Priceline Hotel: HELP-Chicago 4* $75 if possible, any zone, 08/21/06

[Sliderx26x]

Hey guys i am new to the site and priceline and need some help...dont know if that is how im supposed to present the information but i am pretty flexible on what i was looking to get...just want something nice for the price...just one night

[GM Mike]

What bidding have you done so far?

Is ANY Chicago zone really acceptable? If so, have you tried the Airport ORD zone?

What is Hotwire showing?

[Sliderx26x]

No i havnt done any bidding yet because i didnt know where to start. Hotwire shows a 4 star on magnificent mile wacker drive for $101 and another for $106 in chicago loop. The rest seem to range between 140 and 180. Adding Ohare gives a 3 star for $75 and $94 for a 4* with the rest of the rates being the same. As far as the zones i really dont know alot about the area so i dont know how to narrow down

[thereuare]

As far as the zones i really dont know alot about the area so i dont know how to narrow down

What is the purpose of this trip... are you being a tourist? Will you have a car?

[Sliderx26x]

Yes i am going to be a tourist, we will actually be staying with friends on the 19th and 20th, but need somewhere to stay after that. Were not planning on having a car as we were told transportation was pretty good.

[GM Mike]

As a tourist, your best zones will probably be NMA and Loop. Transportation is great in Chicago and from either of those zones you have a lot of options for getting to anywhere else.

I'd suggest starting with those zones. Your maximum is probably right on the edge of what would be accepted there. As you move forward, if you can't secure either of those, staying by the airport usually works out fine. Most of the hotels in the ORD zone have shuttles to the airport and there is a train station inside the airport (45 minutes to downtown).

Make sure before you do any bidding that you read I'VE NEVER USED PRICELINE and PRICELINE FAQS. Most importantly, realize that if you do have success bidding on priceline, your reservation is prepaid and can NOT be changed or cancelled!

Given all of that, I'd suggest you work with a maximum bid of $75 in NMA and Loop. Someone here (thereuare?) can give you a bidding strategy to follow to make sure you don't overbid. Until then, read those links and become mentally prepared to begin, when a strategy is put forward. :)

[thereuare]

Let us know if you want to go for the NMA and/or Loop zones, then we'll be able to suggest a strategy.

[Sliderx26x]

Yes those zones look great, right in the middle of everything...before we get started though how much of a difference in quality/price would you find from dropping to a 3*? Im not really certain what is considered in the ratings system

[GM Mike]

Take a look at ILLINOIS PRICELINE HOTEL LIST. That will show the MOST LIKELY hotels in each zone at each star level. That should give you the general theme distinguishing them.

Let us know zones and * levels. Also, tell us if you prefer to bid to your maximum in a particular zone and/or at a particular * level, or if lowest price is most important within the parameters you set.