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Old Aug 6, 2013, 6:30 pm
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Getting the best hotel rates
What days and times of the year do you veterans recommend for booking a hotel stay for fall/winter? After Labor Day I'm guessing.
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Old Aug 6, 2013, 6:33 pm
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June 22 between 1am and 4:30am.

Seriously, some details might help.
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Old Aug 6, 2013, 7:49 pm
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Book a room whenever you see a rate you find reasonable. As long as the rate is refundable, keep checking, and if the rates drop rebook it at the lower rate. If it goes up, you already have a rate locked in. It makes no sense to play guessing games as to when to reserve a hotel room.
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Old Aug 6, 2013, 8:19 pm
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Originally Posted by cordelli
Book a room whenever you see a rate you find reasonable. As long as the rate is refundable, keep checking, and if the rates drop rebook it at the lower rate. If it goes up, you already have a rate locked in. It makes no sense to play guessing games as to when to reserve a hotel room.
When I book a refundable fare, that's exactly what I do. A no lose proposition.

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Old Aug 7, 2013, 8:25 am
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Originally Posted by EmailKid
When I book a refundable fare, that's exactly what I do. A no lose proposition.

EmailKid
It sounds like there's more flexibility about cancellations than airlines.
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Old Aug 7, 2013, 8:31 am
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Originally Posted by flamingpanties
It sounds like there's more flexibility about cancellations than airlines.
Unless you have a prepaid rate, yes. Make sure you understand the cancellation policy. It is often 6pm day of, but could be as much as 3 days (or possibly even more) before check in date.

As mentioned above, keep checking rates for a drop, both at the hotel you have a reservation with, and any others you might be interested in. Don't forget to cancel before the deadline if you find a better deal elsewhere.

The same stategy generally applies to car rentals.
Last edited by djk7; Aug 7, 2013 at 9:00 am
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Old Aug 7, 2013, 8:46 am
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Originally Posted by flamingpanties
It sounds like there's more flexibility about cancellations than airlines.
No comparison. Also WRT to non-refundable: with hotels, that money if GONE, while with airlines you normally get some credit (or at least I have in the past).

Originally Posted by djk7
Unless you have a prepaid rate, yes. Make sure you understand the cancellation policy. It is often 6pm day of, but could be as much as 3 days (or possibly even more) before check in date.
Had a really great rate at a Holiday Inn in Madrid, but it way much further from town then what it looked like on a map, so as I was changing subways at Puerta del Sol I saw some inexpensive Hostals and called an audible.

Got the room, fired up my netbook, and around 4 p.m. cancelled my same day reservation, and enjoyed Madrid instead of Madrid Metro

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