Haggling: Real bargain travel

During an economic tailspin, travel can seem like a luxury. So how do we make sure we've snagged the best deal?

The tactics for getting bragging rights to the cheapest airline ticket, most discounted hotel room and pennies-a-day rental car may be simpler than you think. It’s all about haggling.

Yes, I’m talking about talking: That third-world approach to acquisition that involves buying something for less than the seller originally asks. A skill all but lost in our pay-the-ticket-price society. Here’s how it works:

Let’s say you want to stay at the Scottsdale Princess Resort in Arizona. You’re also considering a nearby hotel, The Sanctuary on Camelback Mountain. Both hotels are about US$250 per night.

First, research hotel rates on the web and decide what you are willing to pay.

Next, pick up the phone and get a real person in real time to quote you rates. If you prefer the more expensive hotel over the cheaper one, then you need to tell the reservations person the rate you were able to land at the other hotel and ask whether you can get the same or better at your preferred accommodation.

Remember: The smaller the hotel, the greater the likelihood of your success. Be sure, though, to compare apples with apples. Getting a quote from a Holiday Inn and trying to score that rate at the Four Seasons likely won’t work. (Mind you, nothing ventured…)

Rental car haggling tips

Rental car companies work similarly. To get the cheapest rates these days, add conversation to internet hunting. For example, if you want to rent a car for five days out of Tampa, Florida, try calling not only Avis, Hertz and Thrifty but also Google “car rental Tampa” and you’re likely to come up with some smaller operations in town.

Get on the phone and ask those companies their cheapest rate. From there, start ringing the local numbers for the bigger rental agencies and tell them what you were able to find elsewhere. Your success hinges on both finding someone able to make decisions and your own persuasive abilities. You decide if saving a few hundred dollars is worth the time investment.

Next page: Haggle with Air Canada? Oh yes.

Other money-saving travel advice from Jill: