Hello everyone, I was wondering if anyone has had any experience or advice how to proceed with this. Quick backstory, I am with a new company where I have moved from straight expenses to a per diem. My new territory includes beach locations in Maryland and Delaware and as many of you know, the beaches are very expensive during the summer ($400+ a night during the season), well over my per diem. I have been staying about 40 miles away from some of my accounts during the high season just to stay within the per diem. Recently, I have discovered a new hotel (just opened over the summer) that has been wonderfully priced (now that it is the off-season) and it is a perfect location from my accounts. (I am a long-time Platinum with Marriott and a long-time Diamond with Hilton).

On my most recent visit, I got chatting with the front desk agent who noticed that I have now become a more frequent guest to this new hotel. I told her that I come to town for business all year long, but that during this summer the rates were too high for me to stay at the property and I was forced to stay 40 miles away. She told me that I needed to reach out to one of their managers and ask for a guaranteed rate. She gave me the name and email of the person I should reach out to at the property to discuss this with.

Here’s my question: what’s the best way to approach this via email? Is this common? Also, does anyone have experience with something like this? Will it affect the way I can accumulate points or status? Should I consider doing this for other hotels in my territory that are in more seasonal areas?