Priceline Hotel: Help Please - NYC midtown Dec 18

[STLtraveler]

Never used priceline or hotwire before. I've been looking for cheap hotels in midtown manhattan (preferrably east or west). Nothing cheap I see. Ran across some hole in the walls (according to traveladvisor comments) for around $150, but that is all.

Would like to get a 3* plus hotel for $150 or less. Is this impossible?

Running out of time, please help. Flight leaves tomorrow at 5:00am. How should I start my bid? How long does it take? Need to know the ins and outs of priceline and/or hotwire to save money on a room.

Thanks to whomever can help.

[WillTravel]

If someone posts more knowledgeable advice, follow that, but this is what I'd do at the last minute with no research.

Go to SavingsBarn.com to help support the board.

Start a bid for 3* at $125 in Midtown East.

If that fails, close your browser, go to SavingsBarn again, and start a bid for 3* $125 in Midtown West.

If that fails, once again start a new bid for 3* for $125 in Central Park South.

If that all fails, start a new bid and bid $150 for a 3* with Midtown East, Midtown West, and Central Park South all selected.

If that all fails, post again.

This whole process will take about 1/2 an hour with a high-speed connection, because you have to wait a while for Priceline.

[STLtraveler]

Thanks for the advise. I'll give it a go.

[thereuare]

Did you try the above yet?

If you have succeeded let us know the results (bid amount, hotel won, etc). If you were rejected, we can walk you thru re-bids which will enable you to continue bidding and i will supply a more detailed strategy.

I imagine you'er finding rates substantially higher than $150 for this stay, do you have a back-up reservation anyplace?

I can look further if you still don't have a reservation, but in a preliminary search i see a 4* hotel in MTE via HOTWIRE that i believe is going to be one of your best bets. I highly suspect that this hotel is The Drake.

[STLtraveler]

I was unable to try out either priceline/hotwire because I was flying stand-by and unsure if I'd even make it to NY on Saturday. Luckily, I flew through White Plains and made it without a problem.

If anyone is looking for a decent (decent meaning a hotel version of a Motel 6) place to stay. The St. James is just a couple blocks from Times Square. I found this hotel listed on only one hotel internet side for $149 a night. I didn't book it due to my stand-by issues. When I got there, I was able to get a room for $115 a night (including taxes/fees)! It wasn't the Waldorf or anything. But, if you need a clean, safe place to lay your head that is close to all the "action", then you may want to try this one out. $115 for a Saturday night, the weekend before christmas. Not bad, and I'd definitely do it again.

Thanks for everyone's help.