, 2009 Report Posted July 25, 2009 Let me search and see what I can find for these dates. Be back momentarily.
AaronJB Posted July 25, 2009 Report Posted July 25, 2009 Yipes - these are expensive dates; the best I could find beyond the HOTWIRE listing mentioned above is the Vinci Avalon for $235 - 15% using the SUMMERVIN coupon on Orbitz. Otherwise, regular rates for most 4*'s are well into the $300's.Are your plans confirmed (flight booked, etc) for NYC?Orbitz link: Orbitz.com
thereuare Posted July 25, 2009 Report Posted July 25, 2009 I had a regular PRICELINE user advise me that I should have better results if I wait until days before my trip - that the hotels are less willing to take a lower offer this far out.This is not entirely true... even though it's 3+ months away, hotels have a pretty good guess as to whether their occupancy rates are ahead or behind of where they 'should be' this far out. If their bookings are ahead of schedule or they're where they should be, then they will be less likely to deal or offer deep discounts to the opaque suppliers... if they're behind 'schedule' as far as how many reservations they have on the books, then they'll likely offer deep disounts in order to begin to fill the rooms... but all of this is closely watched and once the occupancy levels increase to where they should be, that inventory will be 'pulled' and not offered anymore until there is an imbalance once again in occupancy levels.For a further discussion on this subject see the related link in our PRICELINE FAQ.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
adre Posted July 25, 2009 Author Report Posted July 25, 2009 Thanks again for help. I will keep trying on PRICELINE to get something in the ~$230 range. The flights are booked (got Virgin America for $239 RT from SFO!) - I couldn't pass up the great price on the flights and needed to go those dates due to other plans. I realize that it's a gamble to hold off until days before we leave. I will post what happens. Am looking forward to the trip!!!
thereuare Posted July 25, 2009 Report Posted July 25, 2009 Have you triead again while including the MTW zone?Keep us updated as to your progress.Please use these PRICELINE and HOTWIRE links to begin your travel purchases.Good luck. Please use this HOTWIRE and these PRICELINE LINKS: HOTELS, CAR RENTALS, and AIRFARE to begin your travel purchases
adre Posted July 26, 2009 Author Report Posted July 26, 2009 Hi - I just tried $200 for 4* hotels in MTW, MTE, and CPS. Still no takers. I am going to continuing watching for deals and will keep trying the bidding process. I will go higher than $200 if I have to, but prefer to wait it out a bit more. I will keep you posted. Thanks again for the help.
thereuare Posted July 26, 2009 Report Posted July 26, 2009 Keep us updated and let us know if we can be of any help along the way.You should have some 'personal rules' that you write down for bidding this stay so that you dont' get caught up in the bidding and potentially overbid... make a set of guidelines as to your maximum bid up until a certain date, at which point you will raise it by $xx until a different date, at which point you will raise it again, etc. etc. It's ok to eventually deviate from this plan, but not as a knee-jerk reacation and only after thinking about it for at least a day.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
carolinew Posted July 29, 2009 Report Posted July 29, 2009 I believe NY Fashion Week is on during those dates which may explain it...Tried myself up to about $175 for any 4* MTE/MTW to no avail and thought that was the reason. Found good deal on quikbook and then hit up Starwood for their best price guarantee, which they honoured. Pretty good deals on Quikbook (Am I allowed to say this on here :s)
adre Posted July 29, 2009 Author Report Posted July 29, 2009 Thanks carolinew - you're right! Fashion Week is Sept 10-17. Ugh. I have continued trying $200/per night for 4* in MTE/MTW/CPS with no luck.
adre Posted July 30, 2009 Author Report Posted July 30, 2009 Success! I just had my $225 bid for 4* in MTE (9/13-9/17) accepted by Omni Berkshire. I had kept trying the $200 bid with no success - but had a message from PL to retry at $225. I guess that's a hint? Anyway, the hotel looks very nice. I had been searching lots of sites and was getting very depressed with the price of hotels during this particular week. I'm just hoping the hotel is not too big and impersonal?? :)
yellowdog Posted July 30, 2009 Report Posted July 30, 2009 Congratulations on your success!Thank you for sharing your win with the board :) Good to see that everything worked out well for you. Enjoy your stay.Please use the site's HOTWIRE and PRICELINE links to start future purchases.Yellowdog.
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