We are no longer a busy travelers, so this may sound a bit naive. Our motel expenses are on the way back and forth from Illinois to Florida, but because we don't like a lot of driving, we usually spend three nights in motels.
Despite going on-line to Orbitz and the rest of the supposed discounters, we have found... for the past 23 years, that our best bet... and the only way we travel, is to go to the State Welcome Centers and pick up either the "Green Book" or the "Red Book", to get the coupon prices. (Have to watch the closing times for some Centers, with the recent cutbacks.)
On almost every trip, either at check in or check out, we find others who either have reservations or have AARP, AAA cards, etc... who are paying from $5 to $25 more than we are for the equivalent room.
The coupon prices that used to be $29/night for 2, are much more now, but to date, the most we have paid, was $59... and that, only twice. The going coupon rate has been about $49 to $59 for Places like Quality, Super 8, Best Western, where we usually stay, because of the better breakfasts. Price depends upon the city or state... IL is higher than GA, TN, or KY. These low prices are NEVER listed on the Corporate sites, nor on the "guaranteed lowest price" sites... It may have to do with the reservation aspect, since the coupons, don't allow reserving rooms... only walk ins... In those 23 years of travel, the only times we were refused a coupon rate was when a major event (football game) was in town... and at that it only happened twice.
That's our "take" on motel prices... Would be interested in hearing from others.
Despite going on-line to Orbitz and the rest of the supposed discounters, we have found... for the past 23 years, that our best bet... and the only way we travel, is to go to the State Welcome Centers and pick up either the "Green Book" or the "Red Book", to get the coupon prices. (Have to watch the closing times for some Centers, with the recent cutbacks.)
On almost every trip, either at check in or check out, we find others who either have reservations or have AARP, AAA cards, etc... who are paying from $5 to $25 more than we are for the equivalent room.
The coupon prices that used to be $29/night for 2, are much more now, but to date, the most we have paid, was $59... and that, only twice. The going coupon rate has been about $49 to $59 for Places like Quality, Super 8, Best Western, where we usually stay, because of the better breakfasts. Price depends upon the city or state... IL is higher than GA, TN, or KY. These low prices are NEVER listed on the Corporate sites, nor on the "guaranteed lowest price" sites... It may have to do with the reservation aspect, since the coupons, don't allow reserving rooms... only walk ins... In those 23 years of travel, the only times we were refused a coupon rate was when a major event (football game) was in town... and at that it only happened twice.
That's our "take" on motel prices... Would be interested in hearing from others.
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A roundabout counts as 10 stoplights.
