Reply to: Hotels

[MajesticBadger]

Thanks for all the tips.

[northernladuk]

Accor points can be transferred to Avios so you can redeem them against IAG group flights too

If you are an avid points collector the site below is very useful. It will map how you can transfer points between any of the schemes even if there isn't a direct method. Some of them can be a bit convoluted and can water down the points by the time it hits your preferred scheme but better that than lose them.

Mileage Converter - WebFlyer :: The Frequent Flyer Authority

If you don't have enough points it will say no route found so increase the points and eventually it will give you an option. I have a card for a majority of the schemes so I don't miss out on any even if a single stay isn't enough. It will build up until you can transfer.

You can use an app like https://awardwallet.com/ that will automatically track your points in most cases. It will also tell you when any are expiring soon so you can transfer them before losing them.

[ladymuck]

accor group do a decent loyalty scheme. Build up the week nights at an Ibis and spend the points at a decent upmarket hotel.

You get room discount and did get a free drink as well on arrival once you get to the right point level.

Accor points can be transferred to Avios so you can redeem them against IAG group flights too

[BlueSharp]

accor group do a decent loyalty scheme. Build up the week nights at an Ibis and spend the points at a decent upmarket hotel.

You get room discount and did get a free drink as well on arrival once you get to the right point level.

Also ask the client if they have a deal with a local hotel. I got corporate rates from one hotel as could book under the cliwnts corporate scheme and pay with my co's money.

[LondonManc]

In my opinion much better than a hotel. If you get to know the owner then you can do a deal direct, they will be the one meeting you with the keys. I booked my current one through cheaphotels.com, liked the place, knew that I would be staying for at least six months, met the owner, did a deal at 20% less the cheaphotels price. He's happy as he gets regular custom, I'm happy as I know where I'm staying each week. Win win

I found no real difference between serviced apartments and independent hotels - both offered reasonable discounts for long term stays.

[Lance]

And if you're trying to sleep for any early start during wednesday nite karaoki, - good luck

drink enough beer before it starts.
Anyway. Wednesday night karaoke??? How many pubs have busy weekday nights any more? Even during the footie most pubs were dead by 10PM.

[BR14]

Find a pub with rooms from laterooms or booking.com. Ring directly and ask for a price. If you’re drinking in their bar and eating their food, as well as being a regular income stream they’ll likely give you a good discount.

And if you're trying to sleep for any early start during wednesday nite karaoki, - good luck

[Lance]

Find a pub with rooms from laterooms or booking.com. Ring directly and ask for a price. If you’re drinking in their bar and eating their food, as well as being a regular income stream they’ll likely give you a good discount.

[andyg]

Have you thought about serviced apartments?

In my opinion much better than a hotel. If you get to know the owner then you can do a deal direct, they will be the one meeting you with the keys. I booked my current one through cheaphotels.com, liked the place, knew that I would be staying for at least six months, met the owner, did a deal at 20% less the cheaphotels price. He's happy as he gets regular custom, I'm happy as I know where I'm staying each week. Win win

[DeadEyedJacks]

Travelodge business account gives 5% discount, plus occasional email codes for an extra 5% off both flexible and advance saver rates.

Also remember to look at cost of parking, free coffee and decent wifi, as these can make some locations better value than others, even within the same chain. Premier Inn's 'Free' wifi is 0.5Mbs... , some Travelodges have free coffee and others don't, parking even near to airports can vary from free and secure to expensive and offsite.

Oh, and room rates fluctuate both throughout the week and seasonally, so consider how your expenses might jack up during summer school holidays.

[madame SasGuru]

Depends on where you are staying too. I was talking to someone at the Double-Tree in Milton Keynes who said if she could, she'd build another 7 hotels for Tuesday and Wednesday nights but she'd have to knock them down for Friday and Saturday nights. Consequently, the rates for those nights don't come down irrespective of how many nights ahead you want to book.

Which is what philthegreek is saying. If you can negotiate with the manager of the local franchise (and bar premier inn all chains are really branded local franchisees) they may be able to offer you a better rate for a long term regular booking. Otherwise you are left with whatever the computer offers you for that week. Which is why that Hilton isn’t interested, the nights you stay they could fill regardless.

[Antman]

Depends on where you are staying too. I was talking to someone at the Double-Tree in Milton Keynes who said if she could, she'd build another 7 hotels for Tuesday and Wednesday nights but she'd have to knock them down for Friday and Saturday nights. Consequently, the rates for those nights don't come down irrespective of how many nights ahead you want to book.

[LondonManc]

Travelodge do a business account, making paying easy - you could ask about a block booking at the hotel, as others have said.

[Hobosapien]

The other alternate is staying in a big chain, seeing if your end client has a discount code for them, then using that, while collecting reward points.

Doesn't necessarily need to be a big chain. Depending on location of client and how often they use contractors there may well be local hotels offering a discount during the week knowing it's a solid stream of income if they are otherwise only busy at weekends.

So worth asking around at client both with the permies that handle any corporate visits and any other contractors that have been there a while.

[WTFH]

With hotels and B&Bs, it's best to negotiate with the manager. Contacting to the head office will rarely achieve anything.
I've stayed at Old English Inns before (part of Greene King) and negotiated rates of £40-45 per night including breakfast for places with a rack rate of £85-90.

It's also worthwhile looking on Booking.com to find places and then once you've stayed there the first time, then book direct.

The other alternate is staying in a big chain, seeing if your end client has a discount code for them, then using that, while collecting reward points.