Why You Should Always Call Before You Book a Hotel Online
Few things make me more anxious than talking to someone on the phone, so trust me, this advice comes from love: Call a hotel before you book online. You can save a lot of money and even a little heartache.
Call for not-so-secret hotel deals
When I was comparing hotel prices for a recent trip, I decided to use Priceline and everything was ready to book in my shopping cart when I noticed the obvious “call for great rates” ad on the screen. At first I thought it was a scam, but since the flights for this trip were exceptionally expensive , I also became curious. I called and the person on the line said, “You absolutely did the right thing by calling,” as if he was my doctor telling me that I would have died if I hadn’t come.
I was sure I was about to be resold but instead he booked me the exact room that was in my online shopping cart but $200 less for four nights…and $200 is absolutely worth talking to a stranger on the phone . for five minutes.
Tripsavvy suggests calling the hotel directly to inquire about deals, and offers a few phrases to help encourage hotel managers to get better deals. As with many other things, a outgoing and friendly person can get you a lower price, an upgrade, or a hotel perk.
Check fees and extras
When you get to the end of the long booking process, you may wonder if you won’t get the deal you were thinking about after all taxes and fees . When you call, ask about cancellation policy, pet fee, parking fee, late check out option or what exactly is included in the “free breakfast”. Perhaps this will make you reconsider your choice.
By calling someone on the phone, you can also get the best available number for what you need. Professional photos of hotel rooms can be misleading, but talking to a real person can help you understand what phrases like “partial ocean view” really mean. You can also find out about last-minute open or available updates due to cancellation. With your inbox teeming with information about ways to save on travel, old-fashioned booking is sometimes the best way to crack the system.