How to catch changes in rates
 

Hi all...I'm after some advice on making sure I'm getting the best rate without having to recheck every few days.

I've booked a break to NYC, BOS, Wentworth By the Sea and MIA June 15th-30th.

About a week or so ago, MIA, particularly the CY Beach Oceanfront was coming in @ $115 a night, advanced purchase rate (6/26-6/30). I hadn't finalised flights from the UK yet, so I noted it (in a spreadsheet with all other options - how sad is that :D)

I checked again the following night, it had gone to $125 3 nights, $145 1 night. Still without final plans, I didn't book. The following night I'd finalised flights and went to book, but it had gone to $145 and $175 respectively at which point I booked before it went any higer.

I just happened to look yesterday and it had dropped to $125 for the whole 4 nights and the Marriott SoBe had dropped from $309/$149 to $279/$149. Although I'm thinking about the JW, but that's another thread for another day ;)

Obviously I rebooked, but I don't want to be rechecking everyday. The BRG only covers 24hrs and because of the price hike at the CY I originally ended up making about 30 reservations that covered all possible options and cancelled the ones I didn't need. Big waste of my time.

This happened before (Marriott Cardiff, UK). I managed to catch it and the CS said they *would* have reduced my rate on check in...yeah right!

There must be an easier way. Does anybody have any thoughts. Thanks

David

I think the only way you can be really sure is to keep checking regularly. I went to Toronto last year and reserved a room at the Eaton Centre Marriott, then got the rate reduced via the LNF guarantee. I had another look after a couple of weeks and the Marriott site had the same rate but the competitor rate had gone down by quite a bit so I re-booked, submitted another claim and when it had been approved, cancelled the original reservation. I did this another twice when the rate dropped by enough to make it worthwhile.

Yeah, some hotel rates are starting to become like airfares... the stupid thing changes a couple times a week. I usually book out pretty far in advance for vacations, and then periodically re-check and change the reservations when/if it drops. Rarely do I see the rate go up from the time I booked, unless the hotel becomes close to sold out. Usually it drops a couple months out from the date.

Thanks Guys,

I guess I'll just keep checking...its a shame its been more than 24hrs, LNF/BRG would have been nice