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Like airfare, hotel fees are a major expense when traveling, so it’s best to find cheap hotels. Being able to shave off a considerable chunk of these fees would thus save you a lot of money.
Check out how to find cheap hotels or score some budget-friendly hotel deals.
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1. Shop Around for Cheap Hotels
Compare prices online. Agoda.com, Booking.com, Hotels.com, and Expedia are good places to start. While Booking.com provides a wider selection of hotels, there are good ones that are only listed on Expedia. Priceline is unique in that you can choose based on the price you’re willing to spend.
For wider search capability and a faster one at that, use travel meta-search engines like trivago, which compares thousands of hotels from hundreds of booking sites. I’ve gotten some really good deals on top-notch hotels using trivago. Kayak is also a good cheap hotel finder.
Shopping around helps you find a good hotel at a cheap price.
2. Cancellable Rates
If you’re done shopping around and ready to settle on one hotel, try to choose one that can be canceled with no cost on your part (i.e. PAY LATER, FREE CANCELLATION, etc.). This allows you to change to a much cheaper booking at a later time if you find one. Just be sure to bookmark the deadline for the free cancellation to avoid incurring penalties
Prepaid hotels with no cancellation policy have lower rates, however, so booking them proves cheaper when you’re certain you won’t change your mind in the future.
3. Book Direct
Booking directly with a hotel rather than going through hotel booking sites is usually much cheaper. Booking sites, as a practice, add charges to a hotel’s rack rate as a way of earning income.
Call both the hotel’s toll-free number and their local branch to find out which provides a cheaper rate as sometimes the toll-free service isn’t aware of any ongoing promotions offered by that particular hotel location or vice versa. You may also want to check their website for special deals before calling.
4. Rewards Programs Membership
When booking at major international hotel chains, notify them of any membership you have with any frequent flier or rewards programs that would entitle you to some discounts.
5. Booking Site Membership Perks
Some booking sites offer special discounts to loyal members. Booking.com is one such site that has these members-only discounts. When members have attained a certain level, they’re entitled to discounts not available to others. I usually get around an extra 10% off some really good hotels because of that.
With Expedia, on the one hand, you get to accumulate points that you can redeem for travel perks.
See if you qualify for discounts at your favorite accommodation booking sites.
6. Hot Deals
If you aren’t too particular regarding the name of your hotel, you can try the Hot Deals offered by some booking sites. All they require is that you specify the location you want and they’d choose a hotel for you within that location. You’ll see which hotel you’ve booked after you’ve hit the “Book Now” button. Priceline does this most of the time.
Related Read: Free Vacations for Low-Income Families – How to Get Away Without Breaking the Bank
7. Book Early to Snag Cheap Hotels
As with airfare, booking early saves a lot of money. Hotel prices are much lower when you’re booking months ahead of time.
8. Sign Up for Mails on Cheap Hotels
Booking sites like to offer discounts via email. I get all sorts of 1/2 Price Sales, Secret Sales, Hot Deals, Last-Minute Deals, and so on in my email every day. They do deliver at times.
9. Credit Card Membership Perks
Credit card companies at times tie up with booking sites and provide their cardholders discounts when booking via that site and with the use of their credit cards. You need to use a particular link or a web URL to claim the discounts. Check your credit card providers if you’re eligible to avail this kind of perk.
10. Haggle Away
Ask the hotel for cheaper or discounted rates, especially during the off-season when the hotel is not fully booked. It’s a similar thing when you’re staying several days (i.e., more than 3 days) at a hotel. Check out if they offer weekend hotel discounts as well.
11. Read the Fine Print
Before committing to a stay, be sure to check out what you’re paying for. Is the rate per room or person? What other charges are included? Is the wifi and breakfast part of the total charge?
Taxes are also something you need to be vigilant about. They usually come in considerable percentages and in many forms so be wary. Some booking sites or hotels do not include taxes during the online booking and collect them only when you’re already at the hotel. Be sure you are aware of this and okay with it.
12. Go Out of Town to Find Cheap Hotels
Hotels outside the center of towns are cheaper, but choose them only when your transportation expenses wouldn’t make your whole stay a more expensive one nor your journey too time-consuming.
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Conclusion
In conclusion, discovering affordable accommodations is a skillful blend of resourcefulness and strategic planning. By leveraging the power of online booking platforms, exploring alternative lodging options, and keeping an eye on promotions and discounts, travelers can unlock a plethora of budget-friendly choices. Flexibility and timing play pivotal roles in snagging the best deals, allowing individuals to tailor their stay according to both preferences and budget constraints. As we traverse the landscape of travel, the key lies not just in finding cheap hotels but in maximizing the value of every stay. Armed with these diverse strategies, wanderers can embark on their journeys with confidence, knowing that comfort and affordability need not be mutually exclusive. Happy travels!
Do you have other tips for finding cheap hotels? We’d love for you to share them in the comments below.
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