Getting the best hotel rates in San Francisco

If you have 30 minutes to an hour, you can get great rates on San Francisco hotels. At best, you can buy a four-star hotel for the price of one star or at least the best possible rates.

Consumer Reports magazine reported that most often get the best prices for large hotel chains going directly to the website of the hotel rather than through a consolidator as Expedia, Orbitz or Hotels.com. However, they also noted that prices for small hotel chains and independent hotels are often found through the consolidator.

Our process allows you to compare the two prices. It includes consulting directly with hotels over the phone, which can get you the best rate almost half the time.

Hotels in a known area

You can find a great hotel price using Hotwire or Priceline if you are comfortable with your limitations:

• Know the area where you will be staying
• Your hotel name will not be revealed until you have paid for it.
• Reservations are non-refundable.
• You are guaranteed a double room, but you cannot make any special requests.
• You cannot earn frequent stay points for hotels booked through these services.

With these services, you can often get a four-star hotel for the price of one star. Are you a game? A simple strategy to use them is to choose the best hotel class available and bid between $ 10 and $ 15 less than the best rate you have already found.

Too much uncertainty? Follow the steps below.

Known hotels

With this approach, you will know the name of the hotel in advance, and in many cases you can make a reservation with no advance payment or cancellation fees (as long as you follow the rules).

1. Set a budget for your hotel rate per night. Remember that the hotel tax is 14%.
2. Choose the area (s) you want to stay in.
3. Choose three or four hotels that meet your needs. Consider the cost / value of your additional fees and gifts.
4. Go to the hotel websites.
   1. Check their lowest rates.
   2. Check out the special rates for any organization you belong to, like AAA and AARP.
   3. If eligible, check government, military, or corporate rates.
   4. If you are a member of the hotel chain rewards program, please enter your membership number to verify special rates and extras.

1. Go to one or two booking websites like Expedia, Orbitz or hotels.com and check their best rates. Or try Tripadvisor, which checks rates on various booking services with one click.
2. Consumer Reports also reported that they often got an even better hotel price by calling the reservations desk over the phone. Call your top two or three options, using our tips on how to get a better hotel rate over the phone.
3. Choose the hotel with the best overall price. Don’t forget to include extras like parking fees and resort fees, and things that could save you money, like free breakfasts or free internet access.

1. Make your reservation. Print the confirmation page and the confirmation email and set them aside to take with you in case of any questions. If booking by phone, please write your confirmation number and the name of the booking agent. Grab your calendar and make a note of the last day you can cancel your reservation without penalty, in case things change and you forget.

Do you want to save a little more money? Call the hotel again the day you arrive and see if they have lowered their rates. It happens more often than you think, and they will often be willing to give you the lowest rate if you ask.

Get a “Suite” offer in a luxury hotel

Try this technique to get a San Francisco luxury hotel suite for less:

1. Pick one of the slightly less luxurious luxury hotels in San Francisco (let’s say the Westin instead of the Ritz-Carlton).
2. Reserve a standard room and then upgrade to a suite when you arrive.
3. Upgrade costs range from free to $ 100, depending on the property and location, but you can save compared to reserving a suite right away.
4. Arrive in the early afternoon for the best chance for an upgrade, before business travelers arrive and take all the suites.

This strategy works even if you have made your original reservation through a consolidator or auction website.

To increase your chances of an upgrade, join the hotel’s rewards program. Members often get the first choice in free and paid updates.