Ok, you found a hotel. It's time to make a deal! That's right the BIG secret of hotels is that on most nights the price is negotiable! Thats why booking direct is so important. The front desk has the power to change rates based on a scale given set by the general manager.
The Rack Rate: the rack rate is the highest rate we can offer a room. When a guest off the street comes in and asks for a rate, this is the rate we quote them. If the guest seems apprehensive, we then offer a discounted rate. As a guest its good pratice to ask for a discount before you commit or jump to another hotel. Like "Do you have a manager's special?" that sort of thing. Most of the time the clerk will instantly drop the rate. If they hold on the rate, this means that the hotel is near full and so are the surrounding areas. Nights like this we know people will pay the full rate, if not you someone else.
As a guest the worst thing you can do is go hotel hopping. This is a pratice that really gets me mad. Guest come in and out just comparing the rack rates. Of course you can bet they will never get a good deal on a room.
The Base Rate: this is the lowest a clerk can give without suffering a loss. This rate is given rarely. To be eligible for the base you either have to stay for a week's term or be long time regulars to the hotel. Only 5% of negations end in this rate.
Reservations: If you reserve early we give you an Average Rate. Most of the time we guess on this rate. This is a guess based on how many reservations we have and if we expect to sell out based on history. These rates are the most negotiable. And if you want the best deal, this is where you do it. ^-^
Final note: be nice to the clerk helping you. After all they are the ones controlling how much you pay. There has been many times where I didn't budge on a rate because of a mean guest.
Sunday, February 12, 2006
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