Priceline Hotel: Biding help for New York

[skyymanz]

Hi,

I will be in New York from 18th May to 20th May 2010. Would like to bid for Times Square area.

I m looking at 3.5* or 3* hotel.

Any advise on the amount and strategy?

Thanks.

[skyymanz]

Tried biding TS 3* hotel...

Tried $85, $90 but no luck.

[AaronJB]

Welcome to Betterbidding. :)

What would be your budget per night and desired star rating? Are you only considering the TS area? Adding other nearby areas would quite possibly increase the odds of winning.

Please use the site's HOTWIRE or PRICELINE links to start your purchases and searches.

[thereuare]

Before answering the above, i'd also give this thread a read regarding our thoughts on Hotels Near Times Square.

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

[skyymanz]

Hi,

Thanks for the reply.

I will be taking Greyhound Bus to niagara falls on the 20th May. So i thought it will be more convenient for me to start around times sqaure since the station is Port Authority Bus Terminal.

[thereuare]

It's up to you, but as per the thread above, it's really not necessary... a $10 cab ride or $2.25 subway ride can get you to the Port Authority, and i wouldn't pick a two day stay location based solely upon the departure location. It's not that you shouldn't include Times Square in your bidding, but i'd also include other nearby midtown zones as well... especially if you're trying to keep an eye on your budget.

My .02 :)

Let us know your thoughts if you'd like to include other zones or stick with Times Square and we'll take it from there.

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

[skyymanz]

Hi,

I think i will stick to Times Square area first.

For 3* my only rebid zone is Upper West Side.

[thereuare]

At the 3* level in NYC you have NO re-bid zones (at the 3.5* level, which you also mentioned in your first post, has THREE re-bid zones). If you're not familiar with re-bidding, or need information on how to determine your re-bid zones, please see this thread: Priceline Re-Bidding Explained and feel free to ask any questions you may have.

You want to stay with trying for a 3* hotel vs. 3.5*? What is your maximum bid for this stay?

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

[skyymanz]

Hi,

For 3 star hotel my re-bid zone will be Upper West Side. I have tried up to $90 but was not successful. Have seen people biding $95 for 3.5 star Millennium Broadway. So i guess i wont bid over $95 for a 3 star. If not i will have to try 3.5 star.

[thereuare]

At the 3* level in NYC you have NO re-bid zones

For 3 star hotel my re-bid zone will be Upper West Side.

There are NO RE-BID ZONES at the 3* level in NYC... are you willing to stay in the UWS zone?

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

[skyymanz]

Hi..

According to the Priceline Hotel list

New York City (Upper West Side)

4* Empire Hotel--

2.5* Excelsior Hotel

Will this be a re-bid zone for 3 star hotel?

[thereuare]

No, on two counts:

1) see the comments at the top fo the Priceline Hotel List:

This list is NOT a complete list of all hotels that Priceline offers in this area, it is ONLY a compilation of hotels that have already been reported on this forum. Hotels are added/removed by Priceline all the time, and star ratings can change at ANY time. As well, the geographic boundaries of an area are subject to change, so it is always a good idea to look at the Priceline map before purchasing. DO NOT USE THIS LIST to determine what areas to add when attempting to bid again within the 24 hour window (CLICK HERE for information on how to add cities in order to bid again).

2) the star rating you select is the minimum you are willing to accept and PRICELINE will attempt to upgrade you to a higher rated hotel. So even if the above were the only two hotels in the zone, your 3* bid could be upgraded and awarded a 4* hotel in this zone.

The corret way to determined your re-bid zones is outlined here: Priceline Re-Bidding Explained

[skyymanz]

No, on two counts:

1) see the comments at the top fo the Priceline Hotel List:

2) the star rating you select is the minimum you are willing to accept and PRICELINE will attempt to upgrade you to a higher rated hotel. So even if the above were the only two hotels in the zone, your 3* bid could be upgraded and awarded a 4* hotel in this zone.

The corret way to determined your re-bid zones is outlined here: Priceline Re-Bidding Explained

Hi,

Thanks! i understand the re-bid zone now.

Tried 3 star TS up to $100 but not successful.

Tried 4 star MTE up to $105 also not successful.

[thereuare]

Have seen people biding $95 for 3.5 star Millennium Broadway. So i guess i wont bid over $95 for a 3 star. If not i will have to try 3.5 star.

Rates are date specific, and Spring is a more expensive time in NYC than winter (which i'm assuming is the timeframe when you're seeing these sub-$100 bids accepted)... what is the best rate you're able to find thru conventional booking channels?

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

[skyymanz]

Hi,

Have been trying to bid for a hotel from 18th May to 20th May.

TS - 4 star bid up to $155 - rejected

3 star bid up to $140 - rejected

MTE - 4 star bid up to $155 - rejected

MSG - 3 star bid up to $125 - rejected

Can someone help me and give me advise on the biding strategy? Is my biding too low?