TerryP

No maximum really, just need a place. I'm assuming it can be done for under...$80? I really don't have a baseline to judge.

Hi there. I need help bidding on a hotel for Orlando, 3.5*, in the Seaworld zone, for two nights checking in on Feb 9 and out on Feb 11. I'm wondering if it's too early to bid on these dates?

Thank you! I was successful at $149 for the Doubletree: Room Cost (avg. per room, per night): $149.00 (USD) Number of Rooms: 1 Number of Guests Per Room: 2 Number of Nights: 2 Room Subtotal: $298.00 (USD) Taxes and Fees: $56.10 (USD) Total Room Cost: $354.10 (USD) A little more than I wanted to spend, but getting the second two nights at only $100/night makes it totally worthwhile.

Hi there. As discussed in a previous thread, I am going to Chicago for 4 nights from October 21 - 25. I have already bid successfully on priceline for part of the stay (October 23 - 25) and got the Holiday Inn Chicago Mart Plaza. I now need a room for October 21 - 23. I would prefer to stay in the River North-NMA zone, especially since I have to move to the Holiday Inn on the 23rd. I am bidding on a 3* and have already bid up to $146 with no luck. Can you suggest a strategy? I don't really have a price ceiling, since I absolutely have to find a room, but would like to get the least expensive 3* that I can get for those 2 nights.

Partial Success...... For October 21 - 23: Bid $130

Thanks. I've been bidding just on 3* since September 27. I will use the strategy that you suggested for the cheaper nights, but not for the entire stay, because I've already bid (and failed) up to $130 for those dates. So, I'll try bidding $130 and up for October 21 - 23 (yes?) and starting at $80 for October 23 - 25. All 3*, just to be clear. Make sense? - Terry

3*

Ok that's not what we talked about I don't think. You suggested (based on Hotwire pricing) that the price for the first two days (October 21 and 22) was much higher than the second two days (October 23 and 24). I therefore could save money by splitting the bid because I would get a lower price for the second two days, which I could contribute to the cost of the first two days. What I was expecting was that you would therefore suggest a starting bid for October 23 and 24 that would be lower than for the higher priced nights (the Friday and Saturday). The Hotwire rate for the 23rd and 24th was only $105 so I'm confused why I would bid $110 on Priceline. Also, I am bidding on 3* as I'm pretty sure that was what the Hotwire rates were based on that you quoted. Maybe I'm missing something?

I'd like to try to money-saving alternative of splitting my bid, therefore getting me an average per night stay around $120 - $130.

Bid $120

No luck on the 3* so far. I used all my free rebid zones for today: Bid $105…rejected. Added Franklin Park…bid $110….rejected Added Hyde Park…bid $115…rejected Added Lincoln Park…bid $118….rejected Added Midway Airport North…bid $120…rejected Will try again tomorrow going a little higher...maybe to $130. If that doesn't work, I'm going to serious consider the split bid.

That's good advice Aaron, but I don't think I want to lose time changing hotels given that this is a fairly short visit. As a result, I think I'll bid for all 4 nights on PRICELINE again, but drop down to 3*. Do you recommend starting at $80 even for all 4 nights, or maybe start a little higher?

Unfortunately I was rejected right up to $150! I've looked at the reviews of the 3* hotels though (using the list on this forum) and they seem quite respectable. I'm not sure about location though. Are there any of the 3*s that would be a little out of the way? I would definitely consider dropping to 3*. I realize that the strategy would be slightly different because I have fewer rebid zones.

My goal is the least expensive 3.5*. Thanks!

Based on that information, I'd like to try the River North-NMA zone first.

Hi there. I am looking for a hotel in Chicago for 4 nights checking in on October 21 and out on October 25. I've read that the North Michigan Ave River North area is the best place to stay for first-time visitors, but that I might also want to consider Millennium Park and Loop. Does this make sense? I'm hoping to stay under $150/night. Do you think I could get a 3.5 or 4 for that price? Thanks, Terry

Just an FYI that I've cancelled this trip, but I am going to post a request for bidding assistance for Chicago instead.

Hmmm, ok. I may have to cancel this idea (again), but one last question - what if I lowered my expectations to 3*? Do you recommend or are there dodgy hotels in the 3* category? What do you think I could expect price-wise?

Thanks for that, but no, those dates won't work. Sigh. What about for under $250? Would that get me something in October?

I have no idea. I'm open to suggestions. I assume as long as we're close to the subway and in Manhattan, it would be ok. I've never been to NYC except for a single day. Would it be better (in terms of likelihood of getting a room for under $200) to switch to a weekend in early to mid-November?

Hi there. I have a chance to book air fare to NYC for a great deal (from Toronto) and am considering a 4 - 5 day trip in mid-October. I think October 13 - October 17. Before I book though, I'd like to know if there's a good chance that I could get a 3.5* or greater hotel for under $200/night?

You can accept the counter offer but I recommend, since you have plenty of time, you either use a free rebid zone or wait 24 hours and bid about halfway between your original bid and the counter offer. The true "best bid" is likely a little lower than the counter offer.

Just an update (requested by Aaron) that I didn't end up going on this trip.

Finally successful for Montreal Convention Centre zone! Details below: Hyatt Regency Montreal 4 Star Convention Center - Old Montreal - Latin Quarter 1255 Jeanne Mance Street Check-In Date: Fri, Apr 1, 2011 / After 03:00 PM Check-Out Date: Mon, Apr 4, 2011 / 12:00 PM Your Offer Price Per Room, Per Night: US$93.00 Subtotal: US$279.00 Taxes & Fees: US$59.46 Total Charges: US$338.46 I had started at around $70 and slowly worked my way up to a successful bid of $93. I had also been bidding for 3.5* in the same zone (convention centre) and had gone up to $91 with no luck. AND, I had also made unsuccessful bids of $60 and $65 for 3* in the same zone.

Hi Aaron. Thanks so much for the list. As for the NYC trip, I didn't decide anything as I didn't end up going. Thanks though.