Traveler's Tip

 

If you walk into any hotel looking for a room, they'll always quote you the "rack" rate, and most people pay it. If you've been around the block a few times, though, you should know enough to ask them if they have any specials, or better deals - which they almost always do unless there's a big convention in town. At the Ritz in Bali they wanted $275 until I asked again and the rate came down to $178. I insisted they could do better, and the rate dropped to $118.00. This type of thing is standard the world over. On the one hand I don't like to dicker about things like that, but on the other hand I really don't like to be treated like a mooch.