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Hotels want you to book directly with them, and they'll even tell you that they guarantee the lowest price on the booking. The problem is that they can't and often don't have the lowest prices. A hotel best-rate guarantee has the potential to save you money, but the claims process can be tedious, and the agents often find a subtle difference that disqualifies your request. What if there was a way you could get better rates on hotels than those published online? Enter Club 1 Hotels.
How Does Club 1 Hotels Get Better Rates?
Club 1 Hotels can offer special rates because you have to be a member to access them. Members-only rates allow Club 1 Hotels to provide prices lower than those published publicly. These rates have been lower than corporate discounts, AAA, brand-specific promotions and even flash sales.
What Kind of Properties Do Club 1 Hotels Have?
You'll find only 3.5-star and higher rated properties.
Will All Rates Be Better?
You'll find that many rates are better than what you'll find directly at a hotel's website or online travel agencies like Expedia.
Not all rates will have a significant saving, specifically hotels that are already priced extremely low. There just isn't much you can save when a hotel charges $79/night — no matter how much of a discount you can offer — a property simply can't afford to keep its lights on when it goes ultra-cheap. That said, there are deals to be had even at properties under $100. Check out the comparison of Club 1 Hotels bookings with Expedia.
We've found that the best deals, with the most significant savings, are to be found at high-end properties.
How Much Does Club 1 Hotels Cost?
- $9.95/month or
- $99.95/year
Each represents a savings of 85% off the list membership price. Also, memberships are fully refundable within 7-days of purchase.
Examples of Savings
The higher-end you go, the bigger your savings. If you typically book suites or stay at 5-star properties, a single booking could save you enough to cover your membership for years.
Example #1: 4 Nights in an Ocean View Junior Suite at the Hyatt Zilara Cancun, Adult Only All-Inclusive Resort, January 9 – 13, 2017
- Club 1 Hotels: $1,748.16
- Amoma.com (through HotelsCombined.com): $1808.02 ($59.06 more expensive)
- Hyatt.com (AAA Rate): $2,311.20 ($563.04 more expensive)
Note: The standard rate with Hyatt was over $150 more per night; we felt comparing it with the AAA was more reasonable.
Example #2: 5 Nights in Bali Hai Suite at the St. Regis Princeville Resort, January 18 – 23, 2017
- Club 1 Hotels: $17,910.44
- Booking.com: $19,615.99 ($1,705.55 more expensive!)
- StarwoodHotels.com (Suite Escape Promo Rate): $18,241.26 ($16,084.35 + taxes) — $330.82 more expensive
Note: The standard rate with Starwood was over $250 more per night. Thanks to the suite escape rate the price was a little better but could not beat the Club 1 Hotels rate.
What Are the Drawbacks to Booking with Club 1 Hotels?
So if you can find better rates, what is the downside? When you book through Club1Hotels.com, you're booking through a 3rd party and are ineligible for any perks you might receive through a loyalty program, and you won't earn credit towards your elite status. It comes down to simple math of comparing the significant amount of cash you could save, versus perks at the hotel.
Often higher-end rooms come with a slew of amenities including lounge access, complimentary Wi-Fi, and free breakfast — items typically treasured by different loyalty status.
Give Club 1 Hotels a Shot
You've got 7-days to try it out, and if it doesn't work for you, the option is there to cancel. Compare prices for a trip you're looking to plan and see how much you can save — the proof is in the results.
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Who owns Club 1 Hotels, what is there travel sector experience, who are their investors and can they be relied on as much as one of the major booking sites (or of course booking direct)? It’s always nice to save money, but it’s prudent to do due diligence on third party booking platforms.
I don’t know the answer to these questions. It appears as though they’ve changed their pricing a bit since we last posted about them.
“Buyer beware” is more than a slogan. A number of points and miles bloggers have touted Club 1 Hotels, but, frankly, I’d carefully vet any third party booking site before sharing any personal information or book a hotel through them.
I can’t argue with you there — that said, I’d take any warning as well with a grain of salt.
I signed up for the beta version but even thou I stay at some hotels that are elite and off the usual awards programs, I have not yet been able to find a Club 1 hotel on their list that coincides with what I need for my business trips. I do hope they expand their offerings. It seems good, but haven’t been able to mesh yet.
I started hearing about this website quite often recently.
I haven’t succeeded in finding any smoking deals on this website yet, but I will keep looking and share if I find anything interesting.
I’m already at this Club, but i did not understand what the special thing is really about…
Sebastian, how can I help?
For the moment I haven’t found any hotel cheaper than on other OTA.
Rosario, happy to test out with you. Anything in particular you’re looking at?
Example: Grand Naniloa Hotel Hilo – a DoubleTree by Hilton – February 6-8 2017
Club1: 303.74$ (tax included)
Hilton: 281.55$ (tax included) for members of HHonors, 287.29 for everybody
I see that as well. Not always the best price on less expensive properties due to the pricing model — it’s the higher end properties where the savings can significant.
I am a member . Its worth a try.