Is it best to make hotel reservations via internet, or call the hotel directly. Reason I ask is because I am going on a driving trip this Saturday for a week, and I know where I will stay the first weekend, but then we are going to go to two other cities (actual route is not cemented in stone as of this writing). I am concerned about sending my credit card info over the internet when using a public computer ie at the hotels business room, or a wireless pc at a wifi hotspot. If I call the hotel directly, how can I be sure if I get the best price?

When you don't know where you will end up when you are on a driving trip until later in the day, what is the best advice as to setting up a place to stay for the night?

It depends. I know that's not the answer you wanted, but that's the best answer. Sometimes you get better rates from internet; sometimes, from 800# for chain; sometimes by calling hotel direct. I usually make reservations one way and then check the others.

Most internet sites that I use let me check prices before entering CC info...sooooo...if I were using a public computer, I would do that and then call the hotel.

One thing that we have done successfully is stop at the Welcome Center as we enter a state; pick up one of the 'coupon' books (they have great prices); and when we can tell about where we will be when it comes time to get off the road, I whip out my cell phone. I guess you could make a list of major chain's (the ones that are acceptable to you) 800#'s before you leave. Then you would have at least one comparison point.

Another thing you could do is go ahead and make the reservations for the time you THINK you will be there. Pick out your hotel and book at least one day before and after your projected stay. Do it from home where you feel secure checking out all the options. Most hotels have a generous cancellation period (by 6 PM day of arrival...or 24 hours ahead) so you can make adjustments on the road and on the fly.

Can you get the same price as the internet price by calling directly? Once I tried that, and that was not the case. I told the hotel clerk that i had XX price and he said he could not match that, because it was on the internet (albeit at that particular hotel's website).

Also, have your booking on the road methods ever ended up in not getting a hotel for the night, like in the case of an unexpected convention or special event in the town?

Emucom, I had that happen once. I don't remember what the circumstances were..we were along the border of Oregon/Washington. The waitress where we had dinner actually invited us to stay at her house where she had an extra bedroom. How precious is that? We didn't of course. My husband said he felt awake enough to drive all night and we would find somewhere in the morning. About an hour of so later we did find a motel at a truck stop. A horrible place, lol, but we got about 5 hours sleep and than fled..no shower..but just enough rest to continue on.

Regarding your CC info. My stepdaughter who works with high security issues for a large county court system has said to never use your cc info on a public computer. and that wifi hotspots aren't secure either.

I would call the hotel direct..even if the room cost a bit more than the internet rate..IMO it would be worth it. Happy travels!!

As pollyvw said "it depends". I'll give you a good example of this that happend to us about 3-4 weeks ago. We decided to go to Santa Monica on a spur of the minute weekend trip. I checked the Internet (Expedia, Travelocity), we wanted to stay right on the beach because that was the whole purpose of the trip (relaxing on the beach). So...I got one price on Expedia (which I booked), a higher price with the hotels direct website...when I checked in, there was a couple in front of us inquiring about a room and they were told a much different rate, extremely lower than both what I paid through Expedia and what was on the hotels direct website. So, I took this as a lesson learned, now I check with all 3 first, I check the discount sites, the hotel sites directly, then I call the 1-800 number and "talk" to someone and see if they have anything cheaper. I know this doesn't really work if you are on the road and just want to stop somewhere...but if a hotel is not close to full occupancy they will throw out cheap room rates for "walk-ins" to try to fill the place.

Loveitaly....

Just wondering what made that place horrible?

I hope that doesnt happen to me. My friend that will be coming along with me said I should rent a minivan just incase there is no room at the inn...

I believe you've answered your own question about getting the best rate - as you've experienced, sometimes the best rate is online, and cannot be matched by calling the hotel. Not always, but sometimes.

I would probably use my credit card on a public computer and wipe traces of the history when done. I'm not saying it's secure to do so, just that I don't think the risk is big enough for me not to do it. I wouldn't put my social security number and mother's maiden name out there, but credit card numbers can be cancelled and re-issued if there is a thought it's been stolen, and I think the odds of any one number being stolen from a public computer are small. This isn't based on knowledge of statistics about actual occurrences, but just a gut feel that I would use to govern my own behavior.

Then again, if calling was the most convenient way to get a reservation at any one time, and I wanted the flexibility to not plan ahead, I also wouldn't worry if that particular hotel stay I had the absolute best deal. If I could find something in my budget by calling, I'd leave it at that and be happy.

As to potentially not finding a room - where are you planning to stay? Cities are certainly more likely to be booked due to conventions. Road-side motels and very small towns, that's less likely to be an issue.

I haven't read the other replies; however, when I am not certain I can keep a reservation I book rooms at hotels that let me cancel up until 4 p.m. or 6 p.m. day of arrival. Many Choice Hotels (Comfort Inn, Quality Inn, etc.), Holiday Inns, and Hampton Inns fall into this category.