In Save Money by Not Making a Hotel Reservation, I discussed a Kiplinger's piece that said customers who arrive [at a hotel] without a reservation often pay less than those who book in advance. This said, I (along with many others) didn't really like the idea because we didn't like the potential of being stranded without a room for the night in case the hotel was booked (I also don't think I'd like to drive from place to place if they didn't offer me a low rate.) Anyway, one of the commenters had a solution on how to handle this issue:
You make a reservation and then walk into the hotel and before mentioning you have a reservation, simply find out how much it will be for your stay. I can't imagine if that told you it was cheaper, that they wouldn't give you a discount on the reservation price.
It's worth a try, isn't it? What has anyone got to lose doing this?
My wife and I are going to be staying at a hotel this weekend. We have a reservation, but I think I'll try this (as long as I can remember).
Posted by: mjmcinto | October 22, 2007 at 12:58 PM
Allways ask for discounts , AAA,Military .any thing you can think of
Posted by: SID | October 22, 2007 at 01:25 PM
After trying this, just wait to see how helpful hotel staff are...
Posted by: kurt | October 22, 2007 at 02:06 PM
Every reservation I've made requires me to cancel it by a certain time--5 or 6 p.m., or maybe even the day before, or face a one-night room and tax penalty.
So this strategy is only effective if you can walk in while you still have the option to cancel your reservation without penalty.
Posted by: MelMoitzen | October 23, 2007 at 10:53 AM
Has anyone ever tried, "Name Your Price" on priceline.com.
I needed to find a hotel in downtown Chicago two weeks ago and the absolute cheapest I could find in a halfway decent hotel was $230 (taxes included) @ the Best Western River North. Then I heard about this priceline.com strategy. You name the price you want to pay for the room. There is a catch however (isn't there always)
1. You choose a hotel rating (ie. 1 star, 2 star, 3 star, 4 star)
2. You choose a certain area you want to stay in (looks like a couple mile square radius)
3. You give your credit card # prior to knowing what hotel they pick. If they can book the room for your price you are immediately charged and cannot cancel the reservation.
Now I know that last one sounds bad, but here's how it worked for me. I put my the price I wanted to pay as $100 with a 3 star rating. Priceline charges $23 in fees and taxes. But it booked me a room in the 4 Star Sheraton along the Chicago River. By far the nicest hotel I've ever stayed in. The process was smooth and ended up not only saving me $100 but I stayed in a much much nicer hotel then the Best Western. Oh and I should also mention I booked this room a day before my stay and from what I've heard, you have better success booking this in the morning than in the evening.
Posted by: Eric G. | October 23, 2007 at 11:46 AM
Eric - thanks for the info. I have been leery to try Priceline since you don't know what you're getting until after, but I might have to try that next time. I went to Chicago last year and paid about $100 a night for a hotel by Midway. It worked out since it was close to the train, but staying downtown would have been nicer.
Posted by: Kevin | October 23, 2007 at 12:25 PM
Pretty cool I was quoted. Something to hang my cap on. :o)
Mel, I see your point, but that isn't what I was going for. I am not suggesting you make a reservation and jump around from hotel to hotel the night you are supposed to be staying over. Instead, it's just a quick and painless way of seeing if Marriot [fill in the blank] is willing to work with you. You were happy enough at $119/night to reserve the room to begin with, now all it takes is a quick question about the cost of the room as if you were off the street and if they tell you $109, then they must certainly will give you the lower price as it has worked for me.
Posted by: Zook | October 23, 2007 at 09:51 PM
As a hotel desk cleck my self this is probelly a good idea. We do not normally charge no shows, unless the entire hotel is booked, and espically if you come in late at night just try asking for a discount. I would rather sell you a room for a discount then have you walk out the door.
Posted by: Joe | November 29, 2007 at 12:09 AM