Priceline Hotel: Help! 8 Nights in NYC

[tidzman]

Hi,

I'm a tourist and I would like to ask for assistance in bidding in Priceline.

I'm staying in NYC from Oct.28 to Nov.2 and Nov.5-8.

I will be in Washington D.C. from Nov. 2-5 (I also intend to bid in Priceline).

My budget all-in is $150 for 3.5* or $200 for 4* if any is available.

I would however prefer a 3.5* at $150.

I would really like to stay in TS but MTW would be acceptable.

Thanks!

* I'm not sure if I can include this here but I would also like to request assistance in bidding for a Washington DC hotel.

I need a room from Nov.2 to Nov.5. in White House - Downtown area.

[Romelle]

You will want a separate entry for WDC. You will probably find WDC hotels a little less expensive than NYC ones. So I'd guess your budget might be a little higher for NYC rooms.

Since it is already Oct 29, you need to start bidding ASAP.

Take a look at the Priceline and Hotwire Calendar of Wins above, and plan your bids accordingly.

If you don't see any results within your budget, you will have to think about raising for NYC or looking at more areas or lower star levels. The public transportation is really quite efficient there so other areas might be workable for you.

If you are considering more areas, you will have more available bids. Do start your bidding in the less expensive area, and add areas in in order of costliness, to prevent overbidding.

If you are OK with moving, you could also bid the less expensive days first (as indicated by the calendar of wins and maybe the day-by-day rating of Expedia).

I just got back from three days there. Actually stayed in Newark as it was REALLY inexpensive there. Made it work, but I wouldn't advise going that far out unless about a 2 hour commute each way every day is OK with you. (STOMP was marvelous and MOMA is free Friday nights.)

Romelle

PS - I'm not a moderator, just a member, but noted how little time you have, and thought I'd take a stab at your problem right now.

[thereuare]

Since it is already Oct 29, you need to start bidding ASAP.

It's actually only September 29th, so there's some time available an no need to rush :)

tidzman,

Please start by reading your messages.

We'll use one thread per stay, so please start NEW TOPICS for your DC stay and for your second NYC stay... we'll use this thread for all posts pertaining to your 10/28-11/2 stay.

Rates for this stay are going to be high as it covers the NYC Marathon, which brings in LOTS of people from other states and countries, as well as press to cover the event. Given the high demand, it may help to add other zones to your bidding which may be acceptable, but not sure of your specific plans and how that would work for your needs this stay. You could start with just TS and MTW, but i'm going to guess at the moment that you'll fall short of 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.

[tidzman]

Thanks guys!

I didn't know about the marathon and that this will be high season. :)

It's my first time in NYC and I thought of staying as close to Times Square as possible thinking that it's the center of NY and hence the center of all tourist activities and attractions.

What do you think would be a good start bid for a 3.5* or a 4* in the areas I mentioned (TS and MTW) and at the dates that I will be there?

If I'm unsuccessful in these areas, which areas do you suggest I bid on (in order of their tourist-friendliness and accessibility to tourist attractions) and at what starting bids?

Thanks!

[tidzman]

By the way, if I'm willing to split my bid (I was reading another thread), what split do you suggest I make?

Thanks!

[thereuare]

I don't think you're budget is going to be enough for a 3.5* or 4* in Manhattan.... $200 'all-in' is ~$165(bid) and $150 'all-in' is ~$123(bid).

What is the best rate you're able to find for these dates thru traditional booking channels?

The NYC Marathon is a great event to watch, but if cost is a concern, any chance of changing your plans to to be in DC for 10/28-10/31 (or 11/1) and then in NYC for the balance? (haven't checked rates for this possibiltiy, but thought i'd at least see if an option)

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

[Romelle]

Thereuare - Thanks for catching my confusion over dates. I was pretty severely jet-lagged. Probably shouldn't have been operating ANY machinery, including my computer, not just heavy stuff.

Tidzman - the way to tell where to try to split dates for a stay is to look at room rates day-by-date. Expedia lists things this way, and so does the retail side of Priceline. Put in your range of dates, and then just scan a bunch of hotels looking for higher rates for certain dates. It can be event driven, or some holiday one has never heard of, or just weekend vs weekday. It usually is sort of mixed, but sometimes there is a reasonably clear pattern.

Bid the lower rated group of days first. Once in a great while, Priceline will let one use the add-a-night feature and extend on into the higher rated days at the bid price. More often, one can use the the feature, but at a higher price. If the feature isn't available, then you just start over and bid the remaining nights separately.

Take a look at the Priceline map of the bidding areas, and then maybe read some of the hotel reviews of the other areas. I just got back from NYC night before last. If you ride the subway, you pretty much can stay in any area. Manhatten is of course most convenient, but the others are workable. We actually stayed over in Newark, NJ as we'd found a really good deal. The transportation from there is fairly time-consuming, but even that can be made to work.

And my apologies to you too, for my confusion over September vs October.

Romelle

[tidzman]

Thanks again guys!

I've decided to adjust my travel plans as thereuare suggested.

Instead of arriving on the 28th, I will be arriving on the 30th. I plan to go to Six Flags New Jersey on the 31st. :)

I will leave for Washington DC on Nov. 3 and stay there until the 5th. I'm watching the Wizards vs. Heat game on the 4th in DC. :)

Then I'll be in NYC again from Nov. 6 to 10.

Three questions though:

1) Since i'm going to Six Flags on the 31st and intend to be there from opening to closing (1030am - 11pm) do you suggest that I stay the night in a nearby hotel instead? One factor to consider in this arrangement though is that I would have to rent a car. There is no bus service back to NYC on Nov. 1. Will the savings outweigh the cost of renting a car?

2) I plan to spend the whole of Nov.6 at Woodbury Commons (Central Valley, NY if I'm not mistaken) and go to Yale at 9am on Nov. 7. Do you suggest that I book a hotel in Central Valley instead? I really intend to rent a car for the Woodbury trip (it would be a hassle using public transportation with so many shopping bags) :o .

3) Should your answer to all of the above be yes, the should I begin a new thread for the following:

NYC: Oct.30-31

Jackson, NJ: Oct.31-Nov.1

NYC: Nov.1-3,

White House - Downtown, WDC: Nov.3-6

Central Valley, NY: Nov.6-7

NYC: Nov.7-10.

By the way, does PL bidding cover Jackson, NJ and Central Valley, NY?

Thanks!

[thereuare]

I'm not sure how much these changes help you.

How are you arriving to the area? (plane? if so, which airport) Which of your dates can't be changes? (ex.- you must be in DC for the basketball game on 11/4... but could you do Great Adventure on a different day or is there some Halloween event taking place 10/31 that locks you into that day?) How do you intend to travel to DC? Do you want to explore DC or is the purose of the trip to go to the game? What about Yale, do you have an appointment up there or simply going to see the area?

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

[tidzman]

I'm arriving by plane via JFK. Early evening arrival only (6:20pm).

The following are the dates that cannot be changed :

Oct. 31: Great Adventure (already made arrangements with friends who are NYC based on this date, tickets, et. al. already issued)

Nov. 4: BBall Game (have tickets already also)

I have to attend information sessions at Yale and Princeton. I can still adjust the dates but (Monday to Saturday only).

The date for the Woodbury trip is not fixed.

Looking forward to your suggestion.

I'm not sure how much these changes help you.

How are you arriving to the area? (plane? if so, which airport) Which of your dates can't be changes? (ex.- you must be in DC for the basketball game on 11/4... but could you do Great Adventure on a different day or is there some Halloween event taking place 10/31 that locks you into that day?) How do you intend to travel to DC? Do you want to explore DC or is the purose of the trip to go to the game? What about Yale, do you have an appointment up there or simply going to see the area?

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

[Romelle]

The way to determine whether a city is biddable or not is to just get on Priceline and try it. In both the two cities you mentioned, PL is not actually biddable. But when I checked the two places, PL gave some nearby places that are biddable. And it showed some retail (direct buy) hotels it had available.

Regarding your options for staying different places, one possible way to make decisions is to look at Hotwire rates for your desired star level(s) at the different places, and then make your choices based on the rate differences between the places. Of course you have to add in that rental car for some of the places, but you can also get a good idea as to what that will cost you via Hotwire. (www.kayak.com would work like Hotwire too.) It is just a little cost-benefit analysis, but keyed to your preferences and budget levels.

Romelle

[thereuare]

How many days at Yale?

Do you want to explore DC or is the purpose just the basketball game and you're content to "get in/get out"?

How about something like this:

10/28 arrive... head towards Yale (and sleep in the Yale area)

10/29, 10/30 ... meetings at Yale, end of day head South towards Great Adventure (stay near Great Adventure)... if meeting is only one day then 10/30 spend shopping at Woodbury Commons, at nite drive to Great Adventure

10/31 ... great adventure, stay this nite in this area or start the trip heading South towards DC

11/1-11/5 stay in DC

11/5-11/10 stay in NYC (and make a day trip to Woodbury Commons if not abel to do on 10/30 above)

Thougths? If the above seems feasible we'll take the next step and see if pricing works out well, but at least from an itinerary point of view, it does things in a bit more geographically organized fashion... as well as doesn't put you in Manhattan for the expensive pre-marathon dates. (but would still need to check rates for NYC and DC for the nites above)

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

[tidzman]

Thanks thereuare!

Unfortunately I won't be able to arrive earlier than the 30th anymore. I'm due to arrive on October 30, 6:20pm (paid and non-refundable booking).

I need to be in Yale and Princeton for only half a day (around 9am-3pm). I really don't intend to stay the night in either of these place. I'd rather spend the time in NYC.

Here's the itinerary that I have in mind right now:

10/30-10/31: NYC

10/31-11/01: Great Adventure

11/01-11/03: NYC City Tour

11/03-11/06: WDC (Aside from watching the game, I'm also touring the city)

11/06-11/10: NYC (since the marathon has ended, I thought I'd be better off just taking a day trip to Woodbury Commons and not stay the night there anymore; the car rental cost will eat away the savings anyway)

I'm planning to take day trips to Princeton and Yale by bus/train between 11/06-11/10.

One reason for this itinerary is that I want to maximize my time in NYC as much as possible. I don't want to stay too long in WDC since I've been there before. It's just my traveling companion who hasn't.

What do you think?

[thereuare]

What do you think?

I think there's too much time traveling back-forth only to do it again the following day.

For example, Great Adventure is roughtly 75 minutes from NYC... Princeton is 50 mintues... i'm guessing the two are about a half hour from each other... so it doesn't pay, imo, to travel from NYC --> Princeton --> NYC --> Great Adventure --> NYC --> DC (when Great Adventure is already an hour closer to DC than NYC)

So when Princeton is near Great Adventure, and on your way to DC, it seems silly to return to NYC between each of these trips, as well as have the added expense of a NYC hotel when all you'll really be doing is sleeping there. However, you have already made some non-changable plans in the middle of your stay which will force the itinerary to be less than efficient.

10/30: Princeton (sleep near Great Adventure... save expense of NYC hotel since won't be there anyway and get this 'day trip' out of the way)

10/31: Great Adventure (make the most of your day since you'll be sleeping nearby)... after the park sleep someplace in between Great Adventure and Yale or near Woodbury Commons)

11/01-11/03: Yale and Woodbury Commons

11/04-11/05: WDC

11/06-11/10: NYC

I really think you're overestimating the time you're going to actually be in Manhattan and able to actually do something if it's also a 'travel day' (ie- returning from DC and expecting to hit the town once you arrive in NYC... getting back from Great Adenture and thinking your going to go out in Manhattan that nite, etc)... and tunnel traffic in/out of the city can be killer (and a big time waster)... do what you can outside of the city, then once you're in the city stay put there... your days will be more productive that way. At least that my .02

[tidzman]

Thanks thereuare! This is an excellent suggestion!

Here's my revised itinerary (as per your suggestion):

10/30-10/01 (2 Nights): East Windsor, NJ Hotel (near Great Adventure and Princeton)

10/01-11/03 (2 Nights): Mahwah, NJ (near Woodbury and Yale)

11/03-11/05 (2 Nights): White House Downtown, WDC

11/05-11/10 (5 Nights): TS/MTW, NYC

What do you think?

If this looks alright, could you suggest bidding strategies on Priceline for my stays in WDC and NYC? And could you suggest starting bids?

[thereuare]

That looks much better.

Rates are still not cheap for NYC given the season, but i think you'll be able to get something at your budget or just slightly over, based upon current rates.

However, looking at DC for your dates, what is your budget there... as these dates aren't inexpensive there either (although you may have much less flexibility for this stay given you need to be there for on 11/4... although perhaps staying outside the city limits is an option, if neccessy?)

Just want to make sure you're ok 'budget-wise' before starting to commit to any non-refundable purchases. For Mahwah/Woodbury and Princeton you at least have some flexibility zone wise since you don't need to be in a specific location (and more in the 'general' area for those stays)

[tidzman]

Thanks!

The calendar of wins for New York shows a couple of wins at the dates of my stay at $150-160 TS 3.5*. So I guess I will stick to my $150-200 all-in budget for NYC and my area preference of TS or MTW. I saw wins at $125 for some dates and getting this would be fantastic!

As for DC, I would like to stay in the White House Downtown Area at $100-150 all-in.

Thanks!

[thereuare]

If you're looking for a 4* in DC current rates look a little higher than your budget, but again, it seems like this day is 'fixed' given the basketball game +/- a day.

So if you want to start with NYC you want to try for a 4* first or is the least expensive 3.5* or better what you're after? Also, put all maximum bids in terms of bid price... $200 'all-in' in NYC is equivalent to about a $165/nite maximum bid (thanks to 15% NYC hotel tax :) )

Let us know regarding the star level and we'll take it from there.

[tidzman]

Whoa! NYC hotel tax is 15%?!

Starting with 3.5* or better is alright. But I would like to start bidding in TS first then move out if there are no rooms available.

My maximum bid would be $165/night.

Thanks!

[thereuare]

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* TS...

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

Bid $135, if rejected close browser and use our linkn to re-access PRICELINE

Select 3.5* TS and re-bid zone2...

Bid $140, if rejected add re-bid zone1...

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

Select 3.5* TS and re-bid zone3...

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

Bid $155, if rejected close browser and use our linkn to re-access PRICELINE

Select 3.5* TS and re-bid zone2 and re-bid zone3...

Bid $160, if rejected add re-bid zone1...

Bid $165

Try the above, if rejected is your next step to try for a 3.5* in other areas of Manhattan? (if so, which ones?)

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.

[tidzman]

Partially correct (or maybe you understood but didn't type correctly above)...

I will put in my initial bid price ($130), select 3.5*, select TS then click on next, etc.

If rejected, I will add chelsea area (because there are no hotels there that is 3.5* or higher), put in the same bid ($130) and so on.

So far the above is corect, but at this point you want to CLOSE YOUR CURRENT browser and use our link to re-access PRICELINE

Then if rejected again I will add long island city, put in the same bid ($130) and so on.

Now you will bid TS and Long Island City (only these two zones... Chelsea should not be selected). If the above is rejected you then add Chelsea and bid again.

If the above is rejected close your browser again, use our link to re-access PRICELINE, and bid TS and Upper East Side. If that is rejected add Chelsea.

If that is rejected close browser and use our link to re-access PRICELINE, selecting TS, UES, and LIC... if that is rejected add Chelsea and bid again.

Do you see how this method gives you more bidding oportunities and is it clearer now?

Any questions feel free to ask.

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

[tidzman]

Thanks again thereuare! Got it now.

However, I just encountered a bit of a problem.

I was trying to enter my credit card information in Priceline but my country (Philippines) doesn't appear in the list of countries in the credit card billing information page...

Is there anything that I can do about this? I would really like to book my hotel stays through PRICELINE...

[AaronJB]

This Priceline Non-US thread discusses bidding on PRICELINE for non-US users, but if you do have further questions, please ask. :)