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So you want the best room rate, huh? We don't blame you. Therea
re two ways to get it, the quick way, and the thorough way. Both
offer a guaranteed lowest price, but with the more thorough way,
you do more work now to make sure you really did get the best
rate.
THE
QUICK WAY
First, the quick way: Compare the rates of Travelscape and HotelDiscounts.com. Each guarantees it
has the lowest rates, and if you find a lower rate they will
refund the difference. The trick is, if there is a lower rate
out there you have to find it, because they won't tell you about
it.
 
THE
THOROUGH WAY
Get a pen and paper because you'll need to write down the
different prices we come up with from the following sources:
- Hotel Reservations Network
- Travelscape (Las Vegas Reservation
System)
- The Hotels
- Internet Specials
- The Los Angeles Times
- Travel Agents
By letting you compare prices, we may not win your business,
but this page is our hobby (we appreciate the business, but we
have real jobs that pay our bills). We figure that you getting
the lowest price is way better than us making a buck and you
getting a raw deal. This guide doesn't include every possible
source for room discounts, but these are the ones we use and
find most reliable for bargains.
Step One - The Online
Discounters
We'll start by getting prices from the hotel discounters.
Click on the following links and get the prices for your vacation
dates. Each will give you the names of many hotels and their
prices. From those listed, remember the ones you want, either
by price range or selection. Don't see any hotels you want? Go
on to Step Two.
Step Two - The Hotels
Now we'll compare those prices to what the hotels
quote you. From the following menu, go to the page for each hotel
you're interested in. Call their 1-800 numbers and give their
reservation clerks your vacation dates. If you are a member of
the slot club at the hotel, call the number on your card, not
the general 1-800 number, and see if you can get a special rate
through that. Whomever you speak to, Specifically ask if they
have any specials.
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Step Three - Internet
Specials
While you have the pages open for the hotels you're
interested in, click on our link to their web sites. Check to
see if they have any Internet specials or if you can get a price
quote online.
Step Four - The Los
Angeles Times
Every Sunday, the Los Angeles Times features a
section of advertisements from the casinos. The casinos often
offer great room prices intended for Californians, but anyone
can get them. You don't have to read the L.A. Times, you just
have to ask for the L.A. Times special when you call. You can
read the latest prices quoted in the L.A. Times at our friend
Sonya's site Travel2Vegas.com. If you find a rate
you like, call the hotel and make sure it's available for your
vacation dates. Also, note that these prices often have restrictions,
and usually don't include weekends.
Step Five - Travel
Agents
Not everyone has a travel agent he or she can
trust. We don't, but there are good ones out there. If you have
one you like, give the agent a call and see what prices he or
she can dig up. Tell the agent exactly what hotel or hotels you
want because they will otherwise try to push you toward a hotel
that may or may not suit you. Don'tlet them push you around!
Also, remember that just because you checked with an agent doesn't
mean you have to book with the agent. You're just getting a price,
and don't let them tell you "it's selling out quick,"
or "this price is so good you better book today."
Step Six - Who's
Cheapest?
So, what was the best price? Now that you know,
book it and feel secure that you got a good rate. If you book
with one of the discounters in Step One, remember they both have
a "low-price guarantee." That means that after you
book a room through them you need to keep watching prices. If
you see a lower rate somewhere, alert Travelscape or HotelDiscounts.com and tell them. If
they verify the lower price, then you'll be refunded the difference.
It really works! So, come back here and go through this process
and see if the prices have dropped at all. Even if it's the company
you booked through that dropped its price, you get the refund.
But only if you tell them.
What Else Should
You Know?
First, don't book with HotelDiscounts.com (the button on the
right) until you are absolutely certain of your dates. They will
charge a $50 cancellation or change fee. Travelscape (the left
button) charges only $10 if you give at least 72 hours notice.
Second, if you book online you cannot get your room comped.
This is no problem for the 95% of us who don't gamble the big
bucks and get free rooms. But, if you think you'll be getting
a comped room (usually for four to eight hours of about $100
per hand gambling action, or four to eight hours of dollar slots
or VP), book your room directly through the hotel or a travel
agent, then once at the hotel, ask to see a slot or casino host.
Questions?
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