Jackpot! Struggling hotels slash rates
Autumn typically is the season for travel bargains. With hurricane season in full swing, Caribbean cruises and island all-inclusives slash rates. And once the kids are back in school, bargains become plentiful at hotels across the country.
But this year, the struggling U.S. (and world) economy has caused desperation of sorts among hotel chains, many of which are operating with more than half their rooms empty. Add to that the devastation that Hurricane Earl, which turned out to be a dud, brought to the Labor Day weekend, and, well, the sales rack is overflowing.
"The break-even cost for a hotel is about $20-bucks a room per night," according to travel expert Bob Diener of Getaroom.com. "Having empty rooms costs money. Many are running about 40% occupied right now when they should be 60-70% occupied to make money. That's why they're giving away rooms right now. Seriously, you can get a nice room near the strip in Vegas for $20 right now. That's break-even. The last time a room off the Vegas strip went for $20, you could catch the Rat Pack of Frank Sinatra, Sammy Davis Jr. and Dean Martin performing at the Sands."
Naturally, I recommend joining every reward program available. It's free, and you don't have to be a member in advance to take advantage of the promotions; in most cases, you can sign up after you've made a reservation -- as long as it's before your stay begins -- and you can reap the rewards simply by notifying the hotel (or airline or car rental agency) of your rewards account number at or before check in. It's a no-brainer.
Here are some deals I found this morning:
At Choice Hotels, stay two separate times, earn a free night at your choice of over 1,500 hotels. Plus, rewards members also earn double points on every stay. Hyatt is giving members 10,000 points for every five nights stayed between Sept. 15 and Dec. 15.
Starwood is giving away double points for stays through Dec. 15 if you stay up to nine nights, though they don't have to be all at once. Starwood Preferred Guest members get triple points if they stay at least 10 nights. And stay twice at any Best Western from Sept. 12 to Nov. 21 and get double points. Two stays at Marriott hotels from Sept. 15 to Jan. 15 will get you a free night.
Use code Relax10 to save $10 per night on your next two-night booking through Expedia.com. Must reserve by Sept. 30.
Hotels.com is giving $20 to $100 rebates for stays between Oct. 31 and Dec. 31, but you must use this mail-in coupon.
Get a room at the pricey Bellagio in Las Vegas for $199 with code DWEB, valid for stays between Sept. 12, 2010, and Jan. 31, 2011. This deal is almost as sweet as the world's tallest chocolate fountain in the hotel's lobby, pictured above.
You can score at Celebrity Spa Suite at the MGM Grand for just $70 a night by mentioning Travelzoo code MGZ0908 when making your reservation. That's almost 50 percent off the regular price and is good Nov. 22-25 and 28-30, Dec. 1-2, 5-9, 12-15, 21-23, 26-27 and Jan. 3-4. Other dates start at just $10 more, No time to ponder this one -- you must book by Sept. 10.
And San Diego's Andaz hotel, which has a hip rooftop pool, is offering $150 off Sundays through Thursdays until Jan. 5 (with some blackout dates). It's also giving away free upgrades (if available) to city-view rooms. Just use code TVLSEP.
Norwegian Cruise Line is hawking a four-night cruise from Miami to the Bahamas on Sept. 13 for just $129, plus they're throwing free stateroom upgrades, based on availability.
