Making a hotel reservation? Use these tips to get a better deal.Whether you like to stay at the Four Seasons or the Hilton, get discounts that count! According to according to prep. 1. As stated or indicated by; on the authority of: according to historians. 2. In keeping with: according to instructions. 3. The Penny Pincher's Passport passport Document issued by a national government identifying a traveler as a citizen with a right to protection while abroad and a right to return to the country of citizenship. It is normally a small booklet containing a description and photograph of the bearer. to Luxury Travel by Joel L. Widzer (Travelers' Tales Guides; $12.95), you don't have to be wealthy to enjoy luxury hotels. Of course, you can go online to www.hotels.com or www.expedia.com for discounts, or you can bundle your car, air, and hotel fares. But did you know there are other ways to get discounts on hotels? When booking your next hotel reservation, consider these tips: A Join a frequent guest program. "The hotel industry is a highly competitive business that is vulnerable to certain economic cycles," says Widzer, so frequent, guest programs were invented, Most of the major chains such as Marriott. Holiday Inn, and Westin offer such programs. And although more upscale places like the Ritz-Carlton "do not actively promote a frequent guest program, they do make special accommodations and upgrades available to their most loyal guests," he says. B Get to know the hotel manager, reservations manager, and bell captain. All businesses love repeat customers, so find out who's in charge and make friends--fast! These are the people who know the most about the hotel, from the best views re the best rates to the best times of the year to visit. Be sure to remind these key players how much you've enjoyed your stay and that you're a longtime long·time adj. Having existed or persisted for a long time: a longtime friend; a longtime resident of Detroit. longtime Adjective customer, or let them know of your intention to revisit re·vis·it tr.v. re·vis·it·ed, re·vis·it·ing, re·vis·its To visit again. n. A second or repeated visit. re if it's your first time. C Don't be afraid to tip an extra buck or two! You delft Delft (dĕlft), city (1994 pop. 91,941), South Holland prov., W Netherlands. It has varied industries and is noted for its ceramics (china, tiles, and pottery) known as delftware. Founded in the 11th cent. need re be extravagant ex·trav·a·gant adj. 1. Given to lavish or imprudent expenditure: extravagant members of the imperial court. 2. Exceeding reasonable bounds: extravagant demands. with tipping, but "you'll want to tip a sufficient amount to make an impact, enough for the staff to remember you and ensure preferential pref·er·en·tial adj. 1. Of, relating to, or giving advantage or preference: preferential treatment. 2. treatment." says Widzer. Typically, he tips valet, parking attendants, bell staff, and any staff of a restaurant that he plans to frequent a bit more in the beginning and then scales back to a customary tip. That may translate to a 20% to 25% tip up front while maintaining a 15% tip during the stay. For more information, read Hotel Secrets from The Travel Detective by Peter Greenberg (Random House; $14.95). |
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