Crewbeck12 Posted October 12, 2012 Report Posted October 12, 2012 I am new here and could use some help with a Priceline bidding strategy for a hotel in Chicago. This is for a shopping trip, so are looking at the N Michigan Ave - River North Area. Budget is no more than $100/night. I saw a win on here for the same dates for 3.5* N Michigan Ave - River North, Doubletree Chicago Mag mile for $85/night. Based off that, here is what we have tried on Priceline:3.5* $70 N Michigan Ave 3.5* $75, N Michigan Ave + Franklin Park3.5* $80, N Michigan Ave + Franklin Park + Hyde 3.5* $85, N Michigan Ave + Franklin Park + Hyde + Skokie3.5* $90, N Michigan Ave + Franklin Park + Hyde + Skokie + Midway NorthLater tried:3.5* $95, N Michigan Ave All attempts were declined. If anyone can offer any insight, tips or suggestions it would be greatly appreciated!Thank you
thereuare Posted October 12, 2012 Report Posted October 12, 2012 Welcome to BetterBidding!At current rates i think you're likely looking closer to $105-$125 for a 3.5* or better for these dates.Using MAPS and HOTELS.com (i'd use only 1 mile or 3 miles from your search point since there are so many hotels) what is the best rate you're able to find thru conventional booking channels?Please use the PRICELINE and HOTWIRE links on the board to begin your travel purchases. Please use this HOTWIRE and these PRICELINE LINKS: HOTELS, CAR RENTALS, and AIRFARE to begin your travel purchases
Crewbeck12 Posted October 12, 2012 Author Report Posted October 12, 2012 I have been using the links on the board to Priceline and Hotwire while searching. Through the maps/hotels link, the best price for a 3.5* was $139. Through the HOTWIRE link, best 3.5* was $133. We thought about going down to 3* to stay within our $100/night budget. The best Hotwire 3* is $106, maps/hotel $159 (seems odd). If I try to Priceline a 3*, what price do you suggest I start bidding at? Also, would it make sense to wait and watch rates, or at this point are they not likely to go down? Thanks so much for the help!
thereuare Posted October 12, 2012 Report Posted October 12, 2012 When bidding 3* in Chicago you have THREE Priceline Re-Bidding Explained zones, so over the course of two days you could try:Select 3* NMA-River North...Bid $70, if rejected add re-bid zone...Bid $75, if rejected add re-bid zone...Bid $80, if rejected add re-bid zone...Bid $85If the above is rejected wait 24 hours and re-try:Select 3* NMA-River North...Bid $90, if rejected add re-bid zone...Bid $95, if rejected add re-bid zone...Bid $98, if rejected add re-bid zone...Bid $100As far as waiting to bid, nobody can say if rates will come down, or move higher, between now and your stay. For more on timing the bid see the related 'Bid Early or Close to Check-in' link in our PRICELINE FAQ.Please use the PRICELINE and HOTWIRE links on the board to begin your travel purchases.Any questions feel free to ask.Good luck and let us know how it goes. Please use this HOTWIRE and these PRICELINE LINKS: HOTELS, CAR RENTALS, and AIRFARE to begin your travel purchases
Crewbeck12 Posted October 12, 2012 Author Report Posted October 12, 2012 We followed your steps listed above and won 3* for $95. It's the Holiday Inn Chicago Mart Plaza - North Michigan Ave -River North Area. It ended up being more than we would have liked to pay for a 3*, but still within our budget. thanks for the help!
Crewbeck12 Posted October 12, 2012 Author Report Posted October 12, 2012 Our budget was $100. Started bidding 4* up to $100, then 3.5* up to $100 and then 3*. When my bid got up to $90 for the 3* my offer wasn't accepted, but Priceline said I could bid again without changing anything for $20 more ($110). Instead I changed a zone and got it for $95. The 3* on Hotwire for these dates & area was $106/night. Ehh...I don't feel like I got one heck of a deal, but still under our budget. The Holiday Inn Chicago Mart website has rooms listed at $204.95/night.Thanks for the help better bidding!!
AaronJB Posted October 12, 2012 Report Posted October 12, 2012 Congrats on your success. :)Definitely not a bad win for this Holiday Inn property - I'd ask for a river view and see what they say. This property is also near the restaurants and nightlife in the River North area.Thank you for sharing your win and please use the site's PRICELINE or HOTWIRE links to start your purchases and searches.Enjoy your stay.
thereuare Posted October 12, 2012 Report Posted October 12, 2012 Congratulations o your success!Retails rates are $200+ and you won for less than $100/nite... that's less then half price and certainly sounds like a deal to me!Thank you for sharing your win with the board.Please use the PRICELINE and HOTWIRE links on the board to begin your travel purchases.Enjoy your stay. Please use this HOTWIRE and these PRICELINE LINKS: HOTELS, CAR RENTALS, and AIRFARE to begin your travel purchases
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