Guaranteed rate?
Oct 1, 2017 | 7:56 pm
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: Aug 2005
Programs: DL Platinum, Marriott Platinum, Hertz 5*, Hilton Diamond.
Posts: 92
Guaranteed rate?
Hello everyone, I was wondering if anyone has had any experience or advice how to proceed with this. Quick backstory, I am with a new company where I have moved from straight expenses to a per diem. My new territory includes beach locations in Maryland and Delaware and as many of you know, the beaches are very expensive during the summer ($400+ a night during the season), well over my per diem. I have been staying about 40 miles away from some of my accounts during the high season just to stay within the per diem. Recently, I have discovered a new hotel (just opened over the summer) that has been wonderfully priced (now that it is the off-season) and it is a perfect location from my accounts. (I am a long-time Platinum with Marriott and a long-time Diamond with Hilton).
On my most recent visit, I got chatting with the front desk agent who noticed that I have now become a more frequent guest to this new hotel. I told her that I come to town for business all year long, but that during this summer the rates were too high for me to stay at the property and I was forced to stay 40 miles away. She told me that I needed to reach out to one of their managers and ask for a guaranteed rate. She gave me the name and email of the person I should reach out to at the property to discuss this with.
Heres my question: whats the best way to approach this via email? Is this common? Also, does anyone have experience with something like this? Will it affect the way I can accumulate points or status? Should I consider doing this for other hotels in my territory that are in more seasonal areas?
On my most recent visit, I got chatting with the front desk agent who noticed that I have now become a more frequent guest to this new hotel. I told her that I come to town for business all year long, but that during this summer the rates were too high for me to stay at the property and I was forced to stay 40 miles away. She told me that I needed to reach out to one of their managers and ask for a guaranteed rate. She gave me the name and email of the person I should reach out to at the property to discuss this with.
Heres my question: whats the best way to approach this via email? Is this common? Also, does anyone have experience with something like this? Will it affect the way I can accumulate points or status? Should I consider doing this for other hotels in my territory that are in more seasonal areas?
Oct 1, 2017 | 9:35 pm
#2
Join Date: Mar 2012
Location: Boulder
Programs: AA Plat, CX Silver
Posts: 2,361
Contact the hotel's sales manager and explain what you're looking for and how many stays you're projecting at the hotel over the next X months.
IME points/status work fine but I've only done this at a tiny handful of hotels.
IME points/status work fine but I've only done this at a tiny handful of hotels.
Oct 2, 2017 | 1:41 am
#3
Join Date: Aug 2000
Location: Exile
Posts: 16,063
Hotel sales teams are very used to this kind of request - I've negotiated this kind of deal all over the world for various employers.
You'll probably wind up paying slightly above market rate in off-peak season, but well below market rate in peak season.
You'll probably wind up paying slightly above market rate in off-peak season, but well below market rate in peak season.
Oct 2, 2017 | 7:16 am
#4
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jun 2006
Location: IAD/DCA
Posts: 31,871
as mentioned, 'corporate' rates are done with individuals for certain number of nights