Check Out Fine Print on Rates Before Checking In

It’s summer touring season again and time to review the discounts and deals being offered by major chain and franchise hotel and motel companies.

First some caveats.

Remember that discounts are just marketing tools to lure mature travelers.

Things can change quickly in the lodging industry. Offers can be altered or even dropped after a change in management.

More frequently, individual hotels have the right to suspend senior or other discounts for special events, or just limit the number of discounted rooms they offer during peak seasons.

Key Phrases

It’s important to check such key phrases as “good only at participating properties” or “subject to space availability” or “not offered on minimum-rate rooms.”

Although the industry is getting much better at eliminating these exclusions from their senior rate programs, they still pop up.

When making reservations, check to make sure that the discount is in effect during your stay; double-check before you check in at the accommodation.

And make sure that the senior discount is the lowest rate available. Frequently, hotels and motels offer weekend specials that could include lower rates or meals, that are not known to the national reservation service. Often, these kinds of specials are a better buy than a regular room at a senior discount.

Proof of Age

Be sure to have a membership card for AARP, Mature Outlook or another recognized organization, plus a driver’s license, passport or other proof of age. Social Security cards don’t help.

Discounts of 10% are common. Many “Mobil Travel Guide” accommodations provide them, as does the American Automobile Assn. But don’t expect to double your 10% discount if you belong to both AAA and AARP.

Major Offerings

Here’s a rundown on major hotel discounts:

Best Western: More than 1,300 independently owned franchise properties, 10% to those 55 or older or to members of AARP. Reservations required. Call toll-free (800) 528-1234.

Budgetel Inns: String of economy motels in Midwest and South, 10% to those over 55. Call (800) 4-BUDGET.

Comfort Inns: See Quality International.

Compri Inns: 15% to AARP members at 24 hotels, including three in California. Call (800) 426-6774.

Days Inns: Straight 10% to AARP and other organizations. If 50 years or older, pay $12 and join the September Days Club for discounts of 15% to 50% at various properties, plus savings on hotel meals, car rentals and tours.

Drury Inns: Modest-priced chain with 10% to AARP or others age 55 or over. Call (800) 325-8300.

Econo Lodges: More than 450 budget properties with 10% off to AARP and others 55 and older. Call (800) 446-6900.

Embassy Suite Hotels: All-suite properties with 10% to AARP. Check individual properties. Some provide the same discount to those 55 and older, others say 65. Also, individual properties often have special weekend package plans. Call (800) 362-2779.

Hampton Inns: Offers LifeStyle 50, where up to four adults over 50 can share one room with two double beds for the single rate. Call (800) HAMPTON.

Hilton Hotels: Has its Senior Honors for those 60 and older for $45 a year, $75 for life. Provides from 10% to 50% discounts, varying with hotel and/or season, at nearly 300 hotels, inns and resorts. Call (800) 492-3232 for information.

Holiday Inns: Gives 20% on rooms, 10% on hotel meals to Mature Outlook members, 10% to AARP and other organizations. Call (800) HOLIDAY.

Howard Johnson’s: 15% to 50% off, depending on property and season, to AARP, Mature Outlook and others. Also the Road Rally program allows visitors who stay three nights or longer to receive extra deals and a chance to win prizes.

Hyatt Hotels: Has no corporate senior policy, but individual properties may offer their own senior rates, mostly during off-season periods.

Imperial 400 Inns: 10% off this budget chain’s rate for AARP and those over 55.

Inn Suites: Offers its Silver Passport for those 55 and older, for 10% midweek, 15% weekend stays. Call (800) 842-4242.

Knights Inns: Budget chain mostly in the South, 10% off to 55 and older. Call (800) 866-1569.

La Quinta Motor Inns: Another budget chain, with 15% discount to AARP and other senior organizations, or to those 55 and older.

L-K Motels: Midwestern budget chain that is expanding to the West, has 10% discounts for AARP and those 55 or older.

Marriott: Has a very good Leisurelife Program for AARP, or those 62 and older. Provides up to 50% off rates at almost all properties. Sometimes is limited in capacity during peak seasons or special events. Also 25% discounts on hotel restaurant meals (up to eight in a party), 10% on hotel gift shop purchases. Call (800) 228-9290.

Master Host Inns: See Red Carpet Inns.

Omni Hotels: Provides up to 50% off on space-available rooms at its 37 hotels for AARP, but only with reservations. If you get in, there’s also 15% off restaurant meals. Call (800) THE OMNI.

Quality International: Includes Comfort Inns, Quality Inns, Clarion Hotels. Gives a basic 10% discount to AARP and others age 60, plus a 30% Prime Time Senior Saver discount if reservations are made at least 30 days in advance with one night prepayment, which is not refundable if you cancel during the 30 days before arrival. Call (800) 221-2222.

Radisson Hotels: Up to 25% discount for AARP and other organizations, or age 65 and older, with reservations only. Call (800) 228-9822.

Ramada: 25% off at its inns, hotels and Renaissance Hotels within its Best Years Program for members of AARP and similar organizations, or those age 60 and older. Also has a 4 for 1 Plus Program, where four stay in one room for a single rate. Call (800) 228-2828.

Red Carpet Inns (also Scottish Inns and Master Host Inns): 10% for AARP and those 55 and older. Call (800) 251-1962.

Red Lion Inns/Thunderbird Motor Inns: 15% for room and hotel restaurant meals to AARP and others age 50 and older. Call (800) 547-8010.

Red Roof Inns: Budget-priced chain with 10% off for 60 and older. Call (800) 843-7663.

Rodeway Inns: 10% to 25% off (depending on inn/season) of 160 budget properties for AARP or others age 55 and older.

Sheraton Hotels: Up to 25% discount on all properties, but minimum-rate rooms for members of AARP or others 60 and older. Sometimes very limited at peak seasons. Reservations are a must. Call (800) 325-3535.

Stouffer Hotels: Has its Great Years program for those 60 and older for $59 a day (occasionally less at individual hotels), for all of its non-resort hotels. Call (800) HOTELS-1.

TraveLodge Inns/Viscount Hotels: 15% for AARP and others 50 and older. Occasional specials up to 25% off at Southern California Viscount Hotels. Call (800) 255-3050.

Vagabond Inns: Heavy on the West Coast, has a Vagabond 55 Club for $10 a year (you get that much back in coupons and gifts) and then 10% to 15% off rates, plus offerings of special club tours for those 55 and older. Call (800) 522-1555.

In addition, many small, independent motels and motor hotels not affiliated with a major chain or franchise offer senior rates, mostly 10% off. You’ll find many listed in Mobil Travel Guide’s “Lodging for Less,” a recently published paperback selling for $5.95.

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The departure date for the 16-day tour to the Soviet Union, offered through Cortell International, was reported incorrectly in the May 28 “Mature Traveler” column. The tour, priced at $3,150 per person, double, will depart Los Angeles July 1. For information, call (800) 228-2535.