zink88

Orlando, FL (city)

Drop off date is January 5 at 6:00 PM.

Pickup day is December 30 and pickup time is 10:00 PM. Will be visiting family in Dunellon which is a small town about 90 miles from Orlando.

Our family of 4 is flying into MCO on December 30 with a scheduled arrival of 9:30 PM. Car rentals at MCO for 6 days at the Orlando airport are outrageously high. Even on HOTWIRE the lowest cost was $73 per day. If I enter an earlier arrival time (i.e. 6:00 pm), Hotwire gives me offsite options on International Drive for $23 per day. Unfortunately, my tickets are already booked with the later arrival time. If I bid through PRICELINE, will I be assured of getting a rental at the airport or close by with shuttle transportation that will still be open when we arrive? If so, any chance I'll get a decent rate through PRICELINE?

Have been bidding for the past 2 months in the $60 to $72 range for 4* in MP and NMA. Approximately 1 week ago got my first counteroffer of $90 for a $65 bid on 4* in MP. Declined and bid higher by $1 increments by adding NMA and Midway. Each day I would start at $65 again. On the third day after receiving my first counteroffer, the counteroffer had increased to $93 and remained there each of the past 3 or 4 days. Additional information: When placing bid on only NMA at $65 each of the past several days, received counter offer of $145. There were days when I bid $65 for MP, got counteroffer of $93 to which I declined, added Midway and bid something like $74 and was declined. I would close browser and rebid MP/NMA for $75 and got higher counteroffer of $97. I had as a backup a $105 Travelzoo rate at the Ambassador East locked in during a special several weeks ago.

We currently have cancellable reservations at the Ambassodor East for these 3 nights at $105 per night. I've been bidding for 4* in the $62 to $72 range with no luck so far (last year in early April there were at least four 4* wins for $61 to $72). I know there is a large convention with 28,000 delegates that ends on April 1. Would it be better to bid April 2-4 separately since this starts one day removed from the convention ending? With 5+ weeks until our trip, I have plenty of time to try different strategies.

We are coming with kids to Chicago during roughly the same time period (4/1 to 4/4). I know you're looking to spend no more than $75 (as are we), but Travelzoo just started a special yesterday at the 4* Amassador East Hotel for several dates through May at $85 a night ($105 for 2 doubles). This price is valid for March 18-27 and April 1-9 among other dates. It is cancellable up to 24 hours prior to check-in date. You may consider booking a reservation (use rate code DISZO2) as a backup while you tray to win a better rate on Priceline.

A review of winning bids on this forum indicates the lowest reported price paid for a 4* in NYC over the past year was $108 for the Grand Hyatt for 1/31/07 to 2/3/07. There were a couple of winning bids for the Intercontinental the Barclay at $110 and $111 and at least nine winning bids of $120 for various hotels (primarily in MTW and MTE). I Placed bids tonight for 4* only from $100 to $115 with no luck. I will continue placing bids through the savingsbarn.com link up to $115 for the next few weeks and will let you know if I get a win.

I was worried that the Hotwire hotel would not be centrally located. I currently have a cancellable reservation at the Hyatt Regency Chicago for $149 as my backup. Since I'm not traveling for eight weeks, I've been low-ball bidding Priceline on a 4* in the NMA and MP/LGA area starting at $63 and going only up to $73, using MA as my free rebid. So far rejected every time, but I haven't been too concerned given how far in advance I'm bidding and how low my bids have been. Most winning bids I've seen are for travel dates only 1 to 3 weeks out from the bid. I understand Pricelines policy of guaranteeing only lodging for 2 people. If the savings are signficant, we're willing to have one of us sleep on blankets on the floor each night. We will be getting in late the first night (after 10:00 pm) so if the hotel is heavily booked I figure there's a stronger chance the hotel may not be able to accommodate a request for two beds, but hopefully they could get us one for nights 2 and 3. In response to THEREUARE's question, I haven't placed any bids yet in NYC as we aren't traveling there until the end of June and I'm more concerned about being unable to get 2 beds there. I'm leaning towards waiting to see how the Chicago experience goes. I'll continue to watch for deals in Chicago on Hotwire and elsewhere as the date gets closer and probably continue trying to luck into a deal on Priceline. I'm hoping for selfish reasons the current state of the economy dampens hotel interest for the next few months. Are there any major conventions in Chicago April 1 through 4?

Traveling to Chicago with wife and 2 kids April 1-4. Hotwire has 4-star hotel in Museum Campus - McCormick Place - Soldier Field for $104 per night indicating a savings of $103 per night. Amenities include Fitness Center, Restaurant, Pool, High Speed Internet (extra charges may apply) and Business Center. TripAdvisor customer reviews 4.0 on 220+ reviews. Any ideas? Also, are the 4* Chicago Hotels unlikely to be able to provide a rollaway bed if I go priceline as rates seem to be better? My wife and daughters can share a bed and me on the rollaway. If necessary, the youngest could sleep on the floor.

I would start with the 4* only first up to $135, then go back and do 3* up to $135, then continue on with the 4* up to $150. If I'm able to get the $187 average daily rate for June 29-Jul 2 now, how likely am I to get significantly lower bidding over the next 4 months? I would think the July 4 week would be more expensive than normal , although the holiday is Friday and we'll be leaving by Wednesday prior to the holiday and I don't know what is considered "normal" for 3* and 4* hotels during the June/July time period. The zones listed are acceptable with possibly the exception of MS.

Seeing as I can get the Courtyard New York Manhatten/Midtown East on these dates for an average of $187 (one night at $142 and two at $209), AND it gets an average rating of 4.5 out of 5 from 153 travel reviews on Trip Advisor. AND it is reported to have much larger rooms than the typical New York hotel, AND several of the reviewers indicate the rooms are as nice as those in 4* hotels they've stayed in, I would want to see some significant savings to warrant going to an unknown hotel 3* or 4* hotel. Let's say I'd like to score a 4* for no more than $150, a 3* for $135. Unrealistic for the Sunday through Wednesday prior to the July 4 holiday?

Guess I should have read more closely on my first question. Thanks. As far as acceptable zones, I would accept any of the Midtown or Times Square locations.

I have a cancellable reservation at the Courtyard New York Manhatten/Midtown East for these 3 nights at a cost of $209 AAA rate per night. I can get the first night (Sunday) at $142 non-refundable with the other 2 nights at $209 refundable. This hotel seems to get very favorable reviews on Trip Advisor. It is also the only 2.5 star hotel identified in the priceline list of hotels in Midtown East on this website. Does that mean if I bid for ONLY a 2.5 star in ME that I am bidding on this hotel? If so, what would be considered a good bidding price for these dates? If not and I am at risk of getting some undesireable 2.5 star hotel, what would be a recommended bidding price for a 3* on these dates? 4*?