Travel Tips

Hotels

Getting a room in a sold-out hotel

Forget the hotel’s 800 number, the operators do not have the authority to manipulate a particular hotel’s inventory. Instead, call the hotel’s manager directly; hotels overbook because they know not everyone will show up. If this does not work, check with online room resellers. Some hotel inventory goes to third-party travel sites such as Expedia.com, Hotels.com, and Travelocity.com, which contract with hotels to sell a preset block of rooms.

Upgrade your room without paying more

Upgrading is all about timing, checking in during slower times is good, but first, you have to ask for an upgrade. Make small talk with the clerk before you get a room assignment, talking about how it is special occasion or how you have a lot of work to do, and then casually mention that it would be nice if you could get a better room.

Rental Cars

Upgrade your rental car without paying more

Always book the cheapest car available. Rental car companies over book just like airlines and the cheapest cars are the most booked, so, when you check in, the company will most likely not have your cheap car and will upgrade you to a bigger one. In addition, if you show up in the middle of the day or early in the week when business travelers have the most cars out, you will have a better chance of an upgrade. Resort areas usually are the busiest on the weekends, so Saturday afternoon is the best time to score an upgrade in these areas.