Priceline Advanced Rebidding

Priceline has proven to be one of the best places to get high star rating hotels at cheap discounts, if you know how to bid properly, or rather RE-bid properly.

Novices should first familiarize themselves with the immediate rebid system whereby "free" rebids are gleaned by adding zones which do not have high enough star ratings for which you are bidding. For example, say you are looking for 4-star hotels in a certain area, by adding a zone which only has 3-star hotels as their highest rating, you can immediately rebid without fear of getting a hotel in that region. This is in essence a "free" rebid. Utilize this method by adding all inapplicable regions to your bidding strategy. This works best when you are bidding for high star rating hotels. Note, resorts are included in 4-star hotel bids, therefore pay close attention when adding regions which have resorts.

Advance rebidding is a method by which you utilize permutations of the above method to gain the most rebids in one session possible. Of course in every rebid, you'll have to raise your bid incrementally, but this allows you to start at "rock bottom" and work your way up to your max with as many bids as possible. See the following example:

Here is a hypothetical city that you are bidding on:

Zone A: Has 4* Hotels
Zone B: Nothing 4* or above
Zone C: Nothing 4* or above
Zone D: Nothing 4* or above

With standard rebidding techniques, this presents itself as 3 free rebid zones, therefore only 3 free rebidding opportunities for a 4* Zone A hotel.

Bid1: A
Bid2: A+B
Bid3: A+B+C
Bid4: A+B+C+D

However, with advance rebidding, the method yields 6 free rebids.

Bid1: A
Bid2: A + B (as a free rebid)
Bid3: A + C (on a totally new bid)
Bid4: A + D (on a totally new bid)
Bid5: A + B + C (on a totally new bid)
Bid6: A + B + D (on a totally new bid)
Bid7: A + B + C + D (as a free rebid)

Priceline does not recognize that Bid2 & Bid3 combined duplicates Bid5, therefore Bid5 is a valid free re-bid.

The caveat is that this does not work in reverse. If you did Bid5 first, then Bid1, Bid2 & Bid3 would be invalidated. You must "work your way up" the permutation so to speak, and start completely new bids with each permutation.

In instances where you don't care for a particular region, only star rating, you can add other sites, say with 4-star hotels (it you are shooting for 4-stars) into your permutations and have even MORE free rebids.

This process is fairly simple, but can be messed up easily; I recommend you sit down with a scratch sheet of paper and write down all your permutations first, and then do your bidding, while making sure that you work your way up your permutations.

If you have a spouse, family member or significant other, they can likewise make Priceline bids in the same fashion and in essence double your rebids, so to speak, as long as you use a different credit card number.

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Blockbuster 1-month Free Total Access

Most of the codes out there are only good for the $17.99 1-month trial on Blockbuster which only includes 5 in-store exchanges per month.

THIS code is good for the Blockbuster Total Access program which gives you:

1) 4 Week FREE Trial
2) 3 at-a-time, unlimited mailings
3) UNLIMITED in-store free movie/discounted game exchanges
4) 1 FREE bonus movie or game rental E-coupon (you print it) per month

Enter this code in the promo box when signing up: 06195

Just make sure your subscription page and confirmation lists all of the above.

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J Crew, Additional 20% Off & Free Shipping Code

J Crew's having an additional 20% off their final sale items online valid through July 25, 2007. Use this code for free shipping: SHIP0723

Thanks for the deal Webhappy

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Macy's, Excalibur Small Grill $15 before tax & shipping

This is prime grilling weather folks, and what better way to celebrate than by using your new, Excalibur Small Grill picked up for a pittance at Macys.com?

Orig $59.99 Now $19.97

Sweeten the deal by using code: EXTRA25 to get an additional 25% off clearance items.

This code is good for all clearance items at Macys.com right now.

Thanks for the deal, Swantz84.

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Peapod, Code for Free Grocery Delivery

Peapod is an online grocery delivery service that operates in Massachusetts, Connecticut, New York, Rhode Island, New Jersey, Wisconsin, Virginia, Maryland, Washington D.C., and Illinois.

For a limited time, existing customers can receive free delivery on orders of $100 or more with the following code: SSLP2 (Expires 08/15/07)

Thanks DownFromDemming for the deal.

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Zipcar, $25 Credit for Free Driving!

Zipcar is a for-profit, membership-based car-sharing company providing car rental to its members, billable by the hour or day.

You're able to view vehicle availability and reserve a self-service car via the internet or by phone, in increments as short as 1 hr; 180 miles are included with each reservation; each vehicle has a reserved parking spot whic is its home location.

Members get a zipcard which opens the vehicle during their reservation time; Each reservation includes driver's insurance, a gas card for the car, XM satellite radio and reimbursements for car washes and wiper fluid refills. Members can reserve Zipcars in any city in which they're located.

For $25 credit in free driving, when registering, use this code: BOSTON25

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Polo Additional 30% Off, Free Shipping on $125 orders

Polo.com has an additional 30% off already discounted merchandise with this code: RL30

Enjoy free shipping on pre-discount orders of $175:
1) Add $175 worth of merchandise to your card
2) Apply RL30 discount code
3) Your total goes down by 30% and you still get free shipping.

Credit: Thanks for sharing this hot deal, Himanshu16!

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Old Navy, Summer Clearance Sale, Free Shipping

Old Navy's having a summer clearance sale. Free shipping with SHIPPLUS2U promotion code.

Tip#1 Great deal: Women's flip flops in a variety of colors for $1.99. Men's Flag T-shirts for $3.49.

Tip#2 Save yourself some gas money and stay out of the heat. Let the postman bring you your new flip flops.

Tip#3 Signup with FatWallet to get 3.3% back on your purchase.

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If you have a deal you'd like to share, e-mail me at WellnCheap@gmail.com

Delivery.com, Discounts on Food Carryout & Delivery

If you're planning on ordering takeout or delivery, consider checking Delivery.com first to see if you restaurant is a part of their network. Many of their restaurants offer 20-25% off your first time ordering. Ordering online also allows you to see a running total of your bill, delivery charges and the ability to pay by credit card. Delivery.com also offers a point reward system that rewards repeated use of their website for orders.

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I-Pass, Illinois Tollyways, Save Money

I don't understand why so many people still insist on paying the Illinois Tollways with cash. I see the poor saps lined up in their cars for miles waiting for their turn at the turnstile, while I zoom on by with my handy-dandy I-PASS.

Not only does this device:
1) Save you time
2) You don't have to dig for change/keep change
3) IT SAVES YOU MONEY!

Yes, folks, using the I-PASS saves you money because

YOU ONLY PAY HALF

the toll that those cash-paying schlubs are charged. So if the toll's $1.00, using the I-PASS you don't have to wait in line and you pay only $0.50.

Additionally, you can:
1) Access your account online to check your toll usage and balance.
2) The I-PASS renews your balance automatically by charging you credit card when it hits a certain level.
3) Your balance never expires no matter how infrequently you use it.
4) You get your $10 deposit back when you mail the I-PASS back (if you ever move).

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Get your Brunch On! Blu 47 in Chicago

Doesn't everybody love a great Sunday brunch? Nothing better except snagging a deal on a great Sunday brunch. Blu 47 offers a Sunday Gospel Brunch featuring an All-you-can-eat buffet which includes made-to-order omelets, Belgian waffles, smoked turkey, fried catfish and more. Entertainment features a rotating lineup of musical guests.

Tip#1 Art of the Deal
1) This restaurant happens to have a whopping 20% cashback from RewardsNetwork which is active on Sundays. Simply dine with registered credit cards and earn back 20% of your total bill including tax and tip.
CLICK HERE TO LEARN ABOUT REWARDS NETWORK

Tip#2 Sweetening the Pot
1) Make your reservation via Opentable and earn 100pts towards a free dining certificate.

Tip#3 Closing a Killer Deal
1) Pay with your Costco True Earnings American Express card to earn 3% back on dining out.
CLICK HERE TO LEARN ABOUT COSTCO AMEX CARD

Blu 47
4655 S. King Drive
Second Floor
Sundays : 10 a.m. - 3 p.m.
Price: $19.95; $12.95 kids 10 and under
Phone: 773-536-6000

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Inexpensive Seafood to be found in Chinatown!

If you've a hankering for seafood, but short on dough, some of the best deals around can be found in Chicago Chinatown (or any Chinatown around the nation for that matter). One of my favorite deals can be found on the family-style set menu from Lee Wing Wah.

For $40 (before tax & tip) you get 4 entrees, rice, soup du jour and dessert. The set items include:

1) A whole live Dungeness crab cooked any way you want (try the traditional scallion & ginger!)

2) Fish fillets sauteed with yellow chive and seasonal vegetables (usually gai-lan or yu-choy).

3) An unbelievable, overflowing plate of lightly battered, salt & chili pepper shrimp.

4) Fourth dish I usually pick ground fish stuffed tofu in a clay pot.

Dessert is either cut fresh fruit or sometimes Cantonese sweet dessert soups. Pots of tea are often on the house.

The wonderful thing about this deal is that all four dishes can be substituted from a large list of other entrees. Sometimes, I like to substitute a plate of crispy salt & pepper calamari for the 4th dish.

Family-style deals are available for parties 2 and up, printed in both Chinese and English AND best of all, available for takeout (you don't get soup and dessert though). Menu items are often portrayed with pictures which are true to the dish you will receive.

Lee Wing Wah
2147 S. China Place
Chicago IL 60616
Phone:312.808.1628
Hours: 10:30AM - 10PM

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FoodOnEarth.com 5% Promo

For those living or working in the Hyde Park neighborhood of Chicago, you can save 5% when ordering takeout from www.FoodOnEarth.com which is currently a conglomerate of 4 local restaurants:

1) Thai55 - 1607 E. 55th Street, Chicago, IL, 60615
2) Nathan's Chicago Style - 1372 E. 53rd Street, Chicago, IL, 60615
3) Lung Wah - 1368 1/2 E. 53th Street, Chicago, IL 60615
4) Siam Restaurant - 1639-43 E. 55th Street, Chicago, IL 60615

The website is easy to use, you can select delivery or pickup, allows you to see a running total which includes tax and delivery and ensures speedy ordering and delivery. You can elect to pay by credit card or cash. That 5% on large orders just might allow you to order that extra appetizer.

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Costco & High-end Goods

For those who still aren't Costco members, you're missing out on a great means to live well and on the cheap. It's a common misconception that you have to buy in bulk in order to enjoy the benefits of a warehouse membership like Costco. Even as a single person, one's savings can be huge shopping at Costco, not to mention the excellent service, quality of products and unbeatable return policy.

Tip#1 Seafood
Costco is one of THE best places to purchase giant scallops $8.99/lb, fresh clams $2.50/lb, fresh mussels $1.99/lb, giant tiger prawns $9.99/lb, jumbo king crab legs $8.99/lb and fresh wild sockeye salmon or ahi tuna for $9.99/lb. You'd easily pay 1.5 to 2x's the cost at places like Whole Foods and Central Market for the same quality. The quality at your local market often won't match the freshness at Costco or price.

Tip#2 Luxury Goods
Aside from a small selection at the stores, there is a HUGE selection online of luxury goods such as jewelry & diamonds, designer handbags, watches, pens and gourmet foods. Shipping is often included, the items are fully refund-able at the brick&mortar stores AND even includes the shipping.

Tip#3 Tires
C'mon, everyone needs tires. Costco often runs a biannual promotion where one can save $60-80 on a set of Michelin or Goodyear tires. Any tires Costco installs comes with FREE tire rotations, free fill-ups with nitrogen (maximizes fuel efficiency/gas mileage, handling and tire life, stays inflated longer and prevents corrosion and rust) and a graduated replacement policy for tires which become damaged due to road hazards. You can't beat the service.

Tip#4 Furniture & Electronics
Expensive furniture, high-end matresses, game systems, LCD monitors, IPODs, computers, pianos, fridges, and plasma or LCD TV's on the cheap. Plus they have a great return policy (better than most stores) on electronics. Available for order online as well. Want a greenhouse, gazebo or even a casket (yes, a casket)... you'll be able to find 'em online.

Tip#5 Pharmaceuticals
THE best prices on name brand and generic over-the-counter meds, contact solutions and other things you'd find in a pharmacy, granted you might end up with 500 tablets of acetaminophen, but who doesn't need Tylenol all the time?

Tip#6 Signup as an Executive Member
You'll get an annual 2% cashback on the year's purchases. The money you make back will more than offset the cost and make it a better bargain than your non-cashback earning regular membership.

Tip#7 Signup for the Costco-branded American Express card
Costco only takes cash, debit and American Express. Why anyone doesn't already try to use their AMEX exclusively for some of the best credit card benefits around, I'll never know... BUT this AMEX comes with a few other exclusives such as no annual fee with your paid Costco membership, earning 1% cashback on most purchases delivered in the form of a Costco check (which can be cashed out at the store), earn 2% on travel (airline, lodging, car rental, cruise line, travel agency and tour operators, AND a whopping 3% on dining out. The dining cashback really adds up with those mentioned in my previous posts.

This really only touches the tip of the iceberg on all the wonderful things a single person, if not a family, can purchase at Costco on the cheap. Take a look at warehouse, you'd be surprised on how many day-to-day purchases you can make here and not have to do so in bulk.

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Joining RewardsNetwork at a Discount!

RewardsNetwork is a great service, which allows diners to be reimbursed from typically 10-40% of what they spend dining out at participating restaurants back onto their credit card at the end of their monthly statements. Dining out requires NO coupons or printed out certificates. You simply register your credit card numbers and/or those of your spouse online, dine at the participating restaurants, and it will automatically credit your balance at the end of the month. No fuss or embarrassing coupons. Typically, this service has a $49 annual fee which is slowly "chipped away" from your initial savings.

Tip #1 Art of the Deal
1) If you logon via www.rewardsnetwork.com/friends and type in GMA under the enrollment code, you'll get a free 3-month trial and then a discounted $19 membership instead.
2) You'll start earning credit back your first 3 months, and thereafter, 1/2 your savings are applied to your $19 enrollment fee and the other 1/2 is credited to your card.

Tip #2 Sweetening the Deal
1) Many of these restaurants are also on Opentable.com where you can earn points for making reservations

Tip #3 Making the Deal even Better
2) Many are also Restaurant.com participants, so dine with a discounted certificate purchased online at 50%+ and then pay any remaining balance on your bill with a registered RewardsNetwork card (earning you cashback).

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Happy Dining!

If you have a deal you'd like to share, e-mail me at WellnCheap@gmail.com

Le Bouchon $20 Lyonnaise & 1/2 priced bottles

Monday night in Chicago includes many dining deals, but one of the best involves Le Bouchon.

Aside from their Tuesday $22.00 prix-fixe which includes any starter, any entree and any dessert, they offer a daily Lyonnaise menu for $20 per person. This menu includes:

Choix d' Entree
Salad Lyonnaise
Soupe a l'Oignon Gratinee Lyonnaise

Choix d' Plat Principal
Steak Grille Maitre d'Hotel
Poulet aux Grains avec sa Gousse d'All

Choix de Dessert
Tarte aux Pommes
Marquis au Chocolat

Tip#1 Art of the Deal
Combine this wonderful Lyonnaise prix-fixe with their Monday night special which includes 1/2 priced bottles of wine, and you've got a great French bistro dining experience at a bargain.

Le Bouchon
1958 North Damen Avenue
Chicago, Illinois 60647
773-862-6600

Hours:

Monday-Thursday: 5:30 pm - 11:00 pm
Friday and Saturday: 5:00 pm - 12:00 am
Closed on Sunday

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Happy Dining!

If you have a deal you'd like to share, e-mail me at WellnCheap@gmail.com

Gioco, Redlight, Opera and Marche

So for the inaugural post, I'm going to share a phenomenal deal at these four KDK Restaurants in Chicago. Currently KDK Restaurants are running a "Dine Around the World" promotion:

1) Pickup a passport at any KDK Restaurant (Gioco, Redlight, Opera or Marche)
2) Dine at each restaurant, pickup 4 "stamps" on your passport between June 15 - Sept 15
3) Turn in your passport for a $100 gift certificate to the restaurant of your choice.

Tip#1 Art of the Deal
1) Signup online for their frequent diner program at no cost to you.
2) Receive a $25 gift certificate to dine at any of the 4 restaurants just by signing up!

Tip#2 Sweetening the Deal
1) Prix-Fixe Deals at Marche
Mondays & Wednesdays
$28.95 Three Course Prix-Fixe Dinner
Choose ANY appetizer or salad, ANY entree and ANY dessert
Monday - Friday
11:30am - 4:00pm
$18.95 Three-Course Prix-Fixe Lunch
Choose ANY appetizer or salad, ANY entree and ANY dessert

2) Prix-Fixe Deals at Opera
Sundays & Tuesdays
$28.95 Three Course Prix-Fixe Dinner
Choose ANY appetizer or salad, ANY entree and ANY dessert

Tip#3 Making it Phenomenal
1) Signup at Opentable.com to make online reservations.
2) All 4 restaurants are 1000pt reservations
3) Just make 2 reservations via Opentable and you've earned a $20 dining certificate
4) Opentable dining certificates are good at ALL Opentable restaurants

Tip#4 Making it Irresistible
1) Sign up at RewardsNetwork.com to earn cashback on dining out.
2) All 4 restaurants are a part of the RewardsNetwork dining program and earn you 10% cashback

Gioco
Location
1312 S. Wabash
Chicago, IL 60605
312.939.3870

Redlight
Location
820 W. Randolph
Chicago, IL 60607
312.733.8880

Opera
Location
1301 S. Wabash (on the corner of 13th and Wabash)
Chicago, IL 60605
312.461.0161

Marche
Location
833 West Randolph Street
Chicago, IL 60607
312.226.8399

IF THIS DEAL HELPED YOU, PLEASE CLICK ON AN AD & SUPPORT THE BLOG.

Happy Dining!

If you have a deal you'd like to share, e-mail me at WellnCheap@gmail.com