cherylc

1. $40 3* Pt. Loma 2. $43 added Mission Valley I should have added the 4* areas first. Oh well. I like Mission Valley. Of course, after I read the review of the hotel I won, I am not very happy. Plus, it's really not close to other Mission Valley hotels and not as good a location.

1. bid $43 Downtown 2. bid $47 + 1 area 3. bid $51 + 1 area 4. bid $55 + 1 area Loved those maps.

Tried bidding 5/31-6/3: 4*, $55 3*, $60. Changed dates to 5/31-6/2: 4*, $71 3*, $63 Changed dates to 6/1-6/3: 4*, $75 3*, $65

Your Offer Price: $70.00 (US dollars) Subtotal: $280.00 (US dollars) Taxes & Fees: $40.82 (US dollars) Total Charges: $320.82 (US dollars) Previously tried 5/27-6/1 and bid $51, $53, $56, $58. Then changed to current dates and bid $59, $61, $65, $70.

Sandman Hotel, 6/3 Bid: $50.00 (US dollars) Taxes & Fees: $12.79 (US dollars) Total Charges: $62.79 (US dollars) Previous tried for a 4* in the City Bid History: $65, $68, $70, $72. Then tried a 3* for $65. Then tried for a 4* at the Airport: Bid history, $55, $60, $62, $64, $66. Then tried for a 3* at $50. Orbitz showed the Sandman for $68 so perhaps I should have bid less. Oh well, it's still a savings, I guess.

I started with a bid of $56 for Union Square West, went up to $58 by adding Union Square East and went up to $62 by adding Fisherman's Wharf. Juliana Hotel: Union Square East Your Offer Price: $62.00 Number of Rooms: 1 Number of Nights: 2 Subtotal: $124.00 Taxes & Service Fees: $23.85 Total Charges: $147.85 The hotel's website lists the rate as $109.

Thanks so much for the extensive instructions. I followed exactly as you said. For Oct 9-11, I have the Palmer House Hilton: (darn!! should have bid $80 first) Your Offer Price: $85.00 Number of Rooms: 1 Number of Nights: 2 Subtotal: $170.00 Taxes and Service Fees: $32.84 Total Charges: $202.84 On Expedia it was $199/night Well, my success with the first two nights got me hopeful. However, no luck on the second two nights and I followed your suggestions.

Thanks for the great tips. I really appreciate that information about rebidding. I definitely have lots more to learn. Yes, I would be willing to split up my stay. I was thinking staying near O'Hare is an option. But I would prefer not to stay that far away. Not to mention, we are flying to/from Midway. As for a back-up plan: I currently have a 2* room reserved in the city center for $157.50 a night that I can cancel. Of course, I wasn't planning to spend that much. As for the amount I am willing to spend for a city hotel, I was hoping not to spend more than $100/night, but like priceline and everything else, I am subject to the currents of market forces and will ultimately have to pay what the market demands (even on priceline). Although I was hoping to save money comparatively and get more for my money.

I need a hotel room in Chicago from 10/9-10/13. On Tuesday, I bid on priceline for $75 in the Loop, NMA, and River North for a 3* and up. I didn't get an offer. In another posting, I read that I should check the convention calendar and unfortunately, it seems that there are lots of conferences then. I have also check hotwire and yeseterday I saw a room from $238 and today it's showing $380/night. Many websites are showing no rooms available for the period I have specified. I would like to be near transit. Any suggestions? Thanks!