Priceline Hotel: 3* Chicago (North Michigan Ave-River North) Holiday Inn at the Mart

[ReadyToRoam]

First, as a Newbie I

[thereuare]

Welcome to BetterBidding!

I"m guessing the total cost will be cheaper booking the extra room nite than by booking 3 rooms and booking the 4th room (which is for the shorter stay) direct plus you don't have the issue regarding the price of booking direct (or if the hotel is sold-out entirely)

One thing to consider is that PRICELINE only guarantees double occupancy, and one of your rooms will be for quad occupancy. As well, since only double occupancy is guaranteed, the mother/son could receive a room with only one bed. If this is a "deal breaker" you could use HOTWIRE which allows you to search for up to quad occupancy per room... which ensures two separate beds (although the 2nd bed could be a rollaway or pullout couch).

Thoughts?

Please use these PRICELINE and HOTWIRE links to begin your travel purchases.

[ReadyToRoam]

Thanks for your prompt reply.

I agree w/ you that booking all 4 rooms as a block is the way to go.

Using your links, I tried HOTWIRE first because of the bed issue. But probably because of my Newbie-status, I could not locate the ability to make a bid at Hotwire. (Where should I look? Or do they even offer that option?)

So I went to PRICELINE through your link (thinking that the odds of getting at least 2 out of 4 rooms w/ double beds is probably pretty good) and placed a bid of $90 using my initial posting parameters (dates; 4 rooms; 4*; NMA/River North) - and was rejected.

I did try shutting down my browser and then going back to re-bid at $95 - but I'm locked out for 24 hours.

Thoughts?

[thereuare]

There is no bidding on HOTWIRE... they tell you the price (along with the star rating, amenities, and zone it's located in) and you decide to take the offering or not. PRICELINE involved bidding but doesn't tell you anything regarding the amenities of the hotel. See this thread for a further discussion which explains the similarities and differences between each service: I've Never Used Priceline or Hotwire.

Also, you need to utilize your re-bid zones (Priceline Re-Bidding Explained) in order to bid again immediately. At the 4* level in Chicago you have three such re-bid zones... it's highly recommended you confirm your re-bid zones with the board (or ask questions if you're confused or don't understand the concept or how to determine your re-bid zones)

Didn't think you were going to try before posting back, so one more thing which i didn't add above, is that for the "fourth room" (the one arriving a day later than the rest), you woudln't want to put that room in the name of the actual person using it since they won't be there on check-in day... put that room in the name of one of the other 3 families who will be there at check-in (yes, it's ok for one person to have more than one room in their name)

So i'd start with re-running your HOTWIRE search and see if anything appears in your desired zone(s) and within your budget. From there give Priceline Re-Bidding Explained a read and ask any questions you have and/or confirm your re-bid zones with the board. We'll take it from there.

Thanks for using our PRICELINE and HOTWIRE links to begin your purchases.

[ReadyToRoam]

Thanks for the input. I'm just learning the ropes here, so it's much appreciated.

Fortunately I had done as as you suggested, and used the names of 4 people who would actually be there on the first day in the bid.

As things progress, I'll update you.

[ReadyToRoam]

I finally got an accepted bid (through your PRICELINE link) of $155 at the Holiday Inn - Mart Plaza. (And I do have a question I'll put at the end.)

While the Mart Plaza certainly looks nice at their homepage it's not a great deal by most standards. But given that booking in Chicago was tight for the dates we needed, and the fact that it involved 4 rooms - we're OK w/ it.

As I mentioned, it's a mini-family reunion with two of the folks in their 90's and one in their 80's - so the location is a little more off the beaten path than I had hoped. But fortunately everyone is healthy and ambulatory. (My 93 y/o uncle is still doing woodworking, and my 92 y/o Mom still shovels her walks and bowls!)

I understand that we need to talk to the hotel itself to request beds/non-smoking/etc. (and reading the boards & reviews I'm a little concerned on how they've treated PL guests), so my question is, do I use the PL confirmation numbers provided on my acceptance bid, or just my name in dealing w/ the hotel directly? It seems from what I read - the more stealth, the better.

I may have other questions since I'm coordinating it for all the family members (like herding cats), if so - I'll stop back.

tia

[thereuare]

...it's not a great deal by most standards

I'm showing hotel direct rates starting at $235/nite... so you're savings $80/nite (x 12 room nites) which is nearly $1000 savings, which i think is pretty good.

As far as calling the hotel to make your requests, simply give them your last name... they'll be able to tell that you used price.ilne, but no need to mention or highlight that fact. Just be nice on the phone and if any clerk seems to be giving you a hard time simply accept it and call back 10 hours later when a new shift will likely be working and try again :)

Thanks for sharing your win with the board and for using our PRICELINE link to begin your bidding.

Enjoy your stay (and the time together as a family)