Why You Should Call Your Hotel

With the vast majority of properties offering some form of online bookings these days, picking up the phone to book a hotel may seem so … last-century. And yet, sometimes there are benefits to calling the front desk and talking to a live human being.

As we advise in Choosing a Hotel, “Calling a hotel directly … might get you a room at the last minute or during peak travel times. National reservations desks often have a cap on the number of rooms they can fill at any given hotel, with the rest left to the specific hotel staff. Those working at the front desk have a better sense of the hotel’s capacity and will be more likely to check for cancellations or no-shows. … Avoid calling in the morning or mid-afternoon, when front desks are busiest.”

While you’re on the phone, you can also ask for information that might not be readily available online, such as which rooms or floors have better views, how safe the neighborhood is if you’re arriving after dark, and which amenities will be available in your particular room.

If price is a concern, this is your chance to negotiate for a better deal. Ask if the hotel is currently offering any specials, or if they have discounts for seniors, AAA members and the like. The worst they can say is no.

See more ideas for lowering your hotel rate.