I reported back in October that the Ritz-Carlton Cancun had lowered rates and introduced money-saving packages for this winter.

by Wendy Perrin

A reader named Borden has written in with an excellent question:

"I have had a trip to the Ritz-Carlton in Cancun, Mexico, reserved for 3 to 4 months now. I know that prices must be lower now. How do I go about politely checking to see if I can get a better rate? I'm sure all resorts are hurting right now and need money. Won't they resist giving me a better rate because they need money and know I was willing to pay $$$$ for our suite before?"

Actually, my guess is that, if you phone the hotel and speak with the reservations manager, you won't encounter any reluctance whatsoever to give you the best rate available. Reservations desks at the finest hotels want to be fair and keep you happy. In fact, when I interviewed Ritz-Carlton's vice president of sales for the Caribbean, Bruce Siegel, for my October Perrin Report on how to get the best hotel deals, his suggestion to travelers was, upon arriving at the hotel, to "ask whether any value-added offers have become available since the time you made your booking." He also gave advice for how to get a free upgrade.

My recommendation is that you phone the on-site reservations desk to see if there is indeed a better rate or package than what you booked (check the hotel's Web site as well). If for some reason the reservations manager is not willing to give you the better rate, (1) let me know; I want to hear about it; and (2) have your travel companion reserve a room at the better rate under his/her name. Cancel your first reservation and use the second one instead.

Do any readers have any better suggestions? If so, please click on "Comments" and share your strategy! (Share your URL too!)