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Hotel Deals by Surfing the Net

Getting the Best Hotel Deals by Surfing the Internet.


By Co-founder, Robert G. Brost

Everyone talks about how travel is made cheaper through the Internet but, if you are like many, figuring out exactly how to get some of those savings is rather confusing. The Internet has changed so much about how we shop, particularly when we shop travel.

One area of confusion is getting the best hotel prices - there is a real trick to doing this right. Although it's widely acknowledged that going online will always get you're the best price, what is left out is how. Here is an approach that works for us.

  • If you do not know about the hotel alternatives where you are going, get the most recent Zagat Survey of US Hotels, Resorts and Spas. Although this covers mostly upscale properties, many can be found discounted on the Internet and Zagat gives a good profile of the selection.
  • Go online to Quikbook.com and Hotels.com. There is some overlap but deals found on one aren't always on the other. You can narrow down your choices. You can book online if you want but we prefer to go on a few more steps.
  • Compare prices for those properties on Expedia.com, Orbitz.com, and Travelweb.com (a recent site owned by the hotels instead of third parties). The usability of these Internet sites varies widely, some being faster and friendlier than others but you will get more information. But don't buy yet!!
  • Now go to the web sites of the hotels you are interested in directly. Chains have had some success luring buyers back with tactics like "best price guarantees" - assurances that travelers can book right on the hotel's site and know they're still getting the best rate. Some even offer additional discounts if you manage to find the room for less somewhere else. But be careful: It can be hard to get refunds from online agencies, so always keep printouts of the confirmation number and all transactions and know what the different policies are. For example, Priceline.com and Hotwire.com give no refunds, period; Hotels.com charges a fee for all cancellations, while Quikbook.com only charges if you miss the hotel's cancellation window.
  • Once you get all the Internet rates, call the hotels directly. Not the 800 number because those operators can't negotiate, but rather the on-site manager at the actual unit you are interested in. Ask for special rates for AAA or AARP discounts, corporate rates (you never know), advance purchase or specials for longer stays. Though we don't advocate cheating, some travelers make reservations for weeks longer than they'll stay to lock in a lower rate or to get a day that might be sold out and then cancel the extra time (you didn't read it here!!).
  • Still can't get a rate you're happy with? Then it's time to gamble by booking with Priceline.com or Hotwire.com. Both sites let you state a desired neighborhood and type of property (a four star hotel near North Michigan Avenue in Chicago, for example). At Priceline, you've also got to name the price you are willing to pay. If there's a match, it spits out the reservation - but you are obligated to pay for it, like it or not. Hotwire offers up a price, but won't tell you your hotel's name before requiring you to commit. There are now ways, however, to take some of the guesswork out of the process. Many travelers, for example, consult Biddingfortravel.com, a site where people post their recent successful bids. One traveler claims that on Priceline he landed a room at the Beverly Hilton at $86 a night.

We're not done yet!! Additional notes:

  • Ask about those "extras". There's no point in spending all that time looking for a lower rate if you just eat up the savings with on-site charges. The biggest add-ons to a hotel bill are taxes, so inquire first to avoid surprises. Next is parking (averages about $15 a night but can be as much as $50 in a place like New York); look for garages or parking options nearby before you go. Phone charges are another outrage. Never dial long distance (use your cell). Even 800 numbers cost $2. It pays to monopolize the pay phones in the lobby.
  • Beware of the "group rate" myth. Even if you're traveling as a part of a group-for a convention or other special event-don't always go for the group rate. Most people assume they're getting the best price that way, but increasingly that isn't the case. Official rates are often higher because event organizers need to make tradeoffs in order to reserve the big meeting rooms in the hotel.
  • Go off-peak. It may sound obvious that going off season is a way to save money on hotel rates, but most people can't get past the downsides, such as the seasonal weather. But there are off-seasons that aren't so uncomfortable, where the benefits outweigh the negatives. Do a little homework on your destination as to exactly how bad is it during the off-season: Scottsdale and Hawaii in the summer, Alaska in the winter. You may be surprised.

Sign up on our E-mail list list to be notified of other new travel tips. Meanwhile, I hope you'll share your travel tales, experiences, likes and dislikes with us at: travel stories and travel tips.

Please let me know how I can assist you with your travel needs.

Cheers,

Annette
President & Co-founder



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