Priceline Hotel: 4* Chicago (North Michigan Ave - River North) Allerton Hotel Chicago

[barnhartr]

Hi all, first time using Hotwire/Priceline, and found this site while trying to figure out what to do. My wife and I are heading to Chicago for two nights - October 9 and 10. I'm trying to figure out how to get the best deal on a place to stay. Looking to be right near the Magnificent Mile. I went on to Hotwire (using the links on this site) and found

$125 - River North, Amenities:Fitness Center, Business Center, High-Speed Internet Access

$146 - Theater District, Amenities:Fitness Center, Restaurant(s), Business Center

$160 - River North, Amenities:Boutique Hotel, Smoke Free Rooms, Fitness Center

The Theater district looks like it could potentially be a mile or more from the shopping, so that probably wouldn't work for us. $160 is probably too pricey for us. So it looks like the $125, which is realistically about the top of our budget anyway. Is that the best I can do, or am I missing something? I was thinking that it would be cheaper on a week night (looking at previous threads shows people getting rooms for $100 or less), but I guess not. I'm not hung up on stars, as long as it's a nice place. I'm not sure how priceline works, and I don't want to lock myself into anything. I put in a bid at $100, and now I'm at the screen where it asks me for my CC # and says if I continue and it finds a hit, my card will be charged. Does this mean that I can't find out if there are any hits before I pay? Should I bid lower?

Also - does the price generally get cheaper the closer you get, or should I get the rooms now?

Thanks in advance for any help you can provide.

[thereuare]

Welcome to BetterBidding!

If you haven't seen it yet, please give this thread a read which discussed many of the similartities, and differences, between PRICELINE and HOTWIRE: I've Never Used Priceline or Hotwire.

PRICELINE is usually a little cheaper than HOTWIRE, but HOTWIRE gives you the ability to take an educated guess as to what is being offered before your purchase (as well as some reviews, when shown, which can help ensure that at the very least you're getting something 'decent' based upon the reviews of others)... so it comes down to whether the lowest price is the most important factor OR having a guess as to what you may receive before your purchase.

Nobody can say if rates will come down, or move even higher, between now and your stay, but fore more on this subject see the related 'Bid Early or Close to Check-in' thread in our PRICELINE FAQ.

After reading the above let us know your thoughts/questions and we'll take it from there.

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

[AaronJB]

Additionally, please provide the star rating and full amenity set (if you scroll over "see all" and there are additional amenities beyond the ones above.)

If you are primarily coming for shopping, being on either the upper or lower half of the Michigan Ave area is optimal, although I'll note that there is some shopping to be found on the State St area in the Loop, as well.

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

[barnhartr]

First time using PRICELINE. Used the links here :)

Bid $135 last night in N. Michigan and Millinium Park, got a no hit. PRICELINE offered a new search for $165, but I instead I bid $150. Got a hit on the Allerton. This was probably the same hotel that HOTWIRE was listing for $169. I'm happy with the deal, but I think I could have gotten it for a little less a week or two ago.

[barnhartr]

Thanks for the help. I ended up naming my price using priceline last night and ended up with the Allerton for $150. I'm happy with things, although I think it would have been a little cheaper if I had done it earlier. Oh well. The hotel looks nice, so hopefully it will be a good stay! Next time I'll be a little more prepared! And I posted the winning bid to the Priceline forum. Let me know if there's anything else I can do - I appreciate the help I got from this site, and want to make sure I do my part!

[thereuare]

Welcome to BetterBidding!

Congratulations on your success!

Glad to see you decided to give PRICELINE a try and hopefully you're pleased with the results.

Thank you for sharing your win and using the PRICELINE links on the board to begin your bidding.

Enjoy your stay.