A lot of things need to be considered before commencing your travel itinerary. You will spend more time organizing plans before you have to leave. Remember that aside from choosing and purchasing airfares, one of the most important things to take into account is the accommodation. It is also often the most costly part of the trip but it does not need to be.
Research is our friend when booking a place to stay on your vacation. Hotel room rates are actually a complex creation – built not just upon the location, luxury and appeal of the establishment, but also on a formula based heavily on supply and demand.
Hotel room rates changes based on your preferred accommodation. In order to save more from booking your hotel accommodation for your next trip, try following these tips:
Sign-in/sign-up to get more discounts
Signing-up on a hotel or booking website can amount to some serious members-only savings. A lot of booking sites offer rewards programs such as free nights after certain number of bookings or priority check-in.
Always choose your hotel accommodation with free cancellation
Booking a reservation that has “free cancellation” can help you secure great rates in advance. Most booking sites have free cancellation on the majority of listings, but always be sure of the cancellation policy and check how long that is valid for. Moreover, you can also get greater discount if you book a non-refundable rate.
Compare deals on different sites
Start with sites like Kayak, Expedia or Priceline.com to get an overview of hotels in your desired area. Search for promotion codes and perks such as free parking, breakfast or WiFi. Also, do not forget to check the hotel’s own website. Some chains promise the best rate when you book via their site.
Travel during the off-season
Hotels rates are more expensive when everyone wants to visit them. Save yourself some money by travelling during the off-season. These rewards extend beyond just hotel prices; flights will often cost less in the off-season. You can count on mid-fall and mid-spring to be off-season as most people are busy with work or school and not taking much time off.
Avail packages
Travel packages are liable to be very specific and may or may not fit your exact needs, but if you find one that suits, these packages tend to come with a sizable discount for bundling everything together. Try looking through tour sites for your particular area. Sometimes big destinations will have bundles that offer attractions, food, and lodging together.
Take advantage of last-minute specials
If your travel plans are flexible, you could get a great rate by waiting to book your hotel until the last minute. Hotel managers are often willing to lower their rates to fill their last remaining rooms.
Stay over one night in your accommodation
Many accommodation providers offer their best deals when you stay more than one night especially in the off-season. This includes staying for four nights and you only pay for three nights. Ask he hotel if they provide such discount, after all it does not hurt to ask.
