A good rate mix can increase your hotels visibility and bookings from the travel agent systems and On Line Travel Agent web sites (OTAs ).  By loading a variety of rate categories, you increase the probability your hotel will come up in travel agent searches.

Consider that if a travel agent searches in the GDS for all the hotels in your city that offer a corporate rate and you don't have a corporate rate plan loaded in our system, your property will not show will not be an option. This would apply to all rate categories that a travel agent searches..

Some OTAs only search for promotional rates.  If you don't have promotions loaded your property won't appear on these web sites.  You've lost sales opportunities in both these examples..

Consider loading all of the following public rate plans:

1. BAR - should be loaded on the GDS against the RACK category.   Load your Best Available Unrestricted rate against this category. 
2. Corporate - For business travelers. 
3. Package - A package can include anything that gives added value such as free parking, a bottle of wine, tickets to events, shuttle service or a meal voucher. 
4. Promotional - Promotional rates are just as flexible. These can be anything from increased travel agent commissions; extended stay pricing, advance purchase prices (lead time) or can be based on any system restriction.