When planning a vacation, you necessarily want to save as much money as possible. Now, this doesn’t mean that you necessarily need to skimp on accommodations and travel arrangements. In fact, trying to cut as many corners as possible can often lead to having a vacation experience that’s ultimately regrettable.
In the end, though, there’s really no reason to cut corners. That’s because there are so many different ways in which you can find discounts on your hotel accommodations these days. Obviously, you’ll want to take advantage of these different means of getting a discount, as this means you’ll have more money for doing the things you want to do while you’re on vacation.
So, what are these ways in which you can save big bucks on your next hotel booking? Well, we’re going to explore 15 of the best ways below…
1. Don’t Be Last Minute
It may be obvious, but it bears repeating. The farther in advance you book your stay, the less money you’ll end up paying…
2. Consider the Rewards Program
If there’s a hotel chain that you particularly enjoy, then join their rewards program! The perks are often well worth the hassle of signing up.
3. Consider the Credit Card
To really get the best perks and discounts with your preferred hotel chain, though, you’ll need to sign up for the credit card.
4. Book on Tuesdays
Midday on Tuesday is when many hotels try to book up un-booked rooms. Knowing this can really work to your advantage!
5. Check Directly with Hotels
Don’t immediately default to a major hotel booking website. Sometimes you can find the very best deals on the hotel’s own website.
6. Try a Travel Agent
It seems like everything has gone online these days, but travel agents are still quite useful when it comes to booking hotels at a discount. (They’ve got the human connections, after all.)
7. Skip the Weekends
It’s just a fact that hotel rooms are more expensive on the weekends. So if you want to stay someplace posh, consider going during the week.
8. Bundled Deals
One way to get a really great deal on a hotel room is to book your stay and your airfare in one fell swoop.
9. Miles of Hotels
Most airline credit cards will allow you to use your miles for more than just airfare; you can, in fact, use them for hotel stays too!
10. Use Your Memberships
Do you have a AAA card? Are you a member of the AARP? Are you or is someone in your family a veteran? Odds are you can get a discount…
11. Expedia Loyalty
Without a doubt, Expedia is a great way to find great deals. If you really want to supercharge what this website can do for you, though, then sign up for the loyalty program.
12. Will You Price Match?
Found a better nightly rate at a nearby and comparable hotel? Well, ask your preferred hotel if they’ll match that rate. (Odds are they will…)
13. Search for Coupon Codes
You’d be surprised by what’s out there. If you know where you want to see, see if there are any coupon codes. Odds are that there might be!
14. Last-Minute Check In
If you really want to press your luck, try checking into a place late in the day. The hotel just might be willing to give you a room (or an upgrade) for much lower than you would’ve paid otherwise.
15. Business Hotels in the Summer
During the summer months, business hotels see much less traffic. If you don’t mind the business atmosphere, then this presents an incredible opportunity for savings!
