Why Negotiate Your Hotel Room Directly
A whopping 25 percent of the cost of your entire reservation is typically paid by the hotel to on-line sites like Expedia, Orbitz or Travelocity.
Given the ongoing sluggish travel environment and the need for hotels to put heads in beds, you can most likely negotiate a better rate directly with the hotel property.
If you find a good deal through a site like Expedia, why not call the hotel directly and ask for that rate with an additional 15 percent discount.
Not only do you save more money on the deal you found, but the hotel comes out ahead by not having to pay the higher commission.
Haggling works to save you money.
In our recent, popular post Learn to Haggle For Travel, we reported that two-thirds of all people surveyed (by Consumer Reports) had tried negotiating in the past six months, and 90 percent of those had been successful. My point being that you are in good company, and you will most likely succeed.
If you can’t stomach negotiating, do one of the following:
Use one of your lifelines.
Phone a friend who negotiates well and see what he/she can do.
Consider Priceline.
Before making an offer, check Bidding for Travel, a site where people self-report their winning bid. As we’ve written before, this continues to work great here in Hawaii.
Keep in mind, however, that the hotel is likely paying about 25 percent of your reservation to Priceline. When you determine what the best Priceline deal is likely to be, you might still want to call the hotel directly and see what you can do.
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I found that not only haggling works, but signing up for a hotel’s frequent buyer program. I recently signed up for Fairmont’s program, and saved $190 per night off of their rack rate at the Fairmont Orchid (Big Island). This brought my rate down to $159 a night!
Now, that’s a deal.
I’ve noticed that many of the large hotel chain’s are offering discounts to their “loyal” members.
Hello!
Thanks for the advice. I’ll use it for sure.
On a pesudo-related note… I previously bugged you guys about flights to Maui for our honeymoon this September…
On the 2nd leg of our trip we’ll be on Kauai. Any favorite places we should consider staying? We’ll be there about a week and I’m not sure if I should trust the trip advisor ratings.
Thanks!
Mark
Another thing to try is using companies and/or websites that do not charge any fees for the use of their services. They are out there.
Hi Daniela,
I’m not sure I understand what you are referring to. Whether or not you are being charged a fee has nothing to do with whether money was paid (typically by the property) for a reservation going through that website.
Aloha, Jeff
Hi Mark,
I think it all comes down to preference, and I’ll happily share mine. I like the Kauai Sheraton. Older, motel-like, down to earth, somewhat funky and needing a makeover. Directly on a lovely beach and easy walking throughout Poipu. People report getting that for about $100/night on Priceline, which makes it a great deal. I don’t personally care for Hyatt. In an entirely different direction (in all senses) I also like the individually owned Hanalei Bay Villas. These are smaller individuals homes on the cliffs, best had through VRBO.
Aloha, Jeff
Good point that I forgot to mention. I do the same thing and it definitely helps a lot.
Thanks,
Jeff
Hi there! What about using discounthotelshawaii.com? I have only used them once (Fall, 2004) but they were able to get me a room at Ohana East for $60/night. I think they are reputable?
Narah
Hi Narah.
Thanks for the suggestion. I have never used them but wouldn’t be opposed to doing so.
Aloha, Rob