Hotel discount sites or book directly
 

When you book a hotel room through Travelocity, Expedia, or other discount sites, do you end up with the worst rooms the hotel has? I have found good rates for lodging in Carmel by the Sea on Expedia or Travelocity but I was considering just calling the hotel directly and asking for the same price. If they want to book all their rooms, I thought I might end up with something nicer and everyone would benefit more as a result. Thanks.

I have never had a problem with getting a bad room. The only problems with those sites is the hotel actually getting your reservation, which can easily be verified by 1 phone call. Its rare nowadays to get a significant difference in rates so if you got one, go for it. Make sure to verify.

Thank you very much. Will do!

My sister and I recently booked the same hotel in San Francisco for a weekend visit. They booked through Expedia; I booked with the hotel's internet website. They paid $X, I paid $X + $40. Even though I was one person, I did get much nicer room---it was larger and had a window in the bathroom, which they didn't have.

But for Carmel --- I would think that none of the hotels are big enough that it would make a difference.

Those sights aren't neessarily discounted. I'd say about 90% of the time I can do as good or better when I book directly with the hotel, especially if I can use a AAA or other discount.

On the other hand, on occasion when I did use a booking sight, I don't think it affected the level of room. I have also used priceline, and and do think they give the less desirable room, but if the hotels not crowded they sometimes are willing to give a better room, but not necessarily bigger (not near the elevator, with a view, etc).

When I booked a package trip to New Orleans last year staying at the Hotel Monteleone, we were given a room with 2 queens vs 1 king. It was a 1st anniversary trip and I would have much preferred the king, but they said there were none available.

I forgot to mention that I booked via Travelocity.

You can always call the hotel after making the reservation, regardless of where the reservation was made, to request a certain type of room. I've done this even with priceline discoutns, and frequently get what I ask for.

I try to book through priceline, and even then I get a good room, even though I pay 1/3 to 1/2 the advertised rate. ((*))

Luck of the draw, I think.

We won The Venetian on Priceline a while ago, and they gave us one of the top floor monster suites. Beautiful surprise!

Then, a few months later, we won the Plaza in Salt Lake City, UT, and got the tiniest room way back in a corner (I think it was a broom closet in it's first life...)

I usually check the hotel's website first, then, if I can save a ton, I'll go with Priceline or similar

If not saving a LOT, or for a special occasion, I will definitely book direct with the hotel.

Good luck, sometimes, that's half the fun!

Once I stayed in a hotel reserved through Expedia, and the front desk said Expedia had blocked 2 floors for their reservations.

These days I have more success with the hotels' own websites price-wise then Expedia and such. Good to look up locations and approximate prices though.

I've called directly, used the hotels' own websites, and used the discounters. I also now "moonlight" at a chain hotel front desk.

Most of the chains guarantee you'll find no lower online price .. EXCLUDING special affinity group pricing .. which means you should exhaust other possible programs you might be part of: AAA, AARP, large labor union, credit union.

As a clerk, I don't give anyone (unless they p*ss me off) a "bad" room. But those discounted rates from outside our own or chain system do NOT get upgrades, while we will with the others. It also is a good idea to join the chain's "loyalty club" as well .. we especially like to please our regulars.

Some of the discounters don't allow you to specify smoking preferences (and sometimes bedding arrangements too), but should you reserve thru them, call the hotel shortly later and see if they will take your request. ALWAYS verify a reservations has been received, especially when dealing with non-chain hotels. Just because the discounter faxed a reservation request doesn't mean anyone actually saw it and entered it at the destination.

Don't think the discounter offers the best deal. I've had customers who pre-paid for lodging with the discounter and found that they paid more than our rack rate. Caveat emptor.

I've had AWFUL luck on CAR reservations made thru a 3rd party - especially the rates, while never having problems when made thru the chains' own websites.

Good luck