Hotel bartering?

RusherRacing · Aug 20th, 2009, 05:17

I have noticed that a couple of the hotels we would like to stay at during our trip have specials that run through Sept. 30th. Like destination package deals. We will be staying a few days later. (first week in oct.)
Is it possible to barter with them? Is bartering customary for hotel rooms? Do you think it is even worth my time to ask? I do here in the US on occasion at it works sometimes. Most will give me the AAA rate or similar without any discount cards.

ribhu95 · Aug 20th, 2009, 06:50

You can try.....but very unlikely that the hotel will bite the deal...normally the rates go up after Sep 30th.....

kmalik · Aug 20th, 2009, 07:02

I am confused. What precisely are you looking to barter for the hotel room? Are you looking for a discount? Change dates of stay or are you looking for a barter transaction?

RusherRacing · Aug 20th, 2009, 07:18

Well Specifically..
Fateh Garh has a special that runs through Sept. 30th for 15,000 rs. for two nights. However there regular rate is almost that per night which would be way to high for my budget. If bartering is an acceptable practice for hotel rooms, I will email them and ask if they would honor that price for Oct. 5th and 6th.

But this also applies to other places along our journey. We were hoping to keep most of the nights between 3000rs and 5000rs staying in Heritage hotels etc. However most are closer to 6000rs per night.

kmalik · Aug 20th, 2009, 07:36

I am sure there is no harm in trying.

Your use of the term bartering is somewhat peculiar. Bargaining is definitely in style in India, though I can not speak for this particular hotel. So, do not hesitate to ask.

From the dictionary, to barter is to trade by exchange of commodities rather than by the use of money. A barter economy is one without currency.

RusherRacing · Aug 20th, 2009, 07:42

OK I will change the title to Bargaining.. barter/bargaining I mean the same thing.. If you negotiate on price I concider that bartering.
nevermind editing titles is not allowed.

I will give it a shot with Fateh Garh and others. What can they say no and I find a room elsewhere cause I can't (don't want to) afford it.

kmalik · Aug 20th, 2009, 07:53

No harm done! I did look at the hotel website. It has the special for Oct for 21K (up from Sept level of 15K) - so not sure about your chances of success. The brand conscious places only do the deal under the curtain of anonymity, so you might have better luck with travel sites. In the US, I can't get hotels to sell rooms at anywhere close to rates you could buy on Hotwire, Priceline, etc.

RusherRacing · Aug 20th, 2009, 08:01

Kmalik,
Typically I call the front desk of the hotel directly before showing up and already knowning what can be had at the online discount places. Most of the time they will match or beat that price plus then you don't pay any of the "fees" associated with booking online. I sent out some emails so we will see..

My 10000 Rs. a day budget is probably going to be blown out of the water but the "roughing it" trip is turning into life in luxury.

wonderwomanusa · Aug 20th, 2009, 08:05

Rs 10,000 per day? That's over $200. I spent around $20-25/day and was very comfortable.

kmalik · Aug 20th, 2009, 21:21

WW -

It is Rs. 21000 per day - a mere 450 dollars - for the 3 day 2 night package consisting of
● Breakfast & Dinner (Fixed menu)
● Accommodation in well appointed Renaissance Room.
● Traditional welcome
● Welcome drink on arrival
● Daily evening tea & Coffee.
● 20% discount on F & B.
● 20% discount on Bar between 6 p.m. to 8 p.m.
● Escorted Show around of Property
● Free use of swimming pool
● 20% discount on Laundry

A can't miss deal

Personally, I find the pretensions in these places and struggles of everyday Indians too jarring to enjoy the experience. But, different strokes for different folks.

Note to OP - The rate for the Oct "deal" is mere Rs. 10500 plus taxes.

RusherRacing · Aug 20th, 2009, 21:38

Yep too expensive for me... I will find a nice heritage hotel more centrally located.

Also out of the hotels I emailed non sound like they are willing to negotiate on price. So if this question comes up in the future, hotel rooms atleast at the mid to higher end don't really negotiate. You might be able to do something in person not sure haven't been to india yet. But it is not the same as I have experienced commonly in the US.

Aug 20th, 2009, 05:17	#1
RusherRacing Member Join Date: Aug 2009 Location: South Dakota, USA Posts: 27	Hotel bartering? I have noticed that a couple of the hotels we would like to stay at during our trip have specials that run through Sept. 30th. Like destination package deals. We will be staying a few days later. (first week in oct.) Is it possible to barter with them? Is bartering customary for hotel rooms? Do you think it is even worth my time to ask? I do here in the US on occasion at it works sometimes. Most will give me the AAA rate or similar without any discount cards.

Aug 20th, 2009, 08:05	#9
wonderwomanusa Maha Guru Member Join Date: May 2003 Location: Northern California Posts: 4,261	Rs 10,000 per day? That's over $200. I spent around $20-25/day and was very comfortable. __________________ The map is not the territory. --Alfred Korzybski

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Aug 20th, 2009, 06:50	#2
ribhu95 Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: Bangalore Posts: 265	You can try.....but very unlikely that the hotel will bite the deal...normally the rates go up after Sep 30th.....

Aug 20th, 2009, 07:02	#3
kmalik Maha Guru Member Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: Ohio Posts: 672	I am confused. What precisely are you looking to barter for the hotel room? Are you looking for a discount? Change dates of stay or are you looking for a barter transaction?

Aug 20th, 2009, 07:18	#4
RusherRacing Member Join Date: Aug 2009 Location: South Dakota, USA Posts: 27	Well Specifically.. Fateh Garh has a special that runs through Sept. 30th for 15,000 rs. for two nights. However there regular rate is almost that per night which would be way to high for my budget. If bartering is an acceptable practice for hotel rooms, I will email them and ask if they would honor that price for Oct. 5th and 6th. But this also applies to other places along our journey. We were hoping to keep most of the nights between 3000rs and 5000rs staying in Heritage hotels etc. However most are closer to 6000rs per night.

Aug 20th, 2009, 07:36	#5
kmalik Maha Guru Member Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: Ohio Posts: 672	I am sure there is no harm in trying. Your use of the term bartering is somewhat peculiar. Bargaining is definitely in style in India, though I can not speak for this particular hotel. So, do not hesitate to ask. From the dictionary, to barter is to trade by exchange of commodities rather than by the use of money. A barter economy is one without currency.

Aug 20th, 2009, 07:42	#6
RusherRacing Member Join Date: Aug 2009 Location: South Dakota, USA Posts: 27	OK I will change the title to Bargaining.. barter/bargaining I mean the same thing.. If you negotiate on price I concider that bartering. nevermind editing titles is not allowed. I will give it a shot with Fateh Garh and others. What can they say no and I find a room elsewhere cause I can't (don't want to) afford it.

Aug 20th, 2009, 07:53	#7
kmalik Maha Guru Member Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: Ohio Posts: 672	No harm done! I did look at the hotel website. It has the special for Oct for 21K (up from Sept level of 15K) - so not sure about your chances of success. The brand conscious places only do the deal under the curtain of anonymity, so you might have better luck with travel sites. In the US, I can't get hotels to sell rooms at anywhere close to rates you could buy on Hotwire, Priceline, etc.

Aug 20th, 2009, 08:01	#8
RusherRacing Member Join Date: Aug 2009 Location: South Dakota, USA Posts: 27	Kmalik, Typically I call the front desk of the hotel directly before showing up and already knowning what can be had at the online discount places. Most of the time they will match or beat that price plus then you don't pay any of the "fees" associated with booking online. I sent out some emails so we will see.. My 10000 Rs. a day budget is probably going to be blown out of the water but the "roughing it" trip is turning into life in luxury.

Aug 20th, 2009, 21:21	#10
kmalik Maha Guru Member Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: Ohio Posts: 672	WW - It is Rs. 21000 per day - a mere 450 dollars - for the 3 day 2 night package consisting of ● Breakfast & Dinner (Fixed menu) ● Accommodation in well appointed Renaissance Room. ● Traditional welcome ● Welcome drink on arrival ● Daily evening tea & Coffee. ● 20% discount on F & B. ● 20% discount on Bar between 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. ● Escorted Show around of Property ● Free use of swimming pool ● 20% discount on Laundry A can't miss deal Personally, I find the pretensions in these places and struggles of everyday Indians too jarring to enjoy the experience. But, different strokes for different folks. Note to OP - The rate for the Oct "deal" is mere Rs. 10500 plus taxes.

Aug 20th, 2009, 21:38	#11
RusherRacing Member Join Date: Aug 2009 Location: South Dakota, USA Posts: 27	Yep too expensive for me... I will find a nice heritage hotel more centrally located. Also out of the hotels I emailed non sound like they are willing to negotiate on price. So if this question comes up in the future, hotel rooms atleast at the mid to higher end don't really negotiate. You might be able to do something in person not sure haven't been to india yet. But it is not the same as I have experienced commonly in the US.