jborden11 Posted February 18, 2005 Report Posted February 18, 2005 I have never used Hotwire or Priceline before, but I am looking to book a two night stay in Downtown Chicago, as near Michigan Ave. as possible, from Apr. 8 - 10.I was unsuccessful in my bids on Priceline last night. Using all of my re-bids, I offered up to $55 a night for as low as a 2.5* hotel. Today on Hotwire, I noticed that prices have dropped approx. $10 from last night, to $68 for a 3* hotel on NM/WD, which I assume is the Hilton Garden Inn (which is booking for $132 those nights on the hotel's website). The second cheapest hotel is a 2.5* for $76, with prices ranging from $81 to over $200 from there. Also, I recently signed up with Hotwire and they have offered to let me see the name of the hotel and cancel the reservation within an hour of booking if I choose.My basic question is this:Is the $68, 3* hotel on Hotwire my best bet? Should I book now at that price on Hotwire, or should I wait to see if Hotwire's rates drop even further, or until I can bid again on Priceline? If Priceline, what recommendations do you have on bidding strategies, specifically, how much to bid?Sorry for the long post, but I would really appreciate any insight.Thank You
AaronJB Posted February 18, 2005 Report Posted February 18, 2005 The hotel in question actually looks like the Holiday Inn Merchandise Mart. I just looked and the hotel in question has laundry, which I think the HI has and the Hilton does not.
jborden11 Posted February 18, 2005 Author Report Posted February 18, 2005 My mistake. It was the Holiday Inn Merchandise Mart. I was able to get it for $55 on Priceline.
thereuare Posted February 19, 2005 Report Posted February 19, 2005 I'm confused... so you won the Holiday Inn thru Priceline?If so, is this still 3* rated and in the River North zone? Did you have any bids rejected in this zone before your acceptance at $55? Please use this HOTWIRE and these PRICELINE LINKS: HOTELS, CAR RENTALS, and AIRFARE to begin your travel purchases
jborden11 Posted February 19, 2005 Author Report Posted February 19, 2005 I did have bids ranging from $42-$55 for 2.5* rejected in the NMA and RNA zones the previous night, using all of my "free" re-bids. I originally didn't want to stay in the Loop/Grant Park area, so I did not bid using that zone when I first started my bidding. However, seeing that the prices had dropped on Hotwire since my last bid, I thought I'd take a chance and add the Loop the next day, just to get an additional bid. I figured that I had a good shot of getting a hotel in the NMA or RNA zone anyway, but if I got one in the Loop zone, it wouldn't be the worst thing. So, down to my last bid, I offered $55 for 2.5* in the NMA, RNA, and Loop/Grant Park Zone and my bid was accepted. I bid for 2.5* because I was hoping to at least get the Courtyard in the RNA. I may have been able to save a buck or two, but I didn't want to take the chance of getting nothing with my last bid and paying more later on. I figured that was a possibility considering the number of conventions that weekend, as well as the Cubs game. Since winning the bid, prices for the Holiday Inn on Hotwire have risen from the $68 I mentioned in the first post, to $76, so I'm fairly pleased with the price I received.Sorry for the confusion.
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