- How to make a reservation
|
There are two ways to make a reservation in a hotel: through the hotel directly or through an agency.
Making a reservation directly with the hotel is most often possible through their online booking
systems on the website of each hotel separately.
Directly with the Hotel:
1) Most often you will first be asked to check the availability of the rooms you wish to reserve
starting from your arrival date until the date of departure.
2) If the room(s) are available, you will have to give the hotel your details such as name, date of
birth, address, phone number etc.
Most often the reservation system will state a price for the room(s) you wish to reserve.
3) To confirm your reservation, the hotel will most often ask for a credit card to officially confirm your
reservation. Without a credit card, your reservation will NOT be confirmed.
4) You should get a proof of purchase sent to you when you give your credit card number, this
means you reservation is FIX.
Depending on the policy that the hotel uses, you will pay for the reservation upon arrival or
departure. If you do arrive at the hotel and have not canceled your reservation, your credit card will
most likely be charged for a 'no show' or cancellation fee.
Reservations with a Travel Agency:
The procedure for a reservation with an agency is very similar to that of directly with a hotel.
The major difference is that you will most likely have a choice of different hotels to start with, and
depending on availability, the agency may offer you other suitable alternatives.
Agencies should be able to offer better rates than when you make a reservation directly with the
hotel.
Here are some positive and negative points of making a reservation with an agency:
|
Positive:
- Good rates! GOOD Agencies should be able
to offer you a rate that is lower than what the
hotel offers you directly.
- Agencies can offer you good tips on the
hotels that have good quality, service, etc.
Negative:
- Cancellation conditions are usually more
strict than with the hotel directly, for
example 48 hours cancellation without
costs
-Especially with groups, chances of being
'overbooked' to another hotel are greater
- How to cancel a reservation
|
Cancelling a reservation can be done by telephone, by fax, by e-mail or by written letter. You
should always make sure that the cancellation of the reservation is confirmed back to you!
If you have to cancel a reservation very close to your arrival date, do this AS SOON AS POSSIBLE.
This to avoid cancellation fees!!
- How to pay for a reservation
|
Payment for a reservation is most often made with a credit card. Depending on the payment policy,
this can be prior to arrival, upon arrival or upon departure.
Payment prior to arrival is most often the case when you make a reservation with an agency. Rule
of thumb is that when you pay prior to arrival, you should be able to get a better rate!
If you do not have a credit card, payment by bank transfer is possible in some cases. Not all
hotels/agencies accept this method of payment, especially when it is an online reservation
system.
Bank transfers are most often possible when you have direct contact with a 'real person' i.e. a
travel agent or the hotel reservation manager.
For GROUPS - there is almost always a deposit required!!
|
|
|
Recommended Search words:
Guide, cheap budget Hotel, group discount, reservations, hostel,
accommodation, prague apartments, restaurants, opera tickets,
clubs, pubs, discos, sights, tours
|
|
Click to choose your language:
|
