Looking for motel discount packages

purgoose10

Veteran Expediter
If I'm in a good sized city I always use Priceline if I want something decent.

Yes that's a good one and there is more. The main thing I do is carry a can of Lysol and spray everything down when I first walk into the room from the bathroom, bed, phone, TV EVERYTHING.:cool:
 

matlack

Expert Expediter
Hotel Tax rates can vary from city to city even if located within the same state.

When using Hotwire read the fine print for hidden fees, Resort Fee, Parking Fee, Linen Fee, ETC. These fees are common around the Orlando FL area.

In addition to what items others have suggested, we carry these with us on the road in case we need these at a motel;

Febrezze:
Warning: Do not mix cleaners and use ventilation.

Ethernet cable:
Sometimes there is access when WIFI is not available.

External USB WIFI Amplified Antenna:
Useful when weak WIFI Signal.
Also used in the nearby parking lots of McDonalds or businesses to access their free WIFI.
Microwave use will sometimes interfere with the signal.
I use the GSky amplified Antenna, Cost about $30 on Ebay.

MagicJack:
Use with computer USB that has Internet to make free phone calls anywhere in the US, or to hook up a fax machine and send faxes. Cost about $35 at Radio Shack includes first years service then $20 per year after that.

Drain Stoppers:
After my wife cleans the bathtub, she enjoys a hot bath.
Even some of the nicer Hotels are missing or don't have a good plug.

Flip Flops:
If the bathtub is too Nasty...LOL. Actually, so we don't have walk barefoot on the carpet and to wear around the pool.

Travel Coffee Mug:
Free Coffee in the lobby usually means small cups without lids.

Antibacterial Soap/Dish Detergent:
If you really want to use the in room Coffee Maker or Drinking Glasses.

Ear Plugs:
You can also use the white noise from the radio to drown out noises. Beware that a radio station might start broadcasting at an early hour...Happened to us once.

Extra Towels:
Sometimes are not available from the Motel.


 

AMonger

Veteran Expediter
Hotel Tax rates can vary from city to city even if located within the same state.

When using Hotwire read the fine print for hidden fees, Resort Fee, Parking Fee, Linen Fee, ETC. These fees are common around the Orlando FL area.

In addition to what items others have suggested, we carry these with us on the road in case we need these at a motel;

Drain Stoppers:
After my wife cleans the bathtub, she enjoys a hot bath.
Even some of the nicer Hotels are missing or don't have a good plug.

Bathing at a hotel or motel isn't a good idea. That's where Legionnaire's Disease comes from. The water heater never gets low enough and the water near the bottom is heated over and over and over and over and never gets cycled out. That causes the bacteria or fungus, or whatever it is responsible for Legionnaire's disease to propagate. When you shower, it's dispersed enough at the shower head that you don't have to worry about it. When you bathe, it isn't, and you're sitting in it, so that's how you contract it.
 

Jefferson3000

Expert Expediter
Yeah, I quit using CLC, as it stopped being of real benefit. Most hotels give a discount to professional drivers. Unless you're staying in a really upscale place, the 4.95 is a big markup, percentage-wise. As stated before, CLC seems to have more hidden fees than they used to. Most times you can do better finding your own discount.

As far as dogs go, I've stayed at Microtel and Ramada with no problem that I can recall. I don't remember there being a markup. my dog isn't a barker, so no one seems to mind.
 

AMonger

Veteran Expediter
Yeah, I quit using CLC, as it stopped being of real benefit. Most hotels give a discount to professional drivers. Unless you're staying in a really upscale place, the 4.95 is a big markup, percentage-wise. As stated before, CLC seems to have more hidden fees than they used to. Most times you can do better finding your own discount.

As far as dogs go, I've stayed at Microtel and Ramada with no problem that I can recall. I don't remember there being a markup. my dog isn't a barker, so no one seems to mind.
Usually, the driver's discount I get offered amounts to like $5. And more and more places are charging outrageous amounts for the dog. One place was $25 non-refundable. They say they have to bugbomb the room afterward. Anybody really believe they actually do that?

Anyway, I'm looking for a more substantial discount. I pull up motels and look around, and it seems they all want about $90. On a trip across I-40 recently, I'm seeing inexpensive motels all across I-40, then of course, when I get to where I'm going, they're all $90 again. Happens time after time.
 
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