Priceline Hotel: 4* Chicago (River North) Renaissance

[zizou]

Any help in bidding for a 4+ star in The Magnificent Mile or North Michigan Avenue ?

Thanks,

[thereuare]

Do you know if there is a special event in town during your stay? Rates are somewhat higher than we're used to seeing; as well, Sunday seems very expensive, Monday drops, then rates go back up for Tues and Wed :)

Do you have a maximum bid in mind? Do you have a back-up hotel reserved already (if so, where and how much)? If you're not successful at first, would you consider SPLITTING YOUR PRICELINE BID?

[zizou]

I do not know of any special events but, clearly there is something going on. I do not have a back up yet and I do not want to split the bid.

Thanks,

[thereuare]

Do you have a maximum bid in mind?

[zizou]

would not like to go higher than $150. Do you think it's achievable ?

[thereuare]

Could be tough but you can give it a try.

You have 4 RE-BID ZONES available at the 4* level. If you're unsure of how re-bidding works or which zones are your re-bid zones please ask before bidding.

Select 4* NMA

Bid $80, if rejected add re-bid zone1 and...

Bid $90, if rejected add re-bid zone2 and..

Bid $100, if rejected add re-bid zone3 and

Bid $110.

If the above fails, close that browser and re-access priceline from whatever means you did previously.

Select 4* NMA and re-bid zone4...

Bid $120, if rejected add re-bid zone1 and...

Bid $130, if rejected add re-bid zone2 and..

Bid $140, if rejected add re-bid zone3 and

Bid $150.

Feel free to ask any questions you may have regarding the above.

Good Luck and let us know how it goes.

[zizou]

Did not work up to $150 but I then I changed my check in date to the 24 instead of the 23 and got the Renaissance which is great. I will now find a hotel near the airport for the night of the 23 but I'm OK with that.

Thanks,

[thereuare]

How much did you bid when you won the Renaissance?

[zizou]

$150. Is that good or did I leave money on the table ?

[thereuare]

Well rates were high throughout your stay, but how did you go about bidding?

Did you bid the complete cycle up to $150 and then change your check-in date and bid $150? If so, it is likely that this is an over-bid. The correct method would have been to start over completely, following the strategy again with the new check-in date. This way if a lower bid was available you would have gotten it on an early try.

[zizou]

I did not start over so it's likely I made the mistake your mentioning. Nonetheless, I think it's a very good rate for that week.

[thereuare]

One more question....

can you confirm that this is indeed in the NMA zone? Prior reports put the Renaissance in the River North zone.

Thanks!

[zizou]

Yes, it's River North. I added it during the process and decided it was acceptable.

[zizou]

Just to torture myself, how long do you think I could have gone with the date change ? I tried River North and went all the way up to $130 before changing the dates, so the area change was not a big factor.

[thereuare]

I'm sorry, i don't really understand the question. If you explain further what you mean i'll try to answer.

However, don't beat yourself up. The hotel's website shows a rate of $239-$259 (rate change during your stay) so even if you use the lower figure you're $267 ($89 x 3 nites) ahead of the game.

If you are in a similar situation in the future just stop your bidding and come back to the board and ask for help.

On a lighter note... where in Chicago will you spend tha extra $267? :)

[zizou]

Thanks for your help. I really don't think I left much on the table but I'll be more patient next time.

On the $267 I have not been back to Chicago since NU. Any ideas ?

Did you see my bidding on the additional night at the O'Hare Doubletree ?

[thereuare]

Yup... maybe i should ask about what you will do with the extra $367 in your pocket since you saved another $100 by staying at the airprot. See... and you were beating yourself up... look at all the money you saved!!

I haven't been to Chicago in awhile. A game at Wrigley is always great if the cubs are in town, we ate at Due's one nite (love good chicago pizza) and Rick Bayless' place another nite, and some live Blues.