Hello again,
Generally speaking is it cheaper to book the hotel before you leave or can it be cheaper to just drive into the town and ask? If driving and asking is true does it apply on a weekend also?
-Jenna

It depends on where you're going, if there's anything special happening in that town, etc. Priceline can be a good option, and many chains have special rates on their websites.

If you're driving, look for the hotel coupon books that you'll find at most gas stations. We'll be using those next week when we go to California.

Lee Ann

Where are you going and when?

If it's high season or something special going on - you could end up sleeping in your car - or in a very unpleasant place.

If you check and find it's not the highest busiest season - at least do all your hotel research in advance - where you would want to stay and what rates you can expect - and call to check availability when you leave your previous place in the AM.

A lot of hotels are offering lower internet rates vs. phone/walk up prices. For example, the hotel in San Diego we stayed at last week quoted us a price $30 more/nt than the internet rate when inquiring about a 3rd room in person.

Another trick is calling the hotel and ask to speak to the manager and ask him for the lowest rate, sometimes that works.

I wouldn't wait to make a reservation if it's in a busy city. You may up paying top dollar for lodging.

If I'm going to travel without reservations I always check the availability at the destination ahead of time ... if lots of rooms at lower prices come up, I figure walk-in accomodations will be easy, as well as being able to use those coupon books. Typically, I find most city hotels more likely to have rooms & low prices weekends, and just the opposite for more rural or tourist locations.

Very seldom to I ever book online other than with the chains' own systems. Most chains now guarantee you'll find no lower rate than on their own website.

Talk to the manager? I work parttime as a deskclerk and our GM refuses to talk rates or availability (other than booking groups of 10+ rooms) with customers. He maintains that he's paying his clerks to do a job and has full confidence in our abilities. (Thanks, Boss). No one gets pass his secretary ... and I will remember you if you tried to go over my head as well. You'll get a nice room when you arrive, but you won't get anything special!

It is true that rates vary depending on when you're looking to book. But, there are groups out there that may give you better rates if you book through them no matter what time of year it is. The only thing is that, most of them have specific dates set. However, if you're somewhat flexible and willing to pay a service charge (small compared to the savings), could be that you get into a really good hotel for less. Not too long ago, I emailed [email protected] and got an awesome rate for a room in a 4 star hotel!

Since this thread has resurfaced I want to warn readers about doing your "homework".

At our hotel, we've had a number of customers who have booked at some of the on-line travel sites (not our own chain's tho) and had to pre-pay for a supposed deal. Some of them paid more for the room than our RACK rate, and found no satisfaction with the "guarantee" the booking agent offered. Check multiple sources and compare prices!