Priceline Hotel: 3* Kansas City (Airport MCI) Marriott

[AlSleet]

This had to be one of the more difficult bids I've tried in several years.

The hotel rates were pretty high for this partiuclar date with the Hilton and Marriott both coming in at $129 to $139 for the one night. These are the only 3 star hotels I know of at the Kansas City Airport. Most of the other hotels were in the $50 to $80 range.

First bid was for $50 for the Kansas City, MO airport -failed

Rebid adding Kansas City North (no 3 star hotels in this cat) for $55-failed

Rebid adding Kansas City South (no 3 stars in the cat.) for $60-failed

Rebid adding Liberty, MO (no 3 stars in this cat.) for $62-accepted

Hotwire was $68 for a 3 star for this date. If the $62 bid had failed, I would have attempted one more $65 bid before going to Hotwire. From the description on Hotwire I'm sure the $68 3 star was either the Hilton or the Marriott.

Of note this is the highest winning bid I've ever paid for the Kansas City Airport location. I've also noticed that the cost of these hotels has gone up considerably over the last year or so. I used to be able to book the airport Hilton for around $89 using normal online travel agencies or directly through Hilton. Lately I haven't been able to find it under $100 for any of the dates I would need it.

Overall I still consider this a good deal as the Marriott is my prefered hotel in this area and the best price I could find online was $139 before taxes.

Details of the winning bid:

Marriott Kansas City Airport

Check-In Date: Thursday, March 10, 2005

Check-Out Date: Friday, March 11, 2005

Kansas City Airport (MCI)

775 Brasalia Way

Kansas City, Missouri 64153

816-464-2200

See Hotel Website

View Map and Directions

Reservation Information:

Check-In Date: Thu, Mar 10, 2005

Check-In Time: After 03:00 PM

Check-Out Date: Fri, Mar 11, 2005

Check-Out Time: 12:00 PM

Your Offer Price: $62.00

Number of Rooms: 1

Number of Nights: 1

Subtotal: $62.00

Taxes & Service Fees:

$16.62

Total Charges: $78.62

[thereuare]

Thank you for the report and details of your bidding strategy.

When i first read that it was difficult i thought i'd be reading about a multi-week bidding attempts.

I think your comments about this area is indicative of the hotel market firming in many pockets throughout the country. Although Priceline and Hotwire rates seem to be creeping up a little... so do the rates thru conventional booking services and hotel websites.

Thanks again for posting and have a great stay!

[AlSleet]

This is also about the time of the first round of March madness. I'd bet there are more than a couple of people who use the Hilton and Marriott's park and fly option to travel to game sites over the weekend.