Is it better to make hotel reservations by phone or online?

Calling to book a hotel ensures you know exactly what you're paying for. It also means access to better prices than you're likely seeing online. While it might not be the most obvious route to booking your stay in such a digital age, it's one that promises to be worth your while.



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Tripsavvy suggests calling the hotel directly to ask about deals and offers some phrases to use to help butter up hotel managers for better deals. As with many things, being a sociable and friendly person might earn you a cheaper price, upgrades, or hotel benefits.

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Don't book through a travel site Once you find the lowest available price at the hotel you want to visit, call the hotel's reservation desk. Many hotels will meet or beat the best internet rate when you book with them. They'd much rather skip the commission to the travel site and book your stay directly.

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Once you find the lowest available price at the hotel you want to visit, call the hotel's reservation desk. Many hotels will meet or beat the best internet rate when you book with them. They'd much rather skip the commission to the travel site and book your stay directly.

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Direct booking is a crucial component of the distribution mix for hoteliers because it helps them to increase revenue, improve guest experience, and reduce dependency on online travel agencies (OTAs) such as Expedia and Booking.com.

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If it's feasible, wait until the day you need the hotel room to book it. The later in the day, the better. After 4 p.m., hotels know the odds of selling a room are pretty slim, so you're more likely to get an even lower rate. On average, the same-day rate of a hotel room is 10% cheaper than booking in advance.

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Cheapest Day to Book Hotel Reservations Most travel agencies agree that the cheapest days to book hotels are Fridays and Saturdays. While these are the most expensive days for actually checking in and out, the best hotel rates are on the days when most people are traveling.

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The best time to book hotels in the United States is during the same week of travel. Within the week before your stay, you'll see massive savings of around 21% cheaper than average. 1-2 weeks before your stay is the next cheapest time to book U.S. hotels, with average savings of 8%.

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If you're debating when to book your hotel Unless you've got your eyes on lavish lodging that otherwise has a fickle cancellation policy, you don't save a whole lot by holding out in hopes of a better deal. On average, properties are about 13% cheaper when booked 15 days out versus four months out.

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While many hotels do charge you when you book, it's not a universal practice. The payment requirements can vary depending on the hotel and the type of reservation you make. Credit cards are commonly accepted, but alternative payment methods are also available at certain hotels.

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These cannot be deactivated by cell phones. It is a common belief that mobile phones can deactivate hotel key cards, especially magnetic stripe cards. The concern is that the magnetic field generated by a mobile phone could demagnetize the magnetic stripe on the card, rendering it unreadable.

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This is when hotels will drop their prices to entice travelers to fill their rooms for the night. For those who are dedicated budget hunters, the best time to book hotel for lowest prices is after 8pm. You might find some hotels that drop their prices significantly at this time to not lose money on an empty room.

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Using a debit card for a hotel room isn't wise for several reasons. The biggest one is that many of us don't have enough money in our accounts to cover room rates, taxes, and the temporary deposit for incidentals. With a credit card, the incidentals deposit is merely a hold on your credit card.

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If you're debating when to book your hotel On average, properties are about 13% cheaper when booked 15 days out versus four months out. The biggest difference in pricing comes from high-end hotels, which average nearly 22% cheaper.

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Hotel prices are dynamic, fluctuating based on supply and demand — that means the price you see when you're searching for hotels one day might change the very next, even if the dates of your stay remain the same.

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Airbnbs are usually cheaper than hotels for longer stays and large groups, but they don't offer the same services. Sally French is a travel rewards expert who joined NerdWallet in 2020. She previously wrote about travel and credit cards for The New York Times and its sibling site, Wirecutter.

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“Actually, hotel prices decline the longer you wait,” says Shank, “so if you haven't made plans yet, you can be rewarded for that with a better deal.” Same-day rates on HotelTonight are, on average, 10 percent less than if you book the day before, according to Shank. Be willing to live on the edge.

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Booking hotel rooms at the last minute could save you some serious money. Think of all the late-night pizza you can order with those savings! Hotels are pretty eager to get those unsold rooms filled by midnight, so they might just offer you a sweet discount.

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Call the hotel directly instead and ask to speak with the manager, if possible.
  1. Ask for the Best Rate. Start the negotiation by saying something like, I found your rate online for $200 per night. ...
  2. Mention the Competition. ...
  3. Tweak the Dates. ...
  4. Special Discounts. ...
  5. Discount Rooms. ...
  6. Upgrades and Special Requests.


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Directly call the hotel for potentially lower rates, ask about any discounts or package deals, be flexible with dates or room type, negotiate for longer stays, and ask if they can match lower prices found elsewhere.

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Call the hotel directly instead and ask to speak with the manager, if possible.
  1. Ask for the Best Rate. Start the negotiation by saying something like, I found your rate online for $200 per night. ...
  2. Mention the Competition. ...
  3. Tweak the Dates. ...
  4. Special Discounts. ...
  5. Discount Rooms. ...
  6. Upgrades and Special Requests.


MORE DETAILS