Don't Settle for Expensive Hotel Rooms!
Booking great hotels for vacation or business can be expensive if you don't know how to shop around to get the best deal. You must be a savvy shopper and work to find the best great hotels at the best price. It is important not to try to shop for a hotel at the last minute, but to spend time searching for the best deals as far in advance as possible. Remember that the longer you wait, the more likely you are to settle for the wrong deal!
Step 1
Shop online and compare rates. These days great hotels are all about rate comparison and competition! They want your business and will work hard to keep their prices competitive. Online rate comparisons are valuable in that they give you options of searching multiple hotel prices at once. You just plug your numbers and information in, and the engine pulls up results based on what you are looking for. You can then compare prices and choose the lowest price with the best quality.
Step 2
Many travelers are now bidding on their hotel rooms. This can be a great way to get a low cost room in some really great hotels. The way this system works, is that hotels want their rooms to be full. They don't want empty rooms because that looks bad for business. So, when they have empty rooms, they will post this on sites and bidding can start on the room. You can truly get a great room for way less than you would normally pay. The only issue with this is that it would basically have to be done last minute so this would not be advisable when planning a trip. It would be great for a last minute romantic weekend getaway!
Step 3
It never hurts to ask! That should be the motto of every hotel shopper. If you don't ask, you won't receive. Call up the hotel and let them know that you are interested in staying in their hotel. Ask about discounts and special rates and see what they offer. many great hotels do not advertise their specials, but will willingly offer you discounted rates for booking in advance with a deposit. If they refuse to offer you a discount, there are plenty of hotels that will.
Step 4
Ask for price matching from the hotel. Call the hotel and ask to speak with a manager. Let them know that you have found a similar hotel for a certain price and ask them would they be willing to price match or even go lower. You would be surprised what this type of haggling can get you in the way of deeply discounted great hotels rooms! This especially works in off season times. Don't be afraid to ask for price matching. Nine times out of ten, you will get what you ask for.
Step 5
Another way to get great savings on hotels is to stay at hotels that offer rewards programs. This is a great way for frequent travelers to earn free nights at hotels. Business travelers can quickly reap the benefits and rewards that many great hotels offer. When you stay at a hotel, ask about their rewards programs and see what they offer. Many hotels are now offering this service and it is free to join.
Tips
Don't settle for expensive rooms.
Book in advance.
Search for deals online.
Haggle for great prices.
Don't be afraid to ask.
Sources and Citations
www.hotwire.com
