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Lodging Discounts and Deals
Date: February 28, 2008
Author: David Smidt, SeniorDiscounts

Virtually every hotel chain offers a discount to its mature guests. While some of these discount programs can be substantial, it is always a good idea to research other special deals and promotions the hotels may be offering at the time. The best place to do this is online.

In order to curb the commissions paid to other travel web sites, most hotel companies are now guaranteeing that the lowest rates can be found on their own web sites. This is great if you know exactly which hotel brand you would like to stay at, but most consumers are still looking for the best deal or the closest hotel, despite the brand. To get the best deal, try researching some travel web sites like Hotels.com, Travelocity.com, Orbitz.com or Travelocity. These sites will let you compare prices at different hotel brands. Once you locate a hotel and price you like, visit the hotel’s web site and search for pricing on its web site. Don’t forget to select the senior rate.

Other sites, like Priceline.com will allow you to set your own price, but once the price is accepted, you can not choose your hotel brand or exact location. You can choose the type of hotel, so be sure you choose a hotel type that you will be comfortable with. Like most travel sites, Priceline.com uses a star rating for its hotels; the more stars, the better the accommodations. The price for a one star hotel might seem good, but you may not get a good night’s sleep.

Researching the travel site’s or hotel’s terms and conditions is another important thing to consider. If you need to change or cancel a reservation or if the hotel was not up to standards, you may have better luck making changes or requesting a refund if you have booked your hotel through its own web site rather than an affiliate travel site. Much like the airline industry, hotels are making it more difficult and costly to make changes to existing reservations.

It can never hurt to call a hotel to make certain that the lowest price is listed on its web site. Let the hotel know that you have visited its web site, but would like to see if there are any other deals that may be available. Once it has provided you with its lowest rate, ask for the senior discount. This will ensure that you receive the best price available.

Every year or so SeniorDiscounts reviews discounts available to seniors at virtually all of the hotel chains. Below is the beginning of our list, and we will post the rest in the coming weeks.

America’s Best Inn & Suites (800-237-8466)
Members of the America’s Best Traveler Silver Edition receive a 10% discount during each stay and every 10th night is free. (50+)
www.americasbestinns.com

Amerisuites Inns and Suites (800-833-1516)
AARP discounts available at most locations. (50+)
www.amerisuites.com

Best Western (800-780-7234)
Guests 55 and older and AARP members receive at least 10% off regular hotel room rates at any Best Western Inn. (55+)
www.bestwestern.com

Budget Host Inns (800-283-4678)
Budget Host Inns are independently owned and operated, so senior discounts vary. To find out if a Budget Host offers a senior discount, call the toll-free reservation number or check its web site. (50+)
www.budgethost.com

Cambria Suites Hotels (877-424-6423)
Guests 50 and over save 10% with the 50+ Mature Travelers rate. Guests 60+ can save 20% to 30%. AARP members save 15%. (50+)
www.cambriasuites.com

Castle Resorts and Hotels (800-367-5004)
Discounted rates of up to 30%. (50+)
www.castleresorts.com

Choice Hotel Brands:
• Clarion Hotel & Suites (800-424-6423)
• Comfort Inn & Suites (800-424-6423)
• Econo Lodge (800-424-6423)
• Mainstay Suites (800-424-6423)
• Quality Hotels, Inns & Suites (800-424-6423)
• Sleep Inn (800-424-6423)
• Rodeway Inn (800-424-6423)
SeniorDiscounts Members receive a 20%-30% savings at more than 3,500 hotels across the United States. Members can search our web site to locate the details and promotional code for this discount. (50+)
www.choicehotels.com

ClubHouse Inn & Suites (800-258-2466)
Receive about a 10% discount. (62+)
www.clubhouseinn.com

Country Hearth Inns (888-443-2784)
Receive around a 10% discount. Call for participation and rates. (50+)
www.countryhearth.com

Country Inns & Suites (888-201-1746)
Senior discount amount varies, but typically is around 10%. (60+)
www.countryinns.com

Cross Country Inns
Receive about 25% off regular room rates. (60+)

Crossland Studios (800-804-3724)
Save 10% on the standard rate. (62+)
www.crosslandstudios.com

Drury Inn & Suites/Pear Tree Inns (800-378-7946)
Drury hotels offer special senior rates. When registering on line, be sure to select the senior rate or call the toll free reservation number and ask for the senior rate. (50+)
www.druryhotels.com

Exel Inns (800-367-3935)
10% discount. (55+)
www.exelinns.com

Extended Stay Hotel Brands (800-804-3724)
Save 10% off standard rates. (62+)
www.extendedstayhotels.com

Fairmont Hotels (800-257-7544)
The Fairmont offers a discount for senior travelers. The discount can vary throughout the year depending on the season, but averages 10% off the best available rate. (50+)
www.fairmont.com

Four Points by Sheraton Hotels (888-625-5144)
Members of AARP save up to 50% on 21-day advance purchase rates or 15-25% off reservations every day. (50+)
www.starwoodhotels.com

GuestHouse Hotel, Inn & Suites (800-214-8378)
Savings of at least 10% at participating properties. (55+)
www.guesthouseintl.com

Hawthorn Inn & Suites (800-527-1133)
Discounts of 10% on regularly published rates at most locations.
www.hawthorn.com

© SeniorDiscounts

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