Heavy Discounting on the horizon?

[deepthroat2]

According to a thread on another board: "The discounts are starting to appear, I recently booked a luxury Phuket hotel for some friends at less than 1/2 the normal high season rates. You can see big discounts in Samui also. Expect even more in the next few weeks"

QUOTE

...Those who are willing to travel to Thailand should have no problem finding a bargain, said Chris Lee, of the long-haul specialist Travelmood. “The offers are flying in, no doubt about it,” he said. “Within the next week, both Thai Airways and EVA Air will be offering significant fare reductions to complement the great hotel deals coming up.”

 

I'm booked into high-end hotels for the first few weeks in February ie: Presidential Suite at the Pattaya Bay Resort and a deluxe seaview room at the Safari Beach hotel in Phuket. Anyone got any insight into how I go about negotiating better rates even though I've had the reservations in place for 4 months? I don't want to give up the rooms and am ok with paying the high rates (easily over $100 per night) as I love the luxury which I couldn't anywhere else other than Thailand. But I hate the idea of missing an opportunity to save something if an extra discount might be offered if I were to negotiate properly!

 

Any ideas?

[Grumpy]

That's the trouble with reservations... You'd be pissed off if they asked for extra once you arrived, with those reservations in place for 4mos.

 

Personally I think you could ASK about a discount, but to expect one would be silly.

 

Just mention prior to check-in that you saw better prices here and there, perhaps they'll give you some love if they think you might skip on them.

[altec123]

Good luck on trying to negotiate with them, as many do not understand the current state of the world economy.

[missinginaction]

if you've paid upfront i doubt you'll get any sort of discount. Its worth a try. But doubtful. If you were a hotel owner would you offer a discount if you didnt have to?

[chuckrivera]

Doubtful at PBR due to the fact they are very popular and are sometimes fully booked even in the offseason. PBR is also not a high end hotel, even if you did get the best room there. Worst case unless you paid fully upfront, is to check in for a night, and then do some shopping on foot at some other hotels. They'll usually let you check out early if you have stayed a night or two. Most hotels only keep one nights rate as penalty for a no show.

[Shuggy]

This week Thai Air flights from Melbourne to Bangkok dropped from over Au$1500 to just over $1000 for dates in Feb 2009.

[Daveo]

We are offering 10% discount on all rooms (not on monthly rates, discounts already available) & Books in the Bookshop to Addicts members.

 

Happy new year...

 

Cheers Dave

[Chaniacreta]

Since you book first cabin and captain's table, you can't really ask for a free upgrade.

 

If there is a guarantee, for example one night payment, you might offer the current rate plus the guarantee. (assuming its cheaper than your current total. ) That way they keep the business, which if things are that bad they might jump on.

 

Another idea is that if you have extra time see if they'll throw in a few "free" nights." Cost to them is low if they have vacancie.