15 Sep 10 Does Booking in Advance Really Save on Venues?

There is an accepted industry pricing rule that states unequivocally that securing a hotel and/or conference center in advance will result in money saved. The same logic applies to flights and entertainment as well, but some are starting to wonder if this widely accepted rule is not being exploited by savvy vendors.

Determining whether a vendor is really offering good deals for an advanced booking or purchase contract is difficult, but there are some ways to make the whole process easier:

• The Internet – The Internet is easily the most amazing fact finding tool in the world, and it is full of forums that are used by people with similar questions and experiences. Take advantage of the many forums on the Internet and ask questions but don’t forget to use the search feature first or you might earn a written tongue-lashing.
• Switch the dates – Start by asking about a date closer than you actually want and then asking about a date further out. See what the difference really is, but also remember to factor in travel frequency to your logic. If you ask to book a hotel in the start of September, immediately after school begins, you might be seeing very different pricing than mid to late December due to increased holiday traffic.
• Ask for discounts – This might seem silly, but some people don’t bother to ask for discounts. Booking a hotel is a boon for both organizations and they should arrange to share that boon whenever possible/practical.

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