Upgrade your stay and reduce your stress with these top ten tips and tricks from the Luxury Link reservations staff and editors.
1. Don’t wait to book.
That great deal may be gone next time you check. Just be sure to book a flexible rate, and set a calendar reminder for the last date to cancel. Our hotels can—and do—end promotions at any time, without any notice.
2. Check flights before you book.
You’d be surprised how many people book their hotel first, only to find no flights are available on those dates.
3. Don’t book too far in advance.
Just like flights, rates change every day, with the sweet spot usually around six to eight weeks prior to check-in. Once you book, try not to stress out if you see the price continue to fluctuate. Book a beautiful hotel at a price that fits your budget and focus on having a marvelous vacation.
4. Get the 411.
If you booked a Signature rate, great perks are included with your stay. To make the most of them, get the details when you check in. For example, if you have a food and beverage credit, ask what is included and excluded. It is also important to ask how the credit will be applied. Usually, you need to charge everything to your room, and then the credit will be deducted from the total when you check out. But find out in advance so there are no surprises, and remember that room upgrades, early check-in, and late check-out are always based on availability at the time you check in.
5. Rack up points.
Just because you didn’t book your stay on the hotel’s website does not mean you can’t earn points. All the major hotel chains award points for stays booked on Luxury Link, unless specifically stated in the rate details. Just let them know your membership number when you check in.
6. Pump up the fun.
If you are celebrating a special occasion, let us know in advance. Sometimes our partner hotels are able to whip up a little surprise.
7. Age matters.
If you are traveling with anyone under 18, let us know prior to check-in, and ideally before booking. Each hotel determines at what age someone is considered an adult, and it can be as low as 14 or even 12. So find out in advance if the rate will change or if you will exceed the maximum number of adults allowed in the room.
8. Be nice.
If something is wrong with your room or you didn’t receive something you were promised, it is appropriate to bring up the matter with the front desk right away—and most definitely let us know. Keep things in perspective and politely suggest ways the hotel could make things right that aren’t over the top, such as a spa credit or a nice bottle of wine. Never wait until you check out to make a complaint.
9. Call the front desk, not reservations.
If you need to cancel or change a reservation you made on Luxury Link, email us. But for other questions, call the hotel and speak with the front desk. Usually, “press 1 for reservations” takes you to a call center which might not have access to existing reservations or know anything about hotel policies.
10. Never miss a deal.
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