planning a mid-november jaunt to the big apple. already have great airfair, looking to secure a reasonable hotel via priceline.com. however i am very new to this and am unsure of when to secure a room. the closer to the departure date the better??? any advice on a time frame greatly appreciated - looking at the roosevelt. thanks for any feedback

Before you bid on Priceline, look at this site: http://pub4.ezboard.com/bpricelineandexpediabidding

I found bidding on Priceline frustrating, but I get the impression you should bid as early as you can. But, I did find a great deal on my own at the Radisson Hotel at 511 Lexington Avenue, $179, plus taxes, for a weekend package for two nights, check-in on Friday, including breakfast and a mystery gift package. The special for the weekend is called the Go-Free Package and can be found online at www.radisson.com - the telephone number is 800-333-3333, and you can book it over the telephone too. Hope this helps.

just a warning that if you live outside usa it won't accept your credit card details/address! have a great time!

For my trip to NYC, I bid $100 for a 4 start hotel at Mid-town/Time Square and got the Marriott Marquis. We never made it over to NYC since my trip coincided with the tragic event. Priceline was nice enough to give me a refund.

www.biddingfortravel.com has lots of good advice for using Priceline.

I got 4* NY Hilton and Towers on Pricline for $95!! We leave on Thursday. Good Luck

Besure to go to biddingfortravel.com since they will add money to your bid to Priceline.com through that website

I got a great deal through Priceline bidding 3.5 weeks out. I placed a bid for $75/night for a 4* in midtown east, west, and upper east side for Marathon weekend. They couldn't get a room for that amount (suprise), so I raised the bid to $100/night and added Soho to the geography.

I ended up getting the W New York for $100/night--which is a great deal. Especially for Marathon weekend.

Be sure to look at biddingfortravel.com and review the posts specific to your question. Also, remember that you can't request a hotel via Priceline.

Hi
I too, got frustrated bidding. Someone out there recommended to go to hospitality.com. I did and got a great deal on a very nice apt. in a very nice neighborhood. Full kitchen and very comfortable bedroom, with even a stero w/ cd player. We are looking forward to this. A home away fr home.

There is no "best" time to secure a room, as Priceline gets new inventory every day. However, I have had great luck getting good rates at the last minute. I bid $75 for a 3-star in midtown west and got the Hilton Times Square in August (bid 1 or 2 days before arrival). I also bid $85 for a 3-star in midtown west and got the Novotel in October (again, bid the day before I left). I usually have another hotel reserved as a backup in case Priceline doesn't work out (can usually get the BW President in midtown for $99/night). Like others, I highly recommend that you do research first on www.biddingfortravel.com so that you do not overbid, which is a common rookie mistake -- and also make sure you take advantage of the $5 per night bonus money that Priceline will add to your bid (links to the bonus money are on the biddingfortravel.com website).