How to Save Money When Booking a Hotel

When you’re planning a vacation, the last thing you want to worry about is how much money you’re spending. That’s why it’s important to know how to save money when booking a hotel. Today, we have some tips that could allow you to enjoy a little more spending money while away rather than wasting it all on a hotel room.

Book Early

For starters, one of the best ways to save money when booking a hotel is to book your room as early as possible. Many hotels offer discounts for guests who book their rooms early, so you could potentially save a lot of money by doing this. Especially if you’re booking a hotel for a busy sporting occasion or another event. For instance, rates for local hotel rooms increase as time moves closer to a Comic Con, Super Bowl, or another big event.

Book Late

This might sound counter-intuitive given our first tip, but another way to save money on a hotel room is to book your room later. That’s because many hotels offer discounts for guests who book their rooms at the last minute. If you’re flexible with your travel plans, you could save some money by waiting to book your hotel room until closer to the date. For example, in the final week before your chosen dates, hotels will reduce prices in an attempt to fill the rooms.

Naturally, the risk is that the room you want could be booked by someone else, so this strategy is only for those who are comfortable with a little bit of uncertainty. If you don’t like gambling with your vacation, book as early as possible.

Compare the Market

Next, it’s important to compare the market. Not all hotels are created equal, and what might be a great deal at one hotel could be a rip-off at another. There are a few ways to compare the market; first, you could use a site like TripAdvisor to read reviews and get an idea of what other travelers have paid.

Failing this, try a hotel search engine like Kayak or Trivago. These will show you the prices of different hotels in the area, as well as any special deals that might be going on. This is an ideal way to get an idea of the going rate for a hotel in your chosen destination. If you’re really set on a particular hotel, you could always call them up and try to negotiate a better rate – it never hurts to ask.

Once you’ve found a few hotels that you’re interested in, it’s time to start looking for discounts. Many hotels offer discounts if you book in advance, so this is always worth doing if you can. You might also be able to find discounts if you’re a member of certain organizations, or if you book your stay during off-peak periods. It’s also worth checking out websites like Expedia and Hotels.com, which often have good deals on hotel rooms.

Negotiate for Extras

Even if you can’t change the rate for a room, you can change what you get for your money. For instance, some hotels will offer free breakfast or parking if you book directly with them. If you’re not interested in these things, see if you can get a spa pass or a voucher for the hotel restaurant. These are just a few examples, but it’s worth trying to negotiate for extras when you’re booking a hotel because it can decrease the overall amount you pay for your trip.