Priceline Hotel: Advice NYC Mar 31 to Apr 4

[Elizajoey]

Hello,

I've used PRICELINE and HOTWIRE before but this time I am bidding for my mother. Thus the request for advice so I can get her the best possible deal.

Last time she was in NYC, she paid 400 for pretty average rooms (booking through a travel agent). Seeing the daylight robbery, I offered to book her stays in NYC to prevent it from happening again.

She is staying in NYC before she takes the train up to see me in Ontario. As she has been to NYC before, her main plan is just to spend the time on Broadway seeing plays. She wants to be close to a subway station (Blue or Red line). On Sunday morning, she is taking the train from Penn Station.

I was thinking Times Square Theatre District, Madison Square Garden and Midtown West for the bidding areas on PRICELINE. I looked at HOTWIRE and the best deal without taxes is 189 for 3* Midtown Central that I believe may be the Holiday Inn Midtown 57th St. I looked at successful PRICELINE bids here for that same time and there are much cheaper places (New Yorker for 100ish) so I want to try PRICELINE to get a better price/deal.

This is what I bid earlier today

4* TSTD $100

3.5* TSTD, MTW, MSG $101

3* TSTD MTW MSG $110

I was honestly expecting to get the New Yorker hence while I added two extra areas which was stupid of me.

I assume I have to wait 24 hours now?

Previous times I used PRICELINE. I booked one night and then plans changed and was able to book additional nights through a link in the successful bid email. Does this always happen? Would I be better going now and doing 1 night and then adding the additional 3 nights or is this not always guaranteed to occur?

My maximum bid... $150 I guess but my mother isn't picky. As long as it is clean, in a safe area, she would prefer the cheapest place. ie between 4* at $200 and a 3.5* for 150. She would go with the 3.5*.

I just want her to be in a reasonably good location for her needs, clean and nice hotel at the cheapest/best deal possible.

Thank you for your time.

[thereuare]

Welcome to BetterBidding!

The above are tough dates as they are a little higher than usual. As well, this is right on the cusp of high/low season... winter rates in NYC are usually low and in spring they get to more expensive. This explains the 'low rates you've been seeing' and your subsequent rejections.

Add to this scenario the improving economy and you have the makings for higher rates than many are expecting.

If you're looking for the least expensive 3* or better with a $150 bidding limit, i would try again as follows, 24 hours after your last rejected bid:

Select 3* TS...

Bid $120, if rejected close browser and use our link to re-access PRICELINE...

Select 3* MTW...

Bid $120, if rejected close browser and use our link to re-access PRICELINE...

Select 3* MSG...

Bid $120, if rejected close browser and use our link to re-access PRICELINE...

Select 3* TS and MTW...

Bid $130, if rejected close browser and use our link to re-access PRICELINE...

Select 3* TS and MSG...

Bid $130, if rejected close browser and use our link to re-access PRICELINE...

Select 3* TS and MTW...

Bid $135

Any questions feel free to ask. I think the above is likely going to be too low, but i'd try this first and then we can revise to try again in 24 hours. Also, at this point i'm guessing that $150 may not even be enough, and i'd begin to look into the Chelsea and/or CPS zone(s) to see if you think these would work well for your mom's plans.

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

Good luck and let us know how it goes.

[Elizajoey]

Thanks for your help.

I went as high as 175 (without taxes) and was unsuccessful. Using your advice, I realised I may have been setting myself too low so I started bidding higher. I have found the Washington Jefferson elsewhere for 220 which was about what Priceline worked out to be so I stopped going higher and will book that for her.

Must be a horrible weekend for availability. Disappointing considering those other successful bids. C'est la vie.

Thank you for your help nonetheless.

A question or two: If I am bidding for 3* for $150, do they check their inventory for all 4,3.5 and 3* that are available for your nights and have a minimum amount lower than 150? They don't just check for 3*.

I also found closing the browser thing didn't help me with bidding. It appeared to remember things.

My mum is ending her trip back in NYC as well (I may be joining her and we're not sure of dates yet) but between the 12-16th most likely. I'm not sure whether I should attempt Priceline again so look elsewhere when I have the dates confirmed.

[thereuare]

When you bid for a 3* property PRICELINE does check hotels of higher star ratings and will upgrade you if a hotel at a higher star rating is available.

You should have been able to make all of the bids above in the same bidding session... as posted, none of the bids should have been seen as duplicates.

Just because these dates are difficult should have no bearing on your stay later in the month, i would still try PRICELINE again, but as you now see, you need to know prices of your alternate options to make sure you don't overbid... this is good policy every time you bid.

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