Priceline Hotel: Last minute bidding assistance needed 7/10/09-7/12/09

[katrina0101]

I've bid $80 on 4* MP and NMA zones, get denied. As I only have two nights to bid, what price should I go up to?

I'm also thinking about bidding for 3* and 3.5* to guarantee a room, so how much I should bid for them respectively?

In addition, we have 3 adults (my parents and me) and I feel two rooms are a bit too expensive. Is 3* hotel accommodating this situation? Thank you!!

[katrina0101]

By the way, what are the 4* free-rebid zones in Chicago? I looked at the hotel lists but I'm still a bit afraid of making mistakes because I'm not driving. Thank you!

[AaronJB]

Do you mind that PRICELINE only guarantees 1 bed? I'm not sure what's going on on these dates, but prices are quite high - what would be your max budget per night?

[Romelle]

By the way, what are the 4* free-rebid zones in Chicago? I looked at the hotel lists but I'm still a bit afraid of making mistakes because I'm not driving. Thank you!

To find the free-rebid zones, get into the bidding area of PL for Chicago and click the zones one at a time, turning off the previous one each time. Any zone that does not have a 4* (OR HIGHER) is a free-rebid for the 4* level. Understanding this process clearly will put you back in the driver's seat!

There are a number of ways to figure out a bidding level. You can take a peek at the Priceline and Hotwire Calendar of Wins to see others' reported results for your dates. Look at HOTWIRE and start a little lower (maybe 10%). Also, the Hotwire number will serve as a cap so you don't bid past it. Research the hotels' actual rates from their sites and then use about 50% of that. Not an exact science, and the more you research the better you are. And there is more discussion in the FAQ area.

Romelle

And do please start your bidding from the PRICELINE link on this site.

[katrina0101]

I'm also shocked when I checked the calender because this weekend is not national holiday. I tried to avoid Independence Day but I find now that the rates are not better.

About $100 or a bit higher is my maximum budget for 4* MP & NMA. One king-size bed or two separate beds in 4* would be enough for us. Is two rooms in 2* hotels going to be cheaper than one room in 4*? I'm kind of confused.

Can you suggest me some bidding strategy? Also how much I should bid for 3* if I couldn't get a 4* beyond my max budget? Thank you!!!

[katrina0101]

To find the free-rebid zones, get into the bidding area of PL for Chicago and click the zones one at a time, turning off the previous one each time. Any zone that does not have a 4* (OR HIGHER) is a free-rebid for the 4* level. Understanding this process clearly will put you back in the driver's seat!

There are a number of ways to figure out a bidding level. You can take a peek at the bidding calendar to see others' reported results for your dates. Look at Hotwire and start a little lower (maybe 10%). Also, the Hotwire number will serve as a cap so you don't bid past it. Research the hotels' actual rates from their sites and then use about 50% of that. Not an exact science, and the more you research the better you are. And there is more discussion in the FAQ area.

Romelle

And do please start your bidding from the PRICELINE link on this site.

I don't quite get it. In the bidding area I only found the bidding map and detailed maps. I couldn't find the hotels info. Sorry I'm slow. :)

[Romelle]

I don't quite get it. In the bidding area I only found the bidding map and detailed maps. I couldn't find the hotels info. Sorry I'm slow. :)

It was a little scary for me too, the first time (well, and the second and third and....). Still, I'm hooked now, and comfortable with it.

Go into Priceline like you are actually going to bid (starting with the link in this site's upper right hand corner). When you get to the screen that shows the map and the list of possible areas, just below the areas it shows the list of star levels "STEP 2: Choose the star level for your hotel". Nothing happens until you first click on an area above "Step 1: Choose where you want to stay". Then the list of zones will change. The former grey buttons will turn white for all the star levels that are actually biddable for the zone you've selected. Greater Chicago has star levels 2 through 4, whereas Skokie has 1 through 3.

Again, only have ONE button clicked for Step 1. Look at the star levels available below and see which ones changed from grey to white. Then click again on the Step 1 button to turn it off, and click a different one on. Poke around at it until you can see the Greater Chicago information, vs the Skokie info, and any other area you'd like to check out.

Major hint since you are short on time - Lincoln Park, Midway and O'Hare South are free-rebids at the 4* level. There is one more. You should now be equipped to smoke it out.

Do realize though that the free rebid situation is DIFFERENT at the 3* and 3.5 * levels. You need to go through the process again to figure that out if you start bidding at that level.

And many other people are also intimidated by those screens and don't note the tiny detail. The thing is, lots of them then don't have the nerve to keep going. You are doing fine.

Romelle

[katrina0101]

Wow I get it! How did you find it out? That's amazing! So smart :)

I'll try again tonight because I'm in my 24 hour waiting time. Hope I could get one. I don't want to stay overnight on the street.:) How about the Greater Chicago area? Is it convenient to reach downtown by walking or public transportation?

And what is the appropriate starting price for bidding 3* or 3.5*? Thank you!!!

[Romelle]

Good. You were just missing a little clue. There is so much going on on those screens, it is hard to know where to look.

Now look at the Calendar of Wins (this screen, just above). Plug in your dates and select Illinois-Priceline. You will see other's reported results. It will give you an idea of what could work. You can also select Illinois-Hotwire for a little more information.

There are "free rebids" at both the 3 1/2* and 3* level.

Find a Chicago Metro map and make it your new best friend. You should be able to move about as desired. Also, when you get a hotel, often there is transportation information on their web site.

Romelle

PS - Really long shot here, but I've stayed at one of the airports when other Chicago areas were way too high for my budget. Shuttle service from hotel back to airport, and train downtown from airport. Not as convenient as downtown, but it worked.

[thereuare]

One king-size bed or two separate beds in 4* would be enough for us.

If you get a room with only one bed there are no guarantees that it will be a King sized.

Rates are very high for these dates and i don't think $100 is going to be enough for a 4* hotel in the Downtown areas for this complete stay. Looking a little deeper it appears that the Saturday nite is the difficult nite... is SPLITTING YOUR PRICELINE BID an option? (i'm seeing a 4* hotel for < $100 for Friday nite... then switching to a 3* hotel for ~$160 for Saturday (or any other deal you can find for this nite))

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

[Romelle]

Hope your bidding went well last night?

There are now posts here by MiniMika and andrewy that have a little interesting discussion on the Chicago areas and tourist things. You might want to take a peak at them.

Romelle

[AaronJB]

Please do not bid the Greater Chicago area.