Priceline, Hotwire, etc., and a daytime hobbyist's schedule

[Guest070818-1]

Originally Posted by Sir Lancehernot

Last time I did any significant amount of traveling, check-in time was usually 3, and check-out time between 10 and noon.

How can you can get a room at one of the discount sites with the intent of using it during daytime hobbying hours, i.e., say, 10 a.m. and 4 p..m.?

Simply call ahead and ask if they have any vacant and clean rooms that available for immediate check-in. Afterwards, go back on price-line and book a room. After the hotel receives your reservation from price-line, the hotel staff should be able to get you situated into a room that is available.

Personally, this has only worked a handful of times. From 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., guests are usually checking out of the hotels and the housekeeping staff are cleaning them, so rooms may not be available during this time period. This is especially true if you find yourself trying to book in a hotel that has sold-out and/or has a convention/event going on.

Originally Posted by Alyssa Marie

There is a site www.between9to5.com but I just checked Dallas and it didn't give me any results.
The answer to your q is, there is no guaranteed way. You either do what Grace suggested or you book the room for the night before and in the am go to the housekeeping lady on your floor. Find out if your room is one of hers, give her $20. Say, "can you please do my room last. I have a 6pm flight and I would love to catch up on sleep."

This is a good idea but be very careful if you have booked a room with your card information on file! Even though the housekeeper is able to make a tip, it doesn't mean that the housekeeper will notify the hotel staff. Even if the housekeeper does leave you alone for an extra hour, don't think that the hotel staff aren't watching your check-out time! Tread with caution here.

I was once charged another whole night's stay because I didn't not check out until 2 hours after check-out time. When its time to check out, it's time to check out! Don't stick around an extra hour or two for a whole night's charge.

[Say What]

Originally Posted by Sir Lancehernot

Best answer so far. Thanks, Say What. I think I might check out a few places, tell them I'm about to embark on an unusual work schedule that is causing me to seek daytime solitude, and see what, if any, arrangements I might be able to make in advance of anticipated need.

I asked to speak to the manager at the desk...in person...not on the phone. Told her my darn mother-in-law was in town and NEVER stopped talking. She just laughed and said, "I think I can solve your problem." The next time I came in, I asked to speak with her and said, "They're back." She knew the deal every time I came in from that point forward.

[dallasfan]

You can kinda figure out by the location, stars, rating, price, and amentities which hotels are the express deals with a little research.

I pretty much know all the 3+ star express deals in dallas, and irving.

[ElisabethWhispers]

Everyone seems to be making this more complicated than it really is.

Generally, with EVERY single trip that I make, I'm in town and ready to check into a hotel by 9 AM ... or easily 10 AM.

IF they have rooms available, it's never an issue to check in early. NEVER.

I'm a hotel snob, admittedly, and all over the country ... unless there has been a convention or the hotel was booked the night before, I just haven't had an issue at all with checking in early (it's happened to me less than 5 times in the past 8 years of frequent hotel stays booked through priceline or hotwire).

I don't give a "reason". I certainly don't make up an excuse. A simple salutation and a statement like, "I got here early from the airport" with your drivers license in your hand is all that you need.

[Guest092216]

Originally Posted by ElisabethWhispers

Everyone seems to be making this more complicated than it really is.

Generally, with EVERY single trip that I make, I'm in town and ready to check into a hotel by 9 AM ... or easily 10 AM.

IF they have rooms available, it's never an issue to check in early. NEVER.

I'm a hotel snob, admittedly, and all over the country ... unless there has been a convention or the hotel was booked the night before, I just haven't had an issue at all with checking in early (it's happened to me less than 5 times in the past 8 years of frequent hotel stays booked through priceline or hotwire).

I don't give a "reason". I certainly don't make up an excuse. A simple salutation and a statement like, "I got here early from the airport" with your drivers license in your hand is all that you need.

^^^ exactly.