Need negotiating tips for hotel after being told more expensive rate

Tip # 1 Be nice

I don't have any tips for you about negotiating, but make sure that you don't get too upset on the phone and just mention that you were curious about the price discrepancy.

I took screenshots too. I understand about being nice and courteous to get what you want regarding customer service. I just don't want my traveling guests getting robbed. That's not right.

Our venue/hotel is offering a discounted rate through the reservation desk only. Maybe yours is the same way. ETA I got it backwards, definitely call and inquire.

I had called a few hotels closest to my venue just out of curiosity to see how much they would knock off for group rates and based off of previous rates they don't do a huge discount. I think it's because the venue is in close proximity to an amphitheater but I'm going to call again around January. They're not even 4-5 star hotels so I was shocked at the prices. Crooks I tell you; crooks lol.

My best friend had this happen... his rate was 149 a night but when I went to book it was 129 on their site but if you used his "discount" group code it went back to 149. After telling him this he went back to the manager and they reviewed and revised. He spoke calmly and went in with proof... it helped a few if us had already booked under the lower rate... but it did take a bunch of back and forth. If you don’t have a contract you have more leeway since they know you can walk and they lose the business.

Are you sure that includes tax? I would call and let them know what you saw online and ask them to match it.

I called. The manager will not match. She said that the online price is advance booking rates and they are not as flexible with dates as they are with the group rates and they would be charged for even rooms they didn't use.

I do not know what to do. The hotels that are nasty are all sold out around the venue because the Bills stadium is right across the street. We do not know if the game is actually going to be that weekend or not. Anyways it's very in-demand and I have rooms I want to secure and I don't want to be screwed I'm not being able to get a room or a paying more. This hotel is cheaper than the one down the street.

What would you guys do if you were me?

Have you tried going through hiskipper.com? I was able to get rates way cheaper through them than I was on my own. Not sure if it would be the same for your area or not since you said its high demand

I have a similar issue with my hotel It's a Starwood property and they offer cheaper rates for Starwood members who pay in advance. We had a few guests book under that rate but others went through the block and paid the higher rate. It's a 4 star, hotel that is in high demand so I think they feel like they don't have to negotiate. It was a bummer. However, our entire block got booked anyway.

I had a similar situation, and our hotel matched the price, and then price matched a rate we were quoted one week earlier that was even lower (I'm out of town, so my mom did a preliminary tour to see which hotels were worth talking to/visiting). I can't believe they wouldn't even match the internet price.

Keep in mind your wedding is a year from now. You can't compare the current rate to what it might be in a year. That's why the manager won't match, and she shouldn't. When you're doing a room block, you're locking in the price for your guests so that if rates go up as your event approaches, they are still able to get a good rate. Unless you know you have a HUGE group coming in, sorry, you don't have any negotiating power. Especially since the hotel is in a popular location and close to a sports arena, even if the Bills don't have a home game that weekend there might be another event booked there.

Are you concerned that not having enough people book at the hotel and you'll be responsible for the balance? Are you able to get a courtesy block? Personally, I would ask again nicely to see if you can get a slightly better rate then go with it. As you get closer you can always go back and ask again, but if the hotel and area are as popular as you say, get in now before the option is gone.

After speaking to my dad he advised me to book a block especially since things are quickly selling out. I understand $4 isn't a big difference, I am just really stingy I guess and when I see the best deal I want to jump at it. But at the end of the day I rather have my guests have a room with everything they would need and close to the venue.

What is their cancellation policy? Most hotel, you can cancel the week of.

If online rates are cheaper, with 20% discount, I would just reserve 10 rooms online using your credit card. When you know for sure who would be staying at the hotel, you can call and change the guest names for each reservation. The guest can use their own card to pay when they check in. Cancel the rest of unused reservation.

I had to go this route for our immediate family because they were not sure they wanted to stay the night (home being only one hour away) but the deadline for group rate was approaching.