The Best Way to Haggle Last Minute Hotel Rates

hotel image by Martin RICHIARDONE from Fotolia.com

A relaxing vacation in a well-appointed hotel suite does not have to be an expensive proposition. While some elect to pay the list price for hotel stays, others attempt to, and successfully, haggle to receive a reduced price. By engaging in a little basic negotiating, you may be able to save some cash on your vacation accommodations. The next time you try to haggle, keep some basic haggling principles in mind to increase your likelihood of being successful in your negotiation attempts.

Instructions

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Step 1

Consider an array of possible travel dates. You are much less likely to get a prime rate if you are inflexible. If you travel during the week and off season, and avoid holidays you will likely be more successful in negotiating a discounted rate.

Step 2

Call the hotel directly. Many hotels have a 1-800 line specifically for making reservations. If you call this number, you will reach a centralized reservation desk. The agents at this desk often have no power to offer discounts. Obtain the direct line for the hotel, and call the front desk to speak to someone at the specific location.

Step 3

Speak to someone in management. Desk clerks and reservations agents often do not have the power to offer a discounted rate. To increase your likelihood of being successful in haggling, request to speak to a manager who will have the power to give you the discount that you are requesting.

Step 4

Quote competitors' rates. Before you try to haggle, gather some information. Hotel management is more likely to listen to and accommodate your requests if you appear knowledgeable and have concrete figures to present. Research other, similar quality hotels in the area, and quote their prices for comparable rooms. The hotel at which you are trying to get a room may accept your haggling as an attempt to beat their competitors.

Step 5

Present your price. Don't be shy. Tell the management what you want to pay for the room. After hearing your price, they will be able to tell you if they can accommodate, or at least get close to, your requested price.

Step 6

Show up to the hotel without a reservation. While this technique can be a bit risky, if you are visiting an area with high tourist traffic, you will most likely be able to find an array of hotels with vacancies. If you arrive in the late evening and request a room, you may be able to obtain a discounted rate as the hotel would prefer to rent the room at a discount instead of allowing it to sit vacant.

Article Written By Erin Schreiner

Erin Schreiner is a freelance writer and teacher who holds a bachelor's degree from Bowling Green State University. She has been actively freelancing since 2008. Schreiner previously worked for a London-based freelance firm. Her work appears on eHow, Trails.com and RedEnvelope. She currently teaches writing to middle school students in Ohio and works on her writing craft regularly.

Editor's Pick

5 Top North American Wildflower Hikes

Springtime brings a sense of new beginnings and new life as flowers begin to bloom and fill the air with their sweet and pleasant fragrance. Luckily we can see wildflowers all summer long, since spring hits at different times throughout North America. See flowering cactu...
More National Parks...
Popular Article

National Park Substitutes: Great Spots Without the Crowds

Coping with crowds at national parks can get tiresome, especially during the peak tourist season. If you want to escape from the herd, or just take a breather from the bustle of bigger attractions, the United States has plenty of less-visited but still worthwhile spots t...
More National Parks...
Featured Destination

Prevent Yourself from Getting Lost While Hiking

When you're hiking you're going to want to make sure you stay found. What I mean by that is that you've put an itinerary in the car, you know the area that you're hiking to, you know the route and the trail you plan on being on, you know what the trail markers are going ...
More Camping Basics...