Do motels raise their rates on holidays?

Question

If so, how much? Would they be able to raise my rate if had been staying there prior?

Answer 1

I work in an hotel, most of our customers are workers (mainly oil industry). When it comes this time of the year, it becomes almost empty from December 20 till January 5. No reason here to raise the rates.

If you hit an hotel usually having a lot of families as customers, inside swimming pool, .... then the price will raise when the demand is high. Of course, if you go to Orlando, Anaheim,... the rate will increase.

I believe that most hotels far excluding Florida are empty (20-40% room count) and would not increase the rates.

Answer 2

"What the market will bear" and "Yield Management" are the terms that apply here (I work in the travel industry).

If the hotel in question knows they'll be full and that people will be looking for rooms, a hotel will raise its rates to get maximum revenue whenever it can.

Yield Management is a process of getting the most per head that the market will bear. As the date of check-in comes closer, the motel will lower the price and get a head in the bed rather than let the bed go empty for the night.

But if they quoted you a price for the stay, they should honor that. If they did not tell you that the rate would change DURING your stay, they really should honor the rate you were quoted. If you're a frequent guest, they'll work with you rather than lose your business.

If you book through a travel agent, make sure they know the difficulty you encountered. If you booked on your own, did you use an online booking tool such as Orbitz or Travelocity? File a complaint with them.

Is the motel part of the Mobil or AAA rating system? Let the hotel's front desk clerk know that you plan to document the problem with them. This may get their attention, since lots of people shop by the ratings.

Good Luck!

Answer 3

They sure do. It's supply and demand. They know people need to stay there and that people will pay the high rate. I don't think they can raise the rate once you're there. Better call 1st.

Answer 4

Absolutely; motels & hotels rates vary depending on the session. If it is a busy time for them they will charge the maximum that the market will bear. Most however will charge the maximum indicated on their adopted rates.

Answer 5

I don't think so. I think they might even lower them to compete with the others. I can see them raising their rates at a slow time of year to pay the bills though.

Answer 6

yes, they do it because they can