I'm planning to stay 5 nights at a hotel in Porto Alegre and I noticed the price on Booking is way more expensive than calling directly. Have you guys managed to get a discount by talking to the front desk before confirming the reservation? What's the best way to do that without coming across as annoying?
Actually, Booking tends to have good prices precisely because they negotiate in volume, so calling directly doesn't always pay off - but it's worth trying, yeah. What works better is contacting the hotel directly (email or phone) before making any reservation, explaining that you'll be staying 5 nights and asking if they have any special rates or packages, like breakfast included or a discount for longer stays. The front desk staff don't really read emails like that, you need to talk to the sales department or reception itself, and they tend to be receptive because they prefer customers who book directly (they save on the Booking commission).
Calling the hotel directly doesn't always pay off, I agree with whoever said that, but the trick is to call a few days before you finalize the booking and let them know you're comparing prices - that's when the front desk staff actually moves to not lose the reservation. Another thing that works pretty well is asking if they have any promotions for longer stays (5 nights is a good argument) or if they have any packages going on right now, like breakfast included that doesn't show up on Booking. The important thing is to be direct and polite, nothing that makes it seem like you're asking for a favor - you're a customer, you're just looking for better value for money.
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