Posted by Guest Author | Posted in Travel | Posted on 25-04-2011
Plan your vacations on off seasons, Hotel rates, even airline and car rental rates are lower during this time due to lower demand. You can get as much as a 50% discount if you book a room during off season, so try and call the hotel if they have off season discounts and ask them when the discounts will be effective.
Some hotels give discounts to certain people like students, military contingents, Senior citizens, honeymooners etc. Ask for these discounts and what their details, you can save a lot with these.
Ask if your kids can stay for free, if you’re with your family, sometimes hotels can allow up to two kids for a two bed room provided that the kids are within the age limit.
Name-your-price websites work like auction sites, and a lot are available for certain types of car rentals and hotel reservations. They do all the negotiation on your behalf, though this is recommended if you have no specific preferences.
Some hotels and even car rental companies, give “free days” if you use their services for more than a week. If you’re planning to stay a while, this could help.
Make sure that the room fees are the only ones you’re paying for. There are hotels that have all sorts of secret charges that suddenly appear to shock the customers when they check out. Always read the fine print and know what you’re getting into – understand all the charges you have to pay for, and if you have to pay extra when you shouldn’t, you shouldn’t be paying.
Also ask the hotel about exchanging an expiring mileage card or one that you don’t wish to use anymore – you just might be able to trade in your frequent flier miles for hotel reservations.
Dealing with the hotel involves a lot of strategic negotiation, and one tool you can use to your advantage is free airport pickup. Free pickup could give you something worth it even if you pay full price at the end of the day.
If you have no choice or would really have to travel during peak season, reserve well in advance, because rates get higher as the calendar draws closer to peak season.
Sometimes, weekend rates are lower than regular fees, or vice versa, ask your agent, or ask the hotel yourself if they have these, then you can schedule your trip during these times and be able to avail of the discount.
And just when you thought we forgot all about it, here’s the most important thing you have to ask the hotel for – a confirmation number, to make sure you don’t get cheated out of your room.
An aig travel insurance policy should be part of every trip.
