All you Travel agents out there I need your advice!

[lazy daisy]

Hi , I am trying to reserve a hotel room in the gaslamp quarter in san diego during a comic convention and all the hotels are blocked for travel planners to assist conventioneers to get rooms. We tried to get a room in the lottery but missed out, I can try again 4/23, but Id rather not have to wait again only to be turned down again 48 hours later. It is extremely frustrating. The rates are good, but its sooo aggravating and its unlikely Ill get something. Anyway I just want to book a room, it doesn't have to be convention rate but most hotels have blocked online so you cant book a room right now and anything that is available is 690-1500 a night for a room that usually goes for 250. I know that rooms will later open up but I want to get it book so we can make plans. My question is do any of you travel agents have any idea how long hotels block the rooms and when I can expect them to open up online to general public? Or any tips on how I can get a room with out going thru travel planners(which is basically impossible) I really would like to book the marriot marquis and marina but the rooms are 690 a night and non refundable, I cant justify spending that when I know the convention rate is 288. Any tips or suggestions is appreciated! Thanks in advance!

 

[Kitzka]

I hate to be the bearer if bad news but your only choice is to go through the lottery. I work for a company who attends SDCC every year. The company that organizes the convention has agreements with all of the hotels in the gas lamp district to hold all of the rooms for SDCC. So no one else can book these.

The convention books the hotels through the lottery as well as to those attending the convention (exhibitors). But the convention also holds a certain number of rooms for themselves for the guests of the convention. Basically those who are on panels, the actors, movie people, pop culture people etc. the organizers don't always know if movie studio A will be sending 3 or 6 people from a movie. So they hold 6 rooms. When it's confirmed that only 4 people are attending or need rooms then they release he other 2. The same thing happens with exhibitors. My company typically dwarves 40 rooms for people manning our booths, the higher ups who attend, and our guests on panels. Last year we used all 40 rooms but the year before we only used 39.

We are not guaranteed that rooms will be guaranteed at the same hotel. Only that they will be the same category. If extra staff attends then they share rooms.

I have never gone for work but the one time I went I was not able to get a room in the gas lamp district on my own. I had to book closer to the hotel and take a cab in. Others stayed a bit closer and took the trolley.

I think you should try and book a room at a price you are comfortable with and then cancel if you get one of the hotels in or near the gas lamp district.

Hope his helps.

 

[Kitzka]

Sorry I can't edit on the app. I wanted to add that the closer hotels make you pay upfront because they don't want you to reserve a room for $600 and then get a cheaper rate through the lottery and then cancel. SDCC has negotiated the cheaper price with them and they are always looking to make more money .

I know the hotels in that area always sell out. I have to travel out there for work 4 times a year and never go in July. It's just way too expensive.

 

[lazy daisy]

I hate to be the bearer if bad news but your only choice is to go through the lottery. I work for a company who attends SDCC every year. The company that organizes the convention has agreements with all of the hotels in the gas lamp district to hold all of the rooms for SDCC. So no one else can book these.

The convention books the hotels through the lottery as well as to those attending the convention (exhibitors). But the convention also holds a certain number of rooms for themselves for the guests of the convention. Basically those who are on panels, the actors, movie people, pop culture people etc. the organizers don't always know if movie studio A will be sending 3 or 6 people from a movie. So they hold 6 rooms. When it's confirmed that only 4 people are attending or need rooms then they release he other 2. The same thing happens with exhibitors. My company typically dwarves 40 rooms for people manning our booths, the higher ups who attend, and our guests on panels. Last year we used all 40 rooms but the year before we only used 39.

We are not guaranteed that rooms will be guaranteed at the same hotel. Only that they will be the same category. If extra staff attends then they share rooms.

I have never gone for work but the one time I went I was not able to get a room in the gas lamp district on my own. I had to book closer to the hotel and take a cab in. Others stayed a bit closer and took the trolley.

I think you should try and book a room at a price you are comfortable with and then cancel if you get one of the hotels in or near the gas lamp district.

Hope his helps.

Thank you it does help! This year we got tickets but fighting for hotel, such a battle! Thanks