The secrets to cheap hotels and the best rates
1. Sign in for savings
That one minute it takes to sign up on a hotel or booking website can amount to some serious members-only savings. Skeptical? Check our example below or try comparing for yourself!
Many booking sites offer rewards programs (where you earn credit or free nights after a certain # of bookings) or members programs (where a membership earns you exclusive discounts). If you're hesitant to sign up because your inbox is perma-flooded with e-mails, fear not! You can still snag deals with a one-time sign-up to get a log-in ID, click “unsubscribe” from all e-mails thereafter.
A few companies that take advantage of members-only rewards programs include:
- Hotelcombine (earn members-only prices and points – after 9 stays your 10th is free)
- Agoda (earn members-only prices)
- Hotels Combined (earn members-only prices)
- Agoda (earn members-only prices)
- Hotels Combined (in China – earns account credit with each booking)
2. Use the best search engines
As you've probably learnt by now, not all booking services are created equal. Many sites tack on sneaky commissions to already inflated rates. The websites we've found to consistently have the best prices that also search broadly include:
- Hotelcombine (often has coupons)
- Agoda (good for members only and last-minute deals)
- Hotels Combined (combines multiple hotel and hostel search engines
- Trip.com (offers special rates with free membership)
3. Use hotel comparison site
Instead of searching multiple individual booking sites and comparing your findings, these sites will instantaneously compare rates from these same sources.
Many of them even allow you to book from the convenience of a mobile app.
Popular hotel comparison sites also known as meta search engines include Hotelcombine, Agoda, and Kayak.
4. Call the hotel directly
If you are planning to stay at a particular hotel, it may be better to book over the phone as opposed to their website. Speaking to them directly can often result in better rates.
The hotel staff may be aware of rates that are not advertised or offered online. At the very least they should be able to offer some insight on what is affecting their current rates.
Events such as conferences, conventions, and concerts can cause hotel rates to rise and this is something you cannot anticipate unless you speak to the hotel directly.
For example, the Cherry Blossom Festival in D.C. attracts more than 1.5 million visitors to the city.
Be aware that holiday seasons may also cause hotel rates to skyrocket. In these cases, it may be wise to research hotels at a further radius from the center of the activity.
5. Use the sharing economy
The sharing economy relies on “sharing” in one form or another, such as renting someone's home while they're on vacation. This is often hugely cheaper (and sometimes even nicer) than hotels, hence its worldwide explosion in popularity. Check our round-up of sharing economy travel services .
6. Find region-specific search engines and hotel chains
More often than not, broad search engines miss smaller, region specific search engines and hotel chains. It pays to ask around on Tripadvisor forums, friends, and Google to see if there are local hotel chains or booking sites you may not be aware of.
Booking last minute can result in much cheaper rates, but this tip pertains more to spur-of-the-moment trips.
It is certainly not wise to wait until the last minute to book a room for a trip that you have been planning a long time or an event that you need to be at. If you have lead time planning use tip one.
However, booking last minute can be beneficial for impromptu romantic weekend getaways or get-togethers with friends. If they don’t have a guest house, and all the Airbnb’s are full using an app to book a last minute hotel certainly may be a good idea!
Booking last minute is especially ideal for an impromptu trip to Las Vegas or a surprise family visit to Sea World San Diego when the vacancies are high and hotels are plentiful.
8. Check for discounts
You may qualify for additional discounts simply for belonging to certain organizations or associations.
Be sure to check with your university, group, or organization to see if they offer any of these discounts.
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| Hotels in London |
Popular organizations that are known to utilize these discount programs include AAA, AARP, military and multiple airline miles programs.
A discount on a hotel could come as easily as a search on Groupon. Even certain credit cards offer hotel discounts. For example, Visa Signature holders have access to special offers for certain chains of hotels.
9. Secure canceled reservations
If you have yet to book a room, check for canceled reservations.
When people cancel their reservations last minute, hotels often offer the rooms at reduced rates because they are still trying to fill rooms. This is one way to get rooms on short notice for a big discount.
Also, sites like Roomer serve as platforms for consumers to sell and buy hotel reservations from each other at discounted rates.
Checking these sites is a good way to grab a room from someone who cannot fulfill their reservation.
10. Negotiate (don’t pay for) upgrades
Reserve a lower-rate room then kindly ask for an upgrade when you check in to the hotel.
If you are staying during an off-peak time, you have a better chance of being moved up to a better, vacant room.
You can also try a few tactics to get that free room upgrade. Try calling a manager and asking which rooms are available; it can help to mention that it is a special occasion.
Also, if you show up right at check-in time and your room is not ready, they may move you to an upgraded prepared room...
