Priceline Hotel: 4* Chicago (Millenium-Loop-Grant Park) Swissotel

[clayb]

My wife and I are taking the Amtrak to Union Station on July 26th and plan to stay two nights. We already got a great deal on the train ride and booked it (from Galesburg, IL to Chicago for $19.60 each - ROUND TRIP) ...

I'm hoping to find a similar good deal on the hotel. We want to stay downtown in the North Michigan Ave. - River North Area or Millennium Park Loop & Grant Park Area, since we'll be getting around via public transportation and hoofing it.

As an aside, I thought that this Travelzoo special offer of $109 for the Hilton Garden Inn would be a good deal, but when I called for the deal, they can't give it to me on those nights, even though they say it's not blacked out or sold out. Here's the link: travelzoo offer

The reservation person I talked to suggested I call the hotel sales desk direct to try and negotiate the rate, but I don't know if it's worth it. Especially after finding this site.

After reading a number of posts on here, I'm thinking that I might be able to save even more by getting a 4* hotel in this area for as little as $75-$85 per night.

I've read the tips, but I'm still an amateur when it comes to Priceline. Any helpful advice on the starting bid, grid to use and suggested "dummy" neighborhoods that don't offer 4* would be appreciated.

Thanks!

[thereuare]

Welcome to BetterBidding!

You should definately be able to beat the $109/nite deal for the HGI... just a quick look i think you can get the Swissotel for $110/nite, but we can try to beat that too!

First, you'll need to understand re-bidding. We can walk you thru all the steps, but you should understand how to figure out the re-bid zones on your own as they are subject to change and therefore should be checked before each round of bidding! (or else you stand to end up in a zone you don't really want). Please read PRICELINE RE-BIDDING EXPLAINED and feel free to ask questions and/or confirm your re-bid zones with the board. (hint: you have two re-bid zones at the 4* level)

Once you understand re-bidding we'll suggest a step-by-step strategy for you to follow.

[clayb]

Thanks for your advice!

I think I've got it now:

I want to select 4* ONLY for North Michigan Ave - NRA (my preferred location).

And if my first bid fails, choose something like Skokie (which has no four stars), only up to 2.5* ...

Or, I can also then select my second acceptable choice, which is a 4* in the Millennium Park, Loop & Grant Park Area.

Cool.

Any thoughts on a starting bid or other stategery?

(Anyone with extra Cubs tickets?)

;-)

[thereuare]

Almost there...

There is one more zone that only has hotels rated less than 4 stars (you need help figuring it out?)

[clayb]

Looks like Midway Airport. Right?

[thereuare]

Yup, you got it, now to maximize your bids...

Select 4* NMA...

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

Bid $80, if rejected add re-bid zone...

Bid $85, if rejected close browser and re-access priceline however you did previously.

Select 4* Loop...

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

Bid $80, if rejected add re-bid zone...

Bid $85, if rejected close browser and re-access priceline however you did previously.

Select 4* NMA and Loop...

Bid $90, if rejected add re-bid zone...

Bid $95, if rejected add re-bid zone...

Bid $100.

I chose to go up to $100 because it seems reasonable based upon your next best offer... if this is more than you want to bid than just hold-off and post back and we'll update accordingly (but as you can see we do try lower bid amounts first).

Any questions feel free to ask.

Good Luck and let us know how it goes.

[clayb]

Got it!

Did just as you suggested and landed the Swissotel for $95 per night.

THANKS!

Check-In Date: Tuesday, July 26, 2005

Check-Out Date: Thursday, July 28, 2005

Hotel Name: Swissotel Chicago

323 East Wacker Drive

Chicago,

[clayb]

Also should note that I used a link from savingsbarn.com ...

From the reviews I read, it looks like the Swissotel is a pretty nice get for the money, with good views in all directions.

Wish me luck ... I'm going to ask about "complimentary upgrades" and practice some $20 handshake tipping while I'm there. (Yeah, I read that thread, too.)

I'll let y'all know how it turns out.

;-)

[thereuare]

Congratulations on your win!

Thank you for sharing it with the board. We're glad to see you got a great deal on this property and certainly did much better than the HGI you were first considering! A friend of mine has stayed at this property and said he enjoyed it very much.

I would recommend doing a bit of research on the room types at this property. I think most have a view of the lake and are pretty decent sized... not sure how much of an upgrade would be available by tipping the check-in clerk, but if there is something partiuclar you'd like (North, South, East, West facing view, high floor, etc) then it may be worth a gratuity. Let us know how it works out.

[lindabobhat]

I highly recommend that you try to get one of the rooms that overlook Navy Pier - the views are outstanding as it's right where the Chicago River meets Lake Michigan. As a bonus, there are fireworks at Navy Pier every Weds. night and you could watch them from your room - we did this on Memorial Day weekend and it was the highlight of our stay. Even if the $20 trick doesn't work, they might just let you pay something per night for the upgraded view.

[njg]

As for Cubs tickets, my sons & I were there last week (June 29 & 30) and were able to get tickets for the Cubs game on the 30th by visiting their website on the 29th. We paid face value plus a "convience fee". (Earlier visits to the website had offered no tickets, saying the game was sold out, so these must have been late releases by management.) The seats were directly behind home plate at the very back of the lower level. As you may know, there are tons of scalpers, also, but I have heard that they often ask more than face value. At any rate, you should be able to get tickets at some price.

Have a great trip!