Hotel rate wiggle room? Discount sites vs. direct bookings
Apr 7th, 2008, 06:35 PM
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: Jun 2006
Posts: 2,433
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Hotel rate wiggle room? Discount sites vs. direct bookings
Maybe this is a silly question, but...
We're going to Thailand in what I can only assume will be high season for hotels (12/5-12/21). Some of our hotels (mostly the cheapest ones) are already booked through the hotel directly, as the rate from a discount booking site is arguable, at best.
But the more expensive ones (the Peninsula and the Rachamankha, for example) I'd rather book through a discount site like Sawadee.
As is always the case, December's rates aren't going to be published until at least September there. That's cutting things a little close for my taste, considering we're booking at a fairly busy time of year. Question then becomes: is it uncouth to hold a reservation with the hotel directly, then when Sawadee's rates become available, book with them and then cancel the direct hotel reservation upon confirmation? Only can assume that the hotel would be completely aware of the bait-and-switch. Have others done this? Does this compromise the level of service you get?
Again, I know--maybe a silly question--but just wondering...
As a side note: the prices on the Pen have SKYROCKETED! The hotel quoted me a rate of almost USD$365/night for a Grand Deluxe room when last year the same room was USD$265. The hotel is also switching over their billing rates this month to THB...sneaky little buggers. Suppose the time is right to make as much money off the weak dollar as possible. Wonderful for them, horrible for us.
We're going to Thailand in what I can only assume will be high season for hotels (12/5-12/21). Some of our hotels (mostly the cheapest ones) are already booked through the hotel directly, as the rate from a discount booking site is arguable, at best.
But the more expensive ones (the Peninsula and the Rachamankha, for example) I'd rather book through a discount site like Sawadee.
As is always the case, December's rates aren't going to be published until at least September there. That's cutting things a little close for my taste, considering we're booking at a fairly busy time of year. Question then becomes: is it uncouth to hold a reservation with the hotel directly, then when Sawadee's rates become available, book with them and then cancel the direct hotel reservation upon confirmation? Only can assume that the hotel would be completely aware of the bait-and-switch. Have others done this? Does this compromise the level of service you get?
Again, I know--maybe a silly question--but just wondering...
As a side note: the prices on the Pen have SKYROCKETED! The hotel quoted me a rate of almost USD$365/night for a Grand Deluxe room when last year the same room was USD$265. The hotel is also switching over their billing rates this month to THB...sneaky little buggers. Suppose the time is right to make as much money off the weak dollar as possible. Wonderful for them, horrible for us.
Apr 7th, 2008, 06:43 PM
#2
Join Date: Feb 2004
Posts: 5,034
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
I think that changing reservations to a cheaper option if it becomes available is logical.
The Peninsula will offer special rates for winter after summer...winter splendor. Also, save a little money by booking deluxe rather than grand deluxe...the only difference is floor, with deluxe being floor 9 and below, grand deluxe being floor 10 and up. Decor, layout, everything, is the same otherwise. 6 stays at the Peninsula Bangkok, all but one booked at deluxe level (deluxe suite and once deluxe room) and every time got a high floor upgrade. But in fact, we actually prefer to be lower rather than higher...find the view better and easier to see the river from lower.
See what a Virtuoso agent has to offer for the Peninsula. Last year, the Virtuoso rate was less than summer splendor and included breakfast daily, upgrade on arrival if available, late check out, and afternoon tea once per stay.
The Peninsula will offer special rates for winter after summer...winter splendor. Also, save a little money by booking deluxe rather than grand deluxe...the only difference is floor, with deluxe being floor 9 and below, grand deluxe being floor 10 and up. Decor, layout, everything, is the same otherwise. 6 stays at the Peninsula Bangkok, all but one booked at deluxe level (deluxe suite and once deluxe room) and every time got a high floor upgrade. But in fact, we actually prefer to be lower rather than higher...find the view better and easier to see the river from lower.
See what a Virtuoso agent has to offer for the Peninsula. Last year, the Virtuoso rate was less than summer splendor and included breakfast daily, upgrade on arrival if available, late check out, and afternoon tea once per stay.
Apr 7th, 2008, 07:11 PM
#4
Join Date: Aug 2003
Posts: 3,399
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
http://www.virtuoso.com/
You can go to that website and look up a travel agent. They specialize in luxury travel, and when you are a virtuoso member you can sometimes get special pricing or a room upgrade for clients. My ta does this for us with the 4 Seasons. Hope this helps.
You can go to that website and look up a travel agent. They specialize in luxury travel, and when you are a virtuoso member you can sometimes get special pricing or a room upgrade for clients. My ta does this for us with the 4 Seasons. Hope this helps.
Apr 7th, 2008, 07:43 PM
#5
Join Date: Jul 2004
Posts: 4,282
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
I have generally found that the discount sites don't do very well with the luxury hotels like the Penn. And you really are going at peak season. I generally find that it's better to deal with them directly. You're not going to be there the Christmas/New year week which is when the really fill up so you still might be able to get some sort of deal.
The Rachamankha, on the other hand, you should be able to get better prices on discount sites.
The Rachamankha, on the other hand, you should be able to get better prices on discount sites.
Apr 7th, 2008, 07:53 PM
#6
Join Date: Feb 2004
Posts: 5,034
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
You are right, discount agents often have higher prices than direct booking for luxury properties.
Virtuoso is not a discount site. Virtuoso is a network of travel agents which represent a select group of luxury hotels, cruises, vacations...It is competitive and highly selective to be a Virtuoso agent, and properties that are represented through Virtuoso must maintain high standards and customer satisfaction. Hotels/providers have contracted rates with benefits with Virtuoso, and in turn the Virtuoso agents sell to customers like us. In my experience, their negotiated rates are better than any others available.
Virtuoso is not a discount site. Virtuoso is a network of travel agents which represent a select group of luxury hotels, cruises, vacations...It is competitive and highly selective to be a Virtuoso agent, and properties that are represented through Virtuoso must maintain high standards and customer satisfaction. Hotels/providers have contracted rates with benefits with Virtuoso, and in turn the Virtuoso agents sell to customers like us. In my experience, their negotiated rates are better than any others available.
Jun 17th, 2008, 08:44 PM
#9
Join Date: Jun 2008
Posts: 4
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
its always better to book through the hotel directly.as because they can provide the best package i.e room rates might include breakfast and airport pick up which would save u around 50 us dollar.
then there are many luxury hotel near the new airport which are cheaper and not known as they are newly built. if people want to explore new areas then they should go for the second option nd everything is cheapper from food to bars and all things.............
then there are many luxury hotel near the new airport which are cheaper and not known as they are newly built. if people want to explore new areas then they should go for the second option nd everything is cheapper from food to bars and all things.............
Jun 17th, 2008, 10:24 PM
#12
Join Date: Apr 2005
Posts: 4,466
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Film
I know what you mean about the rates, i am finding the Pen to be very expensive. I have found the BEST pen rate at whatahotel.com (and you DONT prepay) i emailed the pen and they said i was best booking thru whatahotel as they couldnt match the rate.
I wanted a Balcony room and this comes under the "what a hotel special it includes breakfast, free upgrade (if available!!!) afternoon tea at Siam paragon.
maybe give them a shot?
I know what you mean about the rates, i am finding the Pen to be very expensive. I have found the BEST pen rate at whatahotel.com (and you DONT prepay) i emailed the pen and they said i was best booking thru whatahotel as they couldnt match the rate.
I wanted a Balcony room and this comes under the "what a hotel special it includes breakfast, free upgrade (if available!!!) afternoon tea at Siam paragon.
maybe give them a shot?
Jun 17th, 2008, 10:29 PM
#13
Join Date: Jul 2005
Posts: 2,844
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
More and more hotels are 'getting it' when it comes to the Internet, and giving their best rate on their site, rather than the rack rate they used to quote.
But, that said, I can't recall ever running into a hotel site whose rates included tax and service (10% + 7% in Thailand). You have to be sure to factor that in when comparing rates to a discount site that does include those (some do, some don't, you have to be sure to look).
But, that said, I can't recall ever running into a hotel site whose rates included tax and service (10% + 7% in Thailand). You have to be sure to factor that in when comparing rates to a discount site that does include those (some do, some don't, you have to be sure to look).
Jun 17th, 2008, 10:35 PM
#14
Join Date: Jun 2008
Posts: 4
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
on my wAY TO PHUKET I BOOKED A ROOM WITH AIPORT PICK UP AT HOTEL CALLED 13 COINS RESORT NEAR TO THE AIRPORT WITH PICK UP AND DROP WITH BREAKFAST FOR ONLY 1800 BAHT.......IT WAS DAMN CHEAP CONSIDERING THE ROOM.........THERE WERE SOME MOSQUITO IN THE LOBBY.BUT GREAT PLACE WITH LIVE MUSIC FOR STOPOVER..........I HAPPEN TO GET THE CONTACT FROM MY FRIEND WHO HAVE BEEN THERE. IT WORKED OUT TO CALL THE GUY DIRECTLY AND THE PRICE WAS NOTHING COMPARED TO THE FARE I HAVE BBEN PAYING FOR MY TAXIS WHEN I STOPOVER AT BANGKOK.........
Jun 17th, 2008, 11:01 PM
#15
Join Date: Feb 2004
Posts: 5,034
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
This very detailed trip report contains great information about the benefits of booking luxury hotels through a Virtuoso agent. Report included the Peninsula Bangkok and the Ritz Carlton Singapore reports. At both hotels, the two parties were given generous upgrades to suites in addition to the other Virtuoso amenities.
http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/showthread.php?t=834490
http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/showthread.php?t=834490
Jun 18th, 2008, 01:09 AM
#17
Join Date: Feb 2004
Posts: 5,034
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
I believe that www.whatahotel.com's bricks and mortar agency, Lorraine Travel, is a Virtuoso agent. They used to advertise the Virtuoso benefits on their whatahotel.com website, but it looks like Virtuoso either put a stop to that or they got kicked out of Virtuoso for doing it, not sure which. There is a Virtuoso agent that posts here, http://www.fodors.com/forums/threads...ons&fid=27
And, he is the one who the writer of the trip report used. He is a regular poster on flyertalk.com Luxury Hotels board as DavidO. Seems to be a good one, may be worth an e-mail.
And, he is the one who the writer of the trip report used. He is a regular poster on flyertalk.com Luxury Hotels board as DavidO. Seems to be a good one, may be worth an e-mail.
Thread
Original Poster
Forum
Replies
Last Post
16fletch
United States
16
Sep 21st, 2007 02:06 PM
