Priceline/Hotwire hotel deals for NYC Sept 2013

slknv on 01/07/2013 - 18:10

So we'll be in the states a few weeks in September, start of peak season means very expensive hotel rooms. I've been used to travelling super cheap in the past, but this time we may spend a bit more on a nice room in Manhattan.

With the average 4 star hotel charging around $350/night, it offends the ozbargainer in me so I've tried bidding on rooms using Priceline.com, going to around USD$190+tax for a 4 star hotel around midtown manhattan area but so far no dice.

Anyone got any good tips for snagging a deal on a good hotel room? Should I wait until the last minute to see if I can grab something? Even airBNB is looking like $200+ for a nice apartment for that time of year.

Travel

Comments

  • neil on 01/07/2013 - 18:18

    Check out better bidding. That will give you an idea of what/where to bid to get the best prices.

    Last time I stayed in NY, I used Wimdu(Airbnb clone) and got an apartment in Long Island City for $100/night. 1 minute walk to the subway, 5 minute subway ride to Midtown. NY has great public transport that runs all night. No need to stay in Midtown.

  • vietbargain on 01/07/2013 - 21:05

    keep in mind that early-mid sept is US Tennis Open, IMO most swanky hotels aren't gonna drop their priceline prices that much because they'll be expecting lots of traffic

  • branners on 10/07/2013 - 16:40

    That is what most hotels cost in NYC. I am going to be there in a few weeks and we have booked accom for NY, Philly and Washington DC. NYC is almost twice as expensive as those cities.
    Have a look online and if there are plenty of rooms free but the third-party website rates look a bit pricey, ring the hotel directly and see if you can haggle. And then ask for some extras, like free parking and breakfast. You will be amazed what you can get away with if you are brave and don't wilt. Remember, the person you will be speaking to is, usually, an employee, not an owner and it is their job to get the rooms filled.
    I have stayed at the Chelsea Lodge in the past, not fancy but a safe and clean neighborhood (US spelling!) in Chelsea. Also, be prepared to look way uptown, some people might freak out at staying in Harlem but it is fine these days. Also, Brooklyn is really nice, and from both places you can take the Subway into Midtown in less than 15 mins.
    Other tricks; leverage everything you can. If they offer an Auto Club discount, flash your local NRMA/RAC card and ask for it. If they refuse, say that you did not have that problem when you were in Canada (or better still, when you were volunteering in Haiti/Sudan/Afghanistan. Remember NYC has just gone through a natural disaster of its own). Also, if you are a member of the military, police or a firefighter (or you are ex any of those, or a country volunteer) flash your ID and ask for the discount. I found a place in the US that gave a discount for cat owners so I picked up my neighbor's stupid cat and had him take a pic on my phone. It got me a discounted hotel room AND a cheaper rental car!
    Watch for extras like 'resort fees', that provides a paper and access to stuff you may not want, like the gym. Make sure you get them signed off up front when you check in; remember, the person who checked you in might not be checking you out.
    And go to Macy's and ask for the discount card!

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