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[MSE Jenny]

This thread is specifically to discuss the

Priceline Guide

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[blindman]

Not wishing to blow my own trumpet but surely a link to my Priceline bidding guide should have been incorporated in the article?


And while we're on the subject Hotwire aslo is an opaque bidding site that can save money on Hotels

BTW

Thanks for the mention in the article.

[josie]

I'm struggling at the moment to get a bid accepted for New York, in a central Manhattan area - Empire State, T. Square, Mid Town East, Mid Town West or Columbus Circle and I'm up to £88 a night + tax & charges, which adds up to £103 per night!

I've even tried all star ratings except 1* - any advice please? I'm beginning to wish I'd booked the whole damn thing as a package on Expedia.

There are 2 of us going 26/8 - 31/8 and want to be central as going out for the US Open and it's quite a tube ride out there on top from G Central or Times Square.

Any thoughts from anyone on here? Have been asking on Better Bidding, but really don't want to have to split my stay - too much luggage and shopping and hassle!

I've got a back up - th 2* Clarion Hotel at £118 per night, which is coming up on Priceline to be able to book, but I'd have thought I could have got it at £103 Does this just mean it's a popular time and there's not much around?

[morverngirl]

If you want cheap clean accomodation then go for hostels, just booked 6 days at xmas for $200. I just put in search for hostels new york, there is lots of choice and room size, lockers etc and in all areas.Even cheaper if member of YHA (£9.50)

[Jakido]

When bidding for a hotel priceline asks for a valid US or Canadian address and Zip Code; is there any way to use a UK address?

[PBA]

Originally Posted by Jakido

When bidding for a hotel priceline asks for a valid US or Canadian address and Zip Code; is there any way to use a UK address?

You must be using priceline.com. Use priceline.co.uk and it will accept a UK address (and charge you in pounds, not dollars).

[PBA]

Now that I've read the article, one important point that was missed. As soon as you've won a bid, go on to either betterbidding and/or biddingfortravel and post what you've won. Martin made a comment that they mainly deal with hotels in the States, but that's where most of their users are. If lots of MSErs start posting their wins then they'll start having much more info about hotels in Europe.

Also a mention of hotwire would be good. Hotwire is a similar site in that you don't know the name of the hotel before paying (though it's easy to find out by referring to betterbidding), but it's fixed price rather than name your own. In my experience the best priceline prices are about $20 cheaper than on hotwire, so it can give you a good benchmark for where to start bidding.

[dmg24]

Originally Posted by josie

I'm struggling at the moment to get a bid accepted for New York, in a central Manhattan area - Empire State, T. Square, Mid Town East, Mid Town West or Columbus Circle and I'm up to £88 a night + tax & charges, which adds up to £103 per night!

I've even tried all star ratings except 1* - any advice please? I'm beginning to wish I'd booked the whole damn thing as a package on Expedia.

There are 2 of us going 26/8 - 31/8 and want to be central as going out for the US Open and it's quite a tube ride out there on top from G Central or Times Square.

Any thoughts from anyone on here? Have been asking on Better Bidding, but really don't want to have to split my stay - too much luggage and shopping and hassle!

I've got a back up - th 2* Clarion Hotel at £118 per night, which is coming up on Priceline to be able to book, but I'd have thought I could have got it at £103 Does this just mean it's a popular time and there's not much around?

Are there any reported wins for these dates on BetterBidding?

The fact that there is a big sporting event on that weekend will have an effect on prices.

[crombiestone]

There I was ,reading my MSE weekly E Mail this morning , when I read about someone getting the Sheraton Manhattan in Times Square New York at a bargain price through priceline ....

I was thinking so did I .....until I realised it was quoting my win

Nearly as exciting as the saving itself

I would like to thank, my parents,Priceline,Biddingfortravel.com and MSE ,without whom none of this would have been possible

[MSE Martin]

Originally Posted by crombiestone

There I was ,reading my MSE weekly E Mail this morning , when I read about someone getting the Sheraton Manhattan in Times Square New York at a bargain price through priceline ....

I was thinking so did I .....until I realised it was quoting my win

Nearly as exciting as the saving itself

I would like to thank, my parents,Priceline,Biddingfortravel.com and MSE ,without whom none of this would have been possible

But thank you too

[crombiestone]

Is that a thank you from the actual legend that is Martin Himself or someone acting in his name ?

*breathes into paper bag*

Thank you .....

[josie]

Originally Posted by dmg24

Are there any reported wins for these dates on BetterBidding?

The fact that there is a big sporting event on that weekend will have an effect on prices.

Yes, but just a couple of nights each - from what I've read the more nights you want the harder it is, so that might be worth adding in to the original guide, blindman? Do you think? Hotwire is mentioned on blindman's excellent guide too.

[dmg24]

Originally Posted by josie

Yes, but just a couple of nights each - from what I've read the more nights you want the harder it is, so that might be worth adding in to the original guide, blindman? Do you think? Hotwire is mentioned on blindman's excellent guide too.

I would split your bids. If it is your first time in NYC I think it would be a good idea to actually stay in different areas during your stay. For instance, Times Square can be great fun, but at times it all seems far too chaotic.

Did you say that wins for listed for the relevant dates? If so, what are they? x

[Dr-Janice]

Please Please help me I think I'm going mad. I know I'm not the brightest button in the box but I didn't think I was that bad. I keep inputting all of my details including my credit card but I can't seem to input my phone number in the format that it wants. I am putting the UK code as well. Can anyone tell me what I'm doing wrong before I start crying?

[josie]

Originally Posted by Dr-Janice

Please Please help me I think I'm going mad. I know I'm not the brightest button in the box but I didn't think I was that bad. I keep inputting all of my details including my credit card but I can't seem to input my phone number in the format that it wants. I am putting the UK code as well. Can anyone tell me what I'm doing wrong before I start crying?

Funny, I had the same thing the very first time I used it and got really frustrated too - tried all the usual 0044 1234 xxxxxx +44 1234 xxxxxx and so on. In the end I gave up and posted more or less what was in their example - something like 0200 0000000 or something, except I changed it to 123456 or whatever - if that makes sense!

[Dr-Janice]

Thank you I will try that now

[Dr-Janice]

Thanks Josie your suggestion worked. I didn't get the hotel though so I will try again tomorrow

[blindman]

Originally Posted by crombiestone

There I was ,reading my MSE weekly E Mail this morning , when I read about someone getting the Sheraton Manhattan in Times Square New York at a bargain price through priceline ....

I was thinking so did I .....until I realised it was quoting my win

Nearly as exciting as the saving itself

I would like to thank, my parents,Priceline,Biddingfortravel.com and MSE ,without whom none of this would have been possible

I'm having the doors widened in my house to get my big head thorugh...

Thanks to all those MoneySavers, especially Blindman (see his Priceline bidding guide), for lots of tips and info.

[blindman]

Am important condition has been miseed from the MSE guide

When should I consider using Priceline?
1) You need a Hotel room than can accommodate only up to TWO people, probably in a DOUBLE bed.
If you're a family or a larger group, Priceline can still work for you, but you may not be able to fit everyone into a single room in certain situations
Priceline guarantees double occupancy, anything above that can be hit and miss.

Read my guide, mostly USA hotels will accomodate 2 adults and 2 kids but places like New York (and in the UK London) WILL NOT.

Be careful.

[ellie14]

Thanks to all the help on here ieBlindman I won Tradewinds Island Grand 4*at St Petes beach Florida got it for $90 a night 25/08/08 for 4nts went in at $90 because most of the wins were $99 $100 $105 $120 so was surprised to win maybe could have got it 2/5$ cheaper but satisfied went through Better Bidding and posted win there.Initially was quite nervous as I had been bidding for London previously and not won anything but it was Wimbledon,so when it came to Florida I was a lot more confident,just keep reading Blindmans advice post .