Help me win this argument with my sister

What harm is there in having her see what the rate would be? Just don't cancel the reservations you have made until you are sure you are happy with a better rate and have firm reservations at that rate (maybe have her make them in your sister's name instead of yours to avoid confusion).

Sarah, If you've got confirmed bookings now, my suggestion would be to stay with those. As you were both happy with the rates when you booked, I don't see any reason to "tinker" with things at this point. You also stated that the Travel Agent "might be able to get better rates". The key word here is "might". Trying to change things at this point might annoy the Hotels, and you could end up in a worse situation. I would highly recommend leaving things as they are! Bon Voyage!

Why the argument? As Sasha said, have the travel agent check out the rates. If she can book something for a lower price, and if you can cancel your current reservation, go for it. Really doesn't require any work on your part, so just let her roll with it.

I heard Paris hotels were full in September due to trade shows. So whatever you do, do not give up the bookings you have unless you are absolutely sure you can do better (or improve the ones you already have.)

So you were happy with the rate, your sister was happy with the rate, and the hotel was happy with the rate. Now this extra person is going to try to stick her nose in and whittle away at the amount the hotel will get, and probably demand a commission as well, so the two of you can pay a little less... How good do you think the room will be when you check in?

Nigel is right, to me not worth it, how much are you really going to save but guess you can always let her try and see what she comes up with but do not under any circumstances cancel reservation until you have another firm one booked.

Sarah,,please reread Nigels post,,and the others... do NOT cancel your reservation. I think this ta is a loser,, and just looking for commission, you do realize they do not work for free right? They need money too,, so ,who pays them,, do you, no,you do not.. the hotel pays them a commission..and many small hotels do not pay commission to tas, they sure don't need to.. and why should they even bother in busy season,when they are full anyways. Have you gone on their websites and seen what rates they offer now, or if they even have rooms free? Will this ta then suggest she has found you another hotel,, at a better rate,, I am sure she could, but it might not be in an area you like. Let this ta check rates but under no circumstances would I cancel ..

Sarah , I quite agree with the previous posters about not tampering with your plans , and I have a little to add . Keep in mind that september is actually high season in paris since it is convention and trade show month. Last september my wife and I were in paris , having booked our room for a stay of ten days well in advance . By about mid july there was not a room to be found anywhere . As my father used yo tell me , when you have a good thing going , monkeying with it always leads to tragedy . With the crush for hotels in september in paris , the ta isn't going to do any better than you have . Don't blow it !!!

My prediction is that if your sister's friend's mother comes up with a lower price quote it will be because she is not including tax when your original quote does. I would be amazed if a brick and mortar travel agent can collect her commission and offer a lower price than you can find booking the hotel on your own.

I think the biggest problem is that you and your sister are taking the trip... had agreed on the plans... and now she is trying to make new plans. Becomes a power struggle at some point...Either way now, the room is becoming a source of dissagreement. Best to figure out how to handle this between the two of you, as there are lots of 'challenges' while traveling. But, I definitely agree, do not cancel what you have unless you are comfortable that you have secured a better rate and hotel than you currently have.

One thing I've learned, as a male, over the years is never get in the middle of an argument between women. Good luck!

How much are we really talking here? $50 a night? Tinker. $10 total? Leave be.
You can also have the mom call and get her best rates without any mention of your reservation. Then, pick between the two. If she can get you a lower rate and you can cancel the existing reservations without penalty, then I don't see why going to the other rate would be a bad thing. ...but that is a lot of ifs.

Thank you all so much for your advice and good points. There wouldn't be any harm in the TA CHECKING rates, but I'm reluctant to even let it go that far. I checked Hotel Cluny Sorbonne and there are no rooms available on Sept. 17, which is our last night in that hotel. The Hotel Londres Eiffel is completely booked on our dates (Sept. 18 - 22). So based on those facts plus most of you echoing my hesitation and the helpful mentions of trade fairs in Paris in September, I feel that I have a solid argument against unnecessary meddling. THANK YOU!!!

Sarah, I've become hesitant to make changes to a hotel reservation because I've had the complete reservation canceled! I just wanted to add a Single room for one night to a reservation for 2 people in a Double room for 3 nights. Now if I need to add a night or 2, and change from a Single to the Double--because I'm meeting my husband--I stay at a different hotel. Just thought I'd add another comment to your side of the argument!

I have recently had a travel agent "make inquiries" about a cheaper rate which 'confued" the hotel which cancelled my earlier reservation. Fortunately I became aware of this- the travel agent did not- and I was able to have my reservation re-instated.- could have been very awkward

I disagree. There's never too much time in Paris!

Like previous posters said, let it be. There definitely could be a miscommunication which could result in a cancellation and a loss of rooms. Have a great trip!

I don't think one could get bored in Paris with a month, let alone 8 nights!

Thanks again, everyone. I'm trying to do things "right" for this trip. I was in Paris 5 years ago for only 3 nights, which wasn't enough time at all. This year I was planning to go to England for two weeks but my sister really wanted to go to Paris with me for a week. She's had a rough year and Paris is the only city she wants to see outside the U.S. So I figured that since I was going back, I should do things a lot differently from last time (stay 8 nights, stay near the city center, etc.). I'm surprised at how quickly we're filling 7 full days in the city with plans. She hasn't brought up the travel agent topic again but I know we'll have to talk about it. I believe I have a good argument for my case and this is one thing I don't want to compromise on, esp. since one hotel is completely booked and the other is filling up.

Absolutely Andrea !!!!! No amount of time is too much for Paris .

This has nothing to do with hotels, but I am going to get off topic. There is a program called Paris Greeters that you might consider looking into. They are volunteers who show visitors the city for free. You can donate to the program if you wish, but it is not required. You fill out an application with your preferred dates and your interests. They will then match you up with someone. If you don't like the first plan, you can reject it. They will then come up with something else. Last October I was in Paris with a friend. It was the first time for her, and the third for me. A really nice man spent about 4 hours taking us through the Marais, where he grew up. Although I had been in the area before he talked about the history, what it was like growing up there, etc. I learned a lot. We took him for a drink as a thank you. It is a great experience.

What a cool introduction to Paris, Andrea - thank you! That sounds like something my sister would be interested in. I'll add it to my already copious notes - two months to go!

If you are interested in the Paris Greeters you should do the application about 4 weeks before you go. That gives them time to match you up with someone. After that is settled you will be able to email with the 'Greeter'.