HOW TO: Slash the Cost of Lodging at First Class Hotels

(by Ted Nicholas)

Key words are: "Is this the lowest rate you have?"

Hotels and motels set room rates that are the very highest prices they can expect to get. If you say nothing and accept any rate, they will be delighted. Here is my recommendation. Regardless when you book the reservation, including the time of day, day of week, season of the year, ask for the lowest price.

When the price is given, repeat: "Is this the lowest rate you have?" One response you’ll hear goes like this, "Oh, so sorry. Did you want that rate?" Upon their reply, you can ask for more options from there. I’ve frequently gotten rates at 50 to 75 percent of the previously quoted rate for first class rooms, and so will you!

Before you accept any room, it’s prudent to look at it first to be sure you like it. Also, when you have time, look at more than one hotel, look at the room and get the lowest rate quotation.

Tell the desk clerk you’ll get back to them. Another powerful technique is to get two or three quotations and tell the desk clerk at the hotel in which you are most interested that so-and-so has given you the special rate of "X" dollars! The hotel will often meet that rate. So you’ll often wind up with the room you really want at the most favorable rate!