Package Pricing

Joel,

I recently finished your book and am looking forward to trying the strategies on an upcoming trip to Portugal, but I had two questions that I was hoping you would be willing to shed some light on.

First, I've booked a special package through a nice hotel in Lisbon that includes nightly champagne, breakfast in the room and a possibility to upgrade. However (I assume because of low occupancy), the same rooms just went on sale for $50 less/night without the same amenities. If I jump on a last minute deal at a lower rate, does that make it less likely I'll be able to negotiate an upgrade at the hotel.

My second question concerns our flights—roundtrip on American. Both my companion and I are Platinum elites on American (we only fly AA and have a bunch of travel booked this year already), and should have no problem upgrading the domestic segments. We'd like to upgrade the international ones if possible, but avoid the new copay fee. We've had an inconvenient schedule change that pushed our arrival back over 2 hours and I tried to negotiate a waiver with the Platinum desk as a result, but they wouldn't budge. Is this something to try with a GA or at an Admiral's Club? Should we just play nice instead?

Thanks for any advice you can give.

Best Regards,

Jake Kirsch

Hi Jake,

I have often come across this situation. What I do is call the hotel’s 800 number or the hotel directly and request the lower rate with the same amenities. Often they will grant the request right away. If they don’t, you can risk the package by switching to the lower rate and asking that a note be placed in your record to offer the upgraded amenities package upon arrival. Keep in mind that the amenities in your specific package (champagne, and breakfast in the room) might be worth the extra money especially since an upgrade is almost guaranteed. Use the higher rate as your leverage for an upgrade when you arrive. Also go onto the hotel’s website and research the hotel’s room types so you know what to ask for when you check in.

With respect to the fee, I would call American Airlines executive office and state what you wrote above. Stress your past loyalty and your future loyalty vis-à-vis your future bookings.

With your history you should get an upgrade on the international segment from a gate agent or the agent in the Admiral’s Club. And by all means—play nice.

My best,

Joel