BidByMe

Just for kicks, I tried some alternatives that may help people with this city later:

One Night, 03-MAY-2006

2.5* - $65 - Portage = DENIED

2.5* - $70 - Portage + Kzoo = DENIED

2.5* - $75 - Portage + Kzoo + Battle Creek = DENIED

2* - $45 - Kzoo = DENIED

Two Nights, 03-MAY to 04-MAY

2* - $50 - Kzoo = DENIED

2* - $55 - Kzoo + Portage = DENIED

Tried one night, 03-MAY

2* - $59 - Kzoo + Portage = Priceline said I'd already tried that combination, but I hadn't.

Trying again, but have reduced stay to three days = 03-MAY-2006 to 06-MAY-2006

2.5* - $70 - Portage = DENIED

2.5* - $75 - Portage + Kzoo = DENIED

2* - $50 - Kzoo = DENIED

At this point I had a decision...do I risk getting the Econolodge with further 2* bidding or do I just book one of the following direct from the hotel's website:

Econolodge = $49/night

Red Roof East = $42.50/night

Red Roof West = ~$60/night

Best Western = $80/night ($72/night for AAA)

I took a risk that Priceline might not consider the Econolodge a 2* for bids even though it shows it as a 2* hotel in the listings. I read somewhere that those two ratings don't correlate for some strange reason only a Priceline pinhead would know for real.

2* - $55 - Kzoo + Portage = DENIED

At this point I think Priceline is too risky to keep trying; I'll just save money and book direct.

Pickup = 03-MAY-2006 PM

Dropoff = 07-MAY-2006 AM

Location = Chicago, Midway Airport

Really wanted a Premium for $26/day or less. Got one last year for the same period. Was offered Full for $22/day with Hotel Bid Win, so based bids on that amount.

Bids:

Premium - $22/day - DENIED

Luxury - $23/day - DENIED

Full - $20/day - DENIED

One night, 06-MAY-2006.

3* - $75 - Midway - ACCEPTED

Was planning to add my one extra bid zone (Skokie) to try $80...guess I should have started off lower.

Hotel Assigned:

Chicago Marriot Midway

Web Rate = $149 + $24.58 taxes = $173.58

My Cost = $75 + $19 taxes = $94

Kalamazoo has 1-3* hotels (just one 3*).

Kalamazoo (Kzoo) has two surrounding areas available for rebids: Portage with 1-2.5* hotels and Battle Creek with 1-2* hotels.

Took a shot at the 3* Radisson for cheap, didn't work.

Goal was a 2* other than Econolodge for under $50/night in Kzoo or Portage area. (Priceline lists Econolodge as a 2* for $59-$64/night. From past experience I know the Lee's Inn is a 2* also and is way better than the Econolodge. I'd pay more for the Lee's Inn, but don't want to risk getting stuck paying $50 for the Econolodge.)

Second choice was a 2.5* (Residence Inn in Portage) for under $80/night.

Stay was 03-May-2006 through 07-May-2006, booked 30-Apr-2006. Kzoo was hosting a conference during these dates so hotel rooms were scarce.

3* - $60 - Kzoo = DENIED

3* - $70 - Kzoo + Portage = DENIED

2.5* - $35 - Portage = DENIED

2.5* - $40 - Portage + Kzoo = DENIED

2.5* - $45 - Portage + Kzoo + Battle Creek = DENIED

2* - $40 - Kzoo = DENIED

2* - $45 - Kzoo + Portage = DENIED

2.5* - $62 - Portage = DENIED

2.5* - $67 - Portage + Kzoo = DENIED

2.5* - $71 - Portage + Kzoo + Battle Creek = DENIED

Will try again tomorrow.