Originally Posted by
ellylex
Thank You all for Your input.
I was simply under the impression that nonrefundable rate is fixed and is the lowest. I did not know that it can be lowered later on.
I usually book refundable rates, that is why I decided to ask about the policy.
Nah, typically BAR (advance non cancel) rate is typically just approx 30% discount from Flex Rate on day you make the reservation. As the flex rate varies (up + down) due to hotel revenue manager needing to sell rooms at maximum revenue, so does the associated discounted BAR rate move up+down too
Booking 11 months ahead to ensure a room, you'll usually find rates are set high rather than average, and unless a date like half-term, Easter, New Year, always expect Flex rate 3months out to be lower than 11 months out.
However hotels don't always have advance rates for sale, once a certain percentage of rooms are sold by hotel on BAR to guarantee income for a night to cover operating costs, hotels tend to revert to flex only booking availability, I have seen no flex rates available months out occaisionally, not just in last few weeks.