Opinions

Travel: Hotel Tips
By Mark W.(Oceanside@prodigy.net) - April 22, 2002

1. Asking for the lowest rate is again part of the secret weapon, but there is more involved here. But first, the rapport is even more important here, but you can't hang up if you get a dweeb. Unless you want to call back on another shift.

2. Many people that answer the phone at a hotel have a LOT of power to change rates. Filling rooms is the short term goal of hotels. That is why they want you there.

3. Hotels are very sensative to reports you have a cheaper rate at a similar level of hotel in the same area. I like to say, "I have a rate of $xx over at yyyyy, but I sure like your place. Are you able to come closer to their rate?" I have had Holiday Inn match a rate from much lower class hotels using this line.

4. Holiday Inns and Hampton Inns are very well regulated across the country. Ramada is like the other two were 10 years ago, sometimes great, sometimes smelly. I don't ususally stay at the cheaper or pricier hotels. I get the cheapest rates at reliable chains.

5. Use the web sites of the hotels to search a lot of rates in an area.

6. Sign up for hotel clubs. You don't have to stay a lot before they reward you for loyalty. Holiday Inn was the first club to be great. Now the Hampton/Hilton group is also great. Ramada still stinks, good luck getting credit for your stays. Worse with HoJos. Marriott is a tiny bit confusing, but good once you are established. (Marriott has a collection of clubs, make sure you get one card for all the hotels with all your points on that one card.)

7. Hotel coupons usually DO work and work great. Entertainment, AAA, 2 for 1, the books you get at Dennys and Shoneys. For example, I checked 7 hotels in the NYC to find one that took a 2/1 coupon in a great part of town. I only got 2/1 on a higher rate, but the final price was about $50 less per day than a discount rate.

8. When you arrive, ask for an upgraded room. You might get it.

9. Check your bill the day before you check out. Have any charge you did not agree to removed.

10. Like airfares and cars, the rates go up a LOT the closer you get you get to your arrival date. BUT, unlike the other two, if a room is available at the last minute, it can be very cheap. So you can recall the hotels 1 week and 2 weeks before your trip. If the hotels have too many open rooms, low rates kick in.