When to book SF hotel?
Apr 16, 2016 | 9:23 am
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: Jun 2006
Location: UK, Peak District near MAN
Programs: BA- blue, BD,DL
Posts: 2,045
When to book SF hotel?
I know it's one of those how long is a piece of string questions but is there a general time in advance that is cheapest for SF hotels.
I'm arriving in March '17 so I assume not peak season. Should I wait for hotel sales later in the year?
Flight and time off work is already booked so dates are fixed.
I'm arriving in March '17 so I assume not peak season. Should I wait for hotel sales later in the year?
Flight and time off work is already booked so dates are fixed.
Apr 16, 2016 | 9:47 am
#2
Join Date: Feb 1999
Location: San Jose, California, USA
Programs: AS Plat, UA MM, AA MM, IC Plat, Marriott Gold, Hilton Gold, Hyatt Globalist
Posts: 3,167
What I do is research prices and locations and make a non-prepaid, cancellable reservation right away to lock in the maximum price I'll pay. Then I monitor sales and prices so that I know a better deal when I see one. I might even be willing to make a prepaid (but fully refundable) booking a few months in advance, if the price is much better than what I have already booked.
As a personal rule, I avoid making non-refundable hotel bookings more than a month or so in advance, but this timeframe depends entirely how firm your plans are, your tolerance for risk, and how much better the price is over what you've already booked.
As a personal rule, I avoid making non-refundable hotel bookings more than a month or so in advance, but this timeframe depends entirely how firm your plans are, your tolerance for risk, and how much better the price is over what you've already booked.
Apr 16, 2016 | 10:11 am
#3
A FlyerTalk Posting Legend
Join Date: Jul 1999
Location: Over the Bay Bridge, CA
Programs: Jumbo mas
Posts: 42,599
There's almost no such thing as "peak season" here anymore. All it takes is one large or a few smaller conventions and the entire city is full. I'd book something now and cancel/change if rates or choice of hotels improve.
Apr 16, 2016 | 12:26 pm
#4
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jan 2009
Location: London & Sonoma CA
Programs: UA Plat, MM *G for life, AY Plat, BA Silver
Posts: 10,553
This is very true. Rates can be astronomic one week and low the following. So lock something in now in case you hit the former week rather than the latter.
Apr 16, 2016 | 12:30 pm
#5
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Aug 2001
Location: SF CA USA. I love large faceless corporations. And they cherish me in return (sometimes). ;)
Programs: UA Premier Gold/disappointed 1MM, HH Gold, IHG Plat, MB lifetime Gold, BW Diam Sel
Posts: 17,819
What I do is research prices and locations and make a non-prepaid, cancellable reservation right away to lock in the maximum price I'll pay. Then I monitor sales and prices so that I know a better deal when I see one. I might even be willing to make a prepaid (but fully refundable) booking a few months in advance, if the price is much better than what I have already booked.
As a personal rule, I avoid making non-refundable hotel bookings more than a month or so in advance, but this timeframe depends entirely how firm your plans are, your tolerance for risk, and how much better the price is over what you've already booked.
As a personal rule, I avoid making non-refundable hotel bookings more than a month or so in advance, but this timeframe depends entirely how firm your plans are, your tolerance for risk, and how much better the price is over what you've already booked.
Apr 19, 2016 | 7:55 am
#6
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Apr 2000
Location: FLL -> Where The Boyars Are
Programs: AA EXP 1.7 M, Hilton Gold, Hertz 5*, AARP Sophomore, 14-time Croix de Candlestick
Posts: 18,669
First, as stated above, make a fully cancellable reservation.
Next, start monitoring the Moscone Center event calendar to check for conflicts.
Next, start monitoring the Moscone Center event calendar to check for conflicts.
Apr 19, 2016 | 1:46 pm
#7
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: May 2008
Location: San Francisco
Programs: GM on VX, UA, AA, HA, AS, SY; Budget Fastbreak; GM with hotels; Waymo; Honda crv; iOS
Posts: 36,688
Start reserving. Then reserve more and compare what you have.
Happy holiday!!!!
Apr 20, 2016 | 4:02 pm
#8
Join Date: Mar 2007
Location: SJC/SFO
Programs: WN A+ CP, UA 1MM/*A Gold, Mar LT Tit, IHG Plat, HH Dia
Posts: 6,377
I second all the advice above, and I'll add one thing new. If you're willing to take the chances involved with bidding sites like PriceLine (e.g., you aren't set on a specific hotel or room configuration), start looking there 2 weeks before your trip and up to 2 days before your trip. When occupancy rates are low, SF hotels put their extra inventory on there at lower prices. If you do find a last minute bargain there you can cancel the refundable rate stay you booked well in advance. You do have booked a stay already, right?
Feb 12, 2017 | 1:31 pm
#9
Original Poster
Join Date: Jun 2006
Location: UK, Peak District near MAN
Programs: BA- blue, BD,DL
Posts: 2,045
Thanks for all your advice. I did as suggested and booked 3 nights at the Chancellor Hotel for 375, refundable.
I kept an eye on the price every month or so and it was usually around 450- 500. Following the devaluation of the pound I thought I was unlikely to get a better rate but last month I spotted a non refundable deal at 326 so definitely a happy chap.
I've stayed at the Chancellor before so know what to expect there. All booked through hotels.com
Thanks for all your help.
I kept an eye on the price every month or so and it was usually around 450- 500. Following the devaluation of the pound I thought I was unlikely to get a better rate but last month I spotted a non refundable deal at 326 so definitely a happy chap.
I've stayed at the Chancellor before so know what to expect there. All booked through hotels.com
Thanks for all your help.
Feb 13, 2017 | 3:22 pm
#10
Moderator: Hilton Honors, Practical Travel Safety Issues, Information Desk & San Francisco
Join Date: Jan 2001
Location: San Francisco CA
Programs: UA, Hilton, Priceline, AirBnB
Posts: 11,319
I always check with the hotel itself as well.
JMHO But I've had great difficulties with hotels.com so haven't used them in years. Other people report great results, and I'm sure you'll be fine, but I always double check with the hotel directly especially if I'm booking a nonrefundable rate. The Chancellor seems to have many deals on their own site that equal or better the deal that you have from hotels.com. Again YMMV.
Feb 18, 2017 | 6:29 pm
#11
Original Poster
Join Date: Jun 2006
Location: UK, Peak District near MAN
Programs: BA- blue, BD,DL
Posts: 2,045
JMHO But I've had great difficulties with hotels.com so haven't used them in years. Other people report great results, and I'm sure you'll be fine, but I always double check with the hotel directly especially if I'm booking a nonrefundable rate. The Chancellor seems to have many deals on their own site that equal or better the deal that you have from hotels.com. Again YMMV.
One slight annoyance is that the hotel quotes rates which are exclusive of tax so it's not until you get to the final stage you find out what you are actually paying.
Fingers crossed hotels.com works.
Thanks again.
Feb 18, 2017 | 8:28 pm
#12
Moderator: Travel Safety/Security, Travel Tools, California, Los Angeles; FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Dec 2009
Location: LAX
Programs: oneword Emerald
Posts: 24,796
Hotel occupancy tax in San Francisco is 14%; in addition, depending on the location, there is 11.5% Tourism Improvement District assessment.