Finding a hotel or condo is only part of the game: you need to book the room, confirm the reservation and arrive in Miami with printed proof of your travel arrangements. Here are some tips on booking your room for Winter Music Conference- and how to make sure that you have the right room when you arrive.
Hopefully all of you saw my previous WMC Travel Alert.
#1. Do your research
First, ask friends which hotels or condos they have booked in years past; if they had a good experience, it’s a safe bet that you will too. Second, start perusing the internet. Search travel sites and use Craigslist. However if you use Craigslist, and choose to book a condo or hotel this way- thoroughly research the company/person you are booking through. Ask them what their policies are, how they guarantee you have your room when you arrive, and any other questions you can think of. The more information you have the better! DON’T worry about asking questions, a legitimate, good company won’t mind answering these questions or telling you how well they are rated in customer service. Google their name, number and any other thing you can to gather information on them. Even then, if nothing comes up, you are not 100% secure. So on to #2.
#2. Use a credit card or bank check card that has customer purchase protection
If you book this way, even if something goes awry, you can be credited back the funds in FULL. Call your credit card company or bank to check on this feature.
#3. Make sure you get a reservation confirmation number, email and/or contract
If you book a hotel through a travel website or the hotel directly, MAKE SURE you get a reservation number when you book, and also see if they can email you the reservation, if they don’t automatically. If you book a condo or hotel through an outside source, vacation rental company or owner, GET A CONTRACT. This will help secure the reservation, and this will make any dispute you hopefully WON’T have to make 100% easier. Basically- have PROOF of your reservation besides your credit card/bank card charge.
#4. FOLLOW UP, FOLLOW UP, FOLLOW UP
I can not stress enough the importance of periodically checking in on your reservation. If you booked it through a vacation rental company or owner, call them or email them at least twice after you book your room. This may seem annoying, but like it did for me, it could save you from scrambling to get another room on your arrival to Miami or a few days before. If you booked through one of the travel websites, call the HOTEL you booked the room in to make sure they have received the reservation from that website, and that they have the correct room for you- EXTREMELY IMPORTANT!
Below are some great sites to book your WMC hotel!
Also, utilize our guides and posts to help you book the room of your WMC dreams!
Guide #2: Sleeping with Miami- A Guide to Hotels, Hostels, Condos and Beaches
Miami Hotel Discounts for Winter Music Conference
10 Luxury Miami Hotels for Winter Music Conference
Happy Travels!!
Tips for booking a hotel for WMC…and having a room when you get there!
Finding a hotel or condo is only part of the game: you need to book the room, confirm the reservation and arrive in Miami with printed proof of your travel arrangements. Here are some tips on booking your room for Winter Music Conference- and how to make sure that you have the right room when you arrive.
Hopefully all of you saw my previous WMC Travel Alert.
#1. Do your research
First, ask friends which hotels or condos they have booked in years past; if they had a good experience, it’s a safe bet that you will too. Second, start perusing the internet. Search travel sites and use Craigslist. However if you use Craigslist, and choose to book a condo or hotel this way- thoroughly research the company/person you are booking through. Ask them what their policies are, how they guarantee you have your room when you arrive, and any other questions you can think of. The more information you have the better! DON’T worry about asking questions, a legitimate, good company won’t mind answering these questions or telling you how well they are rated in customer service. Google their name, number and any other thing you can to gather information on them. Even then, if nothing comes up, you are not 100% secure. So on to #2.
#2. Use a credit card or bank check card that has customer purchase protection
If you book this way, even if something goes awry, you can be credited back the funds in FULL. Call your credit card company or bank to check on this feature.
#3. Make sure you get a reservation confirmation number, email and/or contract
If you book a hotel through a travel website or the hotel directly, MAKE SURE you get a reservation number when you book, and also see if they can email you the reservation, if they don’t automatically. If you book a condo or hotel through an outside source, vacation rental company or owner, GET A CONTRACT. This will help secure the reservation, and this will make any dispute you hopefully WON’T have to make 100% easier. Basically- have PROOF of your reservation besides your credit card/bank card charge.
#4. FOLLOW UP, FOLLOW UP, FOLLOW UP
I can not stress enough the importance of periodically checking in on your reservation. If you booked it through a vacation rental company or owner, call them or email them at least twice after you book your room. This may seem annoying, but like it did for me, it could save you from scrambling to get another room on your arrival to Miami or a few days before. If you booked through one of the travel websites, call the HOTEL you booked the room in to make sure they have received the reservation from that website, and that they have the correct room for you- EXTREMELY IMPORTANT!
Below are some great sites to book your WMC hotel!
Also, utilize our guides and posts to help you book the room of your WMC dreams!
Guide #2: Sleeping with Miami- A Guide to Hotels, Hostels, Condos and Beaches
Miami Hotel Discounts for Winter Music Conference
10 Luxury Miami Hotels for Winter Music Conference
Happy Travels!!