Confessions of a Front Desk Clerk

[Pete_Coach]

I have mentioned before that it is a good idea with using the internet to find good prices for rooms and then calling the hotel directly for your reservations. I was on a trip a while back and picked up a magazine and found this article:

http://www.budgettravelonline.com/bt-dyn/content/article/2006/11/15/AR2006111500285.html

The interesting part is

"Hotel managers can't stand it when guests reserve rooms through Expedia, Priceline, or any other booking engine, because after the Internet site takes its cut, the hotel barely makes a profit on the booking. As a result, guests who reserve directly with the hotel receive far better service. When things go wrong--we've run out of rooms with king-size beds, or the hotel is overbooked because some guests extended their stay--the manager's first question is, "Do we have any Internet reservations?" The folks who reserve through discount sites are at the bottom of the food chain. What you want to do is contact us directly and request the best price"

It is actually a good and interesting magazine as well and the website has lots of interesting information. By being titled Budget Traveler, it seems lie a good fit for RFD'ers.

[Pavel]

Exactly, I tell all my friends and co-workers that they take their chances when booking through these online sites. In most cases, the hotel will match the online prices of expedia and travelocity, etc.

[MasterXan]

we'll they are just screwing themselves over anyways if the customer spreads bad rep.

[impostor]

I booked my stay at the Aladdin in Vegas through Travelocity. The $20 trick got me a larger room with a killer view, and a card with the desk clerk's name & extension in case anything wasn't up to snuff. :D So, as far as I'm concerned this technique will counteract the "negative stigma" associated with using a discount reservation website.

[Pavel]

I booked my stay at the Aladdin in Vegas through Travelocity. The $20 trick got me a larger room with a killer view, and a card with the desk clerk's name & extension in case anything wasn't up to snuff. :D So, as far as I'm concerned this technique will counteract the "negative stigma" associated with using a discount reservation website.

The funny thing about the Aladdin is that I bet at least 1/2 succsessful attempts will get you a better room withOUT the need for a tip. This is what happened to me and then pulled a $20 from my jacket as a nice tip even though I didnt have to but she was a korean girl that was very easy on the eyes.:razz:

[fireguy9]

I have mentioned before that it is a good idea with using the internet to find good prices for rooms and then calling the hotel directly for your reservations. I was on a trip a while back and picked up a magazine and found this article:

http://www.budgettravelonline.com/bt-dyn/content/article/2006/11/15/AR2006111500285.html

The interesting part is

"Hotel managers can't stand it when guests reserve rooms through Expedia, Priceline, or any other booking engine, because after the Internet site takes its cut, the hotel barely makes a profit on the booking. As a result, guests who reserve directly with the hotel receive far better service. When things go wrong--we've run out of rooms with king-size beds, or the hotel is overbooked because some guests extended their stay--the manager's first question is, "Do we have any Internet reservations?" The folks who reserve through discount sites are at the bottom of the food chain. What you want to do is contact us directly and request the best price"

It is actually a good and interesting magazine as well and the website has lots of interesting information. By being titled Budget Traveler, it seems lie a good fit for RFD'ers.



I would not agree with that totally,,,,,,,I booked via priceline a few times,,,, and I did ask the front desk about the rate,,,, and they said they will not match it,, it must be booked via the online site.

[Pete_Coach]

I would not agree with that totally,,,,,,,I booked via priceline a few times,,,, and I did ask the front desk about the rate,,,, and they said they will not match it,, it must be booked via the online site.

I didn't write the article, just passing it along, but since, I have used the advice and have actually been able to get at least the same rate and in a few circumstances was afforded a better rate. I never asked the front desk for a better rate, I always called the Hotel direct (not the 1-800 reservation line but the actual Hotel). Whatever works when you are trying to save a few pennies and my employer sure likes it.

[fireguy9]

I didn't write the article, just passing it along, but since, I have used the advice and have actually been able to get at least the same rate and in a few circumstances was afforded a better rate. I never asked the front desk for a better rate, I always called the Hotel direct (not the 1-800 reservation line but the actual Hotel). Whatever works when you are trying to save a few pennies and my employer sure likes it.

whatever way to save a few bucks works!:D

As for saving employer $$,,,, I wouldnt tell them anything about a better rate unless there was something in it for you,,,,, your just a number easily replaced. IF your saving them lots of cash,, they better be handing you some of that$$

[happyplato]

I would not agree with that totally,,,,,,,I booked via priceline a few times,,,, and I did ask the front desk about the rate,,,, and they said they will not match it,, it must be booked via the online site.

Exactly. When I called the front desk won't even match their own website prices.

[Impossibles]

I've booked thru expedia quite a few times and never have had problems.

Your reservation is guaranteed, its not like they can say 'oh sorry, we have no space for you'.

And how can a hotel not make a profit renting out a room?? If it's a choice between having an empty room and having a filled room, they will take the latter at any price.

[sparkplug]

Exactly. When I called the front desk won't even match their own website prices.

When Sun Holidays was still in business a couple years ago (before being swallowed up by SellOffVacation.com or whomever), their office locations wouldn't match their own web site prices! Sometimes their web site had round trip last minute flights to Las Vegas for $69 + taxes, but you couldn't get that price walking into one of their locations. So weird.

[Blunt]

This article sucks.

[weedb0y]

This article sucks.

I agree, its pretty ignorant with no knowledge of how things actually work in the backend corporate level.

[Pete_Coach]

This article sucks.

I agree, its pretty ignorant with no knowledge of how things actually work in the backend corporate level.

You two really are funny. An article in a prominent travel magazine doesn't match your understanding of things therefore it must suck. Good one.
I am presuming that you work the desk at a hotel or perhaps in hotel management or perhaps in the vacations sales business or perhaps in the travel magazine business and you know how it works??? It is only an article by someone in the business and their experience.

[Prof]

It makes some sense that when push comes to shove, any business treats its high value clients best. Money talks. Still, I just booked several stays for summer trave, using Hotwire since Priceline can't guarantee space for four. With Hotwire, I saved 60% off the best posted rate. Sure I might get stuck with poorer view or room etc., but the savings are huge. I agree that you can save money calling directly but not to the extent using the above services. And, if the service is demonstrably poor, a call to the corporate office will usually remedy the situation. I have a at least two Stephen King quality horror stories, one of which includes a pool of blood on the bed. That hotel was booked directly. There are no absolute guarantees

[gilboman]

You two really are funny. An article in a prominent travel magazine doesn't match your understanding of things therefore it must suck. Good one.
I am presuming that you work the desk at a hotel or perhaps in hotel management or perhaps in the vacations sales business or perhaps in the travel magazine business and you know how it works??? It is only an article by someone in the business and their experience.


actually, this article is just about the opinion of ONE hotel front desk clerk. it is not an article by someone in the business nor their experience concerning third party booked hotel rooms:lol:

[Pavel]

I've booked thru expedia quite a few times and never have had problems.

Your reservation is guaranteed, its not like they can say 'oh sorry, we have no space for you'.

Just curious...is it really GUARANTEED? The hotel could be overbooked for one reason or another and maybe only a really grungy motel is available. All they have to do is sorry. Here is your deposit. What happens then?

[gilboman]

Just curious...is it really GUARANTEED? The hotel could be overbooked for one reason or another and maybe only a really grungy motel is available. All they have to do is sorry. Here is your deposit. What happens then?


hotels are rarely overbooked unlike airlines. and if they do have no room, they will put you into a comparable hotel class within the vicinity. but hotels are very very rarely overbooked anyways.