Happy

Tried Greater Chicago up to $55 no go. Nor up to $70 for any downtown zones. So switched to cheapie suburb.

Last minute bid due to flight change to fly out of FLL before another hurricane ! (but now Jeanne is downgraded and no harm, just my luck :) )

Had a cancellable reservation worked out at $24 before tax at Hertz, pick-up at McCormick Place, drop-off at ORD thru American Airlines special bonus. very convenient. But want to try Priceline to see if I can shave 4-5 bucks off per day. Was rejected at 20 2 weeks ago. Received a reminder from Priceline, so tried again, at 19. Was accepted by Hertz. Pick-up and drop-off both at ORD. Not as convenient. Would try to talk to Hertz ORD few days before rental to see if I can switch pick-up to McCormick Place, as we will be staying at Hyatt McCormick Place the night before. Hertz 1-800 center refuses to change pick-up location, eventhough it is same rate if you book conventionally.

I was going to suggest Hyatt at McCormick Place, (Greater Chicago zone) but after checking the convention schedule, feel your chance of getting a good deal is not likely due to that : http://www.chicago.il.org/smi/calendar.cfm You most likely need to split your stays into 2 or more bids. Unless you must stay in NMA or River North or Loop, you may actually get some very good deals at North Shore area. Hyatt Deerfield is conveniently located less than a mile on the same road of the Milwaukee District North Line train station on Lake Cook Road. They have free shuttle to the station and from there it is about 50 minutes train ride right into town. http://metrarail.com/Sched/md_n/mdn_wki.shtml This Hyatt while it is a 3*, it is newer and nicer than the Hyatt Regency at NMA. It is a low rise hotel. And you can have it for $34 - $35 !!! The other hotel shows up at Deerfield is Marriott Suites. But recently it is mostly Hyatt Deerfield. Oh, if you split the stays between you and wifey, and if you get the Hyatt, you will earn a free night for each 2 stays you do up till 09/30. The free nights earned can be used till 11/30. You do need to join Goldpassport (Hyatt's frequent guest program), register for the Faster Free Night promo, charge some incidentals such as a drink, a dessert, etc to your room and pay by Mastercard. The free night earned can be used anywhere in the world in the whole Hyatt system. A marvelous deal.

Yup. I started bidding for that period and could not get anything up to $100. So I decided to check the Chicago Visitors and Convention Bureau and found out that gigantic trade show at McCormick Place ! On top of the 85,000 people, there are TWO religious conventions in town during the same period, each has close to 20,000 people ! So I wound up switch our flights to the week after as the whole thing going to Chicago is because the airfare is too cheap to resist ! ($96 r/t all in from FLL) :)

Started at $31 for fun and got the usual up $8 counter offer. Only 2 free bids (Gunee and Libertyville). So when $32 was rejected, put in $34. Accepted. Last time it was $35. :) Need a Hyatt to round up 4 stays, therefore chose Deerfield instead of chancing Oakbrook (too many other possibilities, though recently they have been largely 2 Hyatts). The plus part of Deerfield is they have complementary shuttle to Metra station, from where it is a straight ride into town. Neither Oakbrook location offers such transportation.

Tried $26 for fun. Counter offer to add $7.00. $28 accepted. Hyatt.com $139 hotel is recently renovated per Hyatt.com (tried Oakbrook up to $35 was rejected for the same date).

bid $30, counter offer add $8.00. ignored. continued to bid up to $33. rejected. $35 accepted. Hyatt.com $139.

tried NMA up to $65 no go. added Greater Chicago and lowered to $55. immediately accepted. probably could be had between $42 to $45 from the info found afterward. suggestion : check convention schedules from Chicago Visitors and Convention Bureau first before starting bidding in Chicago area. The week before 9/21, there is an 85,000 people trade show at McCormic Place. Hyatt.com has $329 per night rate. the date for winning bid, Hyatt.com rate is $229.00