Baby Boomer Travel (part 3)

I don't want this to sound like an infomercial but you can stay at better, upscale properties for the same price as the chains with numbers in their names. What you have to do is look at the total package, the whole picture. While these discoveries are not earth shaking and will never rival the location of the 10th planet from the Sun, they will let you stay at better properties and keep some cash in your pocket.

Over the years I have observed the following: Hotels that cater to business travelers are like airlines... Weekdays, the prices are high, weekends they fall. Hotels that cater to leisure travelers are like "supposedly" low cost airlines and keep their prices level all week. With proper planning and other tips and tricks, it is very possible to stay at Marriott, Hilton, Sheraton, Hyatt and Westin hotels, to name just a few, for the cost of mid price chains. The simplest secret in the equation is planning ahead and using affiliations and good coupons wisely. My target price for the hotels I have mentioned is $75-85 per night including taxes, parking and breakfast. With four of us, the breakfast is a must. Even at Denny's; breakfast for the four of us is going to be $20 with the tip. That, my friends, is the big picture... Value Added ! Don't get me wrong here, I am not panning mid price chains. The budget chains certainly have their place at 10 PM when things have gone poorly on the road that day and I have to pull over and stop for the night. When the wife is giving me THAT look, I am very happy to see that Tom has left the light on for us!

Planning ahead for the leisure traveler should mean a month or more. . Many chains have advance purchase discounts which require an immediate deposit or full payment to retain that price. Make sure that everything else associated with your travel is in order before you book. While it is possible to find a sympathetic ear if something happens and you can not make your travel, don't count on it. While I may get in trouble for this statement, draw objections from travelers who identify with one chain over another and lose my precious metal cards with the various chains, there isn't ten cents worth of difference among the major chains as they all try to out do one another . Without going into a long dissertation, just be aware that there are three basic kinds of hotels within a chain: owned and operated by the chain, NOT owned but managed/operated by the chain and neither owned nor operated but franchised by the chain. In all cases, the hotels must meet the same standards of the chain in order to remain "branded".

Watch for those all-important coupons and notices in your monthly statement but be sure to use those coupons when they really are to your advantage. Speaking of AAdvantage, American Airlines used to include a car and hotel coupon with their AAdvantage Awards. The car was a nice touch because it was for one or more free days with no additional rental required but the hotel coupon went from the package into the trash immediately on receipt. Why? Well unless it was for a top award, it was only a 25 to 50% discount off the room. So, 25% to 50% is pretty good isn't it? Well no, not when it is off a rack rate of $250 and you can advance purchase the same room for $100! Not a good deal at all... Look those coupons over really well, as many are not what they seem. Even the buy one night and get one free coupons tend to be at rack, but if there is a convention in town and this is all you have left, use it... Half of rack for two nights is better than no room at all!

Watch the weekly specials that come from the chains directly or from the airlines as they tie them to their weekly email specials on Tuesday evening or Wednesday. If you are a frequent guest at "Plush Hotels" and you see a special on a nearby "Outstanding Hotels" property, call the front office manager/reservations manager at Plush. Tell him, "You know, I see that Outstanding is having a special weekend rate at their property down the block from you and since I am a Double Superduper Aluminum member with you guys and would really prefer saying in my 'home' hotel, could you extend that price to me?" Once again, all they can say is no and there is a good chance that because of your status, hey will extend Outstanding's price to you... Be prepared to fax or email the offer from Outstanding Hotels to the contact at Plush.

Many properties will work hard achieving name recognition of their frequent customers, that is, "Good morning Mrs. Smith," as you enter the restaurant for breakfast. If you do frequent the same property several times a year, try to do the same. Learn who the front office manager is and who the supervisors are in the various departments as well. When you check in, ask the desk clerk to, "Say hello to Ms. Brown (the front office manager) for me please and tell her I am back." You will feel better about knowing who to contact should you need assistance and they, like you, feel good being called by name. And, don't be surprised if you are upgraded.

Some hints and tips

•  Don't be afraid to ask if the rate you have is the best available. Rates do change and you may get a lower one.
•  Sometimes just adding a weekend night will lower your rate for an entire stay.
•  Occasionally, dividing a stay may reduce your rate as a higher price may be quoted for the week than if you make the weekdays in one reservation and the weekend on another.
•  Be flexible in order to exercise all your options.

Next time, we will examine partnerships among airlines, hotels and car rentals with emphasis on earning free travel by maximizing points. Please feel free to send your travel questions on any topic, not just “how to,” to: Bob-Jones@BookingWiz.com