Worth checking prices every couple of days!
Feb 21, 2017, 3:21 am
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: Jun 2012
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Worth checking prices every couple of days!
If you've made a flexible booking on IHG and your travel is several weeks or months away, then it's worth having a quick look at prices every few days as they can vary by a huge margin (around 30% in my exerience) for the same room at the same hotel.
I've just cancelled my original booking and made another flexible booking at a considerable cost saving.
I then checked a day later and the prices were up by over 10% compared to my original booking.
I've just cancelled my original booking and made another flexible booking at a considerable cost saving.
I then checked a day later and the prices were up by over 10% compared to my original booking.
Feb 21, 2017, 5:22 am
#2
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Aug 2007
Location: PARIS (France)
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When rates are high compared to average rates, best flexible rate might be the best solution, as generally this rate goes down (sometimes heavily) few days before check-in.
Still, advance rate is generally the safest solution.
Still, advance rate is generally the safest solution.
Feb 21, 2017, 8:52 am
#3
Join Date: Oct 2005
Location: FRA
Programs: LH SEN**, IHG Diamond Ambassador
Posts: 669
I agree that it is worth it to check the rates every couple of days (although a bit annoying). I book the best flexible rate almost all the time and often book several months in advance. In average, I cancel/re-book 2-3 times as the rate decreases up to 30%. Still, I have only seen very minor decreases a few days prior to check-in (and of course rate increases most of the time).
It is now already the second time that a few days after an initial booking for a stay that is more than 6 months ahead, I see significant decreases in the rate?!
It is now already the second time that a few days after an initial booking for a stay that is more than 6 months ahead, I see significant decreases in the rate?!
Feb 21, 2017, 9:11 am
#4
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My plan is to convert to a prepaid rate a couple of weeks before I travel - i.e. cancel the flex booking and make a new one on the prepaid rate. I've got the flexible rate to make sure I don't lose the room! I'm actually surprised by how it vares within a day or two by such a large amount.
Feb 21, 2017, 8:06 pm
#6
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Feb 22, 2017, 5:10 am
#7
Join Date: Apr 2006
Location: BNE
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Feb 22, 2017, 5:17 am
#8
Join Date: Feb 2008
Location: CLE
Posts: 1,886
Yes, ding ding ding! You are correct. It is for people "of a certain age" or a member of a retired persons organization. I qualify. I'm not "old as dirt", though! Yes 104£ is a great rate, but I was looking for something more central, if possible but those rates were higher. I can't have my cake and eat it, too.
Feb 22, 2017, 6:46 am
#9
Original Poster
Join Date: Jun 2012
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Posts: 1,335
Yes, ding ding ding! You are correct. It is for people "of a certain age" or a member of a retired persons organization. I qualify. I'm not "old as dirt", though! Yes 104£ is a great rate, but I was looking for something more central, if possible but those rates were higher. I can't have my cake and eat it, too.
Feb 22, 2017, 7:12 am
#10
Join Date: Dec 2006
Location: in a cabin
Posts: 6,522
Yeah last made use of this the other week at IC WAW.
Had flex rate booked at around 450PLN and then checked a few days before and same room had dropped to 300. Cancelled and rebooked.
Best one was for Z Ocean Beach last November. When trip was booked in March 2016 rates were going at a whooping 590USD per night. Checked a month before and it was down to 225! Of course exceptional circumstances due to Zika.
Had flex rate booked at around 450PLN and then checked a few days before and same room had dropped to 300. Cancelled and rebooked.
Best one was for Z Ocean Beach last November. When trip was booked in March 2016 rates were going at a whooping 590USD per night. Checked a month before and it was down to 225! Of course exceptional circumstances due to Zika.
Feb 22, 2017, 6:06 pm
#11
Join Date: Apr 2004
Location: Motown
Programs: DL, WN, AA, IHG Diamond, Hertz 5*
Posts: 3,409
I almost always keep checking rates after booking if making a reservation a few months ahead. In my experience, it seems the lowest rates show up around 3 weeks before arrival date. After that, rates start going up again.
Feb 23, 2017, 1:30 am
#12
Join Date: Apr 2006
Location: BNE
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Unless you know the REVPAR managers routine when it comes to reviewing pricing it's all hit and miss, and often luck. As an example I was looking at a property to stay in the next 24 hours, it was $159, hour later went to book and it was $195, six hours later back down to $159.
Mar 8, 2017, 4:39 am
#14
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Same happened to me too - IHG tends to drop their price from 7 days down to 3 days before arrival. I saved at least $30 per hotel when I was on a road trip - just check regularly to see if the price drops.
Mar 15, 2017, 3:39 pm
#15
Join Date: Dec 2010
Location: Lincoln, UK
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Just changed a standard double into a Club room at a C/P for 7 days time. Original booking made 5 months in advance. And a refund of £28.
Happy days.
Happy days.