Priceline Hotel: 4* Chicago (NMA-River North) Sheraton towers

[jguinn]

Hello:

I'm looking for some bid strategy help.

Trying for Chicago...Check in 8/24/07, check out 8/26/07

Definitely want NMA or Loop area....4 star or boutique.

The way I've been bidding so far has been to start 4* NMA, then add Loop and stay at 4*, then add Boutique and search both areas.

I know it's not cast in stone, but I haven't added midway as a rebid zone for fear of actually getting a room in that area. Doesn't look like they have any 4*s but I wasn't certain about boutiques.

I'm seeing people getting rooms in the 100 dollar range, and thats about where I would like to be. Can go higher if I have to, but I'm all about saving money when I can.

Any suggestions?

[thereuare]

Welcome to BetterBidding!

Up to what amount have you already been rejected at each star level?

[jguinn]

I started at 70 and have been working my way up over the last couple of weeks. I'm currently at $103 for 4* and dropping to 90 for boutique.

[thereuare]

What is your current maximum bid?

Are you familiar with the proper technique to check your re-bid zones as per the first post at Priceline Re-Bidding Explained? (as this often gets people more comfortable with the process)

[jguinn]

O.k...I think I've read the things I was supposed to read before I initially posted.

Here goes.

FIRST, I made sure to access priceline through the SAVINGSBARN link.

After determining that Midway does not have any 4* or boutique hotels I used the following bid strategy.

4* NMA - 106.00 Rejected

add Loop

4* NMA and LOOP 108.00 Rejected

add Midway

4* NMA, LOOP, and Midway $110.00 Rejected

Add boutique and lowered price to 100.00 Rejected.

Is my strategy correct, and any guesses on how high I'm going to have to go to get a 4* or boutique?

Thanks

[thereuare]

Is my strategy correct...

Up until the point you added Boutique. You should start the entire process over again at the Boutique level rather than just lower your star quality after your last bid. For example, what if a Boutique was avaiable for $90... you would have paid $100 for it, but starting over and repeating the strategy at the Boutique level would ultmately save you money.

any guesses on how high I'm going to have to go to get a 4* or boutique?

Less than $145/nite as once you get up there, if you wanted to bid that high, you could get a 4* hotel for the equivalent of a $145 bid. If you think you'd eventually go this high, i'd recommend booking the Hilton Towers for $150/nite and use that as a back-up since it's cancellable up until 3 days before your check-in date (there is no booking fee, which is why it's equivalent to about a $144/nite bid on priceline). This also gives you a good deal at a property while you continue to try (or wait to try later) the opaque suppliers.

Does this work for your plans or did you not want to go that high?

[jguinn]

Was finally accepted at $120 per night.

[thereuare]

Congratulations on your win... glad it didnt' take too much more than you had previously bid.

Was $120 your first bid in the day you won? (if not, do you recall your bidding history on this day)

Thank you for sharing your results with the board.

Enjoy your stay.