HotelTonight, Booking.com, and Hopper have been attempting to address the challenge of finding the best hotel rates by implementing various strategies. Despite these efforts, travelers continue to struggle in their search for good hotel deals. Now, a new website called HotelSlash aims to alleviate this issue by offering discounted hotel rates to members and a tracking service that monitors reservations for price drops.
According to Jonathan Weinberg, the CEO and co-founder of HotelSlash, the website targets “cost-conscious leisure travelers” and is offering a 90-day free trial for the next three months. Following the trial period, the annual membership fee is $29.95.
So how does HotelSlash work and what are the benefits of using its services? Let’s explore.
When it comes to booking rooms, users can select their destination, travel dates, and number of travelers. Unlike other booking sites, HotelSlash sends an email with a link to the results, adding an extra step to the booking process. However, the email arrives within minutes, and the results are comprehensive. Even when searching for a specific property, such as the Bellagio Hotel & Casino in Las Vegas, users will receive room prices for that property as well as nearby hotels, offering a range of room types and rates, including prepaid nonrefundable and refundable options.
Weinberg explains that the discounted prices HotelSlash offers are “controlled user group rates,” referring to prices negotiated by membership organizations and businesses like AAA and Costco. It’s worth noting that the website doesn’t allow users to enter their membership numbers, and while travelers can request loyalty points directly from a hotel, there’s no guarantee that the property will comply.
Henry Harteveldt, a travel industry analyst and president of market research firm Atmosphere Research Group, points out that fewer travelers belong to hotel loyalty programs compared to airline loyalty memberships. As a result, travelers are more open to booking through third-party websites.
HotelSlash does an excellent job of clearly presenting rates and what they include, such as taxes. It is also transparent about the terms, requiring users to acknowledge that the reservation becomes nonrefundable on or after a specific date.
Perhaps the most promising feature of HotelSlash is its rate monitoring service. If there is a price drop, users will receive an alert and can cancel their existing reservation, assuming there’s no penalty, and rebook at the lower rate. Some hotels, however, are extending their cancellation windows to counteract this behavior. Weinberg advises users to book as early as possible, as it allows for a greater chance of finding better deals. In the past two years during the development of the website, users have saved an average of 25 percent.
While hotel rates can be volatile, catching a decline often relies on luck or diligence. Harteveldt recounts how he recently discovered a $50 drop in the daily rate for a five-day reservation in Atlanta and promptly rebooked. If HotelSlash costs $30 a year and it finds a cheaper rate for the same hotel and room or even better, it pays for itself with one stay.
As with most travel bookings, those who put in the most effort in terms of comparison searches and price checks tend to save the most. Many hotel booking sites attempt to simplify the process by offering price guarantees. For example, Booking.com will match a lower price found elsewhere, but it’s up to the traveler to discover it and pursue a refund. Hopper, on the other hand, allows users to freeze a price at a hotel for a fee, and if the price increases, Hopper will cover the difference. While fees vary and are applied to any booking, they are forfeited if a room isn’t booked. HotelSlash handles the later-stage legwork of monitoring prices, often at a lower cost.
However, it’s essential for consumers to conduct comparison searches when making their initial booking. When exploring HotelSlash, I discovered rates that were better than those on hotel websites. There were also instances where I found similar rates on other online agencies. At times, hotel websites offered slightly better rates, but careful examination of the terms was necessary. For instance, in the case of a three-night refundable stay at the Paris Las Vegas Resort & Casino, HotelSlash quoted $969, including taxes but excluding $138 in resort fees. Expedia’s price, including taxes and fees, came to $981. The hotel’s initial quote of $702 escalated to $952 with taxes and fees.
It’s worth noting that the best rates advertised are often nonrefundable and carry inherent risks. Mr. Harteveldt advises against booking nonrefundable rates unless the savings are significant and plans are firmly set. Flexibility is key since plans tend to change.
In conclusion, HotelSlash offers a unique approach to finding discounted hotel rates. With its rate monitoring service and competitive pricing, it provides another option for budget-conscious travelers. However, it’s important to conduct thorough comparison searches to ensure the best possible deal.
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