I've started this thread for everyone to post their tips and tricks for getting a better deal on hotels. It was inspired by my recent booking at the Fullerton in Singapore, when I decided I should try staying somewhere other than the Fairmont. Hope it helps someone, somewhere get a better deal.
Whenever I try to book a hotel I start with the usual suspects and see if any are offering a special rate, otherwise they are generally all about the same price. I personally find expedia au the cheapest but everyone has their own preference. Make sure that the rate you see includes all taxes (all AU sites should, others less so).
Next, always check through the hotel's own website too, as they sometimes have cheaper internet-only deals or an 'offers' page with better deals on it. (Eg Fairmont Singapore's advance puchase code was different to the one the site in-putted by default, so you had to hunt to find it and book)
Finally I check if any loyalty programmes may be applicable to the hotel, offering a better deal or at least the opportunity to earn points/free nights. Sometimes they may have an offer which requires you to book through specific links and rate codes.
At the Fullerton, for my dates, I couldn't find much better than SGD316++/night for a base room on the hotel website and travel aggregators. Tried IPrefer as the hotel is a member and found a few deals at a slightly improved price, or the same price with breakfast and late checkout. Wasn't too keen though, as I had a free suite upgrade at the Fairmont and wanted lounge access without paying too much more.
So I had a bit of a google around and found Virtuoso. For those not familiar it is a network of travel agents who seem to offer higher-end travel packages. They have deals with lots of large hotels for extra benefits if a stay is booked through their members. In my case the Fullerton offers a 1 class room upgrade, free breakfast, late check-out, a free book or stamp
and, most importantly, lounge access. Best of all, the rate is still the SGD316++ I would have paid for a base room.
Most people know Accor, SPG, HHonors and Hyatt Gold Passport but there's tonnes of groups out there like Iprefer, Leading Hotels of the World, Virtuoso...
Any one else have any tips, ideas or networks that they know about or routinely check for discounts?
Jon
Whenever I try to book a hotel I start with the usual suspects and see if any are offering a special rate, otherwise they are generally all about the same price. I personally find expedia au the cheapest but everyone has their own preference. Make sure that the rate you see includes all taxes (all AU sites should, others less so).
Next, always check through the hotel's own website too, as they sometimes have cheaper internet-only deals or an 'offers' page with better deals on it. (Eg Fairmont Singapore's advance puchase code was different to the one the site in-putted by default, so you had to hunt to find it and book)
Finally I check if any loyalty programmes may be applicable to the hotel, offering a better deal or at least the opportunity to earn points/free nights. Sometimes they may have an offer which requires you to book through specific links and rate codes.
At the Fullerton, for my dates, I couldn't find much better than SGD316++/night for a base room on the hotel website and travel aggregators. Tried IPrefer as the hotel is a member and found a few deals at a slightly improved price, or the same price with breakfast and late checkout. Wasn't too keen though, as I had a free suite upgrade at the Fairmont and wanted lounge access without paying too much more.
So I had a bit of a google around and found Virtuoso. For those not familiar it is a network of travel agents who seem to offer higher-end travel packages. They have deals with lots of large hotels for extra benefits if a stay is booked through their members. In my case the Fullerton offers a 1 class room upgrade, free breakfast, late check-out, a free book or stamp
and, most importantly, lounge access. Best of all, the rate is still the SGD316++ I would have paid for a base room.Most people know Accor, SPG, HHonors and Hyatt Gold Passport but there's tonnes of groups out there like Iprefer, Leading Hotels of the World, Virtuoso...
Any one else have any tips, ideas or networks that they know about or routinely check for discounts?
Jon
