Priceline Hotel: Chicago Downtown 12/27-12/29

[ddlabcret]

Alright guys...I just succeeded in bidding for NYC stay - shout out to thereuare for the tips!! ...and thinking about doing the same for Chicago, and maybe later Vegas, with re-bid approach.

Already set the out the 4* selection and determined the FIVE re-bid zones I could use for the strategy.

Slight dilemma:

The areas that I am targeting, which are Millenium-Loop-Grant & North Mich Ave (pretty much Chicago Downtown area), have 4* Whitehall Hotel with a published rate of $81.

The other 4* hotels in the areas are publishing rates around $110-170ish.

Looking at the Whitehall website and profile, I am very keen on avoiding this hotel as much as I can whilst doing the bidding. Is that even remotely possible? Any loophole, or strategy to execute this preference? Really wish they downgrade it to 3.5*, but oh well...

Whitehall does publish the cheapest rate, and I am quite sure if I proceed with bidding strategy, I have a much bigger chance (maybe 90% or above) that I'll end up with Whitehall instead.

Any thoughts?

Will Hotwire be any different?

As always, thanks in advance!

[AaronJB]

The Whitehall has never been reported as a PRICELINE win; it does show fairly often on HOTWIRE. That's not to say that it couldn't suddenly appear as a PRICELINE win - it just has not yet been reported to the board as a PRICELINE win. In fact, I do see what appears to be the Whitehall on HOTWIRE for these dates.

Otherwise, in general, there is no way to avoid a particular property.

On the high end, the Amalfi is $129 on Expedia; that is an extremely well-reviewed property, with free breakfast and evening reception. I see what appears to be the Intercontinental for $109 on HOTWIRE and a few other promising options. What would be your desired budget per night?

Another regular rate option would be the Wit for $99; that's a very well-reviewed new boutique Doubletree - $99 would be a fantastic deal.

You could certainly bid on PRICELINE for these dates and get a terrific rate, but I think it wouldn't be vastly more to go for something more specific on HOTWIRE or even regular rate - the Wit for $99 would be a terrific option, and the Amalfi would be a boutique w/extras for $30 more per night.

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