| For the adventurous in spirit finding, a last minute hotel | | | | canceling a reservation up to the day of arrival. If this |
| bargain can prove to be a rewarding experience. | | | | is, the case one could make a reservation with that |
| Many hotels, especially smaller regional chains, which | | | | hotel, then check around, and see if a hotel with a |
| book with guests directly and do not use a central | | | | cheaper rate has a room available. If you find one then |
| booking service, may be willing to offer substantial | | | | you have a better rate, if not, you still have a place to |
| discounts for guests looking to reserve a room on the | | | | stay when you arrive. It is a win- win situation. |
| day of their arrival. | | | | Another, more aggressive strategy is to not book in |
| The best point to begin is by checking the extra | | | | advance at all but negotiate at the desk for a room. |
| facilities a hotel offers. Hotels that offer features such | | | | Hotels would rather fill a room than have an empty |
| as swimming pools, an exercise room, or spa charge a | | | | one so you may get a room at a substantial discount |
| higher rate. If you do not need to use these features | | | | by asking for a reduced rate or by simply stating what |
| or may not even be aware the hotel has them to | | | | you are willing to pay. |
| offer then you may want to check rates of smaller | | | | Negotiations over reduced rates or last minute deals |
| hotels. The more the hotel has to offer the higher the | | | | generally only works with smaller hotels because the |
| rate. | | | | bigger ones use a central booking system and they |
| Also, check in advance, what the hotel's cancellation | | | | are not as likely to bargain with a potential guest. It is |
| policy is. If a particular hotel allows guests to cancel a | | | | best to keep this in mind when looking for a discount. |
| reservation 3 days prior to checking in without penalty | | | | Lastly, travel club memberships are a great way to |
| then this is when most of the cancellations will begin. A | | | | find bargains. The best place to start is by checking |
| hotel is going to look at a filled room as better then an | | | | with your club first to see what may be available |
| empty one and may be willing to negotiate on price. | | | | before you begin your bargain shopping with various |
| Check to see if a hotel offers no penalty for can | | | | hotels. |