Was even easier than that
[QUOTE=BikeRider;2880929]You can work early checkins pretty easily. If you're making the reservation the same day (most of us probably do in case of flakes), then before you make the reservation online call the hotel's direct number and ask for the front desk. Explain to the person you've just arrived after a long flight / drive, and you want to know if you can check in within the next hour if you make a reservation. Be prepared to explain what kind of room you want. Double / king etc. You can also do this the night before as they'll know availability. If they say no or equivocate, call another hotel.
I've checked in as early as 9 am this way. The only time you might run into a problem is if something is going on in the general vicinity and all the rooms are booked the previous night.[/QUOTE]Back when I was doing hotel for the FC, I just checked [URL]hotels.com[/URL] to get a sense of how full the place was the day before and the day of the meet. If it didn't look too busy, I just showed up and asked for a room, no explanations given. If they had one ready, then I was in. The 12-18 mos or so that I did this I don't think I ever went without a room. Granted this was a place that was a little off the beaten path, so it was rarely if ever maxed out.
But in general I get the sense that hotels have seen it all, and as long as it represents revenue without liabilities, then there's no problem. Whether they are savvy to what's going on doesn't really change much.
At the hotel I used, the front desk woman was usually the same and she got to the point where she recognized me when I walked in. After awhile I noticed that my last name and address were slightly incorrect in the system, despite having to show my license each time. I got the distinct feeling that this wasn't accidental. I certainly wasn't going to ask them to correct it.
What do I say to my back-ups who need to be on hold for a month or two (or longer)?
What are some effective reasons to text a "back-up" SB that I won't be seeing her for awhile but not wanting to "burn the bridge. " After almost a year in the sugar bowl I am about to do what I never thought I would. Genuinely be exclusive with one SB. My M O up until now has been to always works towards having a # 1 and # 2 as weekly visits while always adding back-ups in case either # 1 or # 2 fall out of the rotation. My M O Has been driven by the knowledge practically none of my SBs have stayed off the SA site plus I am one who is motivated both by the variety and the challenge. Separately I have a # 2 and a # 3 I have been in the FC 2 to 3 times plus a former # 1 who wants to re-connect. My best reason I can come up with is "I have met an SB who lives closer to me (or has a home / house to visit at, saving the cost of hotel rooms) and I want to take some time to see how it works out. " Anyhow, ask me in three weeks if I have successfully gone cold turkey from my M O. to committing to just seeing one SB.
Thanks BikeRider for sharing your tactics!
[QUOTE=BikeRider;2880929]..
I've checked in as early as 9 am this way. The only time you might run into a problem is if something is going on in the general vicinity and all the rooms are booked the previous night.[/QUOTE]Is there a risk of the hotel telling on the phone that a room is available but is not when you show up? May be someone showed up at the front desk before me!
Also what is your preferred site / app for booking a room?