4 ms·

"I try never to take advantage of someone smaller/weaker on the other end of the negotiation" 100% this. Sure, you CAN negotiate with the roadside vendors. But

"I try never to take advantage of someone smaller/weaker on the other end of the negotiation" 100% this. Sure, you CAN negotiate with the roadside vendors. But please, don't. On the other hand, did you know you CAN negotiate the room rates at 5-star hotel chains? You definitely should :)

thematrixturtle 5y ago
Is this really a thing in 2022? There's already a whole bunch of OTAs furiously competing on price, effectively doing the negotiation for me, and with most all chains now doing "best rate guarantee" as well, it's unlikely they will beat the price on the official website. The one situation where I have had a lot of luck "negotiating" with 5-star hotel chains is when I'm already staying there and need to extend. In this case walking up to the front desk is more easier and far more likely to get you a good rate then enduring the hell that is trying to change your reservation online (Marriott, I'm looking at you).
- jhugo 5y ago
  One reason you might negotiate directly is if you have a loyalty membership / status with the hotel chain — you probably don't want to book through a discount OTA (because, depending on chain, you may miss out on the benefits of your status), but you can absolutely negotiate the price by emailing the hotel directly, and keep your perks.
- darkwater 5y ago
  > Is this really a thing in 2022? There's already a whole bunch of OTAs furiously competing on price, effectively doing the negotiation for me, and with most all chains now doing "best rate guarantee" as well, it's unlikely they will beat the price on the official website. This, just booked an hotel in NYC and on Booking.com was like 20% cheaper than the offer on the hotel website itself (where you had to pay in advance, while in Booking.com you would just pay at the hotel!!). I guess I could negotiate the full hotel price with the hotel, they are adding a ludicrous margin, but not with Booking.com (even if they are adding their good margin anyway).
  - astrange 5y ago
    I don't actually think you can negotiate with the hotel; they pre-sold those bookings to the OTAs for whatever reason but everyone's rates are still what they are. The hotel desk will suggest you get HotelTonight instead of booking with them though.
  - lots2learn 5y ago
    In my experience, if you make a (free) account with the hotel chains, they will give you the same or cheaper price than the re-sellers and also give the free cancellation up until 24 hrs to the date of stay.

thematrixturtle 5y ago

Is this really a thing in 2022? There's already a whole bunch of OTAs furiously competing on price, effectively doing the negotiation for me, and with most all chains now doing "best rate guarantee" as well, it's unlikely they will beat the price on the official website. The one situation where I have had a lot of luck "negotiating" with 5-star hotel chains is when I'm already staying there and need to extend. In this case walking up to the front desk is more easier and far more likely to get you a good rate then enduring the hell that is trying to change your reservation online (Marriott, I'm looking at you).

jhugo 5y ago
One reason you might negotiate directly is if you have a loyalty membership / status with the hotel chain — you probably don't want to book through a discount OTA (because, depending on chain, you may miss out on the benefits of your status), but you can absolutely negotiate the price by emailing the hotel directly, and keep your perks.
darkwater 5y ago
> Is this really a thing in 2022? There's already a whole bunch of OTAs furiously competing on price, effectively doing the negotiation for me, and with most all chains now doing "best rate guarantee" as well, it's unlikely they will beat the price on the official website. This, just booked an hotel in NYC and on Booking.com was like 20% cheaper than the offer on the hotel website itself (where you had to pay in advance, while in Booking.com you would just pay at the hotel!!). I guess I could negotiate the full hotel price with the hotel, they are adding a ludicrous margin, but not with Booking.com (even if they are adding their good margin anyway).
- astrange 5y ago
  I don't actually think you can negotiate with the hotel; they pre-sold those bookings to the OTAs for whatever reason but everyone's rates are still what they are. The hotel desk will suggest you get HotelTonight instead of booking with them though.
- lots2learn 5y ago
  In my experience, if you make a (free) account with the hotel chains, they will give you the same or cheaper price than the re-sellers and also give the free cancellation up until 24 hrs to the date of stay.