billchilds

Sorry. It was June 18.

Used the PRICELINE link. Probably could have been more strategic but feeling impatient. Not a bad price, though.

Went through a ton of tries over the last month or so to get a higher star rating or better location, but finally decided to drop down to 3* just to get it done. The hotel looks fine and the price is good.

Here's what I tried:

4/7: $64 for 4* downtown refused, $50 for 3.5* downtown refused

4/9: $64 for 4* downtown refused, $53 for 3.5* downtown refused, $50 3.5* for Beachwood refused, $60 for 4* Cleveland Heights refused

4/11: $66 for 4* downtown, $68 for 4* downtown or Cleveland Heights refused, $62 for 3.5* DT, Cleveland Heights, or Beachwood refused, $48 for 3* downtown refused, $45 for 3* including Beachwood refused

4/13: $68 for 4* downtown refused, $52 for 3.5* downtown refused, $54 for 3.5* downtown or Cleveland Heights refused

4/24: $68 for 4* downtown refused, $55 for 3.5* downtown refused, $53 for 3.5* downtown or Cleveland Heights refused, $52 for 3.5* downtown, Cleveland Heights, Beachwood refused

5/9 - $64 for 4* downtown refused, $53 for 3.5* downtown refused, $53 for 3.5* Beachwood refused, $54 for 3.5* Independence refused, $45 for 3* downtown, Beachwood, Independence accepted - Courtyard Cleveland Independence

Used the PRICELINE link here. Thanks to everyone who has provided information about what's worked for them!

Went through a ton of tries over the last week or so, but I guess I'm happy with the result:

4/7: $61 3.5* downtown refused, $45 3* refused;

4/9: $65 3.5* refused, $53 for 3* refused, $66 for 3.5* including West DM refused, $50 for 3* including West DM refused

4/11: $68 for 3.5* DM only refused, $69 for 3.5* DM and WDM refused, $60 for 3* DM accepted

used the PRICELINE link

4/7: $58 for 4* downtown refused, $65 for downtown or Forest Park refused, $50 for 3.5 or 4* refused

4/9: $67 for 4* Forest Park refused, $69 for 4* Forest Park/downtown refused, $54 for 3.5* in Forest Park or downtown accepted with Crowne Plaza Downtown

Used the PRICELINE link.

First offer taken, 3*, looked in Springdale only, used the PRICELINE link here.

First bid accepted, used the PRICELINE link. This is the third year in a row I've gotten a very nice hotel room in Madison in June for a massively discounted price - all due to Better Bidding.

I'm here now, and it's totally acceptable. Pleasant front desk, clean room, fairly quiet. I stayed at the suite place next door (another Marriott brand, just can't remember the name right now - Spring Hill or something?) last year, and it was certainly nicer, but also more expensive. Only complaint is that the wifi, while free, seems to be throttled -- I'm trying to download the iPhone update and it's slow as molasses.

All in all, a great deal, though. If I could get this level of hotel consistently for $32, I'd be a happy guy.

Started with $62 for 4*, rejected, went to $60 for 3.5* and got this. Used the link.

First try, followed the PRICELINE link here.

Tried a couple of times at 2.5* over the last few days with bids in the mid-$40s. $32 today first try on the 2*. Used the PRICELINE link from here.

Followed the PRICELINE link. Bid $47 for 3 1/2* in downtown, offered to consider $13 more, I just went down to 3* and I think I'm okay with the results.

Followed the forum PRICELINE link, got it on the first bid.

Followed the PRICELINE link.

12/19/2009-12/20/2009

$50 was rejected for 4* Cleveland Heights, upped price a little and was aiming for the Renaissance, and got it.

Used the PRICELINE link. I think. I know I did for the St. Louis one the next night.

That's the Marathon weekend and the downtown hotels are filling up, so I probably paid more than I ordinarily would have expected to.

I think I did it through the BetterBidding PRICELINE link -- I did most of the bid attempts through it and hopefully did that one.

First bid, followed the betterbidding PRICELINE links.

Followed the better bidding PRICELINE links and advice. First bid accepted. Thanks!

First bid, followed the betterbidding PRICELINE links. Thanks!

Followed the PRICELINE links here (and the advice here) and got the Hyatt Regency on the first bid. Thanks!