Getting a Hotel Discount

Last weekend my husband and I accompanied our oldest daughter to the college she'll be attending this Fall. It's on the border of the state where we reside and although I previously lived in the city where her new school is located, I hardly remember it as I was a newborn at the time and moved away when I was about a year old.

Not familiar with the area I went online and tried to track down a hotel to stay at in the city. My personal priorities when picking a hotel have to do with crowds, traffic, noise and of course the price. Most of the hotels I found in the area of this very small city were in the 'downtown' area, touting themselves to be close to their concert venues, auditoriums and civic centers. I envisioned Saturday night traffic, crowds and noise.

Instead I found a newer area, with a hotel just outside of the hustle and bustle of the city by about 3 miles. Using my rewards member number (remember readers, I've often wrote about joining the rewards member clubs all the hotels offer... even if you don't stay regularly! Even if only stay once or twice a year the points add up and you can find yourself with a free nights stay unexpectedly.) coupled with my AAA rate I managed to get a room that was equal but cheaper just because it was 3 miles 'up the interstate' from the hullabaloo of the city.

But wait, it gets better! I happened to call my daughter's college to discuss something with them prior to coming when the office secretary asked me if I mentioned to the hotel that I was coming from the college that weekend? No. Should I? She informed me that the college works with area hotels to provide special rates for their guests. By mentioning the school during my reservation I would get a special discounted rate.

I called the hotel and sure enough! Although the room I booked was $109 a night in town, I got it for $79 regular rate because I chose the hotel 3 miles up the interstate further. Using my AAA discount the room was $75 and calling to talk to them directly and ask for the college rate I got the room for $62. A savings of $47 per night!