Leene Posted March 28, 2010 Report Posted March 28, 2010 Hi,I'm planning to use Priceline for the first time. We (me and my friend) are going to be in New York from May 4th to 11th and we've already bought the plain tickets so these are the final dates. Our prefferred areas are1) Times Square - Theatre District2) Midtown West3) Central Park SouthOf course we'd prefer 4* hotel but I think we'd be ok with 3.5* and 3* hotel too because our resources are very limited. We need a room that's under $110 per night for 2 people INCLUDING taxes. If we'd have a shout with 4* then we'd definetly would try that first. What should my strategy be and what price should I offer then? One more thing - can I be sure that there will be rooms with 2 beds available? I doubt it but I want to make sure...Thanks sooo much for any advice you can give us.
Leene Posted March 28, 2010 Author Report Posted March 28, 2010 CORRECTION - actually $100 including taxes is our max.
Leene Posted March 28, 2010 Author Report Posted March 28, 2010 Correction again, maybe we can manage $110 with taxes...
thereuare Posted March 29, 2010 Report Posted March 29, 2010 As you are aware, i think your budget is going to be tough. $110 all-in is just over $90 before fees and taxes.I'd try as follows...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.(NOTE: 're-bid zone1' is not the same as priceline's Zone1, 're-bid zone2' is not the same as priceline's Zone2, etc, etc)Select 3.5* TS, MTW, CPS...Bid $80, if rejected add re-bid zone...Bid $85, if rejected add re-bid zone...Bid $88, if rejected add re-bid zone...Bid $92, if rejected close browser and use our link to re-access PRICELINEAt the 3* level you have NO re-bid zones. Select 3* TS...Bid $85, if rejected close browser and use our link to re-access PRICELINESelect 3* MTW...Bid $85, if rejected close browser and use our link to re-access PRICELINESelect 3* CPS...Bid $85, if rejected close browser and use our link to re-access PRICELINESelect 3* TS and MTW...Bid $89, if rejected close browser and use our link to re-access PRICELINESelect 3* TS and CPS...Bid $89, if rejected close browser and use our link to re-access PRICELINESelect 3* TS and MTW and CPS...Bid $92Any 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. Please use this HOTWIRE and these PRICELINE LINKS: HOTELS, CAR RENTALS, and AIRFARE to begin your travel purchases
Leene Posted April 3, 2010 Author Report Posted April 3, 2010 So you think there's no point even trying with 4* hotels? :)
Leene Posted April 5, 2010 Author Report Posted April 5, 2010 I've tried all that was suggested but no luck. I even added Empire State Building Area, Madison Square Garden and Midtown East and raised my bid to $96 but still nothing. Star rating 3*. Now I'm considering bidding on 2.5* hotels.
Leene Posted April 5, 2010 Author Report Posted April 5, 2010 I'm wondering at which price should i start bidding for 2.5* hotels? The are is still Times Square and all the nearby areas I mentioned before.
Leene Posted April 5, 2010 Author Report Posted April 5, 2010 One more thing... Does Priceline tell me that I can't bid at the moment if I don't change the bid except for the price for example or it may happen that I just keep bidding not knowing that it doesn't count?
AaronJB Posted April 5, 2010 Report Posted April 5, 2010 I'd start at $80 for a 2.5* and work higher by $5's. Priceline will inform you if you have made a duplicate bid.Thank you for using the site's HOTWIRE or PRICELINE links to start your purchases and searches.
Leene Posted April 5, 2010 Author Report Posted April 5, 2010 I went up to $96 with 2.5* hotels in 6 areas and still nothing. :) Now I'll try Upper West and East sides...
Leene Posted April 5, 2010 Author Report Posted April 5, 2010 I tried up to $96 in Upper West side with 2.5* hotels and some combinations in Upper East side. The result - nothing for me. :) I'm not sure if I want to try 2* hotels... But seems like I may have to.
AaronJB Posted April 5, 2010 Report Posted April 5, 2010 Sorry to hear that the bids were not accepted. :)2* is definitely more of a risk and there may be some iffy properties at this level (very, very few 2*'s have been reported to the board.) If you do want to try for a 2*, I'd try starting at $65 and working higher.Thank you for using the site's PRICELINE or HOTWIRE links to start your purchases and searches.
Leene Posted April 5, 2010 Author Report Posted April 5, 2010 I have a new plan - I'll see if we can stay with a new yorker for 2 nights so we could make bigger bids. This way we could bid up to $128 before taxes. The areas are still TS, EmpireS, MTW, MadSq, CPS, MDE - all of them will do. What * hotel would we probably be able to get? Ps. thanks for patience :)
yellowdog Posted April 6, 2010 Report Posted April 6, 2010 LeeneAll reported PRICELINE hotels for NYC can be found in this linkPlease use the PRICELINE and HOTWIRE links on the board to begin your travel purchases.Yellowdog.
cardsfan Posted April 6, 2010 Report Posted April 6, 2010 The original post mentioned the guarantee of 2 beds-I believe you could end up with a room that has 1 standard size bed. (smaller than a queen) using Priceline.
Romelle Posted April 6, 2010 Report Posted April 6, 2010 If you happen to have one of those Entertainment books (or have a friend who has one), there is a coupon in it for a $10 per night bonus on your bid. Also, it never hurts to check on PL's site to see if your profile has been awarded any bonuses. After you sign in, it is under My Profile and then My Rewards. It is pretty random and not real often, but once in a while there is a bonus there.Romelle
Leene Posted April 6, 2010 Author Report Posted April 6, 2010 LeeneAll reported PRICELINE hotels for NYC can be found in this linkPlease use the PRICELINE and HOTWIRE links on the board to begin your travel purchases.Yellowdog.I see the list there but I'd still like to now what * hotel should I aim for.
Leene Posted April 6, 2010 Author Report Posted April 6, 2010 The original post mentioned the guarantee of 2 beds-I believe you could end up with a room that has 1 standard size bed. (smaller than a queen) using Priceline.Yes I know now that there is no guarantee but if we'd get a good deal we'd survive that. :)
Leene Posted April 6, 2010 Author Report Posted April 6, 2010 If you happen to have one of those Entertainment books (or have a friend who has one), there is a coupon in it for a $10 per night bonus on your bid. Also, it never hurts to check on PL's site to see if your profile has been awarded any bonuses. After you sign in, it is under My Profile and then My Rewards. It is pretty random and not real often, but once in a while there is a bonus there.RomelleSince I haven't completed any bids I unfortunatly don't have any bonuses.
Romelle Posted April 6, 2010 Report Posted April 6, 2010 Since I haven't completed any bids I unfortunatly don't have any bonuses.Do you have access to an Entertainment Book? They are for specific cities and look like this - http://www.entertainment.comIf you would consider it, there are also the youth hostels - www.hihostels.com. They might be a better alternative than the NYC 2*s. They take all ages, and sometimes can be a good way to meet other fun people.RomellePS - I don't think it is a requirement to complete a bid in order to get a bonus on PL? They don't happen very often, but one never knows just what triggers them.
Romelle Posted April 6, 2010 Report Posted April 6, 2010 Another thing you might consider is splitting your bid into three parts, if you are willing to move. It often can help when bidding a longer span of days.Tue-Wed-ThurSat-SunMon-TueThat way you have a shot at properties that are business hotels with lower occupancy on weekends, and then tourist hotels that have lower occupancy on weekdays. And you mentioned maybe being able to stay with friends for some of the days. If you successfully capture two out of the three above with reasonable bids, then you could stay with your friends for the remaining part.I think I'd add further out PL areas before I'd drop to the 2*s in a place like NYC. You can get around very efficiently and quickly and cheaply using the metro.And a different option, but can be made to work - those airport hotels are a lot less expensive. If you are getting to NY by plane and have a late arrival or an early departure, the airport hotels can work well.Romelle
radar1 Posted April 7, 2010 Report Posted April 7, 2010 Not sure if I can post this, but I googled priceline bonus cash and came across this link http://dealnews.com/lw/artclick.html?2,357411,1125174 which gave me $25 in bonus cash. You might try it. Just close the browser after you get the cash and login again with the link from here.
Leene Posted April 7, 2010 Author Report Posted April 7, 2010 I actually think I won't bid anymore, because the more I think about it the more I want to know what hotel I'm going to get before paying. I actually booked a Ramada Hotel Long Island City room for 5 nights because it's very near to Manhattan. It can still be cancelled so I can still change my mind...
yellowdog Posted April 7, 2010 Report Posted April 7, 2010 LeeneIf you decide to not use PRICELINE so please check and use our links in the support page for your hotel direct purchases. Yellowdog.
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