9 Things the Hotel Desk Clerk will not tell you
Tags: hotel booking, hotel tips, Hotels, Travel TipsHotels are managed in different ways. There are certain things they do not tell consumers, industry secrets that can somehow help you save some money, enjoy your holiday more, or simply become a better consumer.
Here are some tips on how you can get a better deal with your hotel:
Try to call the hotel you want to stay in directly
You have the 1-800 numbers for your hotel reservation but you have to know that this number will go to a call center which most of the times can only give you the set going on rates and fees. You can try to call the hotel directly and try to negotiate for a more pocket friendly deal.
Booking online is fast and convenient, but you can negotiate
Online booking sites rake in around 20 to 30 % when you use their website to book your room. Try to negotiate if they can chop off some from the online price and you end up with some more pocket money for shopping and other stuff.
You can ask for an upgrade, No extra charge
You can always try to ask for a room upgrade just make sure that you do it discreetly and nicely. Do it with a smile. You can also try to ask for a corner room which is practically bigger compared to the other rooms.
Call at the right time
Requesting for something always involves right timing. Call during the busy hours of 9 in the morning through 1 in the afternoon and most likely the desk clerk will decline your request. Imagine, having to deal with your requests while he or she has a long queue of guests trying to check-in or check-out.
Showing up too early
Arriving too early at the hotel might spell some problems. Your room might not be ready yet and you just cannot ask the staff to go faster. Rushing them might not be a very good idea.
Souvenir takers beware
Don’t you just enjoy those cute little soap, lotion, and shampoo bottles in your hotel room? Take some and it might just be okay but those who bring home bedspreads, towels, pillows? The hotel can bill your credit card, of course.
Avoiding tourist traps
Some concierges get fees when they send you to some tourist traps. If you want to get the best deals, try to ask the other hotel staff or the locals.
Hotels may not be totally soundproof
Try to tone down a bit since not all hotel rooms are designed to be soundproof. Once they get complaints, the hotel will definitely send someone to check if everything is okay.
WiFi Charges
The hotel staff might have an easier time to waive the fees of the internet when you check out rather than waiving them when you arrive.
Subscribe...
To my feed via RSS
. (?) or via email.
if not, come back tomorrow on journeyetc.com and see what's new :)



Thanks, some good tips here.
I’m finding more and more that booking on line is by far the cheapest way to go then calling directly.
I’ve even been told over the phone that they can’t match the on line prices even when booking directly from the hotels website!
This is exactly an issue I have to do more research into, thanks for the post.
Hi,
These are the basic and very important part, when we are planning to going outside.
Very interesting man!!
Keep it up
Fabulous tips! Instead of calling direct or online I would strongly suggest using an experienced travel agent. My clients are constantly impressed on how much better of a deal I am able to get plus the luxury of having a contact if needed.
very good tips! its really best to call directly the hotel on where you will be staying so that you can speak with the hotel desk clerk or the manager and get a discount. we usually take the lotion and the soap with us if we stay in a hotel, but with the pillows that’s too much to take home. thanks again for the tips.
Great tips, everyone should read this
Oh never thought of this things…Anyway, I enjoyed going over all the tips you have constructed. It really pays to be alert sometimes and avoid expensive hotel services.
[...] on April 14, 2011 by The Las Vegas Urbanite After reading this article from Yahoo on what the 9 things hotel clerks won’t tell you, here are some tips and pointers from my experience in Vegas that all front desk agents would like [...]