Rack rates?

Old Jan 27th, 2005, 07:07 PM
  #1  
Original Poster
 
Join Date: Feb 2003
Posts: 1,392
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Rack rates?

I have a question. In the US I would never just pay the 'rack rate' for a hotel. There is always a way to get a discount. Yet, in Europe, I just go with what is on the website or quoted to us. Is there room for negotiation on hotel rooms in Europe?
rbnwdln is offline  
Old Jan 28th, 2005, 06:14 AM
  #2  
ira
 
Join Date: Jan 2003
Posts: 74,699
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Hi rbn,

>Is there room for negotiation on hotel rooms in Europe? <

Of course. Especially in the off-season.

However, if you are planning on a smaller hotel in season it is highly unlikely.

ira is offline  
Old Jan 28th, 2005, 07:29 AM
  #3  
 
Join Date: Nov 2004
Posts: 6,260
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
"There is always a way to get a discount..."

Really? ALWAYS?????

Hey, bottle this, Baby, put it on the internet and you'll make millions.

Simply contact the hotel and ask them to give you their "best" rate. Whether or not you end up negotiating or the hotel lets you THINK you are "negotiating" is anyone's guess.

Intrepid1 is offline  
Old Jan 28th, 2005, 07:44 AM
  #4  
 
Join Date: Apr 2004
Posts: 52
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
For small family owned hotels, contact them directly and tell them you'll pay ca$h, it's gotten us some good discounts.
mr_milione_miglia is offline  
Old Jan 28th, 2005, 07:51 AM
  #5  
Original Poster
 
Join Date: Feb 2003
Posts: 1,392
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Unfortunately, we are going to Rome and Amalfi in high season, so I'm guessing the quoted rate is the going rate. I DID ask if there was a discount for booking two rooms. The Due Torri claimed that 190E IS a discounted rate. Maybe......
rbnwdln is offline  
Old Jan 28th, 2005, 08:27 AM
  #6  
 
Join Date: Jan 2003
Posts: 4,500
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
You can certainly try. Last September (a busy time in Bologna) we asked the Hotel Baglioni if we could have the weekend rate for the additional three non-weekend nights we wanted to stay. (The weekend rate was 50% of the regular rate.) To my astonishment they agreed to what I thought was an outrageous request.
Marija is offline  
Old Jan 28th, 2005, 09:58 AM
  #7  
 
Join Date: Feb 2004
Posts: 14,748
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
rbnwdln

I have been told the same thing by the Due Torri: that 190 E is a discounted rate! I love the location, but it seems high to me for that hotel.

I have begged the Portoghesi for "best rates" as a returning customer, bring friends, recommending them, etc. We are always quoted the "rack rate."

I just haven't had luck in Italy getting any discounts. I did ask the Hotel de Varenne in Paris to include the breakfast, which was extra, in our rate, and they agreed.
tuscanlifeedit is offline  
Old Jan 28th, 2005, 10:42 AM
  #8  
 
Join Date: Oct 2004
Posts: 2,198
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
A few years ago I had a job that required me to travel a lot so I started playing a game to see if I could talk my way up to first class or get a better rate at the hotel. I figured that the worst that could happen to me was I ended up paying the same rate or sitting in the same coach seat.

To my surprise I ended up flying first class about a third of the time, I got many hotel upgades and even a few free nights. Not bad just for asking with a smile.
AisleSeat is offline  
Old Jan 28th, 2005, 11:32 AM
  #9  
 
Join Date: Sep 2004
Posts: 364
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts


And here I didn't even know that racks had rates. Unless..... well, never mind.

--Marv
Infotrack is offline  
Old Jan 29th, 2005, 01:40 AM
  #10  
 
Join Date: Jan 2003
Posts: 7,021
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
I recently got 8 nights for the price of 6 in the Dolomites.

Many hotels give a discount there in low season.

Steve
Steve_James is offline  
Related Topics
Thread
Original Poster
Forum
Replies
Last Post
Madison
Europe
4
Mar 30th, 2007 03:59 AM
edburn3
United States
9
Apr 15th, 2005 12:24 PM
Feiny
United States
4
Mar 13th, 2003 02:16 PM
Just Wondering
United States
16
Aug 26th, 2002 07:51 PM

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off
Trackbacks are Off
Pingbacks are Off
Refbacks are On


Thread Tools
Search this Thread

Contact Us - Manage Preferences - Archive - Advertising - Cookie Policy - Privacy Statement - Do Not Sell or Share My Personal Information -