In August, 2004, Consumer Reports magazine reported that they more frequently got the best prices for big hotel chains by going directly to the hotel website rather than through a consolidator such as Expedia, Orbitz or Hotels.com. However, they also noted that prices for small hotel chains and independent hotels are often found through the consolidator. Our process lets you compare the two prices. You will also check directly with the hotels by phone, which can get you the best rate of all almost half the time.
Hotels in a Known Area
You can get an excellent hotel price by using Hotwire or Priceline if you are comfortable with their limitations:- You'll know the area you will be staying in
- You won't know know the name of your hotel until after you've paid for it
- Reservations are not refundable
- You are guaranteed a double room, but cannot make any special requests
- You cannot earn frequent stay points for hotels reserved through these services.
Known Hotel
Using this approach, you'll know the hotel name in advance, and in many cases, you can make a reservation with no prepayment and no cancellation fees (as long as you follow the rules).- Set a budget for you hotel rate per night. Remember to include hotel tax.
- Choose the area(s) you want to stay in.
- Go to our hotel profiles for your area and budget:
- Beverly Hills
- Downtown Los Angeles
- Disneyland
- Hollywood
- LAX Airport
- Long Beach
- Magic Mountain
- Marina Del Rey
- Orange County
- Pasadena
- Santa Monica and Malibu
- South Bay Beach Towns: El Segundo, Hermosa Beach, , Redondo Beach
- Sunset Strip
- Universal Studios
- Venice Beach
- Westside
- Choose three or four hotels that meet your needs. Note the cost/value of their extra fees and freebies.
- Go to the hotel websites by clicking on the reservations link from our profile page.
- Check for their lowest rates.
- Check for special rates for any organizations you belong to such as AAA and AARP
- If you are eligible, check for government, military or corporate rates.
- If you are a member of the hotel chain's rewards program, enter your membership number to check for special rates and extras.
- Go to one or two booking websites such as Expedia, Orbitz or hotels.com and check their best rates. Or try Tripadvisor's Quick Check, which checks the rates at several booking services with one click.
- If you're looking for an upscale hotel, it may be worth your time to also try Quikbook, which offers mostly-high-end hotels in 74 cities. Their rates, negotiated directly with the hotels, are sometimes better than those at the other services.
- Consumer Reports also reported that they often got an even better hotel price by calling the reservations desk on the telephone. Call your top two or three choices, using our tips for how to get a better hotel rate on the phone.
- Choose the hotel with the best overall price. Don't forget to factor in extras such as parking fees and resort fees, and things that might save you money such as free breakfasts or free Internet access.
- Make your reservation. Print the confirmation page and confirmation e-mail and set them aside to take along with you in case of any questions. If you reserve by phone, write down your confirmation number and the name of the reservationist. Grab your calendar and make a note of the last day you can cancel your reservation without a penalty, just in case things change and you forget.
