How to Compare Hotel Discounts
- 1). Call the 800 number on the hotel's website. When the agent answers, ask for the phone number for the specific hotel in the city where you will be staying. Call that number and be ready to negotiate. Ask for the lowest price they can give you. Do not be afraid to ask again if the price does not seem reasonable. You may not get the bottom-dollar price unless you are persistent.
- 2). Know that the first price the desk clerk quotes will probably be the rack room rate, unless you ask for a discount. This is comparable to the sticker price on an automobile at a car dealership. If you don't ask for a discount, you probably won't get it.
- 3). Negotiate with the desk clerk in a polite, respectful manner. Most are authorized to give discounts, but if the person you are speaking with does not have the authority, ask to speak with a manager.
- 4). Use every available perk you can think of to receive a discount. Seasonal, weekend, promotional, senior, organization and club discounts are available. Discounts are given for certain credit cards, travel reward programs and military or government employees. You may be eligible for a discounts if you are a member of AARP or AAA or other such organizations. Do not be afraid to speak up; hotel clerks are used to these kinds of negotiations.
- 5). Visit websites that specialize in travel discounts such as Travelocity, Expedia and Quikbook. Websites such as these often have the best deals, but don't book a room until you have made your phone call to the hotel in your destination. Be sure to check prices on the hotel's website, too. Many hotels don't want to be underbid by the online travel agencies.
- 6). Use discount coupons you can find in travel magazines or on travel websites. Don't expect the final price to be significantly lower; often these are just a percentage off the rack room rates. You can do considerably better by getting some other form of discount. Ask about hotel amenities such as free Internet, local calls and breakfast. Ask whether parking is free or whether any service charges or city or county taxes are added on.
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