Priceline Hotel: Help with Chicago 11/26 - 12/2

[codudi]

I have been bidding for the last two weeks for 4*/3.5*(including all free rebids) in NMA, MP/LOOP upto $155 with no success. Any idea what is going on. Thanks

[AaronJB]

Unfortunately, this is a very busy period - I thought maybe it was an issue with part of the period, but it looks as if these are busy dates across the board. What would be your desired budget per night?

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[thereuare]

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

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

Thanks.

[codudi]

I would pay $200 including tax per night (which is I think $170 before tax).

[thereuare]

To confirm, did you already bid up $165 at both the 3.5* and 4* levels? Did you want to try for a 4* up to your limit before trying for a 3.5*... or is your goal the least expensive 3.5* or better for this stay?

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[codudi]

I bid upto $150 for 4* and 3.5* (separetly). I have not tried 3*.

I am also considering bidding Midway airport (or Midway airport north) for 3* (probably would get something at $50) and rent a car (since parking is mostly free in those places). What do you think?

[AaronJB]

Many airport hotels do charge for parking these days, unfortunately. Are you flying into Midway? If you're driving, I like to recommend the 'burbs (Oakbrook/Downers Grove in the SW, Northbrook/Glenview/Deerfield/Evanston/Skokie to the North) - free parking, but you'd have to drive and park at the nearest Metra station. In the Winter, the Metra trains are way more comfortable than the CTA trains for a longer trip. The suburbs would be quite a bit less expensive (plus free parking), but a definite train ride.

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[thereuare]

If most of your plans revolve around being in the city, keep in mind that if you rent a car you'll then need to (likely) pay for parking at your destination in the city (and if you pay for parking at the hotel that two parking expenses... even though the suburb parking will likely cost less than that in the city)

As well, it's the added inconvenience of not walking outside your hotel and being able to quickly go see/do whatever it is you would without having to think about parking, train schedules, etc.

So essentially it's a trade-off between cost and convenience. If you do have some plans outside of the city, why not SPLITTING YOUR PRICELINE BID and stay some nites in the suburbs (and rent a car for just those days) and other nites in the city itself.

EDIT TO ADD: upon closer look, i think the real problem nite is 11/26, then each nite gets increasing easier. I think you may succeed at a 4* hotel for 11/27-12/2 at amount you have already bid, a bit more likely for 11/28-12/2, and almost certainly for 11/29-12/2. If $170 is worth it to you to stay directly in the city, i would first try that for your complete stay, if that is rejected, try for 11/27-12/2, if that is rejected try for 11/28-12/2, and if that is rejected bid (starting low) for 11/29-12/2. From there you can see how many days you have and then try to 'fill-in' the remaining nites... either at a higher rate, a lower star rating, or outside of the city.

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Let us know your thoughts and how you'd like to proceed and we'll take it from there.

[codudi]

I could not get any room for that period. Bid up to $170. Decided to stay in my aunt place which is 40 miles from city center.

Thanks again for all your great effort.

[thereuare]

Thanks for the follow-up!

Please remember to follow-up your threads with whatever you end up doing for the stay, even if you choose to book direct, cancel your trip, etc.

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