Priceline Hotel: NYC - 12/26 to 01/01

[gheather]

Hi there...

I have reviewed this forum before to assist in bidding and used the links, but have never posted before.

We are looking at going to NYC just after Christmas 12/26 to 01/01 as we'd like to be there for New Year's.

It is our first time going, and I'm not totally sure where to stay, and what would be close to attractions, etc...we want to do the "touristy" things that NY has to offer, but also some shopping, and taking in the culture that only NYC has (restaurants, pubs, etc...).

Can you recommend a bidding strategy? I'd like to keep it around $150 or so per night, but I'm not so sure that is going to happen. I'd be even willing to split the stay up, as that way we'd be able to segment out trip to see various parts of the city. We would be looking at a 3.5*+ as we don't really plan on spending much time at the hotel, however do want a nice place to sleep at night. Amenities are not a huge deal.

Is it too early to be looking for this time frame? Any assistance you can provide is greatly appreciated.

Thanks.

[thereuare]

I have reviewed this forum before to assist in bidding and used the links, but have never posted before.

We're glad the board has been helpful to you in the past and thank you for using our PRICELINE and HOTWIRE links. It would be appreciated if going forward you shared your wins with the board as well, so that the information can benefit other users, just as you have benefited from the wins of others.

With the economy still i a state of uncertainty, it's a BIG unknown if rates will go up or down for this holiday period, but generally speaking, historically $150 has not been enough for dates which include NYE.

If your plans ar firm it's never too early to start bidding, trying to pick any "low hanging fruit" that may be available... while making sure you don't overbid. An example of an 'outlyer' is if you search HOTWIRE for your stay there is a 4* hotel in the MTE zone for $199/nite (restaurant, fitness, internet, business, tennis... best guess is the Inter-Continental Barclay) where the next best 4* hotel offered is $300+ (and this is also lower than the best offered 3.5* at $215/nite)

Based upon the above let us know how you'd like to proceed (zones you're willing to accept, maximum bid if willing to go higher than previously stated $150) and we'll advise accordingly.

Please use the PRICELINE and HOTWIRE links on the board to begin your travel purchases.

[gheather]

With the economy, would you suggest I hold off for a while yet? I am willing to go up in price, if needed - do not really want to exceed $200 or so tax included.

As for areas, I am very unfamiliar with NYC, and as previously stated, would want to be in nice area, close to the subway, and within a reasonable distance from sights, so that we can walk, and ride to see NY.

[AaronJB]

I'd recommend keeping the bidding low and having a low "ceiling". If you are definitely planning to go for these dates, you could try bidding up to a low ceiling once every couple of weeks and then more frequently as you get closer to your dates. If you were actually able to get a 4* in NYC for the NYE period for around $150, that would be a terrific deal if the last few years are any indication.

The MTW, MTE, ESB, CPS, TS areas are quite nice, and Chelsea/MSG are also fine areas.

Thank you for using the site's HOTWIRE or PRICELINE links to start your purchases and searches.

[thereuare]

The MTW, MTE, ESB, CPS, TS areas are quite nice, and Chelsea/MSG are also fine areas.

Agreed... but do note that at the 3.5* level the MTE zone contains the Millenium UN, which while a nice hotel, is a bit far east for many as it's abotu a 15 minutes walk to the subway. If this is too far for your liking then i would include MTE when bidding 4*... but not when bidding 3.5*.

Let us know how you'd like to bid (star rating, zones, and maximum bid at this point in time) and we'll suggest a strategy for you to follow.

Please use the PRICELINE and HOTWIRE links on the board to begin your travel purchases.

[gheather]

Alright, so I'm thinking I'd like to start with MTW, MTE, CPS, & TS. I'd be willing to add ESB, but I know it's more expensive anyways...

I'd really like to keep it under $175/night, but less is better.

I'd be willing to take a 3.5*, as long as it's nice...4* is good also.

[thereuare]

From your first post it appears you prefer to try for the least expensive 3.5* or better vs. paying more for a higher rated hotel.

Assuming this is correct...

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.

Select 3.5* MTE and MTW and CPS...

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

Bid $125, if rejected add re-bid zone...

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

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

Select 3.5* TS and ESB...

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

Bid $125, if rejected add re-bid zone...

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

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

Select 3.5* MTE and MTW and CPS and TS...

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

Select 3.5* MTE and MTW and CPS and ESB...

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

Select 3.5* MTE and MTW and CPS and TS and ESB...

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

Bid $170, if rejected add re-bid zone...

Bid $175, if rejected add re-bid zone...

Bid $180 (you can add this extra $5 bid or not, depending upon how firm your budget is)

While you're bidding the above, keep in mind the $199 HOTWIRE offer for a 4* in the MTE zone (not sure if at some point your bids above get high enough where it's worth the extra $ per nite for a 4* hotel which you have a guess for). Any questions feel free to ask.

Please use the PRICELINE and HOTWIRE links on the board to begin your travel purchases.

Good luck and let us know how it goes.

[gheather]

THanks for the strategy...to clarify - I have read the "Re-Bid" instructions, when you say add a re-bid zone, should I be adding one of the other zones I am interested in, or a zone with a hotel star level that doesn't apply (ie Bronx or Long Island)?

I just want to be clear before I got at this.

Thanks again!

[thereuare]

Re-Bid zone = a zone that only contains hotels at the star rating lower than the star rating you selected (ie- not another zone you're interested in)

You have THREE such re-bid zones... feel free to confirm them with the board before bidding.

Please use the PRICELINE and HOTWIRE links on the board to begin your travel purchases.

[gheather]

Re-Bid zone = a zone that only contains hotels at the star rating lower than the star rating you selected (ie- not another zone you're interested in)

You have THREE such re-bid zones... feel free to confirm them with the board before bidding.

Please use the PRICELINE and HOTWIRE links on the board to begin your travel purchases.

If I'm looking at areas with hotels less than 3.5*, then should I be looking at Long Island, Bronx & JFK airport? or am I missing something here.

Another question - in following the strategy you've laid out, do I have to wait 24 hours if unsuccessful after each group?

Thanks so much for all the help!

[thereuare]

If I'm looking at areas with hotels less than 3.5*, then should I be looking at Long Island, Bronx & JFK airport? or am I missing something here.

If you go to PRICELINE and enter "New York City", Long Island, Bronx, and JFK Airport are not among the possible zones to select... they are zones within a different region. From the zones that are selectable after entering "new york city" you need to click each of them one by one to see the highest rated hotel available in each zone. If this doesn't make sense, or you're confused, just let us know and we'll break it down further.

Another question - in following the strategy you've laid out, do I have to wait 24 hours if unsuccessful after each group?

The entire strategy above can be done in one 24 hour session.

Please use the PRICELINE and HOTWIRE links on the board to begin your travel purchases.