Best way to make same-day reserations? (US)
Aug 2, 2022, 12:43 pm
#16
Original Poster
Join Date: May 2016
Location: ATL
Programs: DL GM, Marriott Titanium
Posts: 1,241
Thanks for the information everyone! Looks like I'll be using the app then. I'm pretty sure I'll be making bookings before midnight, but good to know about some of the edge cases in case I end up on the road late needing a room late at night!
Aug 2, 2022, 1:08 pm
#17
Join Date: May 2022
Posts: 2,255
When driving cross country a few years ago I found better rates on Hotels.com for day of booking that I made. I made the reservation in the hotel parking lot and then went inside and it was no issue. So even third parties dont seem to have a lag.
Aug 2, 2022, 1:13 pm
#18
Join Date: Sep 2013
Location: SoCal
Programs: UA Gold, Marriott Gold
Posts: 186
I have tried that. It would have worked in terms of finding and booking the room, but the rate was more than I wanted to pay for about 7 hours in a hotel. So I brought up a competitor’s app and booked the hotel next door!
Aug 3, 2022, 12:21 am
#19
Join Date: Jan 2005
Location: Silicon Valley
Programs: Marriott Ambassador
Posts: 1,243
Strange. I just tried making a dummy booking in New York and North Carolina where it's about 2:15am on August 3. The app had no problem allowing me to select and see availability for August 2. I even set my VPN to New York just in case the app cared about my location. Even the Book for Tonight option appeared.
Aug 3, 2022, 12:23 am
#20
Join Date: Oct 2013
Location: SFO
Programs: UA 1K, AA EXP, Hyatt Glob, Hilton Diamond, Marriott Plat, Total Wine & More Reserve
Posts: 4,509
For example, I can still run a search on hotels on the east coast tonight (already next day there), but yeah it errors out when selecting a room to book.
Aug 3, 2022, 12:31 am
#21
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jun 2010
Location: TOA
Programs: HH Diamond, Marriott LTPP/Platinum Premier, Hyatt Lame-ist, UA !K
Posts: 20,061
If I'm booking for the same day, then either I use my company's travel site for work or via the app if personal.
However, given that I prefer to compare and look around across not only Marriott's properties and web site but other locations, I personally prefer to be on a computer and browse accordingly if possible.
David
However, given that I prefer to compare and look around across not only Marriott's properties and web site but other locations, I personally prefer to be on a computer and browse accordingly if possible.
David
Aug 3, 2022, 12:32 am
#22
Join Date: Jan 2020
Posts: 171
I've even seen plenty of front desk agents tell walk-in guests to sign up for Marriott Bonvoy and book in the app using Member Rates to get a cheaper price than they can quote. Though, frankly, I don't doubt that you can probably get a discount sometimes by calling in or haggling.
Do agree the app is where to start as the benchmark.