Hotel Bookings

[bednobs]

i recently booked a "flexible rate" room, meaning i can cancel any time up to the day of check in. Is there anything preventing me booking another cheaper rate they day before if they have one (in say, my husband's name) and canceling the original?

[calmck]

Nothing to stop you. I doubt if the hotel would realise if you are using a booking website and not the hotel direct. Will your husband be with you?

[Buenchico]

This US travel blogger actually recommends doing it your way and I can't see why it should present any problems for you here in the UK:
https://travelupdate.com/hotels-why-you-should-always-book-the-flexible-rates/

You might find it hard to get a lower price just before your stay though. I've just checked out prices for the Travelodge 2 miles up the road from me. For a 1 night stay on a Wednesday in a couple of months' time, they want £70.99 at their Saver rate or £81.99 at their Flexible rate. For a 1 night stay on Wednesday of this week though, they want £85.99 at the lower rate. So the 'short notice' Saver price is actually higher than the 'well in advance' Flexible one.

[wolf63]

If this is for your trip to London I hope that all three of you have a great time. xx

[rockyracoon]

I would definitely do that. I've tried it but as Buen says, the prices are never cheaper.

[New Judge]

Nothing at all, bednobs. No need to use another name, simply do so in your own name. I do it all the time, especially with Travelodge, Premier Inn and Holiday Inn. All I would advise is check carefully your cancellation terms (just to make sure you can indeed cancel). Having done that I usually make the new booking first before cancelling the original, just in case all the lower rate rooms go after you've cancelled. Happened to me once. I cancelled my room, went to book another and in that minute or two the rate had increased to more than the one I'd just cancelled! Only about a fiver, but lesson learned!

[bednobs]

thanks all!

[New Judge]

I get the point about prices being unlikely to come down. However, many of the rooms I need are booked about a year in advance. I have a room in the Premier Inn at Gatwick booked for October. I booked it last October for £69. It subsequently reduced to £59 but is now £113. That is a bit unusual, though, because this time last year few people were booking hotel rooms anywhere.

[bednobs]

i'll work it out - it's a posh hotel (for me anyway!), but take heed of your advice, thanks - the other bonus to booking the flexi rate (which was 60 quid dearer!) is that if there's a train strike i can cancel

[bednobs]

Thanks again everyone. It turned out i booked the wrong dates! WHat a good job i booked the flexi-rate. My correct dates are a bit cheaper too

[jno]

I was always a cheap date myself.

[bednobs]

just as an update, it was £50 cheaper today!