Hilton HHonors - Extremely Cheap Walk-in Rates?

I love to read TripAdvisor reviews and in two of them, I read about a phenomenon that surprised me very much. Upon check-in, a HHonors member overheard the receptionist offering walk-in guests of the Hilton Arc de Triomphe a walk-in rate of 110 Euros, a rate you will never find on the Hilton web page for that property. With the Hilton Charles de Gaulle Airport, a guest writes that his walk-in rate was 56 % of the cheapest rate offered on the Hilton web page.

Is that a specifically French phenomenon or does anyone else have experiences with extremely cheap walk-in rates like these?

Sure...it happens frequently. All depends on how badly the property wants to fill unsold rooms, and how much leeway the FD staff has been given by management. Certainly not restricted to one region.

Same thing close in and not just with Hilton. Always call the property directly (not the 800#) and see what you can work out. Very often, you can find amazing rates, particularly if you can do without fluff such as points and the like.

Same thing with day rooms or very late arrivals where you commit to being out of the room by a specific early time.

Most hotels will negotiate a rate if their occupancy rate is low and it is later in the evening. The philosophy is better something than nothing for the room as long as it is above the cost of doing business. the problem with some small motels in U.S. is that the desk clerk would rather do nothing so they quote rack rate or best available rate to get you to leave Specially if it is close to quitting time.
Also NEVER ask for the best available rate as it never is the BEST. Better to ask "what is the lowest price you will rent the room for"? If it seems high start to walk you will usually be asked what you want to pay or similar question.

There have been some well-designed studies on this, a heck of a lot more reliable than some schmoe on TripAdvisor.

There have been some well-designed studies on this, a heck of a lot more reliable than some schmoe on TripAdvisor.


Do you have a link to any of these studies?

There are a few bargains that can be had via roomsaver.com for walk-ins.

Google

hotel walk up rate

and you will find a few stories about it, including this older thread - http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/hilton-hhonors/127515-any-success-late-night-walk-up-rates.html

Not sure how accurate they are, but I've been told there are chances for walk up deals at hotels and sometimes car rental places.

Don't forget to offer to pay cash (as in currency, not CC) and nod when the FD clerk tells you the computer system is down so he can't generate a receipt.

Don't forget to offer to pay cash (as in currency, not CC) and nod when the FD clerk tells you the computer system is down so he can't generate a receipt.

What an extremely great idea! Always good to have no evidence that you're actually legally staying at a hotel!

Of course, you may not get any points at these rates.

Of course, you may not get any points at these rates.

What about stay credit if you stay on a no point rate?

What an extremely great idea! Always good to have no evidence that you're actually legally staying at a hotel!
The responsibility lies with the FD agent to properly account for the cash and complete the check-in, not the guest, and there are inevitably cameras focused on the FD in the extremely unlikely event that any follow-up proof is needed.

Not sure how accurate they are, but I've been told there are chances for walk up deals at hotels and sometimes car rental places.

I don't know about walk up rates, but I frequently check on line the week of a stay and even the day before a stay to see if rates have dropped. I have found lower rates from time to time, booked at the new rate and cancelled my former reservation. This has been true for both Hilton properties and Marriott.

Found the same to be true on a week long car reservation last fall as well. My experience has been it pays (me) to keep checking.

The responsibility lies with the FD agent to properly account for the cash and complete the check-in, not the guest, and there are inevitably cameras focused on the FD in the extremely unlikely event that any follow-up proof is needed.

+1 - Exactly. Customers don't need "proof of legality" in this country. What the hotel uses for its own internal systems is the hotel's business. If you can get a $250 room for $50 in cash, that's your side of the transaction.

Are these rates only for the one night or can you book multiple nights?

This is a very interesting thread.