Isn’t it fun to travel? However, it can get costly if you do not know where and how to find the best deals. That’s where we come in.
Saving money on a hotel room can save you hundreds of dollars. Sure, you can always book a hotel room through the hotel’s website, but is that the best way? Never think that hotel or hostel prices are set in stone. You can save money by checking costs on other websites, bargaining, and being flexible with your location. It’s easy to spend your travel budget on high-priced accommodations. Discover how to get cheap hotels so you can spend your money on something more memorable.
Considerations When Looking for Cheap Hotel Rooms
There are a few things to think about when shopping for cheap hotel rooms…
#1. The Length of Your Stay
When looking for cheap hotel rooms, the first thing to consider is the length of your stay.
This will have a significant impact on the types of deals you’ll find, so consider whether you’ll be staying somewhere short-term or long-term.
If you’re only visiting for a few days, you might be able to find some great deals on cheap hotel rooms.
If you plan to stay for a longer period (say, at least 2-3 weeks), it may be best to get an apartment/studio room where you may make your meals to save money.
Many properties also provide substantial discounts for extended stays!
#2. Are your travel dates flexible?
Another consideration is the dates of your travel. Are they adaptable? Or are you constrained by a timetable?
If your dates are flexible, there are a few options to explore!
The first is the time of year you visit. Understandably, if you visit somewhere during peak season, you may expect to pay more.
However, if you visit somewhere during their off-season, you may frequently find cheap hotels.
You should also explore your preferred location to see if there are any big events/festivals or holidays coming up.
During these times, prices sometimes increase, so your lodging will likely be more expensive.
#3. The Location You Want To Stay In
If you’re wondering how to find cheap hotels, I’ve got a great idea for you!
Hotel prices vary greatly depending on where you stay, and this is true for every country on the planet.
Many destinations (particularly cities) offer both cheap and costly neighborhoods, and if you’re looking for a low-cost hotel, you may have to compromise on the area you stay in.
Consider Los Angeles; it’s a pretty costly city overall, but if you avoid the ‘touristy’ sections, you’ll pay a lot less.
Beverly Hills, Hollywood, and Santa Monica are all relatively expensive neighborhoods, although Chinatown and Venice are usually significantly cheaper.
#4. What do you want to be included in your stay?
Finally, consider what you’d like to have included with your stay.
Many establishments provide extra perks such as complimentary breakfast, WiFi, and parking, so keep an eye out for that. Fantastic if you can get a free breakfast!
However, if you want more lavish amenities like a fitness center or a swimming pool, the price will rise.
Staying at a hostel, whether in a dormitory or a private room, is one of the best ways to combat this.
Although many of them do not provide luxury amenities, they frequently contain a shared kitchen and a shared sitting space.
Some of the larger hostels even include complimentary walking tours, an on-site bar, pool tables, and entertainment!
How to Get Cheap Hotels with No Cancellation Fees
Following on from the previous advice on how to book a cheap hotel, it’s a good idea to book a hotel that allows you to cancel free of charge before a particular date. This way, if the price drops, you may cancel your reservation and rebook at a cheaper price!
For each room type, many booking sites will give you the option of a non-refundable or free cancellation. Naturally, non-refundable rooms are cheap, but you must consider whether booking one is worth the risk.
How to Book Cheap Hotels on Websites That Guarantee the Lowest Price and Will Refund the Difference
Look for websites that promise to repay the difference if the price of your room reduces before your stay, or if you find it cheaper elsewhere. Even if you did not book a hotel that offers free cancellation, you can still receive your money back in this scenario.
The other hotel must be comparable to your initial booking and be in the same currency as the original hotel room bill.
How to Get Cheap Hotel Rooms on a Members-Only Sale Website
You may join a members-only website that gives significant but limited-time savings on cheap hotels all over the world. There are no fees to sign up for, but you must sign in with your information to see what’s available.
Hotel companies and travel brokers frequently offer short-term specials, which might be appealing, but do your homework to ensure you are getting a fair deal. Register for email notifications on cheap hotel room discounts; you will receive a large number of emails, but you can always unsubscribe once you have found your cheap hotel room.
When a new hotel opens, they may give cheap hotel room discounts to publicize their establishment, which may often be more than a 50% discount. Look for announcements of new hotels opening in your target destination in hotel industry publications. You can also search for alerts about hotel opening rate markdowns in forum threads and social media, or just call the hotel to inquire about special discounts.
How to Get Cheap Hotels Using Cashback Websites
When you book a cheap hotel through a cashback service, all you have to do is give the site one more click. Including it in your travel can save you a lot of money on your vacation, but constantly compare prices and make sure you can’t obtain a lower deal altogether.
However, because extras and fees are occasionally omitted from the bargain, you may not always get a return on the entire price you paid for your hotel.
How to Get Cheap Hotels by Joining Loyalty Programs
Several hotel businesses provide complimentary reward programs, including Hilton Honors, Best Western Rewards, Group Rewards Club, Intercontinental Hotels, and Marriott Rewards. These loyalty programs are worthwhile to join because of the exclusive offers they deliver to members. Also, as a ‘preferred guest,’ you are more likely to be successful if you request a discount or an upgrade when you check in at the hotel.
How to Get Cheap Hotels Using a Credit Card or a Specialized Travel Card
There are numerous benefits to using a credit card to book a hotel room. One of the benefits of using a credit card is that you are protected while making large transactions. For example, if you pay more than $100 for a hotel room, you may be eligible for a return if the hotel goes out of business. The same may not be true for your debit card, so double-check first. Credit cards are also more handy for spending in foreign countries and provide better exchange rates than debit cards.
Certain credit cards will give you loyalty points for every dollar spent, allowing you to save even more money on hotel rooms. They may also provide you with a set amount of cashback on the purchase of your lodging.
Best Tips To Get Cheap Hotels
#1. Make direct contact with the hotel
Locate the hotel, phone them, and ask them to match the offer (they typically will because it saves them commission). If they are a large global brand, the main advantage of booking straight is that you only get loyalty points and status when you book direct, therefore if you enjoy travel hacking, don’t book their rooms elsewhere!
#2. Use discount rates such as AAA or AARP
If you are a member of the AARP or AAA, you can enjoy cheaper prices. The AARP is open to everyone. I’m a part of it. They have fantastic travel privileges (including hotel deals and tickets on British Airways). Membership is certainly worth it.
#3. Use Mr.Rebates or Rakuten
If the lowest rate is available through a big booking site like Booking.com, Expedia, or Hotels.com. You will receive 1-4% cashback if you use their links. It’s a small additional saving that can pile up over time.
#4. Check out HotelTonight
This hotel booking app is ideal for last-minute reservations. If you have a flexible schedule and wait until after 4 p.m. on the day of your trip, you can find hotels that are up to 50% cheaper.
#5. Use SnapTravel
This service is best for finding hotels in the United States. SnapTravel delivers hotel deals to your phone or Facebook account. Simply enter your travel dates and the city you’ll be in, and they’ll bring you the best deals. With them, you can save up to 50% off the cost of a hotel room. They are a valuable, under-the-radar service that has saved me a significant amount of money. Google normally includes them in their search results, but not always, so it’s best to double-check.
#6. Join the Booking.com and Hotels.com reward programs
Hotels.com offers a free room after 10 reservations, and Booking.com members receive 10% off bookings. They were unquestionably beneficial. Before you book with them, sign up for their loyalty programs!
#7. Get reduced gift cards
Hotel gift cards can be used to book major hotel brands. Look for inexpensive gift cards on websites like Giftcardgranny.com and use them to book your hotel. (Gift card purchases contribute to point earnings and status as well.)
#8. Buy someone else’s reservation on Roomer
Sometimes people can’t go on a trip and can’t cancel the reservation, so hotels put these rooms on Roomer and sell them at a discount to make some money back. I’ve never used this website, but I’ve heard nothing but positive things about it.
Is It Cheaper to Reserve Hotel Rooms Straight From the Hotel?
Normally, but not always, travel corporations book large numbers of rooms to sell them inexpensively at times.
When Can You Cancel a Hotel Room Without Losing Your Deposit?
It’s usually between 24-48 hours before arrival, but double-check first.
Is It Cheaper to Book Hotel Rooms on Some Days Than Others?
Yes, it is occasionally cheaper to travel during the week, although this depends on the season.
Will the Ticket Price Vary Depending on the Season?
Yes, especially during high season or when a certain festival is taking place, room prices might be significantly higher.
How Can I Get a Cheap Hotel Room?
There are numerous amazing methods for finding cheap hotel rooms, but one of the first things you should do is search comparison websites for the best deals.
Using local currency to save transaction fees, accumulating rewards with loyalty programs, and using a hotel reward credit card are all common strategies to acquire cheap hotels!
Which App Has the Most Affordable Hotel Rooms?
Booking.com, Expedia, and Hotels.com are just a few of the amazing applications that provide ‘in-app’ savings.
Kayak, on the other hand, has to be the best option because you can set up price alerts using their app. This means you’ll be notified when prices drop, allowing you to get a steal.
Do Hotels Become Cheaper as the Date Approaches?
It is all dependent on the hotel you select! For many hotels, it is best to reserve your room ahead of time to take advantage of ‘early bird’ promotions.
However, some hotels will lower their costs closer to the time of booking to fill the rooms. This is a terrific way to find last-minute deals, so consider it if you’re planning a last-minute trip.
When Is the Best Time to Book a Hotel Room?
This will vary based on where you’re going, but in general, the best days to schedule a hotel stay are Friday and Saturday.
Monday through Wednesday are often the most costly days to book, but as you move closer to the weekend, rates begin to fall.
How Will You Locate the Lowest-Cost Hotel Rooms?
If you’ve been wondering how to acquire cheap hotel rates, as you can see, there are a plethora of options available to you!
Some will function better than others, so keep that in mind.
If you travel frequently, earning points with hotel loyalty programs and utilizing a hotel rewards credit card may be the best method for you to get the most bang for your buck.
If you’re searching for a one-time trip, I’d recommend taking advantage of package deals, coupon websites like Wowcher, and the free cancellation policy.
Do you have any additional questions about how to find the best hotel room rates?
Or do you have any suggestions of your own that you believe we’ve overlooked?
Please let me know in the comments!
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