What am I trying to do with the threads??? I don't like posting under different names, like everyone else does. There's no continuity and you never no who you're talking to. I think it stinks and I'm no coward. Besides, no one knows who I really am...

Amy, Some suggestions for not paying rack rate:

Check various websites like Hotelkingdom, expedia, orbitz, hoteldiscount, Quikbook, stc. You'd be surprised by how much the rates vary.

If you don't mind not getting a specific hotel, priceline and hotwire have huge discounts.

Ask for AAA rates, government or military rates (if you qualify) or just ask for the lowest possible rate when you call. Usually the reservationist will look through all the rates to help you find the lowest.

Join all the hotel programs for free upgrades and to earn points towards free nights. we are staying 3 free nights this fall on Hyatt.

Check Travelzoo.com daily for specials.

good Luck!

I have to admit some people go off on this thread about nonsense. You have to ask yourself, am I just projecting about my morning, work load, non-work load etc.. I understand people going off about some things but when professionals tell you are not informed and explain how than you have to go with it.

Are you really that peeved about an issue? Is hotel tipping, who the secretary is calling for reservations or whatever, preying on your mind so much? Seems to me this forum is about discussion, an exchange of ideas not maintaining an argument at all costs.
You can attack me for dime store psychology but at the end of the day you loose credibility when you don't catch yourself and worse the board suffers.

xx,
I think you "loose" credibility when you can't spell. Tell me, are you a professional? What type?

If the meeting planner is so knowledgeable, why don't they clue us all in about getting good rates?

Can I get a free helecopter ride, and a free porche 911 turbo for a day, and a bike ride down H'natl park, and a free dinner cruise, and a free horseback riding down the crater?

I have two AAA memberships.

Thanks,
JJSoon

JJsoon,
Only if you're a gorgeous babe with a penchant for 80 year old billionaires, otherwise, I can't help you.

I am a frequent visitor to this forum and usually never post, but I have to agree about Nina, she is quite a drag on this board sometimes. A never-ending need for attention and silly bragging is not attractive, Nina. Maybe you should work full-time and fill up your days in a more productive manner.

You certainly aren't making friends here, my dear.

Sotrue, You hurt my feelings. Well at least you called me dear. OK, just for that I'm leaving. I'll be at the beach if X comes back with my drink. It's far too gorgeous a day to be sitting inside.

Have a fabulous weekend and don't pay any rack rates.

You all sound like a bunch of bratty kids on the playground. Act like adults and post information. Out of 46 threads, less than 25% address the original subject. This board becomes useless to all when cattyness prevails.

So tell me--sotrue--do you think YOU are making a positive contribution to this board?????

By your own admission, you read this board all the time yet hardly ever post. Yet you choose to ration one of your rare posts in order to denegrate another poster? How very big of you.

I really don't care one way or the other about this nina person, but it seems that whatever her faults, at least she attempts to make some travel related contributions. However, I do take issue with self-appointed judges such as yourself who can only be bothered posting in order to belittle someone else. Does it bolster your poor self esteem to sit in judgment over an anonymous poster you know nothing about?

All you've done is make enemies, sweetheart.

No one is trying to hurt your feelings Nina we are trying to get a point across about how you impact this forum.

This is pathetic
I have nothing to offer to this topic and am only reading to learn. If I had something of substance or a way to save on rack rates, I would contribute. I don't need to see my meaningless comments in print to participate.

Ironically, the only person on this entire thread to answer ginny's question and give advice on obtaining rack rates was Nina.

It seems the so called "professionals" offered no help whatsoever.

Evidently you, "Isn't", didn't even get the meaning of the thread. Ginny wasn't asking how to obtain rack rates. Even you can do that! She was asking how to avoid paying them. You did not pass reading comprehension sub 101. Go straight to jail. Do not pass go. Do not collect $100. And why not see if you can read with a modicum of understanding before you put your 2 cents in again, eh?

Well, sorry, slap my own face. Actually the original post wondered how many paid rack rate. She asked for NO information and she wanted no help. She just wondered out loud. I'm PO'd, Isn't, because it's evident you are clueless as to the meaning of the ONE term that is central to this entire conversation, and which has been been explained and explained, yet you still felt qualified to whine that the question wasn't addressed. As there was no question, just a discussion on rates, as you can see not only are you dead wrong about the meaning, but dead wrong about the course of the conversation.

Sheesh, yes, I know what ginny wanted. She wanted to know how many paid rack rate. Only one person answered her. Nina. Another person asked how NOT to pay rack rates. I also know that, I just misstyped. Again, only one person answered her.

So sheesh, do you pay rack rates? (I don't)

Any tips on how to avoid paying rack rates?

So why don't YOU answer the question????

What's a "rack rate"? Isn't this a bit risque a question to be discussing on a family-oriented forum like this?

Oyvey!

I work at the headquarters for one of the U.S. hotel companies, and "Corporate" rate is actually a 10-20% discount off the rack rate--it's specifically for people who are traveling on business. Believe it or not, if your husband is getting the "corporate" rate, it's still less than rack. (Not to say that there still aren't better deals out there, which you're obviously good at finding!)