susanincleveland Posted September 22, 2009 Report Posted September 22, 2009 Hi,First-time poster... can you recommend a strategy for a one-night stay, Saturday, Oct. 17? I'm bringing my daughter to New York for a belated birthday present. (We'll be staying with friends in Brooklyn before, but want to sleep in Manhattan one night.) My zone preference is MTE, then CPS, MTW and ESB. (Am thinking TS isn't best for a child??) I'm willing to spend up to $200. THanks much,Susan
thereuare Posted September 22, 2009 Report Posted September 22, 2009 Welcome to BetterBidding!Although you listed a zone preference order, i assume price is more important than zone, and you'd prefer the least expensive 4* hotel in the zone above, rather than bidding up to your limit for a hotel in MTE, then if rejected trying up to your limit in CPS, then MTW, etc.Please confirm and we'll advise accordingly. Please use this HOTWIRE and these PRICELINE LINKS: HOTELS, CAR RENTALS, and AIRFARE to begin your travel purchases
AaronJB Posted September 22, 2009 Report Posted September 22, 2009 TS can be a little overwhelming for some adults - it's fun to walk through, but I don't recommend staying there.
susanincleveland Posted September 22, 2009 Author Report Posted September 22, 2009 Correct, price is more important than zone. The only hotel in MTE I'm concerned about is the Millennium UN, because it seems a bit far from the center of the things. But I hear it has a great pool (not that I'm coming to New York to swim!) You think the location is OK? Thanks much, Susan
thereuare Posted September 22, 2009 Report Posted September 22, 2009 What star rating are you hoping for? If 4*, the Millenium UN was last reported at the 3.5* level so that wouldn't come into play. If searching for less than 3.5*, the location would depend upon how often you think you'll be returning to the hotel during the day... it is a bit further east than most other hotels, but if you'll mostly be leaving in the morning and coming back at nite, or returning once to get ready for dinner before heading out again, then it'll probably be fine... if you see yourself wanting to return multiple times throughout the day to drop off shopping bags, taking a brief rest, washing up, etc. then you might find it a bit less convenient.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
susanincleveland Posted September 22, 2009 Author Report Posted September 22, 2009 Let's start out with 4*, but drop to 3.5 if the price isn't right. We'll likely only make one trip back to the hotel during the day, so the Millennium UN is probably fine... Thanks!
thereuare Posted September 22, 2009 Report Posted September 22, 2009 One more question... is $200 your 'all-in' price or your maximum bid price (before fees and taxes)?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
susanincleveland Posted September 22, 2009 Author Report Posted September 22, 2009 Maximum bid, thanks.
thereuare Posted September 22, 2009 Report Posted September 22, 2009 I don't think $165 (which comes to about $200 all-in) will be enough for this nite, but to give it a try: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* MTE, CPS, MTW and ESB...Bid $130, if rejected add re-bid zone...Bid $140, if rejected add re-bid zone...Bid $150, if rejected add re-bid zone...Bid $155, if rejected add re-bid zone...Bid $160, if rejected add re-bid zone...Bid $165Any questions feel free to ask.Please use these PRICELINE and HOTWIRE links to begin your travel purchases.Good luck and let us know how it goes.NOTE: if your plans are flexible i think you may have better luck trying for the nite of 10/18 (but i'd use a different strategy) so if the above fails and this is an option let us know... or if you'd like to stick with the current nite and try for 3.5* that's fine as well. Please use this HOTWIRE and these PRICELINE LINKS: HOTELS, CAR RENTALS, and AIRFARE to begin your travel purchases
susanincleveland Posted September 22, 2009 Author Report Posted September 22, 2009 Thanks... I'll give it a try. And I can spend up to $200 BEFORE taxes and fees. However, Oct. 18 is not an option.Also... am willing to try 3.5*... will let you know how it goes. Thanks for your help.
susanincleveland Posted September 23, 2009 Author Report Posted September 23, 2009 Just want to make sure I understand... my initial bid of $130 was just rejected (as expected). Do I add another geographic zone (without a 4*) and rebid the same price? Or increase the price by $10? Don't want to make a nonrefundable mistake... thanks...
susanincleveland Posted September 23, 2009 Author Report Posted September 23, 2009 Should I be adding a zone like Brooklyn, which has no 4*s? And then the Upper East Side, etc.? Just want to make sure I understand this.
thereuare Posted September 23, 2009 Report Posted September 23, 2009 You would add a re-bid zone (a zone that only contains hotels that are rated less than 4*) and increase your bid by the amount indicated (yes, $10 after the first two bids... $5 increments thereafter)The most important aspect is to make sure you have your re-bid zones correct, feel free to confirm them with the board if you're unsure.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
susanincleveland Posted September 23, 2009 Author Report Posted September 23, 2009 All right then, let me confirm my rebidding zones to make sure I don't make a mistake. Trying to get a 4* in my desired areas (MTE, CPS, MTW, ESB), I would add zones: Brooklyn, Chelsea, Long Island, MSG and UES. If I'm trying to get to a 3.5* in those same areas, I will rebid in three zones: Chelsea, Long Island and UES. Correct?
thereuare Posted September 23, 2009 Report Posted September 23, 2009 Yes, you have your re-bid zones correct :)... but always doubelcheck them just before bidding to make sure that nothing has changed (no hotels have been added/removed/upgraded/downgraded) since you last checked.Please use these PRICELINE and HOTWIRE links to begin your travel purchases.Good luck and let us know how it goes. Please use this HOTWIRE and these PRICELINE LINKS: HOTELS, CAR RENTALS, and AIRFARE to begin your travel purchases
susanincleveland Posted September 24, 2009 Author Report Posted September 24, 2009 Well, this isn't going to be as easy as I had hoped! I was unsuccessful at the 4* level... maxed out at $175. So, my options are: increase on 4* tomorrow or add 3.5*? I'm willing to do both... up to $200 on 4* (where should I start on 3.5?)After reading some reviews, I'm concerned about a couple of the 3.5* properties in Midtown (namely the Roosevelt and the Helmsley, both in MTE). Both 3.5* Affinias in ESB sound very nice. Can anyone comment? Since there are properties I want to avoid, I'm wondering if I should jump over to HOTWIRE? Or maybe I'm being too picky. Thanks for any and all advice...
thereuare Posted September 24, 2009 Report Posted September 24, 2009 You could try HOTWIRE but i just did a quick search there and didn't see anything at the 3.5* or 4* levels at $200 or less.Whether you decide to increase your bid or lower your star rating really depends upon what you're looking for in a hotel this stay... is a hotel just a place to sleep at the end of the day or do you like to stop by the hotel throughout the day to relax, wash-up, etc.Also, if you're trying to avoid some of the MTE hotels at the 3.5* level you could not include that zone in your bidding.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
susanincleveland Posted September 24, 2009 Author Report Posted September 24, 2009 OK... how about a strategy that allows me to go up to $225 on 4* in the areas MTE, MTW, CPS, ESB. And then move to 3.5* in ESB, MTW and CPS. Thank you!Perhaps this isn't the right forum to ask, but has anybody been to the Helmsley or Roosevelt lately? Recent reviews talk about renovation noise/hassles at the Helmsley. And I was freaked out by a bed bug reference at the Roosevelt. True, all I want in a hotel in New York is a decent night's sleep. But I do want that! Thanks for all your help.
thereuare Posted September 24, 2009 Report Posted September 24, 2009 OK, let's start with the 4* and if that is rejected we'll move on to 3.5*.Using your FIVE re-bid zones(NOTE: 're-bid zone1' is not the same as priceline's Zone1, 're-bid zone2' is not the same as priceline's Zone2, etc, etc)Select 4* MTE and MTW...Bid $130, if rejected add re-bid zone...Bid $140, if rejected add re-bid zone...Bid $150, if rejected add re-bid zone...Bid $155, if rejected add re-bid zone...Bid $160, if rejected add re-bid zone...Bid $165, if rejected close browser and use our link to re-access PRICELINESelect 4* TS and ESB...Bid $130, if rejected add re-bid zone...Bid $140, if rejected add re-bid zone...Bid $150, if rejected add re-bid zone...Bid $155, if rejected add re-bid zone...Bid $160, if rejected add re-bid zone...Bid $165, if rejected close browser and use our link to re-access PRICELINESelect 4* MTE, CPS, MTW and ESB...Bid $170, if rejected add re-bid zone1...Bid $175, if rejected add re-bid zone2...Bid $180, if rejected add re-bid zone3...Bid $185, if rejected close browser and use our link to re-access PRICELINESelect 4* MTE, CPS, MTW and ESB and re-bid zone4...Bid $190, if rejected add re-bid zone1...Bid $195, if rejected add re-bid zone2...Bid $200, if rejected add re-bid zone3...Bid $205, if rejected close browser and use our link to re-access PRICELINESelect 4* MTE, CPS, MTW and ESB and re-bid zone5...Bid $210, if rejected add re-bid zone1...Bid $215, if rejected add re-bid zone2...Bid $220, if rejected add re-bid zone3...Bid $225Any questions feel free to ask.Please use these PRICELINE and HOTWIRE links to begin your travel purchases.Good luck and let us now how it geos. Please use this HOTWIRE and these PRICELINE LINKS: HOTELS, CAR RENTALS, and AIRFARE to begin your travel purchases
susanincleveland Posted September 25, 2009 Author Report Posted September 25, 2009 Am not sure how to make this appear in the heading... bid of $180 was successful at 4* W New York - The Court (which is not on Priceline's ESB list, btw). Mixed reviews on tripadvisor, but it sounds like it'll be just fine for one night. THanks for all your help! p.s. I did use the better bidding PRICELINE link!
thereuare Posted September 25, 2009 Report Posted September 25, 2009 Congratulations on your success!Glad to see you were able to win at just over your previously rejected bids.... and a new hotel for the Priceline Hotel List :)Hope this works well for your needs and you're looking forward to your stay.Thank you for sharing your win with the board and using our PRICELINE link to begin your bidding.Enjoy your stay. 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