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Budget Travel/Motel reservation or just show up

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Expert: - 5/12/2009


Question
Hello Annette

Which will bring a cheaper motel rate:  reserving in advance or just showing up one night.  I would think the latter if the motel is not full then a traveller would be able to bid down the rate.  Am I right?

Thanks.

Pete

Answer
One of my friends got a good deal when he booked on the same night.  He did not show up at the motel, but called them and told them that he was shopping around and asked them what is the best deal they could give him.  I am not sure that all motel employees are willing to negotiate, though.  Overall, it is much less risky to book far in advance.

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Annette

Expertise

I wrote a book entitled Best of the Web: A No-Fluff Guide. In the book, I have a section on travel sites that offer the best prices for air, lodgings and rental cars.

Experience

I had to test and research many travel sites on the internet before I could come up with a list of the most competitive sites in terms of price.

Publications
As stated above, I wrote the book Best of the Web: A No-Fluff Guide under. This book was written under my pen name Annette Morgan.

Education/Credentials
I have a Bachelor's Degree.

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