Priceline Hotel: 9/22/10-9/26/10... Help with bid... i am new to this.

[goldendoc]

Hello

This is my first time in which I am planning to use priceline for bidding. I have read through this website a few times and have learned the tips of bidding. BTW, without these tips, you feel like use of priceline is completely chaotic and horrifying. I have been looking on Kayak,.com and hotwire to get an idea of what is available and what prices are out there. I am looking for a 4 star in the NMA- MAG Mile area in Chicago for these date. Haven't looked into availability of hotels on the priceline list, it seem sthat there are very few and those that are there are upwards of 300 per night.

Any suggestions on how much to begin bidding with and how to go about bidding, using dummy zones etc. I feel I would like a little advice so that I dont by mistake end up somewhere in the BURBs in a hotel that I didn t realize existed or something of that sort

A second choice would be to be in the Loop- Millenium Park region, not as ideally situated though

Thanks for any help

[thereuare]

Welcome to BetterBidding!

What is your maximum bid for this stay? Did you want to bid up to your limit in the NMA-River North zone first before considering adding the Loop zone?

Please use the PRICELINE and HOTWIRE links on the board to begin your travel purchases.

Let us know the above and we'll advise accordingly.

[goldendoc]

Thanks for the quick reply.

I woudl like to max out at about 150-160 in the NMA zone before moving on to the Millenium Loop area. To be completely honest, I could go even more if I need to. I would like to be close to all the sites. And although I know that priceline does not allow me to choose, but I would love to have an indoor pool.

I know that it is hard to predict what hotel you will get. Looking at previous wins, it looks like the most common ones in the NMA area are: Hotel Sax, Hotel Felix, Intercontinental (one win for this), Marriot Magmile, Sheraton Towers. Now looking at other sites to see which are available for the dates --- looks like its only Hotel Felix or Sax, does that mean its likely I will get these?

Thanks for the help

[goldendoc]

I did actualy make a few bids all were rejected

NMA 4 star - $120 rejected

NMA 4 Star + dummy zone (Franlyn Park) - 135 rejected

NMA 4 star + dummy zone hyde park - 145 rejected

NMA 4 star + dummy zone lincoln park - 155 rejected

Any suggestions.

Could it be that I would be able to get a much better deal in the Millenium zone?

Thanks

Mark

[goldendoc]

I then tried a few more:

NMA 4 star - + Lincoln + hyde - 165 - rejected

NMA 4 star + lincoln+ hyde +franklin - 175 rejected

I could potentially go to a 3.5 star but then I hope I can spend much less - Are the 3.5 stars in this area any good?

As well, I may try 4 stars in millenium park area, but just hope that they are relatively NORTH in the map.

Thanks

mark

[goldendoc]

Tried the 3.5 star in NMA. Bid from 100-140, and all have been rejected.

Also went back and bid up to 195 on NMA 4 star.

Any ideas?

I think I may need to check out the Millenium area.

Thanks

Mark

[AaronJB]

There is not a single hotel in the downtown area on HOTWIRE for these dates - I'm guessing there's a sizable convention going on on these dates. Are you driving into the city or flying in?

Thank you for using the site's HOTWIRE or PRICELINE links to start your purchases and searches.

[goldendoc]

There is not a single hotel in the downtown area on HOTWIRE for these dates - I'm guessing there's a sizable convention going on on these dates. Are you driving into the city or flying in?

Thank you for using the site's HOTWIRE or PRICELINE links to start your purchases and searches.

I will be flying in.

[AaronJB]

I see 3 hotels available in the NMA hotel for all four nights when searching on Expedia for these dates and a couple in the Loop, but the rest are sold out for at least part of this time period. The Wednesday and Thursday are the problem; the Friday/Saturday are busy, but not quite as bad. You could split this stay and try to get a cheaper rate at one property for the second half of your stay, but I think the first two nights are unfortunately going to be costly and I'm not sure there's going to be anything much for the Wednesday night.

Thank you for using the site's HOTWIRE or PRICELINE links to start your purchases and searches.

[goldendoc]

What if I just book Thurs-Sunday on PRICELINE? Is it worthwhile? if so what do you think I could start bidding for

NMA 4 Star?

NMA 3.5 Star?

Millenium Mile 4 Star?

Thanks for your help

Mark

[thereuare]

I'm guessing that you're looking at $200+ for any of the above... i would start lower and work my way up, but not sure just how high you're willing to go.

If you let us know your maximum bid, and bidding preference offer we'll suggest a strategy for you to follow.

Please use the PRICELINE and HOTWIRE links on the board to begin your travel purchases.

[goldendoc]

I'm guessing that you're looking at $200+ for any of the above... i would start lower and work my way up, but not sure just how high you're willing to go.

If you let us know your maximum bid, and bidding preference offer we'll suggest a strategy for you to follow.

Please use the PRICELINE and HOTWIRE links on the board to begin your travel purchases.

I think the best plan for me is: book a single night (sept 22 on its own) and then use priceline for Sept 23-26).

Looking at the hotel prices --- 3 stars are going for 280 USD a night taxes in.

I would be ok with getting a 3 star in NMA - for up to 120 USD or willing to go up to 250 USD tax in for 4 stars?

Thanks

Mark

[AaronJB]

Luckily, a last-minute new option appeared this morning on HOTWIRE, but only for the 23rd-25th (a more expensive option appears if you search for 9/23-26.)

A 4* on HOTWIRE in the Mag Mile/Streeterville area w/fitness, business, restaurant, internet, spa and bed choice for $169. This would likely be the Hyatt.

In an astonishing turn of events, there is a 4* with fitness, business, restaurant, internet, spa (the Hyatt without the bed choice option, quite possibly) for the 22nd (when you search for the 22nd only) for $102 (!).

Both of these options did not appear when I was searching last night.

Thank you for using the site's HOTWIRE or PRICELINE links to start your purchases and searches.

[goldendoc]

Dates of travel :

Sept 22-26. Since there is little available I am splitting the trip up into 1 night and then 3 nights.

Sept 23-26

3 Star Mag Mile Streeterville

Price : 209

Amenities _ fitness centre, swimming pool, restauratn business centre,laundry and high speed internet

What hotel is this?

Sept 22

4 star Mag Mile Streeterville

Price : 102

Amenities - SPA, fitness, restaurant, business centre, high speed access

Lowest price gurantee , best value

Which hotel is this?

Thanks

[AaronJB]

Please keep all posts on this trip in this thread.

The 4* would likely be the Hyatt, the 3* for 23rd-26th would likely be the Holiday Inn Mart Plaza.

Thank you for using the site's HOTWIRE or PRICELINE links to start your purchases and searches.

[goldendoc]

Sorry about that, I thought that putting HOTWIRE stuff together was the way to do it.

A few more questions about HOTWIRE hotels

Sept 23 -26

4 Star Mag Mile

Smoke free, fitness, swimming pool, restaurant business centre and high speed internet

Price : 233

3 Star Mag Mile

price 194

fitness, swimming, restaurant, business centre, high speed internet, laundry

Which one is this?

Thanks

[AaronJB]

The 4* would likely be the Sheraton, the 3* likely the Holiday Inn Mart Plaza.

In terms of moving hotels, it's really not terribly difficult in the downtown area Chicago in terms of distance. One does have to check out and move and check-in, but in terms of getting from one to another, one can get across downtown Chicago by taxi in a few minutes or walk if the hotels are closer together.

Unfortunately, the $102 rate for 9/22 I saw this morning is no longer showing.

Please use the site's HOTWIRE or PRICELINE links to start your purchases and searches.

[goldendoc]

Yes, I missed both rates unfortunately. too slow to act. Will be more equipped. Moving hotels will be fine.

I will continue to look. Please provide info on HOTWIRE if you happen to pick up any new deals.thanks