Priceline Hotel: 3.5* Minneapolis - St. Paul (Bloomington West - Mall of America Area) Doubletree By Hilton Hotel Minneapolis-Bloomington Sout

[Triska]

I've successfully bid in the Airport-Mall of America area earlier this year and received a hotel with a shuttle and assume that's the norm for this area. Does anyone know if all hotels 2.5* or higher in Bloomington West and Eagan have shuttles or if it would be too much of a gamble to use them for rebid zones if needed? I'm looking for the 11th. The Hotwire prices are running about $100 and I'm hoping to get something 2.5* or 3* for about $50. Any suggestions?

[Triska]

I bid $48 for the Mall of America/ Airport area for 3*. I added Bloomington West for $62. Got the "try to bid at $72" message. Normally I bid in between, but after some research on other sites, I realized that many hotels near the airport were full, so I just did the full bid. I won the Doubletree, which was a 3.5* upgrade at $72 plus taxes. I'm happy with the hotel, but when I called to confirm the airport shuttle, they told me that it doesn't start until 7 and my flight leaves at 6:30, so I'll have to pay about $35 for a taxi so I don't have to have my sister wake up her three little kids at 4:30am so she can bring us.

[Triska]

I added the Bloomington West area anyways and got the Doubletree, but when I called to confirm the shuttle, it starts running at 7am and my flight leaves at 6:30. Major bummer! They said cab fare is between $30 and $35.

[thereuare]

Sorry to hear this property doesn't really meet your needs or the purpose of getting a hotel room for this trip.

Unfortunately as you know now, this is always a risk when you have a very early flight and need shuttle service as even when hotels do offer a shuttle, it may not be 24/7. HOTWIRE might have been a better option since you could take a guess as to the property beforehand and then do a little research to see if the shuttle operates at a time that you need it.

Thank you for sharing your win with the board.

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

Have a good trip.