Priceline Hotel: 4* NYC (Times Square-Theatre District) Westin Times Square

[Tamtam75]

Hi all,

I just found this site a couple of days ago and I've tried my best to read through all of the forums and threads but there is a lot on this site. I've just decided that I want to try bidding for my hotel room so I need any help or advice I can get. I hope this is the right place to post this. My problem is that I'm a bit OCD mixed with some control issues and I'm pretty nervous about doing it since I am a big planner and not so good about not knowing exactly what I'm going to get.

I posted it in the priceline forum because that is the site I want to use (I think). I have scanned over each of the sites, Priceline and Hotwire, and PL looks more like what I want to use but that's not exactly an informed decision. So my first question would be asking if someone could give me a simple statement that describes the difference between the two (my understanding right now is that HW offers you a low price for an area and you accept the price and PL allows you to bid on a hotel in an area hoping for a price of your choosing).

I should add my goal and hopefully I can get some strategy from seasoned PL users! I am going to NYC in a couple weeks, hoping to stay there from Fri. Oct. 9th till Wed. Oct. 14th (and depending on the price I get, possibly adding on a day at either the beginning or the end). It is my husband and I and we want to stay in Times Square / Theatre district and nothing lower than 3* but interested in trying for 3.5* or even 4*. I would LOVE (and I'm really hoping) to get a room for as much under $200 as I can but $200 would really be my limit... I'll go as low as it will let me...

I have looked at the win calendar to see what others got on my dates and noticed a 4* star win for $176 which is a pretty good deal as far as I can tell. Is there a way to tell when that person got that win, like how long ago they made that bid? I obviously want to start bidding as soon as possible because the trip is only a couple weeks away. Opinions? Suggestions?

A few other questions I wondered about...

1) What's the need-to-know about the fees for PL (and even HW)? I know I could likely find all of this info if I read through several parts of the forum or all the fine print on each of the sites but if someone has a quick and easy way to explain it to me, I'd appreciate it because time isn't completely on my side. (I should add I'm in Canada, paying with Canadian funds/visa...if that makes a difference)

2) When on the PL site, I see that if i click on a star level it gives me a list describing the details about that specific star and it lists some of the hotel brands you might get in that particular star rating...what I wanted to know is that all of the possibilities or are there a lot more that are possible? I notice they give the names of major hotel chains...is it possible to get a hotel that is not a major hotel chain. Of the ones listed in the window that pops up, they seem to be ones I know and would be okay with but if there are others that aren't known, i'd worry about getting one of those.

3) We are driving to NYC which obviously adds additional costs for parking at our hotel....are the prices for parking in a certain * level pretty comparable or close and does anyone know what they are?

4) As I said, there are 2 of us, I've read that PL is really only good if it is 2 people...so that's fine but I know NYC hotel rooms can be small... do they guarantee a queen bed in every hotel or do they actually offer double bed rooms still? I couldn't sleep in a double bed, queen would be fine and king would be even better.. just want to make sure.

5) how long now for re-bid offers, is it 24 hours all the time or does it vary? And I've seen people mentioning really "low-balling" it...can you go lower than 50% off an average price of a hotel room in a certain star. Should I start with a 4* as my ideal and work my way down or should I just go to 3.5* or 3* because I won't get the hotel for the price I can afford? Help! LOL

I think that's all I can think of for right now.... I apologize for how much I asked in this but I'm pretty anxious about the whole thing (which is probably an indication that maybe this isn't for me but I really want to try it!!)

Thanks everyone!

Tamtam

[AaronJB]

Welcome to the site. :)

I definitely understand your issues/concerns with bidding for the first time.

To offer a brief summary, PRICELINE allows you to bid on a certain area at a certain star rating. For example, I could bid for a 4* in the Midtown East zone in NYC. By bidding, I am willing to accept possibly staying at any of the participating 4*'s in that area. There's no way to know which will accept, and there's no "work around" to try and bid for a particular hotel.

On HOTWIRE, one searches for their dates and is presented with a set of listings. The listings offer zone (area), star rating, price and a set of amenities. One can make an "educated guess" as to which hotel is showing based upon the information. HOTWIRE is generally at least somewhat more expensive than PRICELINE, but it's also less "opaque" than PRICELINE is. There is no way to guarantee a particular property on either service, which is the trade-off for the discounted rates.

Fees/taxes and the final total are presented on the bidding/purchase screens (so you could "check out" to see what the cost would be, but then not complete your purchase.)

There is a listing on this site of the hotels reported on HOTWIRE and PRICELINE for each state. There could be unknown/unreported ones, but what is listed is what has been reported to the boards. There are definitely more possibilities than the "examples" offered on each site.

The lists of PRICELINE and HOTWIRE hotels that have been reported are linked in the Priceline and Hotwire Hotel Lists page.

Parking is VERY expensive in NYC - $50 a night is not uncommon, and it's higher at some properties. If you're near a train station, you may want to Amtrak it in, as train tickets there and back may very well be cheaper than 5 nights of parking at $50 (+/-) a night. The Amtrak trains go into Penn Station, which is in Midtown.

Would your limit be $200 before tax or with tax? Additionally, would $50 a night added for parking take away from the hotel cost limit, or would it be an extra cost beyond hotel in the budget?

Hotel rates vary from a day-to-day basis. IF another user got the $176 rate for the exact same dates as you are going, then one can go off of that information to plan a bid. If they have that rate for only part of the same time period, then your cost may be different than theirs.

October is an expensive time of year in NYC, and TS is often (although not necessarily) a more expensive area to stay in. It's also not an area I'd really recommend staying in, but it is certainly popular. Would you be willing to stay in any other nearby areas, as that would broaden your chances?

There is no way to guarantee a certain bedding type via either service.

PRICELINE does have an "extend your stay" feature that would allow you to extend your stay another night at the end, but hotels do not always allow it or the rate may be higher (still discounted, but higher.)

Please let us know regarding exact budget (w/tax and parking considered) and then we can go from there w/suggestions. :)

Please use the site's PRICELINE or HOTWIRE links to start your purchase when you are ready to book.

[AaronJB]

Additionally, just to clarify, the total shown on the PRICELINE/HOTWIRE check-out pages is hotel + tax/fees. Any additional charges - parking, internet, etc. - are not dealt with until check-in.

[thereuare]

In addition to all the above info, i'd suggest reading my thoughts/comments regarding Hotels Near Times Square (it's really not necessary to limit your bidding to just this small, geographic region, but it's your stay/trip so you have to decide what you want from this stay)

This is another good thread which describes the differences, and similarities, between PRICELINE and HOTWIRE: I've Never Used Priceline or Hotwire.

Also, i'll re-iterate that if you're trying to avoid parking charges, parking outside of the city at a Park N Ride can be a good idea that saves you some money. If you instread opt to drive in, you can probably save a little by finding non-hotel parking (figure ~$30-$35/day)

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.

[Tamtam75]

Welcome to the site. :)

I definitely understand your issues/concerns with bidding for the first time. Thank you, was worried I might look a little crazy! (I mean a little more than normal!)

I do get the difference between PL and HW now so thank you for that explanation!

Fees/taxes and the final total are presented on the bidding/purchase screens (so you could "check out" to see what the cost would be, but then not complete your purchase.) I was reading through some other threads and saw one posting that said if a budget was $150 max, then one can assume that the max bid might be about $123 when considering the fees/taxes etc.. is that about right? About $25 approx. for each night of your stay between fees/taxes?

There is a listing on this site of the hotels reported on HOTWIRE and PRICELINE for each state. There could be unknown/unreported ones, but what is listed is what has been reported to the boards. There are definitely more possibilities than the "examples" offered on each site. I did follow this link for that so thank you, I got a better understanding of the hotels in each area and each star, very helpful!

The lists of PRICELINE and HOTWIRE hotels that have been reported are linked in the Priceline and Hotwire Hotel Lists page.

Parking is VERY expensive in NYC - $50 a night is not uncommon, and it's higher at some properties. If you're near a train station, you may want to Amtrak it in, as train tickets there and back may very well be cheaper than 5 nights of parking at $50 (+/-) a night. The Amtrak trains go into Penn Station, which is in Midtown. We really want to have our car at the hotel as we may drive somewhere on 1 or 2 of the days, otherwise it will remain parked but we wish to have it there with us. We did visit NYC one six years ago and stayed at Le parker Meridien and back then, the parking at that hotel was $30 a day. We realize it would be steep but are hoping it isn't more than that $30 or so a night....sounds like we're in trouble as some can be $50. your suggestion of parking somewhere and taking train in makes sense but I don't think we'd be willing to do that, as logical as it sounds. Thanks for the suggestion though

Would your limit be $200 before tax or with tax? Additionally, would $50 a night added for parking take away from the hotel cost limit, or would it be an extra cost beyond hotel in the budget? So I would say that 200 would be our limit with tax if it's possible...it's really what I'm hoping for and although it may be wishful thinking, I am hoping for less than $200 if possible. The parking cost will be considered a fee on top of it so I'm not counting that in my goal bid...but like I said, hope we don't get one that is $50 or $60 - that is the hard part here, I suppose I would have to look up info on hotels listed in the link you shared and see what parking costs are. It wouldn't cover all possible hotels I could get but it will give me an idea.

Hotel rates vary from a day-to-day basis. IF another user got the $176 rate for the exact same dates as you are going, then one can go off of that information to plan a bid. If they have that rate for only part of the same time period, then your cost may be different than theirs. Understood

October is an expensive time of year in NYC, and TS is often (although not necessarily) a more expensive area to stay in. It's also not an area I'd really recommend staying in, but it is certainly popular. Would you be willing to stay in any other nearby areas, as that would broaden your chances? On my last visist to NYC in 2003, we stayed on 57th at Le Parker Meridien, we loved it there and loved the hotel. While we weren't really that far to Times Square, only 8 or 9 blocks, it was far enough at times and we said if we came back, we'd like to stay right in Times Square/Theatre district. We are not completely stuck on it but we'd like to try for that first. We are only willing to stay at a 3, 3.5 or 4 star if in Times Square. I know staying in that area isn't for everyone and who knows, maybe we won't like it but we're hoping we will. I am willing to consider a couple areas that surround TS, like CPS or MTW, maybe even madison square garden (but that's really only for 1 or 2 hotels in that area.

To explain, I've travelled quite a bit in Canada and U.S., tried 6-8 different chains but the majority of my stays, especially in the last 2 years have all been H.I. Express... I like the hotel, love the free breakfast, I've always had good service and clean hotel rooms/areas. I like it there. While I could just do that now, the rooms are listing at $340 average on the ichotels site... too much. I know I can't be guaranteed HI Ex or any hotel with PL and that's fine....I'm considering this a change and an adventure for me LOL

There is no way to guarantee a certain bedding type via either service. That's disappointing...I'd hate to arrive and have a double bed...my husband and I aren't small people and one of us would surely have to sleep on a floor! Queen is fine and king is better as I said but a bit worried about that now....

PRICELINE does have an "extend your stay" feature that would allow you to extend your stay another night at the end, but hotels do not always allow it or the rate may be higher (still discounted, but higher.) Got it

Please let us know regarding exact budget (w/tax and parking considered) and then we can go from there w/suggestions. :) I will reply in this thread after I finish reading reviews of a few hotels and finding out info...still reading through some threads in this NY forum for guidelines./tips....I'll post shortly and then look for help from you wise people....I appreciate you taking the time to respond to my thread.

Please use the site's PRICELINE or HOTWIRE links to start your purchase when you are ready to book. I will do that!

I apologize for how long-winded I am! I'm sure it's annoying!

[Tamtam75]

In addition to all the above info, i'd suggest reading my thoughts/comments regarding Hotels Near Times Square (it's really not necessary to limit your bidding to just this small, geographic region, but it's your stay/trip so you have to decide what you want from this stay) Thank you for the link, I did read through this.

This is another good thread which describes the differences, and similarities, between PRICELINE and HOTWIRE: I've Never Used Priceline or Hotwire. Thank you also for this link, I did read through this as well.

Also, i'll re-iterate that if you're trying to avoid parking charges, parking outside of the city at a Park N Ride can be a good idea that saves you some money. If you instread opt to drive in, you can probably save a little by finding non-hotel parking (figure ~$30-$35/day) Do you have any specific suggestions or instructions for this idea (like the one Aaron suggested as well)... I know details about times square and downtown manhattan mainly, nothing aside from that. Do you mean a park n ride in like NJ or something? I'm still really skeptical about this but if I had more info, I might be able to consider. Like I said in my reply to Aaron...we really would rather have our car there with us which means we have to suck it up and incur those fees unfortunately.

Let us know how you'd like to proceed and we'll advise accordingly. Will do! thanks for your reply!

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

[Tamtam75]

Ok, so I've read through quite a few threads and links that were very helpful. I still think Priceline is the better bet for me as the hotels listed for my dates on HW had nothing under $200.

So....I would like advice about a couple scenarios if possible, maybe advice on which one I should take. (along with being OCD with control issues, I'm also indecisive!)

If we were to stay in Times Square, theatre district, I would be willing to stay (based on examples on list in link of hotel list for PL)... 3.5* or 4* I have a few hotel properties I like in each and would certainly be hoping for those while realizing they are not guaranteed (but all fingers/toes would be crossed!) I'd say 3* would be fine as well except the only example listed is Mela and i don't know that hotel name/chain at all so can't think of anything comparable...is it possible that is the only 3* in TS area?

So if I did this area...i'd like as cheap as I can get...my lowball would be $150 (heck, if you told me I could lowball less, I'd do it, giong for the cheap if I can) - would that fly? maybe? As I said, my top end would be $200 with taxes/fees include but I certainly wouldn't say no if it was going to come to say $210 total or something like that...

The only other areas I'd entertain are because of 1 or 2 hotels in the list and not for the whole list which is not the purpose of PL or the way it works and I get that. (for example, Midtown West 4* but only because I don't know the hotels in 3.5* ( i know they're not all listed but I still don't know the two listed) but 4* has hilton or sheraton. And 4* midtown east has grand hyatt or 3.5* has marriott or doubletree. I'd also entertain Madison Square Garden at 2.5* but only because in that list it has the hampton inn or holiday inn times square on 39th...which I again know aren't guaranteed but it makes me want to do it in hopes I'd get those ones) See that's my problem....chances are I wouldn't get them and I'd be stuck...I'm picky obviously and maybe that doesn't make me a good contender for using PL!

Ok sorry again for rambling.... I have to think out loud and hope that someone can help me with all my rantings.

Again, my dates are Fri Oct 9 to Wed Oct 14 with the chance I'd extend by a day. My hope is to pay as little as $125 (dreaming, right?) a night but no more than $200 with tax/fees included (emphasizing that I want the lower price more than i want a better hotel for a good rate. I'm guessing I want 3, 3.5 or 4 star hotels depending.

So....if TS, 3.5 or 4* where do I start in your opinions and what would you suggest for re-bid (I already read the rebid faq page)

If MTW or MTE, 4* where do I start and what would you suggest for re-bid?

If I dared to try (what's your opinion?), the madison square garden one at 2.5* hoping for hampton inn or holiday inn express, where would you start and what would you suggest for re-bid?

I apologize for how much I'm asking but clearly, i'm still really confused on what to do! Thanks in advance for your patience and advice!

tamtam

[PopDisplay]

See my thread for 4* on Oct 8-11

I've been bidding for nearly 2 weeks, everything from 3.5-4* in TS, MTW, up to $220 + junk fees.

Nothing is filling.

I will remain optimistic that as time draws near, the hotels will be more interested in filling empty space.

[Tamtam75]

See my thread for 4* on Oct 8-11

I've been bidding for nearly 2 weeks, everything from 3.5-4* in TS, MTW, up to $220 + junk fees.

Nothing is filling.

I will remain optimistic that as time draws near, the hotels will be more interested in filling empty space.

That has me a bit discouraged.... I hope you and I both have better luck with it!

[Tamtam75]

Ok, I think a bit of a light-bulb went off for me just now. I was explaining things to my husband and I believe I have a clearer view of where we are willing to stay and what star level and an even better understanding of the re-bids. Here's what I've figured out....tell me if I'm right. Also, please still post your advice and suggestions about what we should do for the bidding process....

We've picked zones in order of our preference. #1 for us is Times Square. If we don't have luck with this, we'll go to Midtown West and/or Central Park South 2nd. If luck is really bad, we'll go to the MSG zone.

For TS, we want 4* first and then 3.5* if that fails. I looked at each of the zones for 4* ratings and discovered that there are 5 other zones that don't offer 4* hotels. So i would make my first bid with TS 4* and then after that, each rebid would involve one or more of the zones that don't contain a 4* hotel, right? I'm still not completely clear on how many free rebids we can do by adding in these zones. In the thread about rebidding, someone provided the scenario where you can have approx 30 rebid scenarios by changing around the zone combinations which I completely get but can you try all of those? didn't I read somewhere that you get 5 free rebids or was that particular for that person's scenario because there weren't as many zones as NYC has? My other question is when I do the rebids adding in other zones without 4* and changing zone combinations, can you increase by $1 each time or does it have to be a standard $10 each time?

So I think my first bid would be TS, 4* for my dates and then rebids with the other zones....am I on the right track? I'm good with specific instructions so if you've got 'em, give them to me.

If this wasn't successful...we'd be willing to do 3.5* in TS....go through the same process....less opportunities with this one as most zones have 3.5*, only a couple don't (UES, LIC, Chelsea)

If this wasn't successful... we'd go for Midtown West (MTW) at 4* only

So on and so on... Like I said, I'm more sure now of the areas we want in order or preference and the star ratings we want as well.

The only thing I'm not clear on, although it has been laid out and explained...is the need to close the browser to re-bid. Some posts have said to do that after every couple and even 1 after every rebid... then I saw mention of the search box at the top right (which I haven't seen yet as I've not visited the site except to see the zones) and clicking on that...it said tht would take you where you need to go. Others said if you're logged into your account to go to the rejected bids page and continue from that. I don't have an account yet, should I sign up for one? Is it better to be logged into the account or start from unknown user and go in?

i'm getting there folks...I'd like to think I'm a fast user but it isn't helping that I'm so nervous about trying this!

Thanks again for patience and advice!

Tamtam

[thereuare]

You could likely find parking in the city, but not at your hotel, for $30-$35. For example, the Port Authority offers parking for $33 per 24 hours. So while you couldn't call the bellman and have your car out from for when you get ouf of the elevator, your car would be in the city and accessible.

However, i'd ask where you're thinking of going for a day or two (as well as where you're coming in from). If you're seriously considering a day trip outside of the city, better to just do that on the first day towards the city (and stay locally the first nite, arrving in Manhattan the second day) OR for the last day of your trip (and leave the city early)

In regards to your bidding, hotel tax in NYC is ~15% and PRICELINE's booking fee is about $6-7/day, so $200 all-in is about a $166 bid amount.

If you want to try for a 4* first in Times Square, you can use your FIVE re-bid zones as follows:

(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* Times Square...

Bid $120, if rejected add re-bid zone1...

Bid $130, if rejected add re-bid zone2...

Bid $135, if rejected add re-bid zone3...

Bid $140, if rejected add re-bid zone4...

Bid $145, if rejected close browser and use our link to re-access PRICELINE

Select 4* Times Square and re-bid zone5...

Bid $150, if rejected add re-bid zone1...

Bid $155, if rejected add re-bid zone2...

Bid $160, if rejected add re-bid zone3...

Bid $165, if rejected add re-bid zone4...

Bid $170

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.

[Tamtam75]

You could likely find parking in the city, but not at your hotel, for $30-$35. For example, the Port Authority offers parking for $33 per 24 hours. So while you couldn't call the bellman and have your car out from for when you get ouf of the elevator, your car would be in the city and accessible. Thank you for suggesting that.

However, i'd ask where you're thinking of going for a day or two (as well as where you're coming in from). If you're seriously considering a day trip outside of the city, better to just do that on the first day towards the city (and stay locally the first nite, arrving in Manhattan the second day) OR for the last day of your trip (and leave the city early) we might abandon that idea after all.... We are coming from Canada and will be driving through NJ, across the George Washington bridge into downtown NYC (that's how we drove there last time)

In regards to your bidding, hotel tax in NYC is ~15% and PRICELINE's booking fee is about $6-7/day, so $200 all-in is about a $166 bid amount. Thank you for clarifying that.

If you want to try for a 4* first in Times Square, you can use your FIVE re-bid zones as follows:

(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) I remember seeing this posted somewhere else....what does this mean? that the zone 10 which is Times Square on priceline NYOP first page is not zone 10 in the rebid zone? Please explain...

Select 4* Times Square...

Bid $120, if rejected add re-bid zone1...

Bid $130, if rejected add re-bid zone2...

Bid $135, if rejected add re-bid zone3...

Bid $140, if rejected add re-bid zone4...

Bid $145, if rejected close browser and use our link to re-access PRICELINE

Select 4* Times Square and re-bid zone5...

Bid $150, if rejected add re-bid zone1...

Bid $155, if rejected add re-bid zone2...

Bid $160, if rejected add re-bid zone3...

Bid $165, if rejected add re-bid zone4...

Bid $170

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.

Another question I have now (which I might have asked already) is about the # of re-bids...was I right in thinking there were up to 30 (approx) rebid options? Because of all the combinations? The other question was is it best to go up by $5 increments or could you go by $1 or $2 rebids. Are you listing the five bids as the only # of bids that can be used? And this is in the same 24 hr period, right?

Sorry if i'm not getting it all yet....

[Tamtam75]

Sorry another thing....

Could you give me advice for a couple other possibilities....only because I want to see how they could play out based on knowledgable experience... if you don't mind of course.

you gave me advice for 4* times square already (thank you!) (see questions above in previous post)

Where would you start bidding for 3.5* for Times Square? Would you do the same re-bid thing?

Where would you start bidding for 4* for midtown west? Would you do the same re-bid thing?

Where would you start bidding for 4* or 3.5* for central park south? Would you do the same re-bid thing?

And finally, how about for 3* or 2.5* for Madison Square Garden?

If you don't mind giving me an idea for those....even if it's just posting your opinion on where to start bidding...if I were to follow most of the same re-bid process...

Thanks so much!

[thereuare]

You can use more bids than the above thru permutations, and bid in smaller increments, but eventually you hit a point of opportunity cost and we try to strike a balance between time/effort and savings. For example, at the moment, based upon current rates, i'd guess your chances of winning a 4* for your dates is less than 20%, but if the above bidding will take you 20 minutes it's worth a shot, but to spend 6x that time (~2 hours) to save an extra $10 on the total stay, just isn't worthwhile.

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

[Tamtam75]

Ok that makes sense, definitely smarter to get that balance when you're doing it. i certainly don't want to spend 2 or 3 hours doing it....more keen on getting it done quick. I do want to make a lot of bids and not have to wait for the 24 hour period. the key it seems is to close the browser and use the link (from this site of course!!) to restart so you can choose a different star if need be.

Can you clear up the confusion I have about the priceline zones not being the same as the re-bid zones? And i realize this asking a lot but how about the starting bids for other * or zone?

I'm hoping to start my bidding tomorrow morning!

[thereuare]

Can you clear up the confusion I have about the priceline zones not being the same as the re-bid zones? And i realize this asking a lot but how about the starting bids for other * or zone?

Take your FIVE re-bid zones and list them on a piece of paper... those are your re-bid zone1, re-bid zone2, etc, etc, re-bid zone5.

We make the above comment so that users are not confused and think that re-bid zone1 is the same as "Zone 1", the first zone in PRICELINE's list of zones (and that re-bid zone2 is NOT the second zone is PRICELINE's list of zones, etc, etc)

Hope that clarifies it.

Thanks in advance for using our PRICELINE links to begin your bidding.

[Tamtam75]

ok i get that! I even already had them listed on a piece of paper!

i'll check in the morning for any other replies and hopefully some advice on my other possible plans of action. Thanks! This is a very helpful site with helpful people!

[Tamtam75]

Ok I'm confused now and not sure what I did wrong. I followed all of the steps you stated here with no problems, no bids accepted but no problems either. Once I finished the $170 bid, I closed my browswer and reopened it using the link on this site.

Once re-opened, I went through same process as last time I closed it and this time I selected my 4* TS and added only rebid zone 2 (I had already done 4-TS plus rebid zone 1 and then plus zone 2 and then plus zone 3 and so on but I had not yet done just 4-TS and then rebid zone 2 (which for me is MSG)) With this selection of 4-TS and rebid zone 2 (MSG), I bid $175.

This is what came up for me on the PL site:

Copied from site:

DUPLICATE REQUEST

We were not able to process this request since our records indicate you have already made a request for this same trip. Your credit card has not been charged for Request Number 658-852-001-68.

We'd be happy to try your request again if you can do any one of the following:

Change your dates of stay

Select a different hotel quality star level

Add more areas in which you'd be willing to stay

If you can change any of these items, you can also name a new price. If you are unable to change your request as indicated above, you will need to wait at least 24 hours from the time you made your original offer to try again.

To try your request again, change one or more items with a check.

What did I do wrong?

[Tamtam75]

Well, whatever I did wrong, I tried again and it worked so no worries there.

I've now bid up to $215 (higher than I wanted to) in 4* Times Square and nothing has been accepted. :-(

Can you please give me advice for the other scenarios I listed in a post above, at least with starting bid info for each one...I can figure out the rest for adding in rebid zones and increasing the bid by $5 or $10. I think I may have to choose one of those scenarios instead :-(

Thank you.

[AaronJB]

HOTWIRE does have a 4* for $233 in MTE. While I know MTE wasn't your first choice, it's still a really nice area, and given the $233 price tag on HOTWIRE, you could start lower on PRICELINE.

HOTWIRE has only 1 TS property for these dates - a 3* for $199.

Let us know your thoughts.

Please use the site's HOTWIRE or PRICELINE links.

[thereuare]

If i've re-read the above correctly you're next move is for a 3.5* in the Times Square zone? Not sure of your maximum bid since you exceeded your previous limit for your 4* biddng, but i'll stick with your $170 maximum bid for this round of 3.5* bidding.

At the 3.5* level you have THREE 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.

(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 3.5* Times Square...

Bid $130, if rejected add re-bid zone1...

Bid $140, if rejected close browser and use our link to re-access PRICELINE

Select 3.5* Times Square and re-bid zone2...

Bid $145, if rejected add re-bid zone1...

Bid $150, if rejected close browser and use our link to re-access PRICELINE

Select 3.5* Times Square and re-bid zone3...

Bid $155, if rejected add re-bid zone1...

Bid $160, if rejected close browser and use our link to re-access PRICELINE

Select 3.5* Times Square and re-bid zone2 and re-bid zone3...

Bid $165, if rejected add re-bid zone1...

Bid $170

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.

[Tamtam75]

Well I tried to get a location I wanted with the kind of deal I wanted but to no avail.

Being from Canada...I forgot that it's a holiday weekend there which I suppose plays a part in the prices. I know others got cheaper nights at the same hotel but they also got their winning bids months ago. The most recent winning bid from this hotel was about 3 weeks ago for a bit less than mine.

I tried a couple different scenarios but only in 4* and 3.5* and TS and MTW... I just decided I didn't really want to go anywhere else. Which meant....I had to increase my planned budget. I increased my $200 top bid to $250 and totally planned on stopping there but I'm weak...I wanted that general area and really wanted a 3.5* or 4*..

Anyways, to make a long story not-so-short....I am VERY happy with the win....just not as much about the price (although it is good.) .... I got the Westin NY Times square for $280 for 5 nights. It's a great hotel and right where I want to be so that's great....it looks like an awesome hotel.. just wish I won a bid a little smaller.

Now that I've used PL and have a better idea of how it works (especially for others) and I have this site to refer to, I'll be ready for my next bid. I did check Hotwire and figured out the same hotel was being offered for $319 and on other travel sites it wasn't being offered for less than about $400 and up.

Thanks for the help and advice I received on here. It's appreciated. I will change the subject of this thread to reflect my win.

Tamtam

[Tamtam75]

How do you change the subject? I want it to read NYC 4* Westin NY TS, $280 from Oct 9 to Oct 14.

[AaronJB]

Congratulations on your success!

Thank you for sharing your results with the board. Sorry to hear that you ended up paying more than you would have liked, but this is a good deal for one of the nicest 4*'s in the zone. Certainly spot-on in terms of the location, as well.

Thanks for using our PRICELINE link to start your purchase, and glad the site was helpful. We look forward to helping with future stays. :)

Enjoy your stay.