Any experiences using Priceline for NYC hotels?
 

What hotels did you end up with when you asked for a "4 star or more" NYC hotel? And what bidding price did they accept?<BR><BR>Was it a good experience? I want to use Priceline but I chicken out when it comes to slapping down the credit card!

we did 4* midtown south for $95. ended up with hotel avalon. we did it for some family members who were in town (we live in nyc). 3 of them stayed there and loved it. they had a suite with 2 double bed and a pullout sofa in the living room area. it also included breakfast. check biddingfortravel.com for lots of priceline info.

Thanks Marj.<BR><BR>Anyone else have any priceline/nyc experiences? I checked out biddingfortravel.com and I have to admit that it intimidated me even more!

Hi Andrea,I too was really nervous about using Priceline.com.I was able to get the Inter-Continental The Barclay on East 48th Street for $100<BR>a night for two nights.It looked so elegant and posh I did not want to use the reservation but I'm glad a did! What an excellent hotel.It was in a great location and the room was nice too.There were 3 of us so they upgraded us to a Deluxe Double with<BR>no charge! Now I go online and find those rooms for $500 a night! It was such a great room with a good price<BR>I decided to try Priceline.com for<BR>Air Tickets. Again,I got a price that could not be beat and times that could not be better if I had scheduled it myself and paid full price. I'm Very picky when it comes to what hotel(s) and airline/schedules I get.So far,so great!! Good Luck whatever you decide... But if you do go with Priceline,please let us know!

" I'm Very picky when it comes to what hotel(s) and airline/schedules I get.So far,so great!! "<BR><BR>So, you let someone else pick the flight times and the hotel for you??? You lucked out but it could have been much worse.<BR><BR>You're not THAT picky!!!!!!!!

Hi Sueanne,Your right.It could have been much worse.I did luck out. At first when I saw what hotel they gave me I panicked because I thought it was too 'upper class' for me and my friends.We are the 't-shirt/shorts' kinda crowd.We were out of place with all the black suits/dresses around but no one gave us a second look.If what I'm getting from Priceline.com is all just luck,then I'm glad.Have you used Priceline.com? Any good or bad experience you'd like to share?

Dear Debbie<BR>What a classy answer! We don't have to be snippy just because others are. I admire you!

I second Anonymous. Nice reply Debbie

Way to go Debbie! I think you very nicely put SueAnn "in her place" I for one found your priceline response helpful, and I thought your follow-up to SueAnn's snotty remarks was "priceless"

I'm sorry if my answer was snippy. I didn't mean to be. I just thought it was somewhat odd to talk about how picky you are and then let an outside company assign random flights/hotels for you. That's all. <BR><BR>I use Priceline often. Some good, some bad. Mostly good.

I think priceline is great. I use it for evey vacation. The good thing is that you never pay more than you wnat to. You also name the star that you want. I have ended up with 4 and 5 stars for 79 a night. You can't beat it.

Ok, thanks everyone. But what hotels did you get in NYC that were considered 4+ stars? And what did you pay?<BR><BR>Thanks again!

No offense, but INTIMIDATED(??) by a website? Are you sure you're ready for NYC?<BR><BR>Go back to www.biddingfortravel.com, page down to HOTELS and click on New York City, then click on the first post, which will answer your specific question.<BR><BR>If you can't figure this out, ask a friend that is more internet savy than yourself for some help.

The website www.biddingfortravel.com is not daunting but truly understanding the FAQ re/bidding is a bit more complex. The short version is this - if a bid is rejected the only way to rebid without waiting 72 hours (at which time you can make a new bid) is to add a lower * star category (e.g. your bid for a four star was rejected) OR add a diferent geographic zone for that city (any decent sized city is divided into "zones"). You are NOT allowed to simply increase the $ amount of your bid - you MUST change one of the two aforementioned categories. The FAQ explains how to get "free" rebids that will allow you to simply raise the $ amount. By going through a portion of the bidding process before finalizing a bid, one is able to see which geographic zones have four star (or three star) hotels. You can add a zone that has no four star hotels and then increase your $ bid at the same time. There is no risk of winning a hotel in the added zone because it has no four star hotels but this procedure does allow you to rebid. Now that I finallly understand it I've been very successful in my bidding. I'll be staying this weekend at the Hotel Triton (a very cool boutique hotel) in San Francisco and paying $65 per night. The absolute lowest price I found anywhere on the Internet was $109-129 per night for same hotel on same weekend. Priceline really works but having the extra edge in bidding knowledge can get you even better deals. P.S. I usually get even bigger discounts than I did on the Triton but I wanted a boutique hotel and bid only in that category for that reason. Based on recently posted winning bids I could most likely have gotten a four star hotel in SF for $50-60 per night. I have gotten deals as good as $60 per night on a hotel that was charging $169 per night to folks who were walking in on the day I arrived.

Owen - THANK YOU! Your response was great, it really cleared some things up for me. I'm printing your response and filing it with my travel stuff, I have just started using priceline and a few things were a little fuzzy (the tricks of the trade parts!). Also, I'm very interested in your SF hotel - would you be willing to post comments upon your return? We are fortunate enough to visit a few times a year and love the boutique-style hotels, I always like to hear about ones that we have not tried. Thanks again for your information regarding biddingfortavel.com & priceline.

Andrea, it's well worth your time learn how to use www.biddingfortravel.com. After you've done a bit of homework, one of the site administrators will personally hold your hand as you construct your bid. This week, I used Priceline for the first time and got a 4* hotel (Sheraton Grand) in Sacramento for $45/night. I wouldn't have known how to bid knowledgeably without the help of biddingfortravel.com. I'm hooked!

Following advice from BiddingForTravel (which I learned about here), I bid $75/night on Priceline for three weekend nights in mid-April at a four-star hotel in the Midtown East region of Manhattan. The bid was accepted - for the Grand Hyatt near Grand Central Station. The AAA discount price for the same hotel, same days is around $300/night. BiddingForTravel's hotel lists can give you a pretty good sense of what you're likely to get if you make certain bids (stars, locations). Of course there are no guarantees. But I'm very pleased with what I got and would go that route again.

I understand what you mean about biddingfortravel.com but I used it before bidding my trip to NYC and it proved to be really helpful. I got the Hilton Towers at Rockefeller (sp?) Center for 3 night June, 20 for $90. Can't beat that price or location altough I would have liked a smaller more boutique type hotel. That's the risk you take using Priceline. I did not have any luck with bids in the Midtown South or Soho/Tribeca area which is what I originally wanted.

I just used Priceline for the first time yesterday and am very upset.I bid for a four star and got a three star.I called custumer service at Priceline and was told they have their own rating system.I never would have bid $99 for a 3 star.Beware.I may continue my protest as I consider this deceptive on their part.By the way,The hotel is The Mansfield and if anyone can find it rated higher than 3 stars except by Priceline I would be interested to hear about it.

Response to Debbie: I recently "won" a 4* hotel on Priceline (Grand Hyatt $75/night) and was concerned because after I bid I saw reviews that said the hotel was HORRIBLE! I posted my concerns and fellow traveler "thereuare" gave me a link to the hotel reviews on "citysearch" this was very helpful. The link for the Mansfield review is http://newyork.citysearch.com/profile/7188134/ please check it out, the hotel sounds wonderful and should live up to 4*, also, I was told to go back to biddingfortravel.com and at the bottom of the page there are hotel reviews.

Lynn,Thank-you for your prompt and helpful reply.I have been using the nycvisit.com site for reference which gives the Mansfield a 3 star rating.I was relieved to see the city search site you suggested gives it 4 stars.Since I booked 2 rooms for 2 nights I initially felt I could have booked that on my own,at say,the Milford Plaza without the Priceline restrictions of no cancellations or changes.(the Milford had an internet rate of $99 a couple weeks ago.)I called the hotel directly to inquire about bed type and if connecting rooms are available and was not happy to hear that any changes from standard room which has a double or queen would cost $50 more for priceline customers.I kind of get the feeling that may be subject to the individual that happens to be working the desk when you check in.I read a review on bidding for travel and they were given a larger room with no mention of an extra charge.Or maybe it is a new rule.We`ll see.Anyway we are looking forward to our trip,splurged for good seats for 42nd st.and again thank-you Lyn,for the info you shared....Debbie in Dallas

I'm thinking of trying priceline.com for the first time to book a hotel in New York City, but don't have a clue as to which parts of the city are 'good'. <BR>Can anyone help me on this one. Which areas should I 'check' off on priceline.<BR>This will be our first time in New York and would like to be in a nice area.<BR>Thanks for any help.<BR>Lee

lee, if you bid 4*, no area is bad. there are no 4* hotels in bad areas. The only area i'd be concerned about is the financial district because it is out of the way from many areas. Be shure to check biddingfortravel.com to see what other's have ended up with on priceline.

My own experiences using Priceline (for hotels only) have been wonderful. Most recently, I received a 4 star, the Millennium Broadway in New York City, for $90 per night, when I specified a 4-star in Midtown West or Midtown East. I was very pleased with the hotel and our room, which was a decent size with a nice view.<BR><BR>Absolutely you are at the whim of the front desk clerk - whether you use Priceline or not - so I always go out of my way to be polite and friendly to this person and it pays off.

To M and Postal...thanks so much for the information. I appreciate it.<BR>I had no idea about biddingfortravel, but will read it thoroughly and also read all about priceline.com.<BR>I think bidding on a 4* sounds like the best thing to do. <BR>HOw far in advance have you bid to get the best results?<BR><BR>

I've gotten good hotel results from two months out to the very same day.

I don't think it really matters how far in advance you bid - BUT if you have 2 months before you need the reservation, don't go crazy with your bidding price - just stick with your set amount until you get it. If it starts getting closer to your trip and you feel you need to bid a little higher, then go ahead. I bid for 4* Midtown East in February for my April trip - and got the Grand Hyatt for $75 for 3 nights. So, it IS possible to get a good rate early in the game.

I'm interested in bidding for a room for 4 nts in August. We have 2 adults and 3 kids and are interested in a suite or a large room with 2 doubles and sofa. I went to Priceline (I'm a neophyte though) and didn't see anywhere that I could enter number of people/room. I chickened out being afraid I'd get a small room that wouldn't fit our party. Any ideas? We'd like to stay midtown east or west.

Just returned from a 10-day New York trip, including 2 nights in NYC (not enough!). Had bid and rec'd 4* Millennium Broadway hotel for $90/night. Bid on two rooms for our family of five (parents and three teens). When checking in, we were asked if we preferred 1 king or two twins (oversized). I was more interested in connecting rooms, so we asked for the two oversized twins, thinking somebody might end up on the floor. It didn't happen. My husband and I shared the oversized twin just fine (it was more like a full sized bed actually). The location of the hotel is amazing. Close to everything. We walked everywhere in the city, except we took the bus to Ground Zero (we wanted to see the city from the bus) and then took subway back. We had a great time. <BR><BR>Highly recommend Priceline. Used it for most of this trip with great success. Only time we did not stay in a PL hotel was when we could not get anything upon bidding, but all our experience is positive, so far!

You will not be disappointed if you read the hotel FAQ at biddingfortravel.com. We used to pay over $200 for hotel rooms in NYC. We just stayed at the Waldorf for $115 per night and in July we got the Stanhope for 6 nights at $75 per night! All through Priceline. We always bid 4 stars.

My only concern is if you need to cancel your hotel (cancel your whole trip, say) they will not allow you to cancel. Is it best to try priceline.com right at the last minute when your plans are very firm?? If your plans do change, can you resell your room on ebay (or similar) to recoup some of your money since everything on priceline.com is non-refundable??? I'd appreciate it if someone can enlighten me on this. It's for these reasons I've never used priceline.com.....Carrie

I've never had to cancel after using Priceline (I've usually already purchased non-refundable airline tickets already!), but I've seen rooms for sale on message boards and online auctions that people can't use.

Another Priceline question, we really need a King size bed, it looks like you can wind up with two twins because they only guarantee a room for two people. Anyone have any insight into this?<BR><BR>Thanks.

I have used it for Chicago...I have had great luck and great hotels...however it was in February. Not a tourist season. You do have to be careful about the bed situation, it says they will guarentee room for two. It won't let you select. What I did was book the room then I called the hotel to get the beds that I wanted.

I would like to try priceline for my upcoming trip to NYC. My problem is my daughter is traveling with us, and both Priceline and Biddingfortravel say the room is only guaranteed for 2 people. If I'm bidding for a 4* hotel will I have a problem/ extra charge?

NYC hotel rooms are typically very small compared to rooms in other cities. So I would definitely not use priceline for NYC at least, if you're planning on having 3 people in the room.

...<BR><BR>I've only used Priceline for airfare purchases. Found that you can often get extra $$$ attached to your bid by going thru Smarter Living website (www.smarterliving.com)<BR><BR>

Both the Millennium Broadway and the Waldorf-Astoria, both of which I booked through Priceline, gave me rooms that were quite large and could easily accommodate a rollaway if necessary. I don't think having three people should keep you from using Priceline. But again, I only bid 4 star rooms.