stlphotog Posted June 11, 2013 Report Posted June 11, 2013 My boyfriend and I will be traveling to Chicago August 23-25. I just discovered this board and have learned so much from it. Clicking through your PRICELINE and HOTWIRE links, though, I'm not finding great Express Deals options. I'm a little wary of the bidding since we definitely want either the James, Dana, or Sofitel. Right now, lmtclub has the James at $137. This seems like a good deal down from $144 yesterday. Should I pull the trigger on it or will prices go down even further as we get closer? This does not seem to be an overly busy weekend in Chicago. Any help would be great!
AaronJB Posted June 11, 2013 Report Posted June 11, 2013 Welcome to Betterbidding.This tends to be a fairly slow time period towards the end of Summer, although rates may ramp a bit if there's something going on or traffic comes in a bit higher than expected. Purchase timing is discussed in the FAQ.Using PRICELINE and HOTWIRE really requires a degree of flexibility on which hotel you may end up with; are those three the only hotels of interest? What would be your desired budget per night for this stay?Thank you for using the board's HOTWIRE or PRICELINE links to start your purchases and searches.
stlphotog Posted June 11, 2013 Author Report Posted June 11, 2013 Thanks for the quick reply! We chose those hotels because they are close to everything and look nice/have good reviews. This is our first anniversary celebration trip, so we wanted something a little more luxurious. We want to be able to walk everywhere so the River North / North Michigan Ave. area is really the only option. I would say $130 is about our max price-wise, but $100 would be ideal.
thereuare Posted June 12, 2013 Report Posted June 12, 2013 Using PRICELINE and HOTWIRE really requires a degree of flexibility on which hotel you may end up with; are those three the only hotels of interest?As per above, if you're only willing to accept the three hotels you listed then i wouldn't use PRICELINE or HOTWIRE for this trip. Please use this HOTWIRE and these PRICELINE LINKS: HOTELS, CAR RENTALS, and AIRFARE to begin your travel purchases
stlphotog Posted June 17, 2013 Author Report Posted June 17, 2013 I found a hotel using hotwire.Mag Mile/Water Tower $112.004.5 stars90% reviewsSmoke Free Rooms Fitness Center Restaurant(s) Business Center High-Speed Internet Access Accessible path of travel In-room accessibility Accessible bathroom Roll-in shower The best I can figure is the Sofitel or the Omni. They seem to have very similar amenities. What is the best way to distinguish between the two?
thereuare Posted June 18, 2013 Report Posted June 18, 2013 I'm not currently seeing this property offered when searching HOTWIRE for your dates... are you still seeing the above on your own search? If so, are you searching HOTWIRE for more than one room or for more than the default 2adults/0children? 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
stlphotog Posted June 18, 2013 Author Report Posted June 18, 2013 It did not last long! By the time I clicked "book now" I got an error message. Oh well. Back to the drawing board.
AaronJB Posted June 18, 2013 Report Posted June 18, 2013 What are you looking for in terms of hotel?Thank you for using the board's HOTWIRE or PRICELINE links to start your purchases and searches.
yellowdog Posted June 18, 2013 Report Posted June 18, 2013 Thank you for keeping us updated with what you decide. Please let us know if you have any questions.Please use the PRICELINE and HOTWIRE links on the board to begin your purchases and searches.Yellowdog.
stlphotog Posted June 19, 2013 Author Report Posted June 19, 2013 So we have decided to leave our hotel fate up to the Priceline gods, but never having done this before, I could definitely use a little help with the bidding process.We want a 4.5 star in River North. This is a romantic anniversary getaway, so we figure we'd aim high at first then make compromises later if necessary. The only 4.5 * are in our desired zone.So, it seems that Franklin Park, Hyde Park, Lincoln Park, McCormick Place, Midway, Midway North, and Skokie are all good re-bid zones. I've read the tutorials, but I'm still having a little trouble with the re-bid process.Can anyone who has scored a 4.5 in River North tell me exactly how they bid? We've got a lot of time, so I intend to keep trying over the next month, but when the James sold out on lastminutetravel, I got a little nervous. Any help would be very greatly appreciated!
thereuare Posted June 19, 2013 Report Posted June 19, 2013 When bidding 4.5* in Chicago you actually have move re-bid zones then you have indicated above.. there are TEN re-bid zones. If you have already read Priceline Re-Bidding Explained and are still confused, try this:1) Use the PRICELINE search box on the upper right of this page, enter 'Chicago, IL' and your dates, and click "GO".2) List each zone that is offered in this region. 3) Next to each zone list the highest star rating offered in the zone. The way to determine the highest star rating offered in the zone is by selecting the first zone i the list, then scrolling down to see the highest star rating selectable (ie- not greyed out). NEXT UNcheck the selected zone, place a checkmark in the next zone, and repeat the process for each zone in the region. Each time you take note of the highest star rating in the zone, make sure that only ONE zone is selected above.4) post your findings and we'll take it from thereIf you don't follow the above just post back and we'll break it down further.Also, when it does come time to bid, what is your maximum bid at this point in time for a 4.5* property?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
stlphotog Posted June 23, 2013 Author Report Posted June 23, 2013 Thanks for explaining the rebid zones. I've been bidding unsuccessfully and saw this pop up on hotwire for $127Mag Mile/River North 4.5*85%Pet friendly Indoor pool(s) Smoke Free Rooms Fitness Center Pool(s) Restaurant(s) Business Center High-Speed Internet Access Accessible for the blind Accessible for the deaf Accessible path of travel In-room accessibility Accessible bathroom Handicapped parking Roll-in shower I was thinking either the Intercontinental or Omni. Would you take it you were me or keep waiting?
AaronJB Posted June 24, 2013 Report Posted June 24, 2013 This would be a likely match for the Inter-Continental. I think rates are not going to go substantially lower for these date/s but this isn't traditionally a hugely busy period (unless there's a convention or something else scheduled - there are one/two minor/mild conventions for these date/s, nothing giant.) The Inter-Continental does get mixed reviews - I liked it and think it has a pretty fascinating history (the pool area is remarkable; it was one of the first pools built on a higher floor in the late '20's), but experiences seem to vary.Thank you for using the board's HOTWIRE or PRICELINE links to start your purchases and searches.
stlphotog Posted June 27, 2013 Author Report Posted June 27, 2013 The Intercontinental on Hotwire is still an option. But, I've also been wondering about this Express Deal on Priceline for $164.4.5*9.0 ratingFree internetBusiness CenterFitness CenterI'm sure it's tough to i.d with only 3 amenities, but any ideas? I've been unsuccessfully bidding up to $130 for 4.5*. Is it time to go higher?
AaronJB Posted June 27, 2013 Report Posted June 27, 2013 This listing hasn't been ID'd and it's tough to narrow down with only a few amenities, but the Conrad, James or Sofitel would be possibilities in this case. If you've bid up to $130 for 4.5* and it hasn't been accepted, a higher bid is going to be required. However, I don't think it's going to take significantly higher - I'm guessing $145-155, although you certainly have time to try $135 and $140 before moving to $145.Thank you for using the board's HOTWIRE or PRICELINE links to start your purchases and searches.
radcrow Posted July 18, 2013 Report Posted July 18, 2013 Did you find something? I'm also taking a first time trip to Chicago these dates. I'm going to be booking tomorrow, but I've already been on the hunt. I am praying to the Priceline Saints to help me get something in the North Michigan area under $100. Heck, I'm willing to go down to 2 1/2 star (Holiday Inn Express, Best Western Plus are MORE than fine to sleep in for me ;) ) On my prior attempts I started at $40 or $45 and went up to... I think $85 and NOTHING. I'm just shocked because I've had such great luck on Priceline in the past. Heck, I got the Wyndam in D.C. for $40/night in June a few years ago. **ah, the good ol days** lol
AaronJB Posted July 18, 2013 Report Posted July 18, 2013 Unfortunately, rates overall have gone up noticeably over the last few years - periods that have traditionally been noticeably less expensive (late Summer NYC, parts of Chicago Summer) have been noticeably more expensive than usual this year.There are great areas outside of Chicago that are (usually) cheaper, but they're really best if you are driving.Thank you for using the board's HOTWIRE or PRICELINE links to start your purchases and searches.
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