In the United States alone, there are nearly 80,000 hotels – and more than 5 million rooms to stay in when you are away from home. That means competition is fierce in the hotel industry, and if you remember what you learned in school about supply and demand, there are plenty of ways to save on hotel bookings. Here is how.
Keep an eye on prices
The great thing about booking a hotel is that you can cancel it 24 to 48 hours before your stay without having to pay a penalty. If you book a room well in advance, do not assume that’s the best price. Watch for prices to drop, and if you see a lower price, grab it and cancel your previous reservation – even with the hotel you have already booked with. (Or contact the hotel and let them know you saw the lower room rate and ask for a price adjustment).
Do not Rely on Aggregate
While sites like Expedia or TripAdvisor will help you find the lowest prices if you are just starting your search and are not quite sure what the current rates are, they are not always actually the lowest. The aggregators make money by getting paid by the hotel brands to show you these room rates. However, the brands and the hotel itself may offer you lower rates if you book directly. If you see a price you like, you should contact the source directly, because that may also mean you have a chance at upgrades and special offers.
Request a Deal
Each brand’s hotel may have a price listed on its website, but it’s managed by a team that has specific goals to achieve. When you contact a hotel’s management team, they can make you an offer. For example, if you see that a competitor is offering a lower room rate but you prefer the hotel, call them and let them know. They may adjust or lower the price for you. Really!
Get Social
Follow hotels on their social media, such as Twitter, Instagram and Facebook. They often announce special offers there before they announce them on their website or send them out via email. (While you are at it, sign up for hotel newsletters and email alerts, too).
Travel Beyond the Weekends
For frequent travelers, waiting for the work week to end means weekend travel is important. For this reason, prices at many resorts are higher on Friday and Saturday nights. If you can travel during the week or even from Saturday to Monday or Thursday to Saturday, you’ll save on your “weekend” getaway.
Look for Business Hotels
If you plan to travel on a weekend, look for hotels that cater to business travelers, often near airports, city centers or convention centers. Business travelers stay during the week, so rooms are free on weekends and hotels want to attract new customers with lower rates.
Be Loyal
Joining a hotel’s loyalty program is absolutely free, and you should definitely do so even if you only stay there once. Loyalty program members receive perks like free WiFi, free water, and room upgrades. Go ahead and sign up.
Travel in the Off-Season
Of course, everyone wants to hit the beach in the summer, and you’ll pay a hefty price for that. I am not saying you have to travel in the winter, but look at what I call the “off-season.” After spring break and before Memorial Day or after Labor Day before the vacations, it’s low season and fewer people travel (mostly because the kids are in school). During this time you will find the lowest prices, even for hotels in the Disney area.
Pay Attention to Amenities
One thing I have always hated is that staying at the Four Seasons means paying up to $25 per day for WiFi, while staying at the Vacation Inn means free WiFi. The cheaper hotels may not offer high thread count bedding, but they often offer a free breakfast buffet, free parking and other amenities. If your hotel is just a place to rest your weary head and you spend most of your time outside the hotel, you should choose the hotels that offer you the best value for your money. If the resort is the destination, you should choose the hotel that offers you the most comfort and fun.
Save on Suites
Hotel suites are more expensive than traditional rooms, but they offer not only a living area, but often a kitchenette with a refrigerator and microwave. If you find a room with a kitchenette, you can save on dining out if you stock up and plan properly. This savings could be more than the extra cost of the room, especially if you are traveling as a family of four.
Use a Travel Rewards Credit Card
If you travel a lot, a travel rewards credit card can reward you with free hotel nights and upgrades. Some cards give you up to 5% cash back on your travel spending, while others have a new cardholder bonus that can get you a free weekend if you spend a certain amount within the first 90 days. Use your card like a debit card (and pay it off every month so you do not pay interest!
Combine your Flight
Take advantage of your airline’s offers after you book a flight. They will often refer you to partner hotels at your destination, and you can save on your hotel and car rentals.
The Bottom Line
Finding the lowest prices takes a lot of work, but your time can lead to big savings so you can spend more money on nice things while on vacation.
