It’s summertime! As you get ready to tick those items off your bucket list, you must get accommodation right if you wish to travel.
Hotel stays can be the most significant component of many vacation budgets and greatly enhance your overall travel experience. We have compiled ten great tips to help you book the cheapest accommodation this summer!
Book Early
Hotels and resorts in popular vacation destinations report strong summer bookings, with some properties already quite full for the December holidays. While it may seem early to lock in your travel plans, don’t delay – especially for big group trips.
Rising prices and pent-up demand could lead to sellouts during popular times of the year. So, it’s often wise to avoid the crowds and higher prices associated with peak family travel periods, but sometimes that’s impossible.
Reserve your flight and car rental availability before booking your hotel room. Another tip to save money and get the cheapest accommodation is bundling your vacation bookings, which can sometimes provide lower rates and special amenities.
Shop for Deals
Many online travel agencies provide fantastic hotel rates. Booking.com, Expedia, Hotels.com, Orbitz, Travelocity, Priceline, and Hotwire are a few of the greatest!
Be careful to compare each hotel’s total cost, including all applicable taxes, fees, resort extras, and other additional costs. Look for deals on websites and apps like HotelTonight and Booking.com if booking a last-minute reservation.
You may also find some fantastic money-saving advice and local deals by searching for “hotel deals” together with the name of your location on social media. After you’ve reduced your options, call the best hotels or resorts and inquire about their lowest accommodation rate.
Since booking directly with hotels increases their income, most would prefer that you do so over using a third party. Speaking with a hotel employee may help you receive a free upgrade or a better discount on your accommodation.
If you need to modify your reservation or have an issue with your booking, it may also be simpler to deal with the hotel directly.
Know What’s Included Before You Book
List the qualities of the hotel that are essential for your trip. This might be a crucial consideration, particularly when contrasting all-inclusive hotels.
Carefully review each internet description, noting any inclusions—meals, entertainment, free parking, access to the beach and pool, kid-friendly programs, and other features—listed.
If your resort offers complimentary lunches and dinners, find out if reservations are necessary and schedule meal times well in advance. Certain hotel websites may need to update The most recent policies.
If you prefer particular facilities and activities, call the hotel to learn more about its availability and hours of operation.
Understand Cancellation Deposit Procedures
Flexibility is essential in any travel environment. Numerous hotels have liberalized their cancellation policies, which can sometimes be confusing.
Therefore, it’s essential to understand each hotel’s booking conditions before making your reservations and booking. Some properties offer several price points for accommodations based on varying cancellation terms.
Before selecting the cheapest option:
- Ensure you agree with the cancellation terms and conditions before finalizing your reservation.
- Also, determine whether you will receive a cash refund or a future stay credit if cancellation is necessary.
- If a credit is provided, determine if there are any black-out dates for rescheduling your travel.
Read the Reviews
Most often, travelers check hotel reviews to see if the accommodations meet their requirements and expectations. According to a recent study on traveler booking behavior, after price and location, travel reviews rank third in importance when selecting a place to stay.
Consumers use hotel reviews to assess value and website accuracy and feel more confident about their selections. Look for reviews on websites like TripAdvisor and Google.
A more realistic assessment of the property’s current condition can be found in recent reviews. Determine the closeness of each hotel to important roads and well-liked destinations, such as a national park or the beach, by mapping their locations using Google Maps.
Work with a Travel Advisor
Vacation is complicated these days. Working with a travel advisor can reduce the stress of planning complex solo or family trips. A trusted travel agent can help filter through all the options and design a memorable vacation that works well for you.
In addition, top travel advisors have good connections and access to special deals unavailable to the general public. They can provide additional perks when booking hotel rooms through their contacts and affiliations.
Travel agents are also great at navigating risks since they can verify important information and provide insider knowledge about hotels. They are up to current on the most recent weather, travel regulations, and customs, making them great information sources.
They are also helpful to have by your side in case of unforeseen circumstances or travel issues. They also have plenty of money-saving tips and methods for family vacations and reunions.
Confirm Room Arrangements and Special Demands Before Booking
Numerous travelers making hotel reservations online specify requests, including room layouts, closeness to elevators and connecting rooms. It’s crucial to remember that these requests are not assured when booking hotel rooms.
If any of these requests are important for your family, contact the hotel directly or have your travel advisor confirm these details before making non-refundable bookings. Additionally, ongoing construction may not be mentioned on hotel websites or reviews.
Construction noise can be challenging, especially for families with young kids who need to sleep during the day. If this is an important issue for your family, call the hotel or resort to double-check.
They may also offer tips to save money at their establishment. Being a member of hotel loyalty programs can also provide significant benefits.
Sign up for Hotel Reward Programs
Join incentive programs for hotel guests and subscribe to their newsletters. The advantages of these loyalty programs can be substantial, and they are free!
Hotels typically send out newsletters via email that include exclusive money-saving advice, deals, and promo codes. Participating in hotel guest loyalty programs can unlock extra special benefits like free breakfast, internet access, late checkouts, and other extras.
In addition, you’ll get points that you can apply to future hotel reservations, and you might even get a complimentary stay.
Play Your Cards Well
Certain credit card issuers provide:
- Free hotel night certificates.
- Hotel credits.
- Exclusive deals that earn travel rewards for hotel reservations made with their cards.
Other exclusive deals consist of a daily breakfast for two, an upgrade to better accommodation upon arrival, early check-in, and late checkout when possible. They might also have free Wi-Fi and gift cards for restaurants or extra services.
Another excellent way to cut costs on hotel and resort stays is to use the points you earn from credit card purchases. Certain credit cards linked to hotels provide member programs that enable them to redeem lodging points or lower their stay costs.
So, when you book a hotel, look at the many deals and choices for redeeming your points. Additionally, contrast these with the best hotel rates available for the dates you would like to travel.
Membership in clubs can generate huge savings when booking hotel rooms. Certain credit unions also have programs that offer hotel discounts. Ask about reduced rates and bring your card to the hotel.
Evaluate Buying Travel Insurance
Travel insurance can provide financial security and peace of mind in today’s frequently transforming travel environment. This can be necessary when booking hotel rooms or vacation accommodations because there’s usually a period when you can no longer cancel for free.
Buying travel insurance within 10-15 days of your first vacation payment can provide extra coverage for pre-existing circumstances so buying timing can be crucial. The most complete travel insurance range is under “Cancel for Any Reason” policies.
This type of insurance is more costly, but it can provide coverage if you decide not to travel because of delays and other reasons typically not covered by other insurance plans. If you purchase travel insurance, check with companies carefully to understand what’s covered and ensure that all vacation costs are included.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. When booking cheap hotels, Should I know about any concealed fees or extra charges?
When booking cheap hotels, it’s important to read the terms and conditions carefully to know about extra fees/charges. Common examples include resorts, parking, Wi-Fi, and taxes. So, pay attention to these details to avoid any surprises.
2. Are there any age-specific discounts available for hotel bookings?
Some hotels may offer special discounts for seniors, students, children, or military officers. It’s worth asking about these discounts when booking.
3. Can I save money by booking a hotel and flight together as a package?
Yes! Booking a hotel and flight together as a package can often result in savings when booking them separately.
4. Can I save money by booking hotels during off-peak seasons?
Of course! Booking hotels during off-peak seasons offers lower rates and better availability.
5. Should I book a hotel for cheaper rates in the metropolis hub or the outskirts?
Booking a hotel on the outskirts of a city can sometimes offer cheaper rates than city-hub hotels. However, you should consider transportation costs and comfort when making this decision.