The Cosmopolitan Hotel Best Price Guarantee Review

HOW TO GET COSMOPOLITAN HOTEL FOR CHEAPER! 

I have planned a trip to Las Vegas. For 3 nights in September. I really want to stay at the Cosmopolitan hotel (opened in 2010) and discovered it is expensive. They were bought by Blackstone group this May. Also what people do not know as I discovered too was Marriott Hotel Group owns Cosmopolitan.

My search was very simple and started with google: How to stay at Cosmopolitan Hotel for cheap? Follow these guidelines and steps to getting your best rate. (No trick or scam!)

1. I found out that you can book Cosmopolitan under Marriott Hotels.
2. Marriott offers "Marriott's Look No Further Best Rate Gurantee". See more information here- https://www.marriott.com/hotel-prices/travel.mi
3. Now the hardest part is finding the "cheapest" rate.

Now.... there is no scam to this, the work that goes into it is finding your best rate and believe me I looked around at all the websites, big, small, etc. You will find it even if it takes a couple hours. I actually enjoy doing this research knowing I am saving a couple bucks, to some people it is a drag.

Make sure the room information is exactly the same as the Cosmoplitan room information, make sure your cheaper rate is refundable, not prepaid, not a combined package with flight, car, etc. and no other additional corporate or group rates apply. Also a very important note is that the price has to be advertised, displayed and available to view. (No too low of a rate to list or name your own price crap...)

These are the current rates on the Marriott website for Cosmopolitan for:

3 nights in a City Room- 2 Queens

(I am not going to include tax and resort fee only to keep it simple because price match does not apply to that)

Wednesday- $400

Thursday- $180

Friday- $450

Grand Total- $1,030.00

Note: For a 5 Star hotel that is a standard rate but I know there is always a better deal out there! 

Let's continue with the process.

DING DING DING....I found my ultimate hotel deal on Hotelwiz.com

For 3 nights in a City Room- 2 Queens

Total- $870.59 

Now HotelWiz will not say what it is per night they just do a total for the 3 nights I was looking for. (Marriott's price match guarantee rep. can figure that out)

I started a chatroom with a representative just to make sure the room description was exactly the same. 

The room was exactly the same. Now they try to act like it is sold out to get you to commit to the deal but no need to book because all you need to do is process the "Best Rate" claim through Marriott website.

I booked the full non-discounted rate through Marriott. Then I submitted the claim. Make sure you know the exact rate, website information and any other additional information they made need to know.

Sit back, relax and wait to hear a response back, usually less than 24 hours.

People there is "NO RISK" involved in trying to get a lower rate. You can cancel your hotel reservation at anytime for a FULL REFUND unless you decide to cancel 4 days before your check-in date then you are charged. Even if you get the better rate, you can still cancel.

So, I wait patiently, I am able to go to sleep that night knowing someone out there in the Marriott World is confirming and matching my better rate and giving me an additional 25% off.

I wake up to the anticipated email that my claim was approved!! YAY.

New revised rate.

For 3 nights in a City Room- 2 Queens

Wednesday- $217.65

Thursday- $180.00

Friday- $217.65

Total- $615.30

That is a Savings of    $414.70!!!

Now the additional charges are:

Resort fee- $25

Estimated taxes, etc.- $27.61

NO DISCOUNT ON THE ABOVE CHARGES, HAVE TO PAY REGARDLESS.

Wow, so for 3 people it will cost each of us about $85 a night to stay at the Cosmopolitan but even for 2 people this is a great deal.

I am happy and hope this will help you find your best rate. You do not have to share this deal with people, again this is no secret, you have to make an effort to do your research. 

Marriott does the price match + additional 25% off to keep the rates "in check" so to speak. They obviously want to stay competitive but do not mind rewarding people like me for doing the extra research. 

Happy Travels! 

P.S- This also works for another 5-Star Hotel- Bellagio. Stay Tuned for the post!

Relay Rides- Overview as a Renter

I discovered Relay Rides online but I do not remember exactly how I came across it, Google or a money making blog. I am pretty sure I came across it while brainstorming ideas on how to make extra cash.

https://relayrides.com


I have rented out my car twice since I have signed up and now I will be officially signing off of using this service for good.

Renter #1

Trip Details

Toyota Prius 2011

Angelina's Toyota

RelayRidesIssued: July 2014

Pickup Jul 6 10:00 AM

Return Jul 7 10:00 AM

Trip cost

• Estimated cost
• $44.00
• 1 day @ $44.00/day
• Trip total
• $44.00

• Earnings
• RelayRides fees
• −$11.00
• You earned
• $33.00

This was my first rental request and I was so excited after 2 weeks of signing up with an active listing. The only request was if I could meet him 15 minutes away at his location, he was sailing into the harbor for an overnight stay. He offered that at the time of pick up, he could drop me off back at my location. I told him that was not necessary and brought my father into the equation. 

My father was not pleased to hear that I was going to be loaning out my car overnight. I call him old school who does not trust our society now days but I convinced him otherwise. At least I think I did. So I prepped my Prius to be "ride ready" which included a wash and vacuum. I included the RelayRides insurance card in the glove compartment. I had my father follow me to the location so he would be my ride back. I greeted the renter at the vehicle, exchanged a brief welcome, checked his drivers license and pointed out 3 minor things about the vehicle to be aware of (chip in right tail light, scuff on rim and dent on front corner of bumper). We agreed to keep in touch and parted ways.

On the ride home, my father pointed out a good point on why Relay Rides was not a good idea for me. The first point was that this is my primary vehicle, meaning if I rent it out, I cannot go places unless I walk or ride my bicycle. It is a inconvenience that I am allowing in exchange for a quick buck. I told my father that I did not mind and would find a way to make it work, I was forcing this situation to work.

Later that evening  at home I received a message from the renter to say that he was finished with the vehicle and could pick up instead of waiting for the next morning (I had work tomorrow and still did not know how I was going to work that out). I immediately told my parents and they agreed to drive me back to the pick up destination. When I got there to meet the renter, we exchanged a brief welcome and closed with Thank you and take care. Wow, $33 dollars in my pocket for hardly doing anything except inconveniencing my parents and myself. We both rated each other 5 stars. 

Renter #2

Trip Details

Toyota Prius 2011

Angelina's Toyota

Rented by

RelayRidesIssued: July 2014

Pickup Jul 18 5:00 PM

Return Jul 26 5:00 PM

• Trip cost
• Estimated cost
• $230.00
• 1 week @ $230.00/wk
• Extended to Jul 26 5:00 PM
• $44.00
• 1 day @ $44.00/day
• Trip total
• $274.00

Now this trip I expected to go the same way. I actually received the rental request on a Friday afternoon while I was still at work. She actually requested the car earlier if possible and it would be for a week. I told her it is possible to rent for the week (without thinking of how it would affect me) but it would have to wait until I was home. I was thinking with my money brain which was $172.50 in my pocket for a week of not having my car. I actually keep my vehicle pretty clean so I just needed to do some window cleaning and interior touch ups. She met me at my residence and was very good with communication from the beginning letting me know she was running a bit later than she expected. I met the renter, checked her license but immediately had the gut feeling that I was not 100% confident in renting to her but could not say no. I went over the same 3 minor issues with the vehicle then how to operate the prius. The driver who dropped her off followed her out of the court and I cringed inside knowing this rental was feeling more like a risk than a normal rental exchange.

My mother asked me if I knew where she was going. I said I did not ask and did not feel like I had to since my job is to rent out car but I should at least have a piece of mind while doing it.

I told her that I forgot to take a picture of the mileage so if you plan on renting PLEASE RECORD MILEAGE AND FUEL very important. So, I then planned the week ahead of how I was going to get to and from work, would I cancel volunteering at the food bank that week since I did not have a means of getting there? I debated cycling or even walking but I went online and found Uber and then was guided to LYFT (will be my next blog post). I signed up for Uber but the pricing was expensive for my weekly transportation given the fact that I am loaning my only vehicle for extra income. I resorted to LYFT which seemed very reasonable and was even more delighted to see that they had a promotion going on for the next two weeks which was 50 rides for under $25 are FREE. I chose LYFT to be my transportation for the entire time my prius was being rented out. It worked out but I got very very lucky! If that did not work I would have probably had to drag my parents into this gig again.

So forward to the date that my car was to be returned, I received a message asking to extend one more day to Saturday for an extra $33. Do not have to ask me twice with my money on the mind thinking, I accepted and continued with my day. Again, despite my gut feeling it did mean she had no plans on stealing my car or abusing it (well who knows) but had great communication so far.

On Saturday, I was anticipating the arrival of my car. I did not miss it too much since I was enjoying LYFT service very much. She drives up and takes her things out (more than what she originally had), an odd looking package which was a rug covered in a bed sheet and another bag. I checked the car which was fine and exchanged a few words, instead of waiting for her ride in front of my house she headed out of our court. 

My gut feeling was telling me she was a prostitute in hard times. When she arrived, her appearance in her license was different and I just got this vibe that she was in desperate times and here I was pimping out my car for cash when I did not desperately need it. I made a note to not rent to her again, better yet just close my RelayRides account. 10 minutes later she sent me a text to let me know she would be by soon since she forgot something in the trunk. I told her no worries and that the trunk would be open. Did I really want to see what was in the trunk? I did but I could live without knowing, I went out to the trunk and prepared myself to see the expected, it was a box covered in cloth and I drew the cloth back to see recycling bottles and cans and then a pillow. Ah, I thought the worst was she would sleep in the car maybe a homeless woman on wheels when not in and out of hotel rooms? I am 99% sure that she was the profile of what I thought she was. She came back and I unlocked it for her, a different guy who drove her who did not look friendly but more annoyed that she had to come back. I rated her 5 stars and said she had excellent communication through the duration of trip.

Thinking about someone using my car in such a way made me feel extremely uneasy and re-confirmed my decision to close my RelayRides account. I would hate to have to feel obligated to rent to her again if she requested because I would accept because I am a money addict. I just would hate for something worse like an accident were to happen even though RelayRides covers it, I just do not want to think about it. Also this decision will put my family at ease and if I do not want to tell people I am renting my car for extra cash then I probably should not be doing it.

RelayRides is a great company and an opportunity to rely on our community for vehicles.It has a 1 million dollar insurance policy so you are 100% covered while renting out your vehicle. It does not affect your personal insurance and is a very easy way to make money if it is your extra car or you do not use your car that often. It is not ideal for me to use this service, it actually never was but I tried it, did not fail and conquered an extra $307 dollars in my pocket. 

Signing off... I am thinking about becoming a LYFT driver though. Stay tuned.