Learn To Haggle For Travel

Are you negotiating your travel deals?

I am and it looks like I’m not alone. A survey of over 2,000 households  conducted by the Consumer Reports National Research Center, indicates that two-thirds of those sampled have tried haggling in just the past six months.  Even more surprising perhaps is that of those who negotiated deals, more than 90 percent reported achieving a lower price on at least one item.

Here are some things I’ve succesfully negotiated recently:

• Reduced hotel rates (by calling or emailing properties directly).
• Additional services (better car, free driver, room and suite upgrades).
• Shopping (even on Tommy Bahama clothes at Macy’s Waikiki).
• Shipping.  I needed to send some furniture between Hawaii and the mainland, and just negotiated a 35 percent reduction.
• Priceline.  Here I’ve negotiated hotels (Hawaii Prince for example), and car rentals.

My tips to get the best negotiated travel deal:

• Remember that the on-line travel agencies charge hotels up to 30 percent of your total booking.  This leaves a lot of room to negotiate by calling the hotel directly.  For example, you may want to try for a 20 percent discount and the hotel still comes out ahead.

• Ask politely without being demanding.  People will be more willing to listen to you.  Sometimes I’ll start with, “forgive me for asking.”

• If in person, try to negotiate without other people hearing.

• Be reasonable.  Have a fair negotiation in mind that will likely be acceptable.  Bidding for travel is a great place to see what others have successfully negotiated on Priceline.

I’m looking forward to hearing about your negotiations.