5 Steps To Saving Thousands On Your Next Vacation
Insider tips to getting the best price on lodging anywhere
Finding a hotel or place to stay is one of the most frustrating things anyone can do. Even if you aren't looking for the best deal, the choices are overwhelming. As a result of the frustration, huge companies like Travelocity and Expedia are there to take your money for often times sub-standard hotel rooms. Upon arrival, how many times have you kicked yourself for choosing the 3-star lodging instead of the 4-star lodging? Or, maybe you booked a private home on a place like VRBO and had a horrible customer experience with the owner of the vacation home. Here is how you can get top notch service from a real company along with the best price possible.
Step 1: Think Locally
First off, forget the big guys. You never see what the room is like that you're going to actually stay in and it's really hard to see how nice a room is based on the classic "beach shot" of the hotel or condo. Get down and dirty and figure out who the local property managers are. They have the vast knowledge that you need about where to stay and what to do. Not only can they help you out with the extra stuff, they will usually go the extra mile to please the customer. Remember… these guys are small and trying to grow. Customer service and satisfaction is the name of the game… something you simply won't get through a large travel portal.
Step 2: Ask for a Recommendation
Tell the local management company about who is coming with you, what dates you are traveling, and what you are looking for in your lodging. Then, go ahead and ask for what they recommend. Most of the time, the property manager can fit the lodging to your needs exactly and save you hours of sifting through thousands of listings on the internet.
Step 3: Look for Discounts
Local management companies do their advertising on the cheap. Look at places like eBay, Craigslist, Backpage, and other free classifieds. Lots of times, property managers will use these outlets for specials, looking for potential guests shopping for a great deal.
Step 4: If you don't ask, you'll never know
Now that you have narrowed down the local property manager, pick up the phone and give them a call. You'll usually reach a real person right away unlike the larger hotel chains with call centers in India or Taiwan. Start by giving information like your travel dates and number of people you need lodging for. The manager will make a recommendation usually and give you a total price. At this point, ask for a discount. 9 times out of 10, the person on the other line will knock at least 10% off just because you called and asked. Ask about midweek discounts, off-season discounts, staying 1 week or more discounts, and even ask if they will waive any sort of cleaning fee. Most will just for asking!
Step 5: Guerilla Tactics
Alright… the local property manager is not giving in AT ALL. Time to whip out the big guns and go for the throat. Lots of times, the property manager will have the calendar for the property listed right there on their website. If you're calling at the last minute (usually 72 hours advanced notice) you can pull this one if they are not giving in at all. "Sir, I'm a potential guest of yours and I am really interested in booking your vacation rental right now. Would you rather your property go empty for these dates than have some cash flow?" Boom. There it is. This line will make any property manager drop any kind of ego and pop back into reality. This doesn't work all the time… only when times are tough like the off-seasons and very last minute bookings.
Good luck to all. As with anything, your vacation lodging price is up for negotiation and bargaining. Don't be afraid to try these tactics with anyone, but I can promise that you won't get anywhere with the big online lodging retailers… there is simply nobody to talk to!