Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
7. SPECIAL WEEKEND RATES
If you are not averse to about an hour's drive to Dis-
neyland, you can get a great weekend rate on rooms in downtown Los Angeles. Most
hotelsthatcatertobusiness,government,andconventiontravelersofferspecialweek-
end discounts that range 15%-40% below normal weekday rates. You can find out
about weekend specials by calling the hotel or by consulting your travel agent.
8. WHOLESALERS, CONSOLIDATORS, AND RESERVATION SERVICES
Wholesalers and
consolidators buy rooms, or options on rooms (room blocks), from hotels at a low ne-
gotiated rate. They then resell the rooms at a profit through travel agents, tour pack-
agers, or directly to the public. Most wholesalers and consolidators have a provi-
sion for returning unsold rooms to participating hotels, but they are disinclined to do
so. The wholesaler's or consolidator's relationship with any hotel is predicated on
volume. If they return rooms unsold, the hotel might not make as many rooms avail-
able to them the next time around. Thus, wholesalers and consolidators often offer
rooms at bargain rates, anywhere from 15%-50% off rack, occasionally sacrificing
their profit margin to avoid returning the rooms to the hotel unsold.
When wholesalers and consolidators deal directly with the public, they fre-
quently represent themselves as “reservation services.” When you call, you can ask
for a rate quote for a particular hotel or, alternatively, ask for their best available deal
in the area where you prefer to stay. If there is a maximum amount you are willing to
pay, say so. Chances are that the service will find something that will work for you,
even if they have to shave a dollar or two off their own profit. Sometimes you will
have to prepay for your room with your credit card when you make your reservation.
Most often, you will pay when you check out. Listed below are two services that fre-
quently offer substantial discounts in the Anaheim area.
ANAHEIM AREA WHOLESALERS AND CONSOLIDATORS
California reservations
800-780-5733
cheap-discount-hotels.com
800-246-8357
hotels.com
9. CLUBS AND ORGANIZATIONS
If you belong to AAA, AARP, or a number of other
organizations, you can obtain lodging discounts. Usually the discounts are modest,
5%-15%, but occasionally higher.
10. IF YOU MAKE YOUR OWN RESERVATION
As you poke around trying to find a good
deal, there are several things you should know. First, always call the hotel in question
as opposed to the hotel chain's national toll-free number. Quite often, the reservation-
ists at the national numbers are unaware of local specials. Always ask about specials
before you inquire about corporate rates. Do not be reluctant to bargain. If you are
buying a hotel's weekend package, for example, and want to extend your stay into the
