Mobile Booking hotel from lobby

[meand]

I notice the prices are better when you book hotels online. I'm currently on a long road trip in the us and was wondering how long before booking a hotel online do you have to wait before checking in? Or is it pretty much immediately, ie, can you do it from the hotel lobby? Thanks.

[Bucko]

A couple of years ago-- a hotel could not/would not give me an online promotion rate at the desk--which I only noticed on the way in--BUT they let me use their computer to get a booking and print-out--and checked in -- so I guess it must be a " Head Office " directive ???

Edited November 30, 2014 by Bucko

[Langsuan Man]

I just did a week long trip to Washington State and had purchased "mobile hotspot" from AT&T. When it was time for a hotel for the night I would just pull over and do a search on Hotwire or Travelocity and make a reservation using my credit card and then just drive to the hotel and check in. Eventually settled on Choice Hotels, using their web site I did not have to re-enter my cc details every night

http://www.choicehotels.com/

Not once was my "online" reservation refused and in all cases was much cheaper than the walk in or "rack" rate

[meand]

I just did a week long trip to Washington State and had purchased "mobile hotspot" from AT&T. When it was time for a hotel for the night I would just pull over and do a search on Hotwire or Travelocity and make a reservation using my credit card and then just drive to the hotel and check in. Eventually settled on Choice Hotels, using their web site I did not have to re-enter my cc details every night

http://www.choicehotels.com/

Not once was my "online" reservation refused and in all cases was much cheaper than the walk in or "rack" rate

Thanks. So it sounds like I can just book and drive up and I'll be fine. I was thinking they may say there is some processing time involved, but maybe not. I suppose having a verified booked email in the inbox could help in case of any problems.

[Langsuan Man]

Correct, the confirmation email usually arrived into my inbox almost instantly after hitting the confirm button

[dddave]

I have extended my stay at local Thailand hotels using AGODA from my mobile while standing in the lobby. Note that with their tax and surcharges, sometimes not that much of a bargain.

[siam2007]

Smart Hotels will give their guests the same rate as on agoda and other usual suspects, particularly when extending a stay, as they will save the commission which can easily be up to 25%.

the big chains nowadays have rate parity anyway, so in the past few years, I have never booked a room with accor, IHG, Sheraton etc. other than via their website.

Aston-Archipelago Group, the biggest local chain in Indonesia, even gives you a 15% discount when booking on their own website and typing in a simple Promo-code which is valid for all their brands