Priceline Hotel: 4* Chicago (Airport O'Hare ORD) Westin

[commercialair]

I am going to be bidding on a 3* or 4* in the Chicago O'hare area for May 5 and possibly May 6 also. I understand the "free rebid" concept, but I am not sure why and when you close the broser and restart the bidding process. Is closing the browser at times required by Priceline or is it done for a strategic reason?

Also if you have any bidding recommendations, I'd appreciate those too!

Thanks! I really enjoy this site!

[thereuare]

First please follow-up your HOTWIRE CHICAGO post from March with whatever you ending up doing.

Thank you.

[commercialair]

I've updated the hotwire info.

[thereuare]

If closing the browser is necessary we'll state so in the strategy we present, but you'll need your dates to be firm before you can start bidding, as it may also affect the suggested strategy.

[commercialair]

I think I will be staying only the night of 5/5. I am attending the night of worship with Joel Osteen on Thurs, 5/5.

[thereuare]

Do you have a bidding limit at each star level or is price really just the most important factor? Rates dont' seem too bad for this date and I suspect that a 4* hotel will likely cost you about $20 more or so than a 3* in this area.

Let us know your preference (price vs. star rating) and we'll suggest a strategy.

[commercialair]

It appears that I can get the 4* Westin Ohare for $78 on Hotwire (based upon the golf ammenity). (Last night and the customer reviews that refer to the shower head and down mattress cover, but there are different reviews showing today).

So, a max priceline bid for a 4* would be 65 (which I feel should be significantly lower than priceline).

The only 3* I would really want is the new Renaissance. The other 3*s scare me. So I guess I should only bid on 4*s at this point.

[thereuare]

You have 3 re-bid zones available when bidding 4* in the Chicago area. If you're not sure of your re-bid zones please read Re-BIDDING EXPLAINED and ask any questions you may have and/or confirm your re-bid zones with the board.

Select 4* ORD...

Bid $46, if rejected add re-bid zone1...

Bid $51, if rejected add re-bid zone2...

Bid $55, if rejected close browser and re-access priceline however you did previously.

Select 4* ORD and re-bid zone3...

Bid $60, if rejected add re-bid zone1...

Bid $65.

This still leaves you an out if you need to continue bidding.

Any questions feel free to ask.

Good Luck and let us know how it goes.

[commercialair]

Thanks for the advice. I am still curious how you know when to close the browser and why you do so. Can you share that?

I will share the results when I finish.

[thereuare]

It has to do with how many bidding attempts you need and how many re-bid zones you have available... if you need extra opportunities to complete your strategy you use the 'close the browser' technique.

[commercialair]

I won the Westin O'hare for $55 (+ taxes & fee of $15.57) for total of $70.57 for the night of 5/5.

I started bidding at $51. Rejected and asked to rebid at $65. Closed the browser and won with $55 bid.

Thanks for the help and explanations.

[thereuare]

Congratulations on your win... glad to hear you were successful and it worked out for you!

We're happy to have helped.

Enjoy your stay.