Priceline Hotel: Chicago Trip

[szwliew]

I have an open thread in the NYC forum, but I am considering Chicago for this trip as well now. Looking for 5 nights any time between august 25 and Sept 2.

We plan to take public transit around Chicago so would like to be close to the subway line and also somewhere a bit close to the action. Hotel itself does not matter as long as it is in a safe area (I don't know what the areas to avoid are...) and is clean. 3* should be okay for this I imagine?

I really don't know anything about Chicago neighborhoods or where tourist attractions are located so I'll leave that up to you guys. Price...well, whatever is going rate at the time. What do you expect it to be roughly?

edit: also how much is parking avg in the city downtown? I am driving but if parking is more than $20 per day I will just drive to Ann Arbour and take the train and leave my car there.

Thanks

[AaronJB]

Please let us know when you have a confirmed date/location as options can change at any time and rates and availability can vary significantly from one set of dates to another. If you decide to go to Chicago instead, we ask that you first close that Priceline NYC thread and post that you decided to not go and then we will continue the discussion here.

Parking in downtown Chicago at public lots is around $25; parking at hotels is as much as $50-55 per day.

There is no way to guarantee being right near a subway/"L" station. The Millennium Park-Loop-Grant Park area (South of the river) is closer to museums and offers some shopping, but it can be quiet at night, especially in some parts (West/South.) The River North-NMA area to the North of the River offers more in the way of shopping, restaurants and nightlife, but is further from museums.

Please let us know when your plans are confirmed and we would be happy to offer further suggestions.

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

[Romelle]

Looking for 5 nights any time between august 25 and Sept 2.

To help you decide which 5 days, you could test in Hotwire, looking at 8/25-8/29, 8/26-8/30.....etc. Watch the same area and star level and see if the rates vary much. Sometimes there is a nice little low spot, or at least some days that are best avoided.

You could also look at the Calendar of Wins (up above, center of this page) to see what others have reported. Enter your dates, and select Illinois - Priceline (usually also worth looking at the Illinois - Hotwire results while you are there.)

Romelle

[szwliew]

To help you decide which 5 days, you could test in Hotwire, looking at 8/25-8/29, 8/26-8/30.....etc. Watch the same area and star level and see if the rates vary much. Sometimes there is a nice little low spot, or at least some days that are best avoided.

You could also look at the Calendar of Wins (up above, center of this page) to see what others have reported. Enter your dates, and select Illinois - Priceline (usually also worth looking at the Illinois - Hotwire results while you are there.)

Romelle

Good info thanks!

I don't have confirmed dates because I am free any time and will just go when it is cheapest.

I haven't decided against going to NYC yet....they are both equal driving distances to me and price of the hotel will affect what I choose.

[AaronJB]

If price is the prime factor, then Chicago will certainly be cheaper. 8/25-30 on HOTWIRE in Chicago shows 4*'s at around $100-140, so you're likely looking at $75-85 (possibly a tad cheaper than that) for a 4* in either of the two main downtown zones (Millennium Park-Loop-Grant Park, River North-NMA) on PRICELINE.

NYC during the same period is not as expensive as it often is, but rates for a 4* on HOTWIRE in Midtown are around $200.

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

[szwliew]

Hi, looking to book priceline for these nights. Please recommend an area close to "the action"....as in a busier area. Not looking for nightclubs but we would like to be fairly close to restaurants/bars/pubs (affordable ones, not high class ones) that open late and have a nice busy vibe. We will be taking public transport around chicago and also doing some tourist attractions.

I saw a 4* on hotwire for magnificent mile-streeterville area. Is this a good area to stay? That one was going for $87 a night so I would like to get it cheaper than that on priceline, otherwise I would rather just get the hotwire one.

3* would be acceptable to me. Don't need any amenities at all, location is the most important factor.

Thanks!

[thereuare]

I saw a 4* on hotwire for magnificent mile-streeterville area. That one was going for $87 a night so I would like to get it cheaper than that on priceline... 3* would be acceptable to me.

What is it that you would like to try for first... a 4* hotel for less then $87/nite OR a 3* hotel at (hopefully) an even lower price?

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

Please click each of these PRICELINE and HOTWIRE links before replying.

Thanks.

[AaronJB]

Keep in mind that some hotels in the Mag Mile-Streeterville area on HOTWIRE fall under the Millennium Park-Loop-Grant Park zone on PRICELINE.

I'd suggest staying on or North of the river if nightlife is important.

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

[AlexF]

Some of the hotels south of the river around Millenium Park aren't bad although a lot of the restaurants and shops are north of the river around the Mag Mile area. The Red Line is two blocks from Michigan Avenue and can be picked up in the Millenium Park area and Grant Park area. Parking at hotels is usually around $50 a day especially in the Mag Mile area. You could always take the train in but if you have lots of luggage, it may not be that fun plus if you buy stuff, you're going to have more bags when you leave.

[szwliew]

Hi guys, I am ready to bid. Dates are for Aug 28 to Sept 2. Location I will leave it up to you....you know I am looking for as I mentioned above.

I would like to start at 4* for whatever price you think is a good price to start at. Can you help with bidding strategy?

I will use your PRICELINE links.

Thanks

[szwliew]

Sorry can't figure out how to edit on the phone. I mean I want to start with lower priced options so start at 3 stars.

[thereuare]

Are you willing to pay more to be closer to the 'action' (NMA-River North only) OR is price the primary factor and the Loop, which is still convenient (although slightly less then convenient then the NMA-River North zone) worth the trade-off for a lower price?

What is your maximum bid for this stay?

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

[szwliew]

Yes I am willing to pay more to be in NMA-River North only.

Maximum bid....I would say 110 per night. I also have $20 in bonus cash ($5/per day) in my account.

Thanks thereuare.

[thereuare]

At the 4* level you have SIX re-bid zones. If you're not familiar with re-bidding please read Priceline Re-Bidding Explained and feel free to ask questions and/or confirm your re-bid zones with the board before proceeding.

Select 4* NMA-River North...

Bid $55, if rejected add re-bid zone...

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

Bid $65, if rejected add re-bid zone...

Bid $70, if rejected add re-bid zone...

Bid $75, if rejected add re-bid zone...

Bid $80 (intentionally left off one re-bid zone... stop here if not successful)

The above are total bid amounts (including your bonus money)

NOTE: you can still use our PRICELINE link along with your bonus money as follows:

1) click our link to PRICELINE and let the page fully load

2) at the top of the page go to MY PROFILE >> MY REWARDS

3) use the bonus money link found in the MY REWARDS section of your profile (and not the link in any emails sent to you)

Any questions feel free to ask.

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

Good luck and let us know how it goes.

[szwliew]

Thanks but what are the rebid zones? Last time you listed them for me in a NYC thread.

Thx

[thereuare]

You need to know how to determine your re-bid zones on your own as they need to be checked before every bidding cycle since they can change at any time (new hotels are added, and others are upgraded/downgraded, frequently). If we state that ZoneA is a re-bid zone, and between our checking and your bidding that changes, you could then win a hotel in a zone that you didn't intend (or want).

If you weren't able to follow the Priceline Re-Bidding Explained zone thread to determine your re-bid zones, try the following:

1) Use the PRICELINE search box on the upper right of this page, enter 'Chicago' and your dates, and click "GO".

2) List each zone that is offered in this region.

3) Next to each zone list the highest star rating offered in the zone. The way to determine the highest star rating offered in the zone is by selecting the first zone i the list, then scrolling down to see the highest star rating selectable (ie- not greyed out). NEXT UNcheck the selected zone, place a checkmark in the next zone, and repeat the process for each zone in the region. Each time you take note of the highest star rating in the zone, make sure that only ONE zone is selected above.

4) post your findings and we'll take it from there

If you don't follow the above just post back and we'll break it down further.