| Getting a deep discount on hotel rates are available | | | | people make the foolish assumption that they should |
| for anyone, provided you are willing to put in the | | | | speak with a manager because they think this is |
| work to make it happen. For example, folks who live | | | | simply not the case. Managers have more |
| champagne lifestyles on beer budgets have learned | | | | responsibility, and are much more likely to take a hard |
| that it takes patience, persistence and a general | | | | line on room rates, which means no deep discounts |
| likability to secure the best hotel discounts. Contrary | | | | on your hotel stay. I've learned this time and time |
| to popular belief, you can negotiate with hotels, and | | | | again as a travel agent; if the answer is not what |
| will be able to find some really great last minute deals | | | | you want, hang up and call again. The next answer |
| if you do it right. Here are three important steps in | | | | will no doubt be different than the last one. My |
| the negotiating process with a hotel: | | | | advice is to approach the hotel later in the day |
| Firstly, you have to pick your battles wisely. Don't | | | | (when the manager has gone home) to avoid the |
| expect a discount if there's a line out the door for | | | | crowd. Try and talk to the front desk people directly; |
| the local comic book convention. The art of | | | | these guys have a lot more power when no one else |
| negotiation lies in securing the advantage before you | | | | is around, and will help you get deep discount hotel |
| begin; in this case, this means you should try to book | | | | rates, if you can convince them. How you approach |
| hotels in the off season, or at least avoid peak times. | | | | them leads into our final point... |
| You never know when these peaks are (though | | | | Play to their emotions. In order to get the front desk |
| some are pretty obvious) so it pays to check their | | | | on your side, you'll need to make an emotional appeal. |
| availability prior to arrival. If there are entire floors | | | | Try your best to make them laugh, get them to |
| available, you have more "room" to negotiate (sorry, | | | | sympathize over your plight, have them share in your |
| couldn't help myself). | | | | sorrows...anything that gets them involved. |
| Secondly, you need to speak with someone who is | | | | Follow this approach and you too can score some |
| more likely to be sympathetic to your needs. A lot of | | | | deep discount hotels very easily. |