Priceline Hotel: 4* Chicago (Millenium Park-The Loop-Grant Park) Hyatt Regency

[lyerik]

In the past I've bid quite successfully through priceline but in the past few days I've tried bidding on rooms in Chicago for travel dates 9/19 thru 9/29 up to $80.00 a night and have been rejected each time. I've tried $70.00, 75 and 80.00. Priceline keeps trying to push a $90.00 a night room in the Loop district. I was quite surprised to see bids accepted for far less than my offer. Any clues as to what is going on at PRICELINE?

Lyerik

[AaronJB]

Welcome to the site.

PRICELINE rates are "date-specific" - while others may be able to get reasonable rates on other dates, if these dates are busier, then they will be more expensive. Additionally, a 10 day stay may run into some issues, as well, if rates vary during the time period.

Are you getting a "counter-offer" to raise to $90?

Please use the site's PRICELINE or HOTWIRE links to start your purchase.

[lyerik]

Yes. It does not matter what bid I enter, The message comes up to raise my bid to $90.00. This is surprising, because this is the time of year I usually travel and I have had no problems getting rooms for less for the same length of time for various cities at four star hotels. As far as the Chicago Calendar goes, there is absolutely nothing special going on during that time. There were lots of stuff during the summer, but nothing for the time I plan on travelling.

[thereuare]

Again, rates are date specific, and all it takes is one 'difficult' nite among your 9 nite stay to effect rates for the entire length of your stay.

While you may not have had trouble for a length of stay such as this in other cities for different dates, obviously for this city for these dates, $80 currently isn't enough. It's also not an apples-to-apples comparison to consider your wins in other areas to this one since rates are also geographically specific as well. For instance, even though you have had wins at 4* hotels in other cities for under $80, if you were bidding for NYC, this amount would never be enough.

Lastly, while your rejected bid and the counter-offer suggest that the 'right' price is someplace inbetween $81-$89/nite, this range certainly doesn't seem unreasonable for a 4* hotel in Downtown Chicago.

What is your maximum bid for this stay? Is the Loop the only zone you're willing to accept? (what about NMA?) Is SPLITTING YOUR PRICELINE BID an option?

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

[lyerik]

Hi,

I've tried three different zones. Loop Grant would be the ideal area. I've increased my bid to $85.00, but still no luck. I've thought about splitting my bid, but it seems too risky.

[AaronJB]

If $85 isn't accepted and $90 will be (or at least you've gotten messages to that effect on prior bids), then I think the only thing to do at this point is try $87 or proceed directly to $90.

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

[lyerik]

Hi,

I bid $85.00 and I got a response to increase my bid by $22.00 to get a room. I ignored that Info and bid $90.00 a night. I got the Hyatt Regency for the length of our stay in the Millenium, Loop Grant area.

F.Y.I I did use your PRICELINE link.

Lyerik

[yellowdog]

Congratulations on your success!

Thank you for sharing your win with the board and using our PRICELINE link to begin your bidding :)

We hope you're happy with the results.

Enjoy your stay.

Yellowdog.