I've been using Hotels.com for several years to find the best deals on hotels when we travel. I've always been pretty pleased with the prices, but looking back, I blame that on my ignorance. Ignorance is bliss, right?
Last year, we booked our spring break hotel room through Hotels.com. We got a decent price ($101 per night), considering it was spring break, and we were staying at the beach. I didn't complain. But when we were checking in to our hotel, the front desk clerk just happened to mention that if we would have booked directly through the Hampton Inn we could have actually gotten a significantly cheaper rate. Interesting. Fast forward to present day.
We're planning a vacation to Dallas in May. I searched Hotels.com for days looking at the rates, even signing up for their 'price watch' alert. I was very disappointed in the prices and even thought we may have to postpone our trip, until my husband reminded me about last spring. Call the actual hotel, he said. And so I did. Right after I called Hotels.com to make sure that I was getting the 'lowest price possible'. They assured me that the price on their site was the cheapest rate. Add $10 per night to upgrade from two double beds to a king ($77 per night). Makes total sense, right? Pffff! I called the hotel directly. I told them exactly what I was looking for, and the dates that I needed. The price that they gave me was $19 cheaper PER NIGHT of what Hotels.com was offering, for the exact amenities I was looking for.
Hotels.com doesn't offer a military discount, according to the customer service representative that I spoke to. MOST hotels DO offer them. I've learned my lesson the hard way, and I wanted to share it with you all. Even if you don't get any additional discounts, it may be cheaper to book directly through the hotel. At the very least, it can't hurt to try.
2 comments:
Oh I know. I've been using kayak.com and then whatever sites show up as in my price range, I check the hotel directly and go from there. So much better. But Kayak checks several sites at once so it at least saves you some steps. :)
Thanks for sharing! It sucks to have to learn from someone else's misfortune, but that's good knowledge! I never knew that calling the hotel would get a cheaper rate. Thanks, Jamie!
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