SpringAquifer

$49 bid, with taxes and fees of $13.33 for a total of $62.33. Previous failed bids for the same dates: North Biloxi Ocean Springs - 2.5* - $38 North Biloxi Ocean Springs - 2* - $40 North Biloxi Ocean Springs, Biloxi Coast - 2* - $43 North Biloxi Ocean Springs, Biloxi Coast, Gulfport Coast - 2* - $46

Bid $25; rejected. Offered chance to bid $29; I did so. Accepted. With taxes and fees, total of $40.51.

Oops! This was for 1/4/12-1/5/12. I'm not sure I can make that change to the title -- can a mod lend a hand and delete this post?

$67.54 after taxes and fees.

For three nights, 10/20/2011 - 10/23/2011: Tried 3*, Crystal City, $50 ($40 + $10 Bonus Cash). Failed. Tried 3*, Crystal City, Arlington, $55 ($45 + $10 Bonus Cash). Failed. Tried 3*, Crystal City, Arlington, Convention Center/Capitol Hill, $60 ($50 + $10 Bonus Cash). Success. Courtyard by Marriott Crystal City Room Cost (avg. per room, per night): $50 ($50 + $10 Bonus Cash = $60 bid) Number of Nights: 3 Room Subtotal: $150 Taxes and Fees: $33.57 Total Room Cost: $183.57 Wasn't sure how to use the BetterBidding link in conjunction with the Bonus Cash link. Other failed bids in the area for the same dates (these values include $10 Bonus Cash) (yes, many of these were a ridiculous stretch considering the dates): 3*, Dupont Circle/Woodley Park, $60 3.5*, Dupont Circle/Woodley Park, $80 3*, White House/Downtown, $58 3.5*, White House/Downtown, $80 3*, Convention Center/Capitol Hill, $58 3.5*, Convention Center/Capitol Hill, $60 4*, Arlington, $50 3.5*, Arlington, $50

I called Priceline the next morning, who in turn called the Extended Stay. The management at the Extended Stay told Priceline that I had checked in and was currently sitting in Room 225. I told Priceline that I was definitely in the Jameson Inn across the street. This was eventually cleared up, despite some skepticism from the Priceline customer service agent. Apparently, the early-evening manager at the Extended Stay had checked me in before my arrival. The late-night manager, seeing that everyone had already been checked in for the night, didn't know what to do with me. After a few calls, Priceline eventually relented and refunded my reservation. I asked for additional compensation, as the last-minute trip to the Jameson Inn cost me a lot more than what I initially had planned to spend that evening. Extended Stay said it was Priceline's problem; Priceline said it was Extended Stay's problem. Eventually, the Priceline customer service agent, with annoyance apparent in her voice, ended up e-mailing me a $10 bonus money code.

I got the 2* Jackson (North) Extended Stay Deluxe with a bid of $35, totaling $46.49. I showed up, and they were completely booked and had no record of my reservation. They didn't walk me to a different property. I ended up paying the AAA rate at the Jameson Inn across the street. (I think this is also available on Priceline as a 2*.) This cost me just under $80. Now, per previous posts on this board, it seems like Priceline will be willing to refund me the original $46.49 if I ask. However, I still ended up having to pay $80 for the Jameson Inn -- about $30 more than I had planned to spend on this evening. (The Motel 6 down the street was all booked.) Has anyone heard of Priceline refunding the difference?

Bid $33 on Ridgeland. Rejected. Bid $35 on Ridgeland and North Jackson. Accepted. Extended Stay Deluxe Jackson - East Beasley Road. Total comes to $46.49.

Comfortable enough. Springhill Suites isn't as roomy as Residence Inn, and it lacks some of the more long-term amenities that its sister property has. However, everything still feels relatively new. I suppose a few things could've been cleaned a little better -- I found quite a few hairs in the bathroom. The breakfast isn't bad, though the hot food bar is a little disappointing compared to those of similar properties; it's limited to mildly gross cheese omelets and little slices of ham. Overall, though, I can't complain, considering the price I got.

My stay here was comfortable enough, but the hotel is definitely showing its age, as everything feels a bit faded and worn. I also had to switch to a new room since my doorknob was broken and wouldn't lock. Of course, what matters is their response; the staff here is friendly and efficient, and the maintenance guy said that it was probably because someone had slammed a desk into it during an event the week before. Note that the location of this hotel is a little awkward. It's on the east side of the interstate, but it's only accessible from the westbound side of Poplar Avenue. As a result, if you're coming off the interstate, you're going to have to make some u-turns, no matter what.

Tried $33 for a 2.5* in Southeast - Broken Arrow on 05/09/11-05/10/11. Failed. Tried $35 for a 2.5* in Southeast - Broken Arrow or Southern Hills - Warren Park on 05/09/11-05/10/11. Accepted. With taxes, Springhill Suites Tulsa South will cost $47.07.

Yeah, I figured it was a long shot, if that. The 3*-ish places in Meridian are pretty limited (Holiday Inn, Hilton Garden, Drury Inn, and who knows if they're on Priceline), and the best posted rates I can find for them are a bit below $100/night after taxes. But I'll go ahead and stay in Memphis for this trip; ditto to your reply on the other thread I posted on this board. Thanks.

3* Vicksburg, $47, 5/27/11-5/28/11. Failed. 2.5* Vicksburg, $43, 5/27/11-5/28/11. Failed. 2* Vicksburg, $32, 5/27/11-5/28/11. Failed.

3* Meridian, $43, 5/27/11-5/28/11. Failed. 3* Meridian, $45, 5/26/11-5/27/11. Failed. 3* Meridian, $45, 5/28/11-5/29/11. Failed.

3* Jackson [Jackson, Jackson Southwest, Richland], $43, 5/27/11-5/28/11. Failed. 3* Jackson [North Jackson, Jackson Southwest, Ridgeland, Richland, Jackson, Jackson Airport (JAN)], $45, 5/27/11-5/28/11. Failed. 2.5* Jackson [North Jackson, Jackson Southwest, Jackson, Jackson Airport (JAN), Richland, Ridgeland], $35, 5/27/11-5/28/11. Failed.

Tried $43 for a 3.5*+ in Downtown Memphis or Memphis East on 5/28/11-5/29/11. No luck, but I probably expected that. Tried $40 for a 3*+ in Downtown Memphis or Memphis East on 5/28/11-5/29/11. Still no luck. Tried $40 for a 3*+ in Downtown Memphis or Memphis East or Memphis Airport on 5/28/11-5/29/11. Still no luck. Tried $40 for a 3*+ in Downtown Memphis or Memphis East or Memphis Airport on 5/27/11-5/28/11. Still no luck. Tried $43 for a 3*+ in Downtown Memphis or Memphis East or Memphis Airport or Southeast Memphis on 5/27/11-5/28/11. Still no luck. Tried $48 for a 3*+ in Downtown Memphis or Memphis East or Memphis Airport or Southeast Memphis or Cordova on 5/27/11-5/28/11. With taxes, comes out to $63.10.

Bidded $43 on first try with Memphis East and Memphis Downtown selected. Total charges come out to $57.23.