List possibly cheaper rates by phone than online
Sep 27, 2010, 1:01 am
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: May 2006
Location: BOS and ...
Programs: UA 2MM, AA 600k, DL 500k, Hyatt GP 1M, HH Gold, Rad. Gold, CP Gold, Miracle Fruit-su Club
Posts: 9,950
List possibly cheaper rates by phone than online
I always use the LPGA rate, but it wasn't coming in as usual for some upcoming stays - coincidentally - near California's several wine countries. I called, and a most generous reservationist asked if I have any affiliations. He asked about several, including insurance, and I said "GEICO". (I don't have any relationship, professional or familial with GEICO, except I am a customer and have the card.) I would never have thought of it. Sometimes it's the best I can find, and sometimes it's not.
Any other you know of? Even if this thread doesn't go anywhere, well, you have the tip about GEICO. (No receptionist has asked...)
Any other you know of? Even if this thread doesn't go anywhere, well, you have the tip about GEICO. (No receptionist has asked...)
Last edited by Firewind; Sep 30, 2010 at 5:44 pm Reason: No edit. Inadvertent...
Sep 30, 2010, 5:45 pm
#2
Original Poster
Join Date: May 2006
Location: BOS and ...
Programs: UA 2MM, AA 600k, DL 500k, Hyatt GP 1M, HH Gold, Rad. Gold, CP Gold, Miracle Fruit-su Club
Posts: 9,950
1) Continue to get GEICO to shave $3-$5 off the LPGA rate.
2) Don't know of a code to use online. "GEICO" doesn't work.
3) Most importantly, the confirmation says, "This rate is eligible for Choice Privileges® points." (And so the bonus.) ^
2) Don't know of a code to use online. "GEICO" doesn't work.
3) Most importantly, the confirmation says, "This rate is eligible for Choice Privileges® points." (And so the bonus.) ^
Last edited by Firewind; Sep 30, 2010 at 6:01 pm Reason: Make that "$3-"$5
Sep 30, 2010, 7:54 pm
#3
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jan 2005
Location: home = LAX
Posts: 25,933
Are you sure it's phone only? Or is it simply that "not available as easily as LPGA" rates are better?
There are some Choice SOS codes that you can find online that (when that travel site code that we all used a couple years ago) yielded the same discount as that travel site code, which at least at that time seemed to be a bigger discount than the leftover "publicly available codes to all". Most of the ones you'll find googling around are for various "farm bureaus" members and such. These work online, but the hotel sees the name of the organization whose code you've used in your reservation, so be prepared with a good story at least! (And don't every FTer use the same SOS code!)
There are some Choice SOS codes that you can find online that (when that travel site code that we all used a couple years ago) yielded the same discount as that travel site code, which at least at that time seemed to be a bigger discount than the leftover "publicly available codes to all". Most of the ones you'll find googling around are for various "farm bureaus" members and such. These work online, but the hotel sees the name of the organization whose code you've used in your reservation, so be prepared with a good story at least! (And don't every FTer use the same SOS code!)
Oct 15, 2010, 5:32 pm
#4
Original Poster
Join Date: May 2006
Location: BOS and ...
Programs: UA 2MM, AA 600k, DL 500k, Hyatt GP 1M, HH Gold, Rad. Gold, CP Gold, Miracle Fruit-su Club
Posts: 9,950
Interesting quirk: Stays, points and Gold bonus points show up for GEICO rate stays, but not the make-up to 8,000. The reservations say explicitly, "...is eligible for ChoicePrivileges points." CS rep on the phone says they'll look into it.
Oct 21, 2010, 10:35 pm
#6
Original Poster
Join Date: May 2006
Location: BOS and ...
Programs: UA 2MM, AA 600k, DL 500k, Hyatt GP 1M, HH Gold, Rad. Gold, CP Gold, Miracle Fruit-su Club
Posts: 9,950
Dec 27, 2010, 10:00 pm
#7
Original Poster
Join Date: May 2006
Location: BOS and ...
Programs: UA 2MM, AA 600k, DL 500k, Hyatt GP 1M, HH Gold, Rad. Gold, CP Gold, Miracle Fruit-su Club
Posts: 9,950
Am finding that sometimes GEICO is better, and sometimes LPGA is better, but the better one is always the best that I can find. Also finding that LPGA can't be seen by a live reservationist, but they can see GEICO (several data points, anyway). And I can't, or don't know how to, see the GEICO rate online. It's usually worth my time to check both ways, as the better rate is always at least $4 better. Silly difference, I know, but maybe there are others who watch this board who like a "free" sandwich, or, um, gallon of gas.....
Dec 29, 2010, 7:36 pm
#8
Join Date: Jun 2010
Location: ROC
Programs: Choice Privileges DIA, HHonors, United, Delta
Posts: 136
Am finding that sometimes GEICO is better, and sometimes LPGA is better, but the better one is always the best that I can find. Also finding that LPGA can't be seen by a live reservationist, but they can see GEICO (several data points, anyway). And I can't, or don't know how to, see the GEICO rate online. It's usually worth my time to check both ways, as the better rate is always at least $4 better. Silly difference, I know, but maybe there are others who watch this board who like a "free" sandwich, or, um, gallon of gas.....