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GETTING THE BEST DEAL
How could a stay at a
more expensive Hotel provide an even cheaper vacation than staying
at a discount Hotel?
How can I save money
on my room rates?
What other types of
special discount programs are available?
How can I find other
businesses that have partnered with my Hotel to provide me even
greater rewards for using their services?
How can I get a good
rate if I dont have a reservation?
What does the term
"rack rate" mean?
What should I know
about rack rates and discounts?
What does it mean if
I have a coupon that states a rate "with coupon at check in", "space
available" and/or walk-in only?
How could a stay at a more expensive Hotel provide an
even cheaper vacation than staying at a discount Hotel?
When comparing rates, look at the
whole package. The answers to the questions below could reveal that
the more expensive Hotel has included many services in their rate
that will reduce other areas of your vacation budget. So, depending
on your plans, the more expensive Hotel might provide a less
expensive vacation.
Are any meals included with your
stay?
If the breakfast is included, does
that mean cold cereal or a whole buffet?
Are there any special deals for
children?
Are there any special deals for
seniors?
Does the Hotel provide free in room
coffee, morning newspapers or complimentary evening cocktails?
Does the Hotel have excellent pool,
fitness or tennis facilities that could provide a cheap day of
entertainment by just hanging around the Hotel?
Does the Hotel have a golf, tennis or
spa package that will save you over booking these items separately?
Is the Hotels location particularly
good, or does the Hotel have a shuttle service that could save you
lots of cab fare or even eliminate the need for a rental car?
Remember a shuttle service will also save you parking fees and gas.
Does the Hotel have laundry services
or the ability to loan out irons, ironing boards, hair dryers or
voltage converters if needed to help lessen your luggage needs?
Does the Hotel have other amenities
available such as in room coffee makers, refrigerators or even
kitchenettes that could save you money in your food budget?
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How can I save money
on my room rates?
Make your reservation as soon as you
have decided on travel plans. A limited amount of the cheapest rates
are only usually available to the first few that reserve on a
particular date; and they go quickly.
Being flexible about your travel
plans can save you money.
The best rates are found during the
off-season and at other times when the Hotel tends to have empty
rooms. Business Hotels in the downtown area will often have specials
on the weekend when their customers are home. Resorts often have
specials during the week.
Ask about weekly rates or weekend
specials.
Ask about suites. The Hotel might
have a suite available to meet your needs that would be less
expensive than two separate rooms. Remember to check on the bathroom
arrangement, you may find having only one bathroom too limiting.
Shopping the Internet can be the
quickest and easiest way to compare many Hotels rates to find the
best deals.
Check into booking your room through
a consolidator, they buy large blocks of rooms and often will pass
their large discounts on to the individual consumer.
You can check the national chains
800 number and also check with the Hotel directly, since one
operator may be offering a special of which the other is unaware.
ASK, if this is the best rate they have available.
Check into booking your vacation as a
package. You might be able to save by booking your room along with a
certain airline, rental car or attraction ticket package.
You can apply coupons, but read the
coupons carefully for exceptions and their terms of use.
Apply any special discount programs
for which you are eligible.
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What other types of special discount programs are
available?
Check for special deals with your
memberships, associations or clubs.
Memberships in premium clubs, loyalty
or frequent flyer programs can offer discounts.
Some credit cards have special
discount agreements with certain Hotels.
Package discounts can be found when
booking your room with a certain airline, rental car or attraction
ticket package.
Discounts are often available for age
groups, young and old, as well as, for students.
Group discounts are available if you
are bringing your friends.
Discounts are often available for
government, military or corporate employees. Some Hotels will even
extend these discounts during leisure travel.
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How can I find other
businesses that have partnered with my Hotel to provide me even
greater rewards for using their services?
Check out your Hotels web site. They
should have a list of other businesses they have partnered with that
can reward you with bonus points or miles and discounts or other
special offers. These other businesses are usually found on your
Hotels web site in a special travel partners section or they can be
listed under their membership program section as participants or
partners.
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How can I get a good
rate if I dont have a reservation?
Calling rather than showing up can be
a better way to get the cheapest rates when you dont have a
reservation. If youre calling, they know its easy for you to keep
calling around to look for a better deal so they may encourage you
to come in by quoting their best deal. If you come in, the Hotel
might quote a higher rate. They know youll be less likely to leave
just to shop around for a better rate, especially if you have that
sleepy face.
Tell them you are calling around and
ask for the best rates that they have available.
If there are extra rooms out there,
you can remind the Hotel that something is better than nothing.
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What does the term
"rack rate" mean?
A rack rate refers to the maximum or
full price the Hotel will charge for the room. Of course, you'll
want to avoid paying the full rack rate and try to find a discount
on the room. You should be able to find the rack rate posted in the
room, it is usually on the backside of your rooms door.
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What should I know
about rack rates and discounts?
Some coupons are only good for a
percentage off the highest full or "rack" rates, so using them might
end up costing you more than making a regular reservation without
them. When you find a coupon or discount program that gives you a
discount off the full or rack rate, check the currently available
regular rate for the room. The current rate may already be lower
than what the discount or coupon offers.
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What does it mean if I
have a coupon that states a rate "with coupon at check in", "space
available" and/or walk-in only?
This is a coupon with limited uses so
youll need to read the fine print for exceptions carefully. The
rate probably wont be honored with a reservation.
Note that space available may not be
the same as rooms available. Hotels will often limit the number of
these coupons that they will accept at any one time. Even though
they may have rooms available at walk-in, they may still deny the
rate on the coupon since the space available for the coupon rate is
full.
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