Anyone else find that calling hotel directly is cheapest?
 

For years I've been using various travel websites like Orbitz, Expedia, etc. and AAA discounts and was always able to find a price better than that offered directly by the hotel. Lately I've been finding cheaper rates directly through the hotel. I'm wondering if, aside from priceline and hotwire, if there are other ways to get better rates? Has any else noticed this trend too?

Yes, this is what we do as well. A couple years ago, I did come across a cheaper rate online, but when I called the hotel they met that rate. Even here in Portland where the visitors association has specials that include parking and breakfast, most hotels have that same offer.

hlsam, definitely! You get the best rate AND you don't have the cancellation hassles/policies, if there's a problem, that you can get with Orbitz or Expedia.

The problem I've encountered with this, is that it is darn hard sometimes to find their website so that I can call direct.

Now that we're retired, we take longer trips and often prefer to keep the schedule as open-ended as possible. We'll make reservations for the first and last nights, and also it it is a "special" place we don't want to miss (like El Tovar at the Grand Canyon). On our most recent trip, I got an excellent rate directly from the hotel in Sedona (our first night). We had reserved one night outside of Zion National Park via the web, and once we were there we were so pleased with the room AND the rate, that we extended it for two more nights at the desk. Everywhere else (including Taos and Santa Fe as well as a couple stops along the way) we pulled into town early in the afternoon and stopped in places we'd identified before leaving as potentials, and took the best deals we got at the desk. In every case they were better than offered online (I checked when we got back).

It helps, of course, if you aren't traveling during peak seasons -- and we were careful to stay Friday & Saturday nights in the same place . That also seems to make it easier to get a good rate - if you are staying more than one night (particularly on a weekend).

I always deal directly with the hotel. I'm not sure if I get the rock-bottom rate, but I feel more secure having made my arrangements with a real person, who works at the hotel (rather than an internet middleman with no human contact).

If you see a rate you like online, call the hotel directly and ask them to match it. They'll appreciate the direct booking by not having to pay commission to those sites.

A friend of mine worked the night desk at a Holiday Inn (a busy, but not touristy area). He said people came in all the time saying the rate was cheaper on the internet. My friend was not allowed to match it (manager's instructions). Management felt that it was night and people would probably just stay and he was right. When people called my friend would just tell them that it the rate was lower to just use the internet!

If you deal with a chain hotel, then it's best to book with their on line site.

Most have the lowest rate guarantee.

For example, I have found that calling the Chicago Hilton did not result in a lower rate than the hilton.com offered. I tried few others, in London, LA, etc... and the hilton website always beat or was no higher than the hotel's direct reservation phoneline.

Usually hotel directly, call and check the hotel's website first. I use Expedia to get ideas for the hotels I want to check for a specific city/ area. I have on occasion got better deals on Expedia and Hotels.com than through the hotel directly though that is rare.

I only use Orbitz, Expedia, etc. only in the rare cases when they have a better rate than advertised on the hotel's own website. I'll always book directly with the hotel if the prices are the same. Same with the airlines.

But I've never had luck trying to get a better price by calling the hotel directly. When I've mentioned a price seen online, I've been told they can't match those prices. So I book on the web.

Andrew, me too. Did that for a Seattle hotel for an extra night, and they could not match the Hotwire rate. I do try the hotels own WEB sites though, they usually have the the AARP rate listed.

I have not noticed this trend.

I book at a hotel's web site because that is where I usually find the best rate.

I have found that I can sometimes book a room directly with a hotel when a web site informs me that a hotel is fully booked.

It's crazy for a hotel not to match the rate - I know that chains with corporate management may have stricter rules, but it's such poor customer service to tell a guest to book it online. Especially because the hotels dictate all rates that are online anyway... oh well cant hurt to try!

when you say call the hotel directly, do you mean the hotel itself in the city it is in, or the 800 number. travel advisers, like peter greenberg on NBC always say to call the hotel, not the 800 number, directly, but when i try to do that, they always route me to the 800 number!

A hotel will sometimes connect me with the reservation number for a chain if I don't make it clear that I want to make a reservation directly with the hotel.

Asking for a "Manager's Special" also sometimes gets a good rate.

<Anyone else find that calling hotel directly is cheapest? >

My take is that: sometimes it is and sometimes it isn't. Unless I'm in a rush, I check them all. And then I go priceline (name your own price) when I can. ((*))

I only occasionally find a lower rate by calling the hotel direct. I usually do a bit better online.

Keith

It's a matter of conscience and character but . . .

When I had to put 2 weeks in a hotel near Sarasota Mem. hospital, I discovered they had a very beneficial "hospital rate," and I've heard that other motels near hospitals will do the same thing.

Keep that in mind for family emergencies, otherwise, as I said, it's a matter of conscience and character.

I just tested both and found calling the hotel direct saved me 25.00 a night over using the internet. Evidently there is a local summer promo going on which resulted in the lower cost. I guess it just depends on what promotions/discounts are available and whether they are national or local because normally this hotel is cheaper on line. Go figgure.....