Saturday, December 15, 2007

No room at the inn? Part 2

More tips and tricks to finding available hotel rooms:

* Get referred to a competitor

As the sold-out hotels for alternatives. Call the direct hotel number for the hotel and simply ask if they could recommend another nearby hotel that might have vacancies.

Chances are good that they will suggest a comparable hotel, and might even know which of those hotels have rooms. After all, if there's a convention or something in town, you can probably bet that your call is not the first of its kind that they've received.

It makes sense for them to help you. They can't make money off of you on this trip anyway, so why not invest in a little no-cost goodwill that could leave a positive
impression for the next time you blow through town?

DEFINE 'SHORT DRIVE'
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
* Call the local experts

Sometimes, calling the local chamber of commerce or tourist bureau ends up being your salvation. They have an overview of the local situation, and it's in their interest to make sure all visitors have a pleasant stay, spend lots of money, and come back again.

Other times, the call is useless. It all really depends on the quality of the local business organizations. I would definitely say it's worth a shot.

* Look past words that end with "otel"

If all the hotels and motels on the booking engines seem to be sold out, but you may want to try finding a room in a bed & breakfast, a hostel, a campground or a small, independent hotel that isn't found on the big sites.

* Language matters

When looking for rooms in tight markets, don't let desperation blind you to red flags.

Look and listen for key phrases that could tip you off to a clone of the Bates Motel or, more likely, a place that is waaay to far from where you want to be.

Hewitt, the Independent Traveler columnist describes them as phrases that "Sound a lot like a pilot on a delayed plane soft-peddling your time on the tarmac."

Tip-off phrases include: "Just a few minutes from", "A short drive to", "A quick ride by car or train". Watch also for "slash" locations. You know, like the Orlando/Miami area.

If they are using vague language to describe proximity to attractions, there's a good chance it is farther than you'd like. ALWAYS use Mapquest before you book.

Saturday, December 1, 2007

No room at the inn?

Have you tried calling around only to find everything booked solid? Try these travel tips:

* Call direct

Calling a hotel directly, rather than using the chain's main number, might get you a room at the last minute or during peak travel times.

National reservations desks often have a cap on the number of rooms they can fill at any given hotel, with the rest left to the specific hotel staff. Those working at the front desk have a better sense of the hotel's capacity and will be more likely to check for cancellations or no-shows.

They can also often offer you better rates than you'll find online, and you can make specific requests such as a nice view, a cot or crib.

* Check the consolidators

Third-party consolidators such as Priceline.com, Expedia.com or CheapTickets.com are basically wholesalers often commit far in advance to buying a block of hotel rooms at a set price that they mark-up and re-sell later. Because of that, they are not only a good place to find discounted rooms, but a great place to look when you're having trouble finding a hotel room during a busy period.

Even if a hotel in Orlando has a "no vacancy" sign on it, a consolidator may well have a room available.

* Ask the attraction

If you are traveling for a meeting, or to go to a local attraction, one of the best calls you can make is to the organization or attraction itself.

It's probably not the first time their preferred or partner hotels have been sold out, and they may be able to tell you "unpublished" alternatives. I find that sob stories often work, especially if they're genuine, filled with detail, and presented with desperation - not anger - in your voice.