Whether you’re traveling for fall break, business or a weekend away, booking hotels can be a headache. How can you know if you’re really getting the lowest price? Is it safe to use a third party vendor like Priceline or Hotwire? And how can you make the most of your purchase?
I LOVE to travel but I hate to overspend, so today I’m bringing you my favorite strategies to save on an overnight stay.
Begin with research
Before you book, you need to do some research about the area where you will be traveling. Where are the hotels located near your destination? If you’re choosing a place to stay between home and your final location, consider using the platform Meetways to determine a halfway point.
As a side note, areas with a greater density of hotels usually have more competitive prices due to the market. Places where hotels are few and far between are a bit less flexible.
Use Rakuten
The online platform Rakuten (formerly Ebates) acts as a clearinghouse for online coupons. Consumers can often receive cash back for purchases made online, too. Many hotels are a part of this network, too — including Marriott, Holiday Inn, Hilton, Wyndham, Choice and more. You’ll find third-party vendors like Hotwire and hotels.com, too.
Once you sign up for an account, you’ll receive cash back after completing your stay.
Sign up for rewards
You should be a part of the rewards program at any hotel where you stay if the program is free. While it might require a few quick steps (usually less than five minutes to sign up), it can help you not only collect points for each stay but also gives you access to special benefits. From free bottled water to WiFi, it’s worth an occasional email and a couple of minutes of your time to sign up. Don’t hesitate to ask at the front desk upon check in to take full advantage of your membership.
When you get ready to use your reward points, be sure to use a careful eye. Deciding when to cash them out can make the difference between a free night’s stay and a $10 gift card. I recently noticed that one of the programs we are a part of had only a 2,000 point discrepancy between the two. Also monitor when points expire, too. You don’t want to waste them.
Shop smart
More than once, I’ve used third-party platforms like Hotwire, Priceline and Hotels.com. Many times, it’s difficult to tell where you will stay when you use these services. For Hotwire and Priceline, consult the online forum BetterBidding.com. It’s a collection of other consumers’ experiences of which hotels they’ve landed after booking through either of these. It can sometimes provide you with an educated guess of where you may end up staying. You can crack the code of cloaked hotels by comparing amenities and star rankings of the hotel.
Usually the prices featured on third-party services with the hotels revealed are more expensive than directly through the site itself. The secret offers can be incredibly competitive, though. I typically only look at three- and four-star hotels and those with a 90 percent or higher review rating. This practice yields high quality accommodations.
Call and ask questions
In our world of online booking, calling a hotel might seem crazy. However, you may end up with a much better deal if you do. Calling a hotel directly (not just the 800 reservation line) can sometimes lead to the best price available. Inquire about special rates that might not be listed online or those connected to clubs or memberships. Employees of the state, military and police officers, AAA and other groups sometimes receive special discounts. It never hurts to ask.
Consider extras
Don’t forget to consider additional charges that might accompany your stay. Will you be required to pay for parking? Is breakfast included? Don’t forget to check and see if taxes and fees are a part of the rate. Is there a refrigerator and/or microwave in the room so you can bring food from home to save a few pennies? All of these factors can reduce or increase your total cost.
Leave reviews for others
After you’ve completed your stay, leave a quick review about it. This will help other consumers make an educated purchase in the future. If you’ve ever read a review to help you make a decision, you know this can make a huge difference. Be a considerate consumer and leave both positive and/or negative feedback about your experience.
Doing a little upfront legwork helps you actually enjoy your hotel stay. It’s an endeavor that can make (or if you don’t do it, break), your time away from home.
