Useful Things to Know when Getting a Hotel Room

Unless you like being price gouged or left in the rain, it's very important to do research before showing up at a hotel and assuming all will be well. Sometimes all is well but occasionally it isn't. First, although it may sound like common sense, it's a bad idea to assume that there will be a room open. I've worked at a hotel for two years in Memphis, TN. Memphis hosts a big convention in November every year known as COGIC (Church of God in Christ). Most people living outside of Memphis, and several that live within it, don't know this convention even exists and why should they unless they are a member of that specific denomination and live in the area. However, more often than not during COGIC every single hotel within a fifty mile radius of the city will be booked. That is not an exaggeration. Before driving three hundred miles, make sure to call a hotel in the area you are planning to go. If you don't want to make a reservation at least ask if it is reasonable to expect a room in the area to be free.

Another common assumption many people make is that their child can use their credit card. Most hotels are required, by policy, to check a person's I.D. and match to the name on the credit card and to the person standing in front of them. This means even if the child has your I.D. with them, if you are not present, they can't use the credit card. You may have been to plenty of hotels that don't follow this rule; however it is a common policy. I'd be willing to bet those hotels that don't check I.D. are just ignoring their own policies. The important thing is to call the hotel and ask what their policies are. Usually you can easily e-mail or fax a credit card authorization form to them that will allow another person to use your credit card for their stay.

When researching prices for hotel rooms, make sure to check out several hotels and also to check out the same hotel from more than one source. Sometimes it is cheaper to book a room online and sometimes it is cheaper to book with the hotel directly. Don't just take a website's word that they have the best price. I've experienced incidents where a travel agent online has actually given a customer a higher rate than the one they would have received had they called the hotel directly. It's a good idea to check at least two websites and to call the hotel to compare what rates are being offered. Also, if booking online, make sure to read the fine print. Sometimes you will get a discount online because you are unable to cancel that reservation once it is made.

Also, know that at some hotels the rates will vary from month to month. Rates often depend on when the busy season is for the particular hotel. Busy seasons are determined by a mix of factors including location, local events, and the large mystery factor that is consumer patterns. Sometimes there's logic to it. Sometimes there isn't. You will also find that Monday thru Thursday is often cheaper than Fridays or Saturdays. Occasionally Sundays will be cheaper than all other days because Sundays on the whole seem to the slowest for hotels. Make sure to ask about rate changes in the days of the week when making an extended stay.

The most important things to remember are to not assume anything and to always research your options thoroughly (both online and by calling the location). Every hotel is different and runs on their own policies and standards. Don't be afraid to ask questions.