"SUM" will get you into the Courtyard on Hubbard for 99 bucks/night...

Do you know if you must actually produce a coupon to use that rate? I see "Postcard Promo" and I wonder if they're expecting to see the physical postcard...

BIGUYINPASADENA is correct. Marriott properties are usually less expensive than the Hyatt and Hilton competition given comparable hotels.

Cannot speak to SPG properties as I rarely freuquent them.

Mag Mile Marriott has recently been renovated so I can give you an idea when I return from my trip -- over 6/10 - 6/12.

To get the best Marriott rates -- and actually any hotel chain's rates -- you have to think a bit innovatively.

1). See what the per night rate yields, as opposed to a 2 or more night rate. Often, there is one night that may jack up the whole stay and if broken up per night, you will get a less expensive overall rate.

2). If the rates are high -- as they are for that weekend -- you should constantly check the rates as they change over time dependent on room bookings cancellations.

3). See if any special promotions come out that will change your calculus.

Concerning the above, I had a rate of $199/night including breakfast and a $50 shopping cert from the Courtyard Downtown Chicago.

I gave that up for a $219/night price for the Chicago Marriott Mag Mile that includes $39 for breakfast and $50 for use at the HotTix box office for day of performance plays, etc.

I then used my EEO 2 for 1 Weekend night Cert for the following Saturday night at that property (which if one were to use the rules outlined above, one would see that this is the killer night) for free.

In summation, $219 plus tax less $50 cert will be my cost for both nights at the Chicago Marriott Mag Mile.

P.S. I am still checking to see if the shopping promo pops up for that Friday night, as I would much rather have the $50 shopping cert; but beggars can't be choosy!

You are probably right about the Marriott name. Just in general, all things equal, I'd pick Marriott over Sheraton, Hilton and Hyatt any day. Westin, though, is a different story.

When did you get the $219 rate for Marriott Mag Mile? Lowest I ever saw it at in the month or so I tracked it was $309.

I ended up with the Westin River North, river view room (worth $60 in that property) with breakfast for 2, for $209. It is fully refundable, so if I see a better deal I can still take it.

It is important to me to be able to stay in the River North/Mag Mile area. I even avoided Wacker Drive (despite good rates at the Fairmont and Swiss).

It was available as late as 2 weeks ago before I left for AZ.

That is only the Friday night, the Saturday was priced at $329, I think.

When I returned, it was gone. However, as I have noted, if you check daily, or weekly or whatever strikes your fancy, the rate may re-appear. However, I think it unlikely -- at least this far out -- for the Saturday night rate to drop or the package to appear for that night as it seems to be the one night where all bets are off.

That's why the EEO cert is so valuable -- you only need to have the room be aviailable at a public rate for you to use it as the second night.

Good luck!

PS -- the deal you got is not bad at all! If all things were equal and I could not get the Marriott, I would go for the Hyatt Regency just across the way, as it likely will be FFN promotion time again!

The Fairmont and Swiss are about 1 block (two maybe?) east of the Magnificent Mile. Both of them are easy walking distance to everything down there... I know the Fairmont is very nice and is totally worth considering if good rates are turning up; never stayed at the Swiss...

I had previously used SUM for very good rates in Breckenridge in July the last couple years, then used it New Years Eve in Chicago (how's that for a date for a "summer" promotion, "spring into savings" ). No questions asked. Seems to be in their system for most weekends this year...Nor do the rate rules indicate you have to show anything. Go for it.

Cool... ^ I will add that one to my list of codes to check when I do weekend getaways. Thanks!!

For the same price, would you choose the Westin River North (including breakfast), the Fairmont, or the Swiss? I'm not familiar with any of these.

The Westin is centrally located and you can walk just about anywhere downtown. The other two properties are a little less convienent (but it depends on where you want to be).

If it were me, I'd probably go with the Fairmont because I know the Chicago property is a newer one and a very nice hotel. In general, I consider the Fairmont brand to be a step above the Westin brand, but I don't know the Westin Chicago firsthand. To compare to a Starwood, I'd say that W is their more comparable brand to a Fairmont.

No idea about the Swiss. I've never stayed in one in Chicago or elsewhere.

You can now book both the Marriott Mag and the Renn Chicago with the Summer Sleepover promotion @ $249/night.

That will get you breakfast for 2, the $100 bonus buck and the $50 United cert.

This should be combinable with the Twofer EEO or an existing bonus buck if you book for more than 1 day.

Good luck!