Minerva

Had been trying for 4* USE but after bidding up to $110 gave up and tried $80 for 4* Financial District and won Le Meridien. (There was a 4* Embarcadero on hotwire for $97 so I figured my chances were better in that zone). Used the board's PRICELINE link.

Started at $55.00 for 3*. Received $70 counteroffer. Declined and rebid (using free rebid) $62 and got the Doubletree. Room Cost (avg. per room, per night): $62.00 (USD) Number of Rooms: 1 Number of Nights: 2 Room Subtotal: $124.00 (USD) Taxes and Fees: $23.76 (USD) Total Room Cost: $147.76 (USD) Used this forum's PRICELINE link.

I began by bidding for 3.5 star. Started with $61 and bid up to $71 using free rebids, increasing by $2 each rebid. Had no luck, saw 3* on Hotwire for $64 (amenities smoke free, fitness, pool, restaurant, business center, hi speed internet) and guessed that it was the Inn at Ellis Square, which is a 2* on Priceline. So bid 10% less - or $57 - for 2* on priceline and got...a 3* hotel instead. Your Offer Price Per Room, Per Night: $57.00 Subtotal: $171.00 Taxes & Fees: $33.78 Total Charges*: $204.78 Used this forum's PRICELINE link.

$73.91 Including tax Airport Shuttle, Fitness Center, Pool, Laundry Facilities

$94.40 with tax Started with USE @ $68 Received counteroffer @ $85 (I declined) +Civic Center @ $71 declined +Wharf @ $74 declined +Marina @75 accepted used this site's PRICELINE link

First bid $45, second bid $49, third bid $55, final bid of $58 accepted. Hotel's website rate was $99, so can't can't complain. Total with tax is $73.81 Used the betterbidding PRICELINE link

UPDATE - I made a back up reservation at the Excelsior in UWS for 8/3 & 8/4 ($239/night) and Washington Square Hotel in Greenwich Village for 8/5 for $235 (only date they had availability - otherwise would have booked there for all 3 nites). Don't really want to stay in MTW, MTE etc so decided not to bid on those zones. Will try 2.5* UWS repeatedly up to cancellation date, just in case I can get a good deal, but it doesn't look likely. Have had a lot of success w/ Priceline in Chicago, London, San Francisco, bidding on 4* in central areas with lots of hotels participating - works great because of all the free rebids. That's not the case here because of my preferences. So far have bid 3 times, all failed: 1st round: $100 UWS 2.5* 2nd round: $100 UWS 2.5* add UES at $115 add CPS at $125 3rd round $125 UWS 2.5* 8/3 & 4 add UES at $145 add 8/5 at $155 going thru Savingsbarn.com every time so hopefully helping the site. But no longer need any assistance - thanks!!

I'm interested in, for priceline: 2.5* UWS (or UES but don't think there are any) 3* or higher MTE, MTW, UMT/WMT or MTS Sorry for the muddle

Sorry - forgot do add, I guess I'd go up to $140 bid limit. Thanks.

Apologize for the vague info. I bid $100 for 2.5* in UWS. Have stayed at the Excelsior before, think it is better than a 2.5*, and in a great location. But, realize that the scarce number of UWS hotels could be problematic for priceline. The other areas I mentioned were more for backup res ideas, not priceline. As respects priceline options, prefer UWS but could also do: 2.5* Downtown-Soho (Exchange is $219 - not crazy about staying there but would be OK; don't want the Millenium so wouldn't bid 4 *) 3 star or higher MTS, UMT/CPS, MTE or MTW Rates in latter areas: MTE 3* $283 (Roosevelt) 4* $299 (Intercontinental) MTW 4* $419 (Hilton) UMT/WMT 3* $359 (Hudson) 4* $293 (Parker Meriden off of Expedia because their website was down) MTS 3* $315 (Radisson Martinique) 4* $475 (70 Park Ave) All the above rates are for my dates. Hope this helps clarify - I appreciate your assistance.

Hi, The Excelsior website rate is $239, what do you suggest I bid? Tried $100 today, no luck. Also, if you have a backup reservation suggestion, would be interested. Like UWS, UES, Soho, Greenwich Village. Would also consider priceline bid in other NYC zones, but only a 3 star or above and want to keep $$ as low as possible. Thanks!!

Thanks! I am another refugee from the "other" board. This looks like a much better place to be - will explore your support options.

Won this hotel on first bid. Thought I'd have to go higher. Marriott Waterfront was sold out & hotel's website rate was $249 so I'm pretty happy.