Brian Emery
Brian Emery

Money-saving tip: Recheck those reservations before your vacation

April 6, 2013, 1:58 PM · In just a few weeks we will be hitting beautiful, wonderful, delightful Orlando for our yearly visit. Since it is a busy time of year for Orlando, I booked early and the prices were higher than usual. And I expected this. So now that we are getting close to the actual vacation, I always recheck to see if the prices have dropped.

Hotel room
The price you booked for a hotel room weeks ago might not have to be the price you pay.

They were. Our hotel was $500 cheaper -- I booked in January at $1,700 at a resort\hotel. And the new price I rebooked at $1,200 -- for a $500 savings. Same hotel, same room, same everything... except the price.

Then I rechecked my rental car. I originally booked with Budget at $310.00 for eight days. This was the cheapest at the time I booked for a midsize car. After rechecking, I found a Premium car at Alamo for $90.00 less. A better car and a $90 savings!

I also did this a few years ago and saved a total of $300 on that vacation.

Just a few clicks of the mouse and I am now saving $600. Have you rechecked the prices for your upcoming vacation yet?

Replies (7)

JamesGillies
Writer
James Koehl
April 6, 2013 at 5:21 PM · Brian, as much traveling as I've done, it never crossed my mind to recheck the prices. I guess I always assumed that they would just go up. Thanks for this wake-up call!
Marko50
Insider
Mark Kausch
April 7, 2013 at 7:13 AM · The hotel tip is an amazing one - thank you! However, the rent-a-car didn't strike home with me. *Just* a less expensive price isn't the be-all for me; how's the service if you break down? And I'd rather not have a premium car, but I guess that's personal preferance.
fredroy
Fred Roy
April 7, 2013 at 11:19 AM · Great idea! I made a reservation for Orlando in January for a trip in December. A couple of weeks ago I checked the room prices and saw they had dropped from $68 a night to $62 so I rebooked the reservation. Probably will check the prices every two months until my trip.
anonymous
216.64.80.82
April 8, 2013 at 6:49 AM · I work for a resort company and booking and then cancelling and re-booking is very common as prices go up and down. The one thing I suggest is that if you have to call in to cancel is to ask the representative if they can change the rates for you. Sometimes they can, which will save you the hassle of having to wait for a refund and redoing the reservation. Just tell them that you really do want to stay with them but that the current rates are lower than what you paid and can they "please see what they can do".

Most of the times, you will get your rate change. Also, it never hurts to be nice/polite when talking to the rep, it's amazing how suddenly rooms/prices can open up if there is no attitude involved.

Mr.Emery
Brian Emery
April 8, 2013 at 8:00 AM · One more thing, you must also know your Hotels reservations policy… Some will charge you a cancellation fee. I did not have a cancelation fee if I canceled within 3 days before the trip.

Read and understand all of the policy’s first…

5 Days until I leave.... I am too excited....

Russtinator
Writer
Russell Meyer
April 8, 2013 at 9:55 AM · This has happened to us on more than one occassion. Most recently, our trip last month to southern California. We booked a rental car in November at what I thought was an unbeatable rate of $155 for 10 days, but then 2 weeks before we left, I discover that the rate dropped to $135. It'll drive you crazy, but it's certainly worth a constant check leading up to a vacation where you're spending a significant amount of money.
Anonymous878
Anon Mouse
April 8, 2013 at 10:59 AM · I certainly checked the prices, but I never experienced the discounts you did. I'll be more vigilent next time.

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