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.