Better'n a lottery!

[alexpgp]

The end client in Albuquerque suggested a certain hotel in the vicinity of the office, and when I called, I was quoted a price of $60 per night (plus about 15% tax), and that was based on a discounted government rate (having a NASA badge does have its perks).

Just now, I decided to go the Priceline.com route and after an initial turndown for what was probably a ridiculously low price, I bumped the price up to $36 a night (following the site's suggestion, which sounded like it pretty much guaranteed a match) and found lodging at... as it turns out... the same hotel!

The nightly rate, including tax, through Priceline.com is $42 a night, versus $69.

Do the math.

I called the client before clicking the mouse, to make sure no problems had sprouted in the interim since my last conversation with them earlier this week. And the hotel sounded like a nice place when I spoke with them, so it looks like I'm fairly well set there.

I wasn't so lucky when it came to getting a quote for a rental car. Enterprise, which is the only game in town, was quite reasonable back when our cars were in the shop, but is beyond my reach for this trip. It looks like I'll be driving down in the Civic.

Cheers...

Comments

[vuzh.livejournal.com]

My wife worked at the admissions / reservations desk at a hotel for a while, and I was shocked to learn that room prices are based on whim and mood more than any practical consideration.

[alexpgp.livejournal.com]

I am not surprised in the least, though as a small business owner, I can appreciate the need to turn a profit.

The thing that really chaps me about most hotels is how they nickel-and-dime you for anything that could conceivably considered an "extra."

Cheers...