Priceline Hotel: Strategy

So I am doing a trip to NYC on the 24th and checking out on the 25th.. 2 weeks away.

I don't care about star ratings, but Would at least want to stay in Manhattan.. but I don't really care what areas.

This is my usual strategy:

Select 4* TS, MTW, MTE, ESB...

Bid $120, if rejected add re-bid zone...

Bid $130, if rejected add re-bid zone...

Bid $135, if rejected add re-bid zone...

Bid $140, if rejected add re-bid zone...

Bid $145, if rejected add re-bid zone...

Bid $150, if rejected add re-bid zone...

Bid $155, if rejected close browser and use this link to re-access PRICELINE

Select 4* CPS...

Bid $120, if rejected add re-bid zone...

Bid $130, if rejected add re-bid zone...

Bid $135, if rejected add re-bid zone...

Bid $140, if rejected add re-bid zone...

Bid $145, if rejected add re-bid zone...

Bid $150, if rejected add re-bid zone...

Bid $155, if rejected close browser and use this link to re-access PRICELINE

Select 4* TS, MTW, MTE, ESB, CPS...

Bid $160, if rejected add re-bid zone...

Bid $165, if rejected add re-bid zone...

Bid $170, if rejected add re-bid zone...

Bid $175, if rejected add re-bid zone...

Bid $180, if rejected add re-bid zone...

Bid $185, if rejected add re-bid zone...

Bid $190

But since I don't care about star ratings nor areas (as long as it's in Manhattan).. are there any other strategies to make this trip as cheap as possible and still stay in the reality of accepted bids? The only experience I have bidding in NYC are for 4* places...

Only bid I saw so far for that date is $200 (which I don't really want to pay that much) for CPS. Since CPS is $200 for 3*, I would MTW/MTE/TS will be more expensive

Rates are high for these dates, but do you really want a 1* rated hotel?? 2*?? What is the minimum star rating you're willing to accept?

Is a very small room (like the Hudson Hotel) acceptable? Is a 15 minute walk to the subway acceptable? Do you really want to stay in UES and/or UWS, each of which can go pretty far north and not the best/most convenient area for the typical visitor?

Let us know the above and we'll advise accordingly.

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

Yeah I'm fine with that. I'm actually going to a house party on 125th st and I rather not hop on MTA to CT at 1:30 AM... so UWS would be fine.. and I don't really care for a small room, just looking for a place to shower and sleep.

I don't really care for a small room, just looking for a place to shower and sleep.

I assume mean you don't really care if the room is small? (ie- a small room is perfectly accepted)

Also, if you land something downtown it could be an expensive cab ride if you're not willing to ride the subway from 125th St to Downtown at 1am (which is something i don't recommend, but it appears you're familiar with the city enough to make an educated decision in this regard)

So to confirm:

CPS, Chelsea, DT, ESB, HK, MSG, MTE, MTW, QB, TS, UES and UWS are all acceptable?

What is the minimum star rating you're willing to accept and what is your maximum bid amount?

Let us know the above and we'll suggest a strategy for you to follow.

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

Yes it was a typo. I am fine with a small room :)

Yeah all those places are acceptable. I would prefer the west side since I'll be heading to 125 Harlem and there isn't a subway from upper east to upper west.. I am hoping to spend as less as possible, since I am a student. Perhaps $150 after taxes.. so I would say max bid $120ish. Min star, I guess 1* would be ok... of course if I can get something higher, it would be better.

So when is NYC tourist season over? Since I know there are times I can bid on rooms for about $120ish for a 4* in MTE.

I guess 1* would be ok... of course if I can get something higher, it would be better.

Select 3* CPS, Chelsea, DT, ESB, HK, MSG...

Bid $80, if rejected close browser and use this link to re-access PRICELINE

Select 3* MTE, MTW, QB, TS, UES and UWS

Bid $80, if rejected close browser and use this link to re-access PRICELINE

Select 3* MTE, Chelsea, DT, ESB, HK, MSG...

Bid $85, if rejected close browser and use this link to re-access PRICELINE

Select 3* CPS, MTW, QB, TS, UES and UWS

Bid $85, if rejected close browser and use this link to re-access PRICELINE

Select 3* CPS, MTW, DT, ESB, HK, MSG...

Bid $90, if rejected close browser and use this link to re-access PRICELINE

Select 3* MTE, Chelsea, QB, TS, UES and UWS

Bid $90, if rejected close browser and use this link to re-access PRICELINE

Select 3* CPS, Chelsea, QB, ESB, HK, MSG...

Bid $95, if rejected close browser and use this link to re-access PRICELINE

Select 3* MTE, MTW, DT, TS, UES and UWS

Bid $95, if rejected close browser and use this link to re-access PRICELINE

Select 3* CPS, Chelsea, DT, TS, HK, MSG...

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

Select 3* MTE, MTW, QB, ESB, UES and UWS

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

Select 3* CPS, Chelsea, DT, ESB, UES, MSG...

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

Select 3* MTE, MTW, QB, TS, HK and UWS

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

Select 3* CPS, Chelsea, DT, ESB, HK, UWS...

Bid $110, if rejected close browser and use this link to re-access PRICELINE

Select 3* MTE, MTW, QB, TS, UES and MSG

Bid $110, if rejected close browser and use this link to re-access PRICELINE

Select 3* MTE, MTW, DT, ESB, HK, MSG...

Bid $115, if rejected close browser and use this link to re-access PRICELINE

Select 3* CPS, Chelsea, QB, TS, UES and UWS

Bid $115, if rejected close browser and use this link to re-access PRICELINE

Select 3* CPS, Chelsea, QB, TS, HK, MSG...

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

Select 3* MTE, MTW, DT, ESB, UES and UWS

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

Select 3* CPS, Chelsea, DT, ESB, UES and UWS...

Bid $125, if rejected close browser and use this link to re-access PRICELINE

Select 3* MTE, MTW, QB, TS, HK, MSG

Bid $125, if rejected close browser and use this link to re-access PRICELINE

Select 3* CPS, Chelsea, DT, ESB, HK, MSG, MTE, MTW, QB, TS, UES and UWS...

Bid $130

You can start with the above at 3*, then if rejected close the browser and use a link on the board to re-access PRICELINE, re-try at 2.5*.... then repeat at 2* and then 1*.

Any 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.

Thanks.. will try that tomorrow. so it looks like i am doing multiple zones at once?

Yes, multiple zones all at once. That lets you check them all at one price level, then move on up to the next and check them all at that level.

If you just add in the zones one at a time as you increase your bid, you might get a hit on the last one you added in. But the bid on that zone might have been successful at the less expensive rate of one of your earlier bids.

Romelle

thank you so much for everyone's help on this. I ended up canceling my trip. I am might be booking a trip next month and if I do, I will use this strategy and report back if needed.

Thanks for the update/closing of this thread... feel free to continue this thread if/when you reschedule this trip.

Thanks for using the PRICELINE and HOTWIRE links on the board.