Follow the Quality First, Price Second Philosophy
The quality first, price second philosophy is my own creation. Basically what I'm saying is that you should first figure out what amenities you want in a hotel, and then compare the prices of hotels that offer those amenities. In other words, you're deciding your
level of quality and then finding the
lowest price.
Sometimes people get confused. They think that I'm putting price second to quality at all costs. That couldn't be further from the truth. The goal of the quality first, price second philosophy is to help you get the lowest price for what you're looking for.
Unpublished Rates
One of the other great things about price comparison websites is that they allow hotels to show unpublished rates. Unpublished rates are prices that are being offered through the price comparison website, but not to the general public. Normally, this happens when a hotel is having trouble filling up all of its rooms. For them, making a little bit of money on a room is better than leaving it completely empty.
The great thing about unpublished rates is that they usually involve a large discount. Sometimes you'll see rooms go 50% off or more.
Best Price Guarantees
Many websites will also offer a best price guarantee. If you're able to find the same room at a cheaper rate, then you'll be refunded the difference. Many times the website will give you additional rewards for finding a lower price elsewhere. This can assure you that you're paying the lowest price possible.