| With advertising like this: "We Promise the Lowest | | | | Just to confuse matters some more, consider that on |
| Rates Online or We'll Refund the Difference" staring at | | | | a competitor's website, this hotel had a rate of $134.25. |
| you, wouldn't this make you think this site had the | | | | This site offers to refund the difference AND will give |
| lowest rate available for the hotel you want to stay in? | | | | a $50 travel coupon if they don't have the lowest rate. |
| It would me. But wait - EVERY Third party site says | | | | It may well be a marketing strategy for this site, to |
| the same thing. They can't ALL have the lowest or | | | | grant a $50 coupon for a 50 cent difference. Or |
| cheapest rate, can they? And what about franchise | | | | perhaps they assume people just don't go to the |
| chain sites that guarantee a free night if THEY don't | | | | trouble over 50 cents and will never apply for the |
| have the lowest rate available? | | | | coupon, a much more likely scenario. |
| Assume for a moment you are looking for cheap | | | | The bottom line is that for you to find low cost hotels |
| luxury hotels or last minute hotel deals. Keep in mind | | | | and the lowest ADVANCE rate possible, the cheapest |
| that getting a cheap rate does not necessarily mean | | | | rate you can get almost always comes from one of |
| you are looking for cheap hotels. I recently searched | | | | several other sources. Calling the hotel directly may or |
| the major travel sites for Fisherman's Wharf and | | | | may not get you a lower rate - that will depend on |
| found a Hotel (which I won't name) listed for $133.75. | | | | their occupancy when you call. At the least they |
| On the hotels own website, they had a rate of $179.00. | | | | should match the Third Party rate but you need to |
| It appears the Third Party site DID have a lower rate. | | | | know what that rate is in order to make sure you get |
| But wait! There is a Best Rate Guarantee on the hotel | | | | it! You would need to do some minimal research but in |
| site and it says they will match any lower rate you see | | | | the end you will usually save at least 30%, which could |
| on any website - just call them and tell them. | | | | be anywhere from $20 up to $100. Not a bad rate of |
| Therefore the rates would be identical and BOTH | | | | return for 15-20 minutes worth of effort. |
| would have the lowest rate available. | | | | |