| Some people just book the regular rate, some people | | | | people in the hotel at worthless rates, then have |
| just book the internet rates, some people get | | | | nothing at all. |
| packages. I believe the easiest way to get a deal at | | | | The downside to looking only for the cheapest |
| a hotel is at the last minute on the internet. The way | | | | rooms is missing out on the rewards clubs and |
| the hotel works is at a certain point they sell only | | | | upgrades. The truth of the matter is, that if you are |
| high rates, when they have figured out that they will | | | | only booking rooms on the internet for price, then |
| not be able to sell out with the high rates, they open | | | | you probably have never stayed in a nice room. It is |
| up the floodgates for the cheap rates such as | | | | of not advantage of the hotel to upgrade |
| Priceline, Hotels.com, or one of the many other | | | | price-hunters and people with no loyalty. What a |
| hundreds of travel discount websites. Don't get me | | | | hotel chain is looking for is loyalty, someone they can |
| wrong these websites are great for last minute | | | | have back and isn't just there for the cheap room. |
| business as it gives the hotel a strong push to sell | | | | So, if you book your room for a great rate 2 hours |
| out often. | | | | before you show up, do not expect a room on a |
| So, naturally the question that arises is "how do I get | | | | high floor, with a great view, with even the bed |
| the best rates." What is the best deal of the day? | | | | configuration that you want. You get what you pay |
| The answer is with due diligence on the internet. If | | | | for. |
| price is your only concern when booking then the | | | | Finding deals in the travel industry has never been |
| internet is the way to go. I recommend finding hotels | | | | easier. There are a million travel websites, including |
| that are not particularly busy on the night and book | | | | some cool new one deal at a time sites that offer |
| through the internet booking engines. If a hotel is | | | | the craziest deals on cruises, flights, rooms, etc... It is |
| busy they are going to mark up the rates and not | | | | a travelers market right now. If you want to go |
| offer the great deals. If a hotel is slow, they let the | | | | somewhere make sure you check numerous sources |
| booking engines sell rooms for pretty much no profit. | | | | on the internet, because just because they say low |
| In the industry there is a saying that we just need to | | | | rate guaranteed, does not mean that that is the |
| get "heads in beds". This is the philosophy that no | | | | lowest rate. Good luck finding those deals. |
| matter how cheap the rate is, it is better to have | | | | |