Priceline Hotel: NYC 12/5 -12/13

[kittyfrog]

HI I need some advice on bidding 1 room in NYC during NYC 12/5 -12/13. I am interested in bidding for 3.5* for below $200 in MTW & TSTD regions. This is my first time using PRICELINE and I am trying to look for a reference price to start bidding. Do I discount the given median retail price or the price of the hotel I want? And by how much percent?

And why is the given median retail price for 3.5* cost more than 4*? Are these given prices any relevant to my bid price?

Thanks a lot!!

[thereuare]

Welcome to BetterBidding!

You should ignore the median prices supplied by PRICELINE as they're not meaningful in your bidding strategy.

Is $200 your maximum bid price or 'all-in' price (incuding taxes and fees)? Let us know and we'll suggest a strategy for you to follow.

Please use these PRICELINE and HOTWIRE links to begin your travel purchases.

[kittyfrog]

Thanks for your reply!

$200 for "all in" price. Please help!

Btw, how much do the tax and fee cost?

[thereuare]

Hotel tax in NYC is ~15% and PRICELINE charges a booking fee of ~$6/nite, so $200 all-in is equivalent to about a $167/nite bid price, which at the moment i'm doubtful is going to be enough for these dates in the two zones you've selected.

If you'd like to give it a try anyway (hopefully you can prove me wrong) you have FIVE re-bid zones when bidding 4* in NYC. 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* TS 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

Any 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.

[kittyfrog]

HOTWIRE search for 12/5/09 through 12/13/09 returned a 3* for $283 per night in Times square. Can you tell me what this is?

[thereuare]

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

For help with HOTWIRE hotels you'll need to include the amenities that HOTWIRE associates with the hotel being offered.

Have you tried the bidding above yet? How high have you bid? Your original budget was $200 'all-in' and this 3* at $283/nite will put you somewhat over $300/nite... is this within your budget?

Please use these PRICELINE and HOTWIRE links to begin your travel purchases.

[kittyfrog]

I am willing to bump up my budget to a bid price of $220. Do you think it will be possible for a 3.5* or 3* in TS /MTW/MTE? I would really want to stay in the Four Points Sheraton Times Square which is a 3*.

Just to sort out my possibilities here how far and how much is Brooklyn from Manhattan by train and taxi? There is this new boutique hotel Hotel le bleu at $229 i saw at priceline.

Thanks a lot!!

[thereuare]

If you're considering a $220 bid amount i do think you have a chance for a 3* or 3.5* hotel in the TS/MTW/MTE zones.

Brooklyn is HUGE, so you'll need to let me know the address of the Hotel Le Bleu, i assume THIS is the property? If so, to guage taxi costs you'll also need to have an idea of where in Manhattan you'll be coming from/going to.

Please use these PRICELINE and HOTWIRE links to begin your travel purchases.