Priceline Hotel: Advice for 4/8 - 4/12

[bfranci]

Well, I thought I'd learned all the tricks and whatnot from reading on here, but I might have messed my bids up.

I started with 2 1/2* in Chelsea and $100 for 4/8 - 4/12. The win calendar showed someone who had booked that same combo the week later and gotten the Holiday Inn Express for $88, so I figured $100 was safe. That failed, and when the rejection came back I couldn't upgrade to 3* at a different price; both 2 1/2* and 3* were greyed out.

Next I checked MSG area and upped my bid to $115 at 3*. Also rejected. Lastly I checked ESB area at $125, also rejected. After all 3 failures I couldn't bid anymore in any of the 3 areas unless I would go down to 2*. Even 3.5* was grayed out for some reason.

I hate to be a pest, but can I get some specific steps to follow for my next test? I'm fine with 2 1/2 stars and up for either Chelsea, ESB, or MSG, with a max pre-tax price of $135.

Also, what happened with the prices? The win calendar shows $110 - $120/night for that period should be more than sufficient.

Thanks!

[thereuare]

We're seeing a big difference in rates this year between March and April... March is has been offering 'winter' rates which is a slow season in NYC, April has begun "Spring" rates which are more expensive.

My first bid of advice would be to try for a 3* hotel first up to your limit. While there may be some 2.5* properties which you'd be happy with, there may be some which are not, and with PRICELINE you can't choose which type you will get :)

I'm also not following your bidding... if after your first Chelsea bid the 2.5* and 3* were greyed out, how were you able to then able to add MSG and bid for only 3* and above?

Lastly, is there a reason you're focusing on these three zones? Given your budget, adding more zones might increase your chances of success... have you also considered the MTW, TS, and/or CPS zones?

Let us know the above and we'll take it from there.

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

[bfranci]

Truth be told I don't exactly remember the strategy we used the first time we bid, I'm pretty sure it was wrong. If you could post the step by step process you've done for a few other users I'd definitely appreciate it. :)

2 1/2 stars is fine for us because they tend to be Holiday Inn Express types and that's good enough for me. I'm much more sensitive on price than anything.

We want to stay below the 50s in Manhattan so those 3 areas probably work best. We might add Downtown as a 4th option if we get desperate.

Thanks in advance.

[thereuare]

No re-bid zones available when bidding 2.5* in NYC, so i'd begin with the following:

Select 2.5* Chelsea...

Bid $100, if rejected close browser and use our link to re-access PRICELINE...

Select 2.5* ESB...

Bid $100, if rejected close browser and use our link to re-access PRICELINE...

Select 2.5* MSG...

Bid $100, if rejected close browser and use our link to re-access PRICELINE...

Select 2.5* Chelsea and ESB...

Bid $105, if rejected close browser and use our link to re-access PRICELINE...

Select 2.5* Chelsea and MSG...

Bid $105, if rejected close browser and use our link to re-access PRICELINE...

Select 2.5* Chelsea and ESB and MSG...

Bid $110

I suspect the above will likely prove to be too low, but i'd start with the above and if rejected we'll take it from there.

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

Good luck and let us know how it goes.