How to Save Money Booking a Hotel Room

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By survivoryea
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Save Money Booking a Hotel Room

Booking your hotel room is done after you have planned your trip and have decided the length of your stay. Pick a hotel that is close to the attraction or area you would like to visit. In most cases, it is best to be in a smaller hotel close to your planned area than in a mega-hotel on the outskirts of town. Getting a good deal on the cost of your room is a talent it pays to develop. Here are a few of the strategies to help you get a good room rate.

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Instructions

Step 1

The first step on finding the best rate is to search online for the hotels in the area you wish to stay. This will give you a starting point for collecting the information you need to compare the different hotels. Use the list of possible hotels to get prices from online sites such as Expedia, Travelocity and Hotels.com just to name a few. Now you have a great comparison rate list.
Step 2

The next thing you should do is check each hotels web site. Sometimes there are specials and promotions offered on their site that you will not get anywhere else.
Check and see if they have a corporate rate - you can use this even on a personal trip if you work for a corporation.
Step 3

The last step is to call the hotel directly. You must be bold when on the phone with the hotel. Ask them right up front what offers they can give you. Never take the first rate that is offered, this is known as the 'rack rate' and is the highest. Keep a friendly negotiation going until you get a good rate. Remember,they get no money for an empty room, they need your business.

Tips & Warnings

Negotiating for a good room rate can be fun, keep at it, it does pay off.
Any problem at all, ask for the manager who can sometime offer you a better price and
an upgrade!
Make sure to call the hotel directly - not the 1-800 reservation number!