The tremendous increase in business travel and tourism in recent times has resulted in the improvement in the systems and services of the hospitality industry in Miami. In order to enable a customer to quickly and easily evaluate a particular hotel before making reservations, a star- rating system is generally used. Unfortunately, the star system is not uniform. A five star hotel in Dakota may provide less or different amenities than a five star hotel in Florida.

It is quite easy and convenient to book a Miami hotel through the Net. Many agencies provide the reservation facility online. A lot of money can be saved due to the discounted rates offered to the agencies, by the hotels. These agencies usually enter into agreements with many hotels and obtain substantial discounts. In return they make block bookings in the hotels. The discounts are passed on to the customers.

The procedure to be followed while making a Miami hotel reservation online is simple. The tourist should choose an online hotel-booking agency from the many agencies advertising on the Internet. It is advisable to check out the different hotels available in the offer in Miami area. The sites contain the names, amenities and tariff and taxes of the hotels. It helps to browse through the list of hotels, until a suitable offer is found. Once the hotel is selected, it is necessary to provide the relevant information, such as the hotel’s name, number and type of room, check-in and check-out dates and timings and any additional booking requests. Before confirming the booking, it is important to check that all the details pertaining to the reservation are correct. Contact details and credit card details have to be filled in to allow the Miami booking agency to process the payment through the online payment service.

Does an Internet website or a national toll-free 800 number give you the best deal at a hotel? Not necessarily. Hotel rates are often quite negotiable. If you can spend a few minutes, you might be able to successfully bargain a much lower price once you know the steps involved.

The trick is to talk with people in authority at the local establishment. They will know how busy the hotel is going to be. They may also offer special rates at certain times of the year or days of the week that are not listed on the website. When business is slow, a local hotel may offer you extremely low rates just to get you to stay, since an empty room will not earn the company any money. Here are some ways to get a really good deal.

Use the Internet or the national 800 number to find the phone number of the local hotel.

When you call the local hotel, make sure that you talk with people in authority. It used to be that only managers could negotiate but these days many desk clerks have that authority as well.

Ask for the lowest rate that they are offering for the type of room you need. Next ask if they have any specials this time of year. Keep talking and you may find that you will save as much as 40 percent. A general phrase such as, “What is your lowest rock bottom rate for this room?” or “Don’t you have specials this time of year?” often works. If you are a member of the AARP or other such group, mention this as well since these memberships often entitle you to special discounts.

You will have more room to negotiate when the hotel is not full. Hotels tend to be busy at certain times and slow at other times. For example, in resort areas, the weekends are the peak times; in locations that cater to business, weekdays are the most popular. Certain times of years may be busier than others.

Many hotel chains have a free discount ‘club’. I suggest joining that club, so that you have more bargaining power. For example, when you start your negotiations make sure that you tell the desk clerk that you are a member.

After you have negotiated the lowest rate, ask for a free upgrade. This works especially well if you belong to their club. I have gotten suites at three different hotel chains simply by asking for a free upgrade after we had agreed on a low price for a standard room.