Booking a hotel

Parent Cafe
1

<p>I’m trying to book a hotel for the end of next month. I want a specific hotel (Wyndham). The first day the posted rate was $109. I didn’t book because I was unsure of the dates. The next day the rate was $126. They said it was a sale and I tried to book it and tried on my iPad and my desktop but I kept getting an error message. So I thought I’ll try the next day, today the rate is $149! </p>

<p>What gives? I don’t want to book the prepaid rate cease I hate to be locked into something and I want to able to change my mind. Does anyone else find this when booking hotels?</p>

2

<p>Yes. I usually have much better luck calling the hotel and talking to a real live person. :)</p>

3

<p>Deb: cookies on your iPad remember sites you visited; some hotel chains and airlines can track this…</p>

<p>Clear your cookies before you re-search the same thing over and over again, or use a different computer…</p>

<p>Btw, does anyone know how to clear the cookies on the iPad?</p>

<p>Edit: I just googled it; if you go to settings, safari etc…</p>

4

<p>Also be aware – I’ve noticed a lot more No Cancellation policy rates recently.</p>

<p>Make sure to always read the “small print.”</p>

5

<p>Thanks for the ideas. I thought about the cookies so I transferred from my iPad to the desktop and the prices were consistent. I’ll erase my cookies and try again. And I think I will try the hotel itself and see where that gets me. Usually I wait until the last minute and book through Priceline but this time we want to stay in specific place and I was surprised about the changing prices.</p>

6

<p>I have had some success calling hotel (or other business) and getting them to march the lowest price I’ve found advertised. Agree to be careful about cancellation policies. Be sure you fully understand and agree to them when you book.</p>

7

<p>We tend to use the Hilton family, since the normal policy is cancellation is OK up to the day prior to arrival.</p>

8

<p>I do a lots of travel arrangement for my co-workers.
Rodney is right, clear your cookies.
Booklady is right too, call the hotel…
Or, if the area has plenty hotels and not in a high season, try “last minutes”. Good luck to you.</p>

9

<p>When I absolutely must have a particular hotel, I am not comfortable with blind bidding. It helps when I try multiple discounts and then call the desired hotel direct.</p>

10

<p>Hilton hotels have good cancellation policies but they usually charge a higher rate for the cancellation privilege. If I really need a particular hotel for a particular time, I often choose the higher, no penalty rate to secure a room and then watch the rates until the last minute. If they go lower I book the new rate and cancel the higher one.</p>