BetterBiddingFan Posted August 19, 2009 Report Posted August 19, 2009 The team at Better Bidding doea a great job - much appreciated.Could I have some expert advice for an upcoming stay in NY? 9/8-9/13. Looks like Hotwire doesn't have something to fit my criteria, so could I trouble you for some PL strategy advice?1st, 2nd, 3rd areas of preference:1) CPS, ESB, MTE, MTW, TS, 2) Chelsea, SoHo, MSG3) UES, UWSThe goal would be 3.5 or 4 star around $150/nt. Would be open to 3* and $175 if need be. Is there any PL logic that allows a lower bid for a longer stay i.e. any benefit to booking 5 nights vs 1 or 2?This trip for my wife and I may include our 1 yr old (+crib). I realize HW and PL are guaranteed double occupancy, however, if you have any addl insight into specific areas/star ratings for my bidding strategy above that might provide hotels with rooms a bit larger I'll appreciate the advice, but won't expect guaranteed results. I do realize I might get pinned with an upgrade if 3 of us need to be in the room and end up being allocated a petite one.Thanks in advance for your assistance.
thereuare Posted August 19, 2009 Report Posted August 19, 2009 The team at Better Bidding doea a great job - much appreciated.1st, 2nd, 3rd areas of preference:1) CPS, ESB, MTE, MTW, TS, 2) Chelsea, SoHo, MSG3) UES, UWSThe goal would be 3.5 or 4 star around $150/nt. Would be open to 3* and $175 if need be.I think your budget may be tough for for these dates, but what is most important to you... price, zone, or star rating. Did you want to try for a 4* first in the zones you included in #1 in your list, then if rejected, what's your next move... lower your star rating for those zone OR try for a 4* in the zones in #2 in your list? Are you willing to pay more for a 4* vs. a 3.5* or is your goal the least expensive 3.5* or better for these dates? Is there any PL logic that allows a lower bid for a longer stay i.e. any benefit to booking 5 nights vs 1 or 2?It's often a 'non-event', but if there is an issue, longer stays are usually a detriment and not a benefit.This trip for my wife and I may include our 1 yr old (+crib). I realize HOTWIRE and PRICELINE are guaranteed double occupancy, however, if you have any addl insight into specific areas/star ratings for my bidding strategy above that might provide hotels with rooms a bit larger I'll appreciate the advice, but won't expect guaranteed results. I do realize I might get pinned with an upgrade if 3 of us need to be in the room and end up being allocated a petite one.You do also run the risk that the hotel doesn't have any 'upgrade' rooms available or doesn't offer the ability to pay for an upgrade... there are quite a few hotel rooms in Manhattan that can't accomodate a crib. Do note that HOTWIRE does allow you to search for up to quad occupancy and ensures sleeping accomodations for everyone you include in your search... but unfortuantely everything currently offered for your dates is above your budget.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. Please use this HOTWIRE and these PRICELINE LINKS: HOTELS, CAR RENTALS, and AIRFARE to begin your travel purchases
BetterBiddingFan Posted August 19, 2009 Author Report Posted August 19, 2009 I think your budget may be tough for for these dates, but what is most important to you... price, zone, or star rating. Did you want to try for a 4* first in the zones you included in #1 in your list, then if rejected, what's your next move... lower your star rating for those zone OR try for a 4* in the zones in #2 in your list? Are you willing to pay more for a 4* vs. a 3.5* or is your goal the least expensive 3.5* or better for these dates? hear you on trying to hit budget for these dates - thanks for the help. As for priorities, I'm neutral between a 4* and a 3.5*, with 3* as a 2nd preference but still open to it. As for budget, $175 is where I'd like to land, but will go north of that if need be (perhaps to the low $200 range) since these dates seem very difficult and Expedia/hotwire are not providing any solid alternatives.To your question above about next steps, I'd prefer a location listed within my #1 and #2 areas. As for approach, perhaps I bid on those 2 top areas for a 4*, then a 3.5*, then add the 3rd group of areas on my list, but I'll defer to youClear risk on my part with rooms that don't accomodate a crib. Regarding choices on areas to target, any way to avoid the boutiques and grab something like the Westin in Times Square where I can get a room with a few more square feet. If my chances are better in some areas than others, I am open to that approach.RE: Hotwire quad occupancy - how do I ensure that? Is it the obvious - select more than 2 guests in the room when searching?
thereuare Posted August 20, 2009 Report Posted August 20, 2009 I'm neutral between a 4* and a 3.5*, with 3* as a 2nd preference but still open to it....perhaps I bid on those 2 top areas for a 4*, then a 3.5*, then add the 3rd group of areas on my listSo you're not really 4* and 3.5* neutral... you are willing to pay more for a 4* vs. a 3.5*?If so, please confirm...You want to bid for a 4* in CPS, ESB, MTE, MTW, TS up to $175, if that is rejected...Try for a 4* in Chelsea, SoHo, MSG up to $175, if that is rejected....You want to bid for a 3.5* in CPS, ESB, MTE, MTW, TS up to $175, if that is rejected...Try for a 3.5* in Chelsea, SoHo, MSG up to $175OR was this your gameplan:You want to bid for a 4* in CPS, ESB, MTE, MTW, TS, Chelsea, SoHo, MSG up to $175, if that is rejected...Try for a 3.5* in CPS, ESB, MTE, MTW, TS, Chelsea, SoHo, MSG up to $175Is one of the above correct?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
BetterBiddingFan Posted August 21, 2009 Author Report Posted August 21, 2009 I would prefer a 4*, but have no issue accepting a 3.5* (seems that is a preference and neutral wasn't a fair categorization), to that end I think the scenario below matches the approach I would take: Bid on a 4* up to $175 in CPS, ESB, MTE, MTW, TSIf rejected, bid on a 3.5* up to $175 in CPS, ESB, MTE, MTW, TSIf rejected, bid on a 4* up to $175 in Chelsea, SoHo, MSGIf rejected, bid on a 3.5* up to $175 in Chelsea, SoHo, MSG
thereuare Posted August 21, 2009 Report Posted August 21, 2009 To begin, 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 4* CPS, MTE, MTW, TSBid $120, if rejectd add re-bid zone...Bid $125, if rejectd add re-bid zone...Bid $130, if rejectd add re-bid zone...Bid $135, if rejectd add re-bid zone...Bid $140, if rejectd add re-bid zone...Bid $145, if rejected close browser and use our link to re-access PRICELINESelect 4* ESBBid $120, if rejectd add re-bid zone...Bid $125, if rejectd add re-bid zone...Bid $130, if rejectd add re-bid zone...Bid $135, if rejectd add re-bid zone...Bid $140, if rejectd add re-bid zone...Bid $145, if rejected close browser and use our link to re-access PRICELINESelect 4* CPS, MTE, MTW, TS and ESBBid $150, if rejectd add re-bid zone...Bid $155, if rejectd add re-bid zone...Bid $160, if rejectd add re-bid zone...Bid $165, if rejectd add re-bid zone...Bid $170, if rejectd add re-bid zone...Bid $175Any questions feel free to ask. If you're rejected with the above we'll revise to try for these zones at the 3.5* level.Please use these PRICELINE and HOTWIRE links to begin your travel purchases.Good luck and let us konw how it goes. Please use this HOTWIRE and these PRICELINE LINKS: HOTELS, CAR RENTALS, and AIRFARE to begin your travel purchases
Recommended Posts
Register now, we have a huge community of travel enthusiasts to answer any questions you might have.
Sign In Now