Any tips for calling in to make hotel reservations?

[LizzyS]

I pretty much always make our hotel reservations online, but the Red Lion's website is not currently cooperating with letting me schedule our dates for next year (February 22-29), so I think I'm going to call them tonight or tomorrow morning because I really like to lock down my plans when I've decided I'm going on a trip.

If they quote me higher than what I've seen on the travel websites, hotels generally match that rate, right?

Also, they'll send me an e mail confirmation even though I'm booking via phone, correct?

Any other tips I'm not thinking of would be greatly appreciated.

 

[lalasmama]

They may or may not match the travel website prices. It's largely dependent on the website quoted. For instance, I haven't found a chain that will price-match Get Away Today. But they should pruce-match from their iwn company/brabd website withiut issue.

 

[SteveH]

Generally I've found that they will not match other travel websites on price. Reasons are some of those sites buy rooms in bulk and take the risk of selling the rooms, not the hotel itself. They also don't have to give out reward points or other benefits. Sites like Priceline and Hotwire will definatly not be mached, but even sites like Expedia.com, Orbitz.com, Travelocity.com, Hotels.com may not be matched either.

That said, it never hurts to try, just don't be shocked if they decline.

 

[Cal-Pie]

They may or may not match the travel website prices. It's largely dependent on the website quoted. For instance, I haven't found a chain that will price-match Get Away Today. But they should pruce-match from their iwn company/brabd website withiut issue.

Out of curiosity, which hotels have you found better rates with GAT? Aside from a couple occasionally awesome rates at Homewood or Courtyard Water park, I've always found their rates higher than booking directly online.

 

[LizzyS]

Thanks, guys!

The reason I asked is because I've known someone who worked at a hotel before and said a lot of times they would match rates, but that might have been hotel specific.

 

[lalasmama]

Out of curiosity, which hotels have you found better rates with GAT? Aside from a couple occasionally awesome rates at Homewood or Courtyard Water park, I've always found their rates higher than booking directly online.

GAT frequently does a "Stay 3 nights, get 4th night free" promotions. I didn't realize/know that it was a GAT thing. The pricing looked amazing because of the deal! This has happened woth Springhill and Castle Inn; call to see if the company will price match and I'm told they don't honor/price match against 3rd party booking sites.

 

[theluckyrabbit]

If you find a better rate online, take a screen shot of the page and/or print out a hard copy of the page. It can really help your argument. Sometimes the front desk rep or sales agent will ask to see proof of an exceptionally low rate, even if it came from the hotel's own website. We've had that happen three times: once with Hilton, with Intercontinental, and with Sheraton. Each time, booking the rate was fine; but at check in, the front desk rep did not want to honor the special rate and all the extras included. When we produced the hard copy of the rate and everything it included (and remembered who we spoke with on the phone) and showed it to a manager, the rate was honored. (And we didn't return to those hotels again.)

 

[darph nader]

Except for using GAT,I just call the hotel direct and ask if they can beat Tripadvisor rate.. i also write down the date,time and who I talked to.

 

[Pamela M]

Out of curiosity, which hotels have you found better rates with GAT? Aside from a couple occasionally awesome rates at Homewood or Courtyard Water park, I've always found their rates higher than booking directly online.

That was going to be suggestion. I find the best rates by going directly through the sites. Also consider signing up for their loyality memberships- sometimes you’ll get a deal just for being a member.

 

[Indiana Scott]

If you've ever stayed there before, let them know it and you may get a further discount.

 

[LizzyS]

Thanks for the tips all, but I called and they had no availability for my time frame, so I booked elsewhere (Best Western Plus Anaheim Inn).

 

[Sue M]

Wow I’m surprised that they’d be totally booked up already for February!
As to price match, both Marriotts and Hilton hotels have a corporate policy of price matching. It’s not done by the individual hotel at check in. You are asked to fill out an online form with a screen shot and submit it to corporate headquarters. It’s getting harder to find cheaper prices online at least with Marriott and Hilton because I think they look at those other sites. When they price match you also get an extra 10% off.

Also wherever you book, keep checking. Rates fluctuate. For our stay at The Anaheim Plaza in August the rates have dropped several times, for a total of $300 for my 6 night stay. So I call when rates drop and have my price adjusted. When I looked yesterday it went up again by $100!