The cost of staying at a hotel is often the most expensive part of traveling. Many people decide to avoid traveling all together because price of a hotel is so high. This is unfortunate as it is not necessary to become so hasty and stay home! There are several different ways to lower the cost of a hotel in order to make traveling plausible for any budget.
Book Last Minute
If you wait to book your hotel, you will often find amazing deals at a fraction of the price. This is due to the fact that hotels to get to book all of their rooms. If you go to them the night you want a room and they have a great number of rooms available, they will be ready to practically give it away. In order to receive a discount, you will need to ask. As long as it is not a busy time where rooms are in high demand, most hotels will knock off a large portion of the price, up to 50%. Now, the key for this to work is that it must be off season. If it’s a busy period, like a major holiday, it is not a good idea to book last minute.
Use the Internet
There are countless deals that can be found on the internet that you cannot necessarily find in person. Many hotels offer a cheaper rate for booking online. In addition, complete a Google search for coupon codes for hotel chains or major online agencies such as Expedia, Orbitz and Travelocity. Sometimes Orbitz offers hotel deals up to 40% off the regular price. Sometimes you may have to combine it with an orbitz promotion code from Cheap-buys.com, and the overall deal is fantastic. Travelocity also has great deals online. Use a travelocity promo code for best discounts. Sites like cheap-buys and webcouponcodes always offer some of the best travel discounts. Hotel chains themselves, offer deals that can be found on the web. In addition to the deals and discounts that can be found online, you can compare the rates of several of the competing hotels to find the cheapest. If you have a preference in where you stay and it is not the least expensive, they will often offer a price match or even a better deal in order to gain your business.
Consider the Times You Travel
If you are traveling for pleasure, consider arriving and leaving on a weekday as opposed to a weekend. Weekend rates are always higher than the weekday. Staying Monday-Friday as opposed to over the weekend will end up saving you a great deal of money, allowing you to bypass the more expensive prices over the peak times. This is also true for holidays. Most hotel costs are highest over the holidays. Traveling either the week before or after can save you several hundred dollars.
Call them directly and negotiate
Believe it or not, the best way to get the best rates on hotels is to simply just call the hotel directly. Call them and tell them to get you a good deal compared to a rate you saw online. Most of the time, you will be surprised at how much better deal you can obtain by just calling the hotel you wish to stay at directly. Once you do get a rate, also try to negotiate! You will never get a lower hotel rate if you don’t ask! When booking your hotel, don’t settle on the first price they give you. Hotels want your business and do not want to see you go elsewhere. You can reasonably ask for a rate that’s between 20%-30% lower than they quote you on. Tell them what you feel is fair, and open up lines of communication. More often than not, they will do what they need to do to keep you happy and gain your business. If they do not seem inclined to negotiate, feel free to go elsewhere. Any good company will work with you to find a price that everyone can agree to.
Use your AAA discount
Lots of hotels have AAA discounts. Simply ask, and they will give it to you. Don’t have AAA?, get triple A, it has so many benefits for the avid traveler.
Ask for an Upgrade
Here’s a little trick that will work best during non-busy times. When you book your hotel, either online or over the phone, don’t book the best room! Book a standard room. Chances are, you will get an offer to be upgraded for a much cheaper rate than if you would have initially booked the more expensive room. Sometimes they will make you such offer, when you are checking in. For this to work, make sure you know when it is peak season for the hotels. You don’t want to do this when everybody is on a holiday otherwise you’ll be stuck in your regular standard room.
Remember that traveling does not need to break your budget. If you follow the tips listed above, you should be able to save a great deal on hotel costs whenever you travel each time. This will allow you and your family to enjoy a vacation at a very low cost.