Recruiter's Glossary

Examples: Loyalty Programs • LOS (Length of Stay) • Back Office Operations

BAR (Best Available Rate)

Term from Hotel Management industry explained for recruiters

BAR (Best Available Rate) is a pricing strategy used in hotels and hospitality businesses to set room rates. It's the best non-restricted rate available for each night of a guest's stay. Think of it as the standard "go-to" price for a room when there are no special deals or discounts applied. Hotel revenue managers use BAR to adjust prices based on factors like season, local events, or how full the hotel is. This helps hotels make the most money from their rooms while staying competitive. You might also see it called "rack rate" or "flexible rate" in some job descriptions.

Examples in Resumes

Implemented BAR pricing strategies resulting in 15% revenue increase

Managed daily Best Available Rate adjustments based on market demand

Trained front desk staff on BAR pricing policies and procedures

Typical job title: "Revenue Managers"

Also try searching for:

Hotel Revenue Manager Pricing Manager Revenue Optimization Manager Hotel Operations Manager Revenue Analyst Reservations Manager

Where to Find Revenue Managers

Professional Associations

Online Communities

Job Boards

Example Interview Questions

Senior Level Questions

Q: How would you develop a BAR strategy for a hotel during both peak and off-peak seasons?

Expected Answer: A senior candidate should explain how they would analyze historical data, competitor rates, and market events to set optimal rates. They should discuss different strategies for high and low seasons, and how to handle special events or unexpected situations.

Q: How do you measure the success of your BAR pricing strategy?

Expected Answer: The answer should cover key metrics like RevPAR (Revenue Per Available Room), occupancy rates, and competitive pricing analysis. They should explain how they track and adjust strategies based on these metrics.

Mid Level Questions

Q: What factors do you consider when adjusting BAR rates?

Expected Answer: The candidate should mention factors like local events, competitor pricing, seasonal demand, group bookings, and historical data. They should understand how these elements influence pricing decisions.

Q: How do you explain BAR pricing to front desk staff and ensure consistent application?

Expected Answer: Look for answers about training methods, creating clear guidelines, and ensuring staff understands when and how to apply different rates. They should emphasize the importance of consistent communication.

Junior Level Questions

Q: What is BAR and why is it important?

Expected Answer: They should explain that BAR is the Best Available Rate - the standard rate for a room without discounts, and how it serves as a baseline for hotel pricing strategies.

Q: How does BAR differ from other types of room rates?

Expected Answer: The answer should explain how BAR differs from group rates, promotional rates, and package deals, showing basic understanding of hotel pricing structures.