A:
This is an age-old question and not only for hotel rooms, but also airfares, rental cars, and show tickets: Book now or gamble on a better deal later? With airfares, it’s a little dicier, since the cancellation policies are so strict. But with hotel rooms, it’s more cut and dried.
We think the answer is to spend some time finding your best rate, then book it. Of course, absolutely pay attention to the cancellation details, so you know what your deadline is for either locking in or bailing out. Then you can check for better rates at your convenience, cancelling and rebooking if something better comes along.
It's tedious, but at least you have a reservation, so you’re not left out in the cold if hotel rooms get tight. You also have a base rate to compare against the new rates. And what you pay can only get better, never worse.
The best way to find the best rates is by using discount codes for promotional deals through affiliates, like on this website, by linking to our discount codes right on the home page, in the big box at the top right. Our discounts are as good as any -- and better than some.
If any QoDers have any further tips, please let us know.
Update 28 October 2016
"Re: Hotel rates for Nov 10-15 ... Not sure how big of an impact it has, but the Las Vegas Rock and Roll marathon is that weekend (we got a good deal at the Monte Carlo which I assume is because of the on-going construction)."
Could be, and this is a good tip in general: Construction at Monte Carlo will be ongoing for at least another year.
"Re: Today's QOD. We are regular visitors to Vegas from the UK. We find that we need to book our flights quite early - usually at least six months before travel to get reasonable prices. Hotelwise we usually book something at about the same time for our travel dates, making sure that the deposit is fully refundable. We rarely end up staying at the originally booked hotel, but find a better offer on line nearer our travel time - quite often as a result of an email from one of the hotels - we're on a lot of emailing lists for offers."
"Most returning Vegas tourists already know how to get a decent rate on a hotel room. Contact the hotel, which probably sends you offers anyway. Then book it. You already know to add 25+ bucks to it a night for resort fees. Only TI and a very few wave 'em from time to time. Need a flight? It gets easier. Amex Delta card works best in my case. Usually at least $100 off on the room + $50 more. Also, several hundred overall bundled with airfare. Our gamblin' friends get the whole thing free, but drop a "thou or two" every trip. Big convention that week? Move further south or off the Strip."
"Re the Q of booking hotels earlier vs. later, I can't believe you folks didn't recommend using "comparison" Websites that check 10 or 12 booking sites (such as Travelocity and Orbit) and list the best deals. Our old standby Website Travelaxe seems to be on the outs now, but Trivago appears to being taking up the task. Many years ago, a lady was able to book all 4 nights of Thanksgiving weekend at Embassy Suites in Vegas for $9/night (that's right, NINE) through Travelaxe. The only "catch" is that you can't reserve a room for free; you have to either make a $$ deposit or maybe even pay the entire room charge at the time you book the room. Keep one thing in mind: If you wait until later, the odds are greater that you'll only be able to get worse deals, vs. getting better ones."
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