Ok, so my friend wants to go with me to NYC in early december, we will be arriving on a wednesday, and leaving the following monday.

I made the assumption that if she does travel with me, then it would help us to split the cost of the hotel rooms and probably allow me to be able to afford to stay in manhattan.

However, while looking on travelocity, I am finding a combined total cost of trip per person for 1000 for a semi-decent (ie non-shared bathroom) hotel.

I am having some doubts about traveling with my friend if I cannot find at least a two star hotel (my friend is very, very particular....things that don't bother my budget traveler mindset, would totally bother her).

Should I stick to looking at online sites, or should I go thru a specific airline or travel agency?

If we do decided to go on this trip, we won't be securing our tickets and making the finalized plans until september.

Also, I am considering asking my friend to pay me the money up front since most likely i will be having to charge it on my card. My friend changes her plans a lot, and part of the reason I am worried about traveling with her is mainly the issue of her cancelling at the last minute. I feel that if I am going to be making the charge card payment, she needs to pay upfront. Most likely, if we get a budget airfare, she won't be able to cash in her ticket or get a refund for not using.
I will definately include travel insurance for us both. I am just worried about the monetary logistics since I don't want to have to incur extra costs should she choose to cancel.

What is the best way to handle the money issue? On sites like travelocity, etc, I cannot make a split payment, which would be sooo great!

Also, just how cold is NYC in the first two weeks of december? As long as I have a decent coat and jeans and comfy shoes, I should still be able to site see and tour the city, right? Or am I wrong?

thanks everyone for all of your help!

Just a few thoughts.

Early December is one of the most expensive times of the year there. It is wonderful, because everything is decorated for the holidays. Rooms will be expensive - and it will be harder to get a Priceline deal.

Regarding traveling with a fickle friend. IF you plan the trip, I would plan it with the understanding that you may end up doing it by yourself. If you are willing to do that, then go ahead and plan it. If she shows up - AND splits the hotel costs - that's great. But, based on how you have described her, I'd be ready for a solo trip. NYC can be great for a solo trip, so that's not a bad thing.

I don't think travel insurance includes a change of mind. I may be wrong. Check into it. My understanding it works only under certain circumstances - which have to be documented.

What if she shows up on the trip and you two can't agree on what Broadway show to see - or how much to spend on it - or other "things to do".

Just doesn't sound like a good traveling companion to me.

Weather: it could be pleasant or nasty or freezing. Bring a hat, scarf, gloves, and do layers.

Money: Your friend sounds like someone I know. If you don't get the money upfront, you will likely get burned. Just be frank; if she really wants to go, she will be happy to pre-pay.

And I dont really believe that those package prices for air and hotel are always a great deal. For instance, if you two are splitting the hotel cost, you can probably do better.

Lets say the room at a fairly nice hotel is $300 per night. Ok, that $150 a night, each. Five nights = $750 Can you get air for $250?

Or, if you use Priceline, you can probably get something very decent for 200 per night. That would be 500 for hotel and 500 for air...

Nect thought: waiting until September for December could be a bad idea. December is VERY busy in New York.

Why don't you look at Priceline and Hotwire for your dates? You might get a better idea of what hotels will cost.

I am not a big user of priceline, sorry. I just don't feel comfortable enough yet....I know I do not want to bid on a hotel and not be 100 percent sure of which hotel I will get.

I have to go in early december for personal reasons.

I think that it would be cheaper to do hotel reservations and airline reservations seperately. I am still trying to find a good hotel deal and will keep you all posted.

As for what we do while in NYC, I have already made it clear to her that we probably won't be spending tons of time together because we have such different travel styles....mainly getting together for meals and the end of the day.

I always get nervous when one person makes the decisions in what is to be a "joint" trip. Don't you think you should be researching the components of this trip with your friend? That way you are both on the same page with location, price, costs, etc.

Good luck.

Well price and cost are the same thing, aren't they?

But you get my drift.

Sounds like the main reason you are even thinking about doing this together is to split the cost of the room. Forget it & go solo. Except for the financial aspect, you will be solo anyway so why incur all of this hassle? Book your trip your way. September is too late to book for NYC in December.

I would actually like to travel with her, and we have discussed what we are willing to spend. I would use my credit card because of the logistics. Also, I do think it would be good to travel with someone and have someone to talk to...solo travel is fun, of course, but it does have it's drawbacks.

I have recommended the Hotel Grand Union to several friends coming into the city and they were very pleased with the accomodations and location.

The price around the holidays is less than $150 a night for a large room for 2 and they have suites for a little more.

The hotel is on E32nd ST, just off Madison Ave, and close to Herald Square and lots of shopping. Also the bus runs right along Madison Ave and down 5th Ave. You are also a block away from the subway.

The website is www.hotelgrandunion.com

Have a fun time while you are here.

Well - you're mixing a lot of diferent issues together.

First - this does not sound like the ideal traveling companion. Are you willing to do the trip solo if necesary? If not - I wouldn't make any plans.

Second, air/hotel packages are usually not the best way to go since 1)they limit you to a few hotels, and 2) they have to make a profit - so they're not giving anything away at the most expensive time of year. Also, buying separately would uncomplicate your financial issues. (If she buys something else - like a plane ticket - and doesn't use it - that's her problem - not yours.)

If you decide you want to come - and invite your friend as a POSSIBLE companion - do not reserve any hotel until she gives you the money up front in cash. And put it in writing with her that she WILL NOT get any refund if she doesn't go. (Since this is really the only shared cost you don;t need to worry if she's coming or not for anything else.)

However, keep in mind that this is the most expensive time of year. Grand Union is showing prices of $220 per night - which with tax is $260 - and that is really rock bottom for Dec. It's difficult to find much pleasant under $400 per night and Priceline rarely has much inventory since so many hotels are full.

Travel insurance will do you no good since it doesn;t cover changing your mind - only illness or death of close family members or blizzards etc.

New York in December is cold and can be damp and windy. It's usually low 40's during the day but often high 20's at night. You need a winter coat, hat, gloves, scarf and waterproof booties. (Not high bad weather boots - but definitely something good enough for an inch or two of slush. I stick with cute waterproof ankle booties with rubber soles and low heels. Stiletos are not good in slush.) The good news is that it rarely snows much before Christmas (but we've had 10/12" then and have had snow flurries as early as Halloween.)

If you would be comfy traveling alone - and I don;t know why not - go ahead and plan. But make sure the friend pays her share up front - and don;t be surprised if she doean't show.

I am more than ok with doing the trip solo. It is just that my friend and I have been saying we are going to travel together for the past few years.

I do think that I will take the advice and have us get our airfare separately, and if I choose to charge our hotels together, then she has to pay me up front with the agreement that if she flakes, she forfeits the dough.

As for travel insurance, I think it is travel safe or travel gaurd that allows for 48 hour cancellation for any reason...you do pay extra for that option, though.

That's a good idea. You book your airfare. She books hers. Reserve your hotel asap & if she splits it, great! Why don't you ask her to use her credit card for the hotel reservation? Her response wld be a huge clue as to whether or not she is serious about this. Maybe if you get her involved now in selecting the hotel she will feel "invested " in it. If she's part of it, she is more likely not to opt out in the end. It's summer & I do not even want to think about December but it's only 5 months away & people are booking flights & hotels now ( even monts ago if you can believe that!) Just out of curiosity, why do you want to wait until September?
If you know that you are going, why not book air & hotel now?

I just booked a trip to NYC for the first week in December, the nightly rate in the Courtyard Marriott ($500) was more than round trip airfare from LAX ($308.) Fortunatley I had enough Marriott points to grab 4 free nights.

I went solo on my first trip to NY, it was in the first week in December a few years ago and was one of the best trips I every went on! SO if you do end up going solo you can still have a blast!

The Hotel Grand Union is showing a rate of $150 a night after Sept 6th, but you would have to call and book a room, not sure the online service is working.

The $220 price is for New Year's Eve.

The hotel is quite nice and was recently redone, and it's very coveniently located. Also on a quieter street so night noise would be at a minimum.

You might also try www.hotels.com for more suggestions and check priceline to see if you can get a better rate, but early December, the hotel prices are at their hightest levels.

Hope this helps.

Without knowing where you're traveling from, it's impossible to know whether the combo price of $1000 makes any sense.

If you are both women, you might want to consider one of the women's residences that offer inexpensive rooms (some I think with private bath) and some meals. The Brandon is one on the upper westside.
www.thebrandon.org

Here are some others

www.parksideresidence.com

www.sacredheartresidence.com

www.websterapartments.org

Some of the hostels also have private rooms. The Vanderbilt "Y" (YMCA) and the Westside Y get ok reviews on tripadvisor.

Another option you might consider is staying in a "hosted" apartment---basically staying with someone in their apt.
citylightsnewyork.com is an agency with this service. A few people I know have stayed in Murray Hill with an English woman and have been very happy. You have your own bathroom but I think there's only 1 bed in the bedroom.

You are talking about coming at perhaps the most expensive time of year. I don't know what the reasoning is behind that, but in Dec., things usually get much cheaper after the 18th.

Thank you so much for the info!

As I stated previously, I have to travel at a specific time in December, there is no way around it unfortunately.

I already left inquiries with the links above....thank you all so much!!

there is some good New York City information to be found here also
http://p104.ezboard.com/feuropetogofrm12

Thank you for the link! It has info on the Chihuly exhibit at the New York Botanical Gardens- I had no idea that exhibit was going on and I just bought tickets to go the weekend I am in NYC after I saw it on the link you provided.

I'm going to go against the grain and suggest you do book a package.

Hotwire and Priceline both book packages and tell you which hotel.

For example; I checked Priceline.com for packages and using Columbus Ohio is the city of origination, airfare and hotel staying at the Holiday Inn Midtown for four nights Wednesday November 29- Monday December 4th came in at $916 per person including tax.

That price will be hard to beat.

As far as weather, as everyone states, it will be a crapshoot but chances are on good it will be on the warm side. New York is a Mid Atlantic state and the ocean temps will still be in the low sixties keeping the air temps warm during the day.

Get her money upfront.

If you are serious about this trip, do not wait until September. The first two weekends in December will most certainly sell out long before. At least book a cancellable backup.

Another suggestion, call travel agencies in your hometown and ask if they are doing any NYC holiday trips.