European Stars and Stripes (Newspaper) - March 11, 1990, Darmstadt, Hesse                                Getting a break on hotel prices by Nancy Sharkey new York times this is How a $150 a night hotel room became an $85-a-Mght room last october planning a trip to san Diego i called the Sheraton Harbour Island hotel for rate information the reservations clerk said the Standard room rate was $150, t plunged ahead Quot arc there any cheaper Rales a Quot lower floors Are $130 and $110. Quot does it make a difference if in a staying on a weekend night Quot her computer clicked Quot yes there is a $92 rate available Quot Quot what about Iraq Cunt flier programs Quot it turns out american airlines had an $85-a-night Deal for the hotel and that a what i paid. The lesson is simple ask for a lower rate. In their quest Tor full occupancy More and More hotels Are flexible in pricing. If travellers done task for a discount it s unlikely they la be offered one out of the Blue travel planners and Industry analysts say. Last year an average hotel room was discounted by about 25 percent nationwide according to a study by the hotel consulting firm of Laventhol amp Horwath. In 1988, the median rack or published Rale was $74 a night the hotels actually got about $55 a night the a study found. Usually Only a limited number of a hotels rooms Are set aside for discounts which can to be combined with other discounts. One cannot get a corporate discount on a weekend rate Lor example Here Are some commonly offered discounts according to hotel spokesmen corporate travel planners and Industry experts a corporate usually about 10 percent below the rack Rale a traveler does t have to be on business or even a corporate employee in Many instances to get a corporate rate at major american hotels. Says a Hyatt spokeswoman Quot anyone is eligible. All you have to do is ask to see if it s  this rate is often available in business cities and during the off season. Marriott for example offers a Quot two for breakfast Quot rate of $59 to $89 at 150 hotels nationwide. Others offer coupons or two nights for the Price of one. For a trip of More than a few Days that includes City and country consider building your itinerary around weekend stays in the cities. A less desirable rooms. If an Ocean or Skyline View is not a priority ask for a room on a lower floor or in Back of the hotel. These rooms particularly in older hotels Are frequently offered at lower rates a half Price cards and coupons. For $50 to $75 a year a number of organizations sell cards and Coupon books for discounts on a space available basis consumer reports travel letter carried a list of such companies in its june 1989 Issue. Concierge 1050 Yuma Street Denver Colo. 80204 800-3461022for example offers a card accepted by 400 hotels for $69.95 a year. For the consumer reports listing Send $5 Check to Back issues june 1989consumer reports travel letter 256 Washington Street mount Vernon , 10553. Actually Hie corporate rate is usually higher than the rate corporations pay. Many negotiate far better rates known As preferred and wholesale up to 40 percent of based on volume and use. Some travel agencies and consolidators offer these rates. A weekend. As much As 50 percent off the rack rate a frequent flier tie ins frequent stay plans. Discounts of 30 to 50 percent or upgrades. Like airlines hotels have for several years had programs to encourage Brand loyalty. A senior citizen usually 10 to 25 percent off ramada s Quot Best years plan gives 25 percent off and covers people Over 60 years old. Members of the american association of retired people annual dues $5retired military or postal workers and other groups Are eligible at younger Ages. A student faculty military and clergy. Usually Iota 25 percent off the rack rate by booking in Advance a american automobile club. Members of the aaa get discounts usually 10 to 15 percent from such chains As courtyard by Marriott Sheraton Days inn Stouffer Quality hotels Roadway inns la Quinta inn and ramada inns. Increasing Competition As the number of hotels has grown in the last 10 years according to Laventhol amp Horwath has forced hotels to discount rooms last year the study found the Best deals were in Phoenix where rooms were discounted 39.6 percent. Following that were Austin Texas 38.5 percent Wes Palm Beach fla., and Boca Raton fla., 35.5 percent and Honolulu 35.3 percent. The smallest discounts were in Reno nev., 1 percent Virginia Beach and Newport va., 1.3 percen Portland ore., 5.8 percent and Atlantic City n j. 8.6 percent the variety of discounts has become More sophisticated As hotels adopt the same system to rooms that airlines have Long used to fill seats a Yiek management or pricing rooms based on demand Nola on size or amenities. A amps Filo Holiday inn is one of the hotel chains that offer discounts to service members. Don t give up if the hotel Chain s 800 number Doe Sij have the advertised rate. Call the hotel itself the reservations clerks May have other discounts Avail Abfal finally be prepared to bargain on the spot. A Finena involved in corporate planning arriving in a deserted lobby late in the evening sometimes asks the reservations clerk whether there is a cheaper room available a or conversely whether she can be upgraded to a suite. By Norm Zeigler travel outdoor writer some individual hotels and hotel chains operating in Europe Otter discounts similar to those available in the United states the Standard prices at Many of the name hotels Are out of the affordable Range for most budget conscious travellers. But discounts can make these hotels More attractive getaway Deli nation s. For example Holiday inn offers a Quot military rate Quot to All military members and Dod civilians. During the week a single room at the Augsburg West Germany Holiday inn regularly costs 252 Marks a night $152not including breakfast. At the military rate it is 174 Marks $105 a night. The weekend rate offers even greater savings. A single room is 150 Marks $90 on weekends. The military rate is valid at other Holiday inns in Europe but prices vary from hotel to hotel. The Marriott Chain also gives military members and Dod civilians a discount. The Standard room prices at the Hamburg Marriott a single or double occupancy a Are 225 Marks $136290 Marks $175 or 330 Marks $200depending on category. The military rate is 175 Marks $106whatever Day of the week it is. For those not associated with the military the hotel also has a weekend rate of 210 Marks $127 a night and a corporate rate of 250 Marks $151 a night a member of the hotel reservations staff said other Marriott hotels in Europe offer similar discounts. The Sheraton Airport hotel in Frankfurt offers i Europe rooms in Price ranges from 325 Marks $196 of 440 Marks $266 for a single and 375 Marks $227 to 490 Marks $296 Lor a double. But the hotel has a Quot government rate Quot available to government workers and members of the military. Under the a government rate Quot guests pay 310 Marks $187 a night for a room single or double not including breakfast. The hotel also has a Quot Low season Quot rate Good on weekends saturday and sunday night during the easier vacation in the summer and other times. This offers substantial savings. Under the Quot Low season Quot rate a single costs 170 Marks $103 and a double 210 Marks a night $127. According to the hotel s sales director Ilona Argelis Quot to bargain like in the . Does no to exist Here Quot but she said if a guest comes in without reservations he will be Able to get a lower category room if there Are enough available. During off Peak periods and Early in the Day there is usually no problem. After 9 . And during Peak booking periods a Trade fairs and conventions a chances Are poorer. Similar discounts Are available at other Sheraton hotels in Europe. Prices vary according to location. At the Essen Sheraton the Normal Price for a single room is Between 215 $130 and 395 Marks $239 a double costs Between 275 Marks $166 and 475 Marks $287the Essen hotel does not have a Quot government rate Quot but it has a Quot weekend rate a single costs 130 Marks $78 during the Low season and 215 Marks $130 during High season at the weekend rate. A double costs 190 Marks $115 m Low season and 275 Marks $166 during High season j at the weekend rate. Other hotel chains in Europe that offer various special rates include Hyatt. Ramada and Hilton hotel officials contacted for this Story emphasize that special rates Are available Quot on request Hus Means they will not be offered to everyone walking u j the door. You have to ask for them. In addition to hotels travellers in Europe can choose from a wide variety of other accommodation a hold 1 for even greater savings. There Are pensions Garnish German expression for Small hotels i i 1restaurants that serve Only breakfasted and breakfast establishments and in recent years even 3 few motels. For the Young and undemanding. N10s major cities and tourist destinations also have you hostels. Page 16 a a a the stars and stripes sunday March 11, 1990