priceline
 

has anyone had a bad experience with priceline? I'm thinking about doing $150.00 midtown west 4* , any input?

When are your dates?

Have you done any research?

For Labor Day through New Years, you will not find a motel in New Jersey for $150.

Unless your date is a random mid week off season January through Mid February dates, $150 will not get you a four star.

Have you checked biddingfortravel.com?

I'm seeing

3*MTW Novotel $125

4* MTE Hyatt $130.

It all depends on which dates.

No, I've not had any bad Priceline experiences with new York. One or two bad experiences in other places.

Thanks for the link easytraveler!
I checked out the link, very interesting.

from what I read on there, it's better to wait tilyour close to your trvel date, for a good price, is that correct?
lookins at 4/15-4/19.

sorry looking... at 4/15-4/19

My husband just used them and had trouble getting midtown west but we only went up to 125. he did get the Intercontinental for 125. It is considered 4 star by priceline, but he didn't think it was really 4 star. He was generally happy at that price.

My husband & I stayed in the Intercontinental in Montreal, it was 4*. One of the nicest I've stayed in. I would love to get that your deal.

mommacl:

I'd suggest that you not do any biddig on Priceline until you have thoroughly familiarized yourself with biddingfortravel.com.

You should also click on the "Hotel List" link on BFT and check out their reviews of the various hotels.

also look at tripadvisor.com for hotel reviews.

There is NO particularly good time for bidding. Now is as good a time to bid for New York as later. It all depends on how each hotel feels about their inventory and no one can predict that.

I'd suggest that, after you have read BFT, that you do a dry run and bid $5 on a hotel on Priceline. You wouldn't get a hotel for that price, but it'll walk you through the process without risking any money.

Remember that IF you do win a hotel room, you've paid for it at that bid price. It's set in concrete. you cannot revise the dates or cancel.

when you know specifically what you want, come back here and ask more questions. There are more bidding strategies that you can ask about.

Good luck! and read BFT (biddingfortravel)! :)

mommacl- I know, he was so happy b/c he'd stayed at other intercontinentals and liked them. This one didn't do it for him.

People who have bad experiences on Priceline are those that don't understand the process and the rules. I agree you need to know the ins and outs before you start bidding.

>If you don't understand a free re-bid, you're not ready to start bidding.

>Do you know which hotels you're likely to get???

>Do you realize there's a new area called Times Square that's now separate from midtown west?

>Do you know what to do if they make you a counter offer?

>Do you realize they only guarantee a room with one bed for 2 people so Priceline is not an option for those who need a room for 3 or more or need 2 beds?

Hotwire is sometimes a predictor of Priceline availability. Try looking on Hotwire for your dates. Betterbidding.com is another helpful website that includes a list of Hotwire hotels here
http://www.betterbidding.com/index.p...wtopic=88&

The main thing to know about Priceline is that once you bid and it is accepte4d, you own that hotel room. No buyer's regrets, no changing plans, no changing dates - it is yours and is immediately charged to your credit card.

I think the point I was trying to make is that what is 4 star to priceline, may not be 4 star to you, depending on your experiences. But for the price, you can't beat it!

I've always done a Priceline for NYC and never regretted it.

In 20 plus times of using Priceline for major American cities, I have yet to have a bad room or any other aspect go sour.

But I have had to eat the cost once because of weather/illness and the fact I could not cancel (Chicago).

In a ratio, what I lost that time ($69) is a cipher to all the thousands I have saved on excellent hotel stays over the years.

I research the areas to pick extensively, and I look at all the recent "wins" on the two bidding sites. That's all I do- plus post my win.

The only problem I have had in the last two years is with stays more than 3 days- those I have not won and went to other discount sites. Others say they have not had that experience. I have in at least 4 cities now.

NYC is so high in cost that you are going in the right direction. Do not forget parking or extra taxes will be mightily added on to any bidding win.

Also before you bid on anything, check prices for the usual hotels awarded on Kayak.com for your dates. If the bidding price starts approaching the best available price, I wouldn't bother with priceline. I also check all AAA discounts and similar in advance of bidding.

We've had great luck with priceline, but there are times when we don't use it because it's not worth the risk. Situations where a specific location is very important to us, or there's a risk of getting a room that can not accommodate all of us (we're a family of 4), particilarly in cities like Boston and NYC, we would not use priceline.

Thanks to everyone who replied to my question. I have been reding biddingfortravel for the last few days, I think I have a good idea of how priceline works.Also I think my $150 should get me a 4-3* room, if what others have won bids at is a good example. However it's very complicated. I quess once you've done it you feel more comfortable with the bidding process..... Well I'm off to do the dry run easytraveler suggested.

JJ5: <i>But I have had to eat the cost once because of weather/illness and the fact I could not cancel (Chicago).</i>

Really? Was your flight canceled? When that happened to me a year ago (flight canceled due to weather, couldn't use my airport hotel), all I did was call Priceline; they verified that the flight had indeed been canceled and gave me a full refund, even for a &quot;Name Your Own Price&quot; booking.

Did my dry run (of couse I didn't get anything), but I did see how it works. Offered TS at $5.00 4*. My bid wasn't excepted , it asked my to bid in a different zone. So I vid MTW 3* $5. Didn't get that! LOL!

Do you understand free re-bids? The only way you can up your bid is to bid on another zone or another star level. There are certain zones in NYC that have no hotels with 4*'s. So upper east and upper west sides would be 2 free re-bid zones for a 4* bid.

Don't make the mistake of going down in stars on the same bid (ie start at 4* and continue to up the price while decreasing the stars to 3) You will wind up overpaying for a 3* hotel. Make 4* star and 3* bids separately.

Do you have a particular hotel in mind you'd like to get?

Thanks for the insight. No I don't have an idea on a hotel. Still looking. Plus I've not booked airfare. Will do that next week. Found air for $198 RT nonstop from Dallas to LGA last week, but the person I am traveling with hadn't committed fully to the trip. Now air is too high. Any suggestions on hotels?

I have no idea who you're traveling with, when you're coming, what you plan to do etc. Do you realize Priceline only guarantees 1 bed? Will that be ok for you?

I was just asking about hotel b/c in midtown west, which is what you mentioned, the likely 4* wins are the NY Hilton which is very good and the Sheraton which, imo, is not. If you bid Times Square, people are winning the Millenium Broadway which I think is better than the Sheraton, so I'd be more likely to bid Times Square than MTW at this point. In MTE, people are winning either the Hyatt (eh, ok) or the Barclay Intercontinental.

Depending on when you're thinking of coming, there may be some good prices on travelzoo.com (although they won't likely be as cheap as Priceline).

mclaurie,

I'm 40+ woman traveling w another 40+ woman. As long she promises to behave I guess I can share a bed with her.LOL What size bed are we talking about?
Looks like I should bid TS from what your saying, which is fine with me. My friend has never been to NY &amp; wants to go so badly I don't think she cares where she stays.
We are planning mid -late April.
Still haven't booked air, as the price hasn't come back down. Hopefully Wed. or Thurs.
Looks like people are reco booking a back up room you can cancel.Holiday Inn Express ect. What do you think?

Regarding the bed issue, you can always call the hotel once you've won your Priceline bid and request two beds. They don't have to honor it, but they will try.

In a city like New York where it's very unpredictable whether you will get a room on Priceline for the price you would like, yes, it would be wise to book a backup hotel, just in case.

Otherwise, I'd nail everything down soon. April is next month. The sooner you nail things down the sooner you can start bidding on priceline and the more opportunities you will have of getting a room for the price you want to pay.

Good luck!

<i>Regarding the bed issue, you can always call the hotel once you've won your Priceline bid and request two beds.</i>

Again, this is not suggested in NYC, where two-bedded rooms are not the norm.

It's always a good idea to have a back up cancelable reservation since you never know if you'll get something on Priceline and sometimes PL wins don't happen til right before the trip. If you don't book something, you could be stuck scrambling at the last minute.

You should look on Hotwire.com to see what they have for the dates you're considering. That's sometimes an indication of what you might get on Priceline. Betterbidding.com can help you figure out what the hotels might be here

http://www.betterbidding.com/index.p...wtopic=88&amp;

As to the issue of which area to bid, there's a thread from yesterday where someone won the Sheraton on Priceline for next week and is disappointed (and had to pay $225/night).

If you don't mind what area you stay in, I think MTE 4* is a safer bet (you'll win the Hyatt or the Barclay Intercontinental) or you can try Times Square but that's usually pricier.

I tried &amp; tried to get a 4* hotel for my dates 4/24-4/28. Had great help from betterbidding.com. Still no luck, the BB guy suggested I split my stay &amp; take a hotwire hotel for three days at $240 @ night &amp; book the hotel he thoght it was through quikbook @ $360 for 1 night. I decided to try a 3*. got it on my first bid + thier counter offer. Staying at the Hudson.

$190 @ night for 4 nights in late April in NYC is pretty good.

I know the rooms are smaller than closets, but the location is really good.
My backup hotel was Gild Hall. It looked pretty nice,but rooms are up to $215 @ night &amp; I really didn't want to be that far down on the Island.

And I'm going to try for an upgrade when we check in.

I think you did GREAT! The Hudson is in a great location. The rooms are small, 150 sq ft. ! but the rate on the website for your dates is $349-629!!! I wouldn't get your hopes up about an upgrade but you never know. Here's a link to the floor plans so you know what's what. ;)

http://www.hudsonhotel.com/hudson_ho...oms_plans.html

I booked my in-laws at the Hudson over Easter weekend, and was really nervous after reading reviews about the room size, but it was fine! The rooms are tiny, no question... but they're clean and modern, and as long as you aren't planning to spend a lot of awake time in the room, you'll be just fine.

It's really a fantastic location- right by Columbus Circle and the south end of Central Park, plus many subway lines.

mommacl: Congratulations! That's a great price for New York!

If you need two separate beds, I'd suggest calling them up and specifying that to the front desk.

With Priceline (you did do it through Priceline? Not clear from your post), anything that want after a winning bid, you have to call the hotel: higher/lower floor, nonsmoking, feather/foam pillows, etc.

Have a great trip and do come back and give us a Trip Report! :)

TarheelsInNj;

Thanks for letting know that your in-laws liked the Hudson. I was a little worried about the room size, but we won't be in it very much. The location is GREAT as you said. One of the things I wanted in a hotel was good subway access.

easytraveler;

I did go with priceline. Very interesting &amp; I learned alot about the bidding system.
Thanks for the suggestion about seperate beds. I was going to ask when we checked in, but I might just call like you said. High floor was also something I was going to ask for. Not just for the view,I've read the lower floors can get alot of noise from the Hudon Bar.
I will report back.

Arrived in NY this afternoon.Having a blast. Weather is beautiful.
Checked into the Husdon &amp; asked if we could be upgraded. The clerk didn't say anything at first...just started typing &amp; then said,I can upgrade you to a superior room. Cool!We paid $190 for $349 @ a night room &amp; got $389 @ a night room.Hotel Lobby is awesome.
Tomorrow..Staten Island Ferry,China Town,inner at Roberto Passon,have tickets to Spring Awakening.

Wow! mommac1 - way to go!

It's successes like yours that keep the rest of us inspired to keep coming back to Fodors!

Thanks so much for reporting back!

Enjoy New York! Hope the weather breaks for you! ((#))

Mommaci, way to go!! Good for you. I'm glad you are having such a good time, and I'm glad you've learned so much about Priceline. I LOVE it. I always use it, and I've always done well, and been happy.

&quot;Success&quot; with PL is the norm. It boggles my mind that people won't use it because of misinformation or fear of something new, and derogatory comments by some people who made bad choices because they did not do their homework. ((*))

Or that they write HATE droves against it, when they haven't understood the basic premises to begin with, as well.

I had a great Priceline stay in Baltimore last week and I have to report that the difference in the &quot;deal&quot; price and what I actually paid through Priceline for 4 days was almost exactly $420. And that is MORE than both of our airfares plus a couple of hundred added.

I'm thinking about another extra baseball trip, maybe to TX or MN.

THANK YOU, PRICELINE! And THANK YOU, Southwest.

Excellent.
Viva P'line!

Will write a full report within a few days. But just to let all who are interested know.
We loved the Hudson. Room size was small but fine. Sheets, well ..too bad they didn't fit in our luggage!
We had a problem w/ the TV. Within 30 min. of telling them, it was fixed. Don't think a hotel of this $$$ should charge for internet. If Holiday Inn &amp; Motel 6 can do it they should be able to, too.
All &amp; all great stay, even better.... the location.Two Metro stations within walking distance.

=D&gt;

Yea P'line.
Nice when you know how to use it, yah?
Thx for the results report. ((Y))

In my experience, the nicer hotels are more likely to charge for little things like WiFi than the cheaper roadside motel chains. On the other hand, in Manhattan it's usually easy to find an open connection without paying for it.