Hotel rooms are priced on supply and demand. Hotels that business travelers frequently use tend to have higher prices during the weekdays and lower prices on weekends.
Until there’s one booking website that offers the best hotel deals all of the time, you should always compare prices and fees. Here are some tips for getting the best deals:
Look at the Fine Print
Regarding online hotel bookings, looking at the fine print is essential. This can mean checking out hidden fees, like resort or city taxes. It also means comparing prices across different websites. Some sites may advertise low prices, but when you add in the fees, they can become quite expensive.
Another thing to remember when searching for a hotel is that location matters. Hotels in prime locations are often more expensive than those a little further out. For example, a beachfront hotel will cost more than one a few blocks back. You can save money if you’re flexible with your location.
Many hotels offer deals on their website that they don’t share with third-party reservation sites. Using a meta-search engine or aggregator is also a good idea, which can help you find a wide range of hotel options without visiting multiple sites. Some of these services even include coupons and discounts.
Look for Package Deals
A hotel stay is often the most oversized ticket item on vacation, so it’s essential to ensure you’re getting the best deal possible. This means checking multiple booking sites and taking advantage of any discounts or loyalty programs you may be a part of. It’s also good to check credit card portals, which sometimes offer better rates than other booking sites.
In addition to saving money by booking packages, some hotel booking websites will also let you see prices without all the extra charges and avail discounts like Booking.com coupons in resort fees and city taxes that can add up. This makes it easier to compare apples-to-apples when comparing prices.
Another way to get a better deal is to use a last-minute booking. This same-day booking app allows you to book rooms at discounted rates – averaging 30%-50% off, even during peak travel times. It’s important to remember that these sites don’t always include fully refundable rates, so be prepared for some flexibility with your hotel booking plans.
Check the Hotel’s Website
Many hotel booking websites feature a home page with a search system allowing users to check availability and prices. This makes it easy for them to book rooms directly from the website without calling the hotel.
Hotels can offer package deals, including meals, drinks, and extras like tours and attractions. These deals are often cheaper than booking them separately through a third-party website. A hotel’s website may also feature deals unavailable elsewhere, like discounted rooms during peak seasons or the best price guarantee.
In addition to saving money on booking fees, hotels that book online reservations can save time on front desk tasks by allowing customers to enter their information. This reduces the risk of human error and gives staff more time to attend to guests’ needs. In addition, making online reservations can be particularly useful for large groups of people who want to travel together. This way, everyone can easily find a room that meets their requirements. The hotel can then confirm the bookings and process payment.
Check the Hotel’s Reviews
It’s no secret that online reviews make or break a hotel’s reputation. And a growing number of consumers are willing to pay more for a hotel with more positive reviews. So, online reviews are crucial to maximizing your revenue per booking.
It makes it easy to see all reviews for your chosen hotel before you book — unlike many other travel sites that bury these reviews in the fine print or behind sometimes-hidden filters. The site also lets you easily compare prices across multiple hotels and reveals any extra fees that may be tacked onto your reservation.
Priceline is another site that allows you to search for deals by specific dates and locations. And it’s one of the only search engines to include local and regional taxes with the base price in the first results – which is excellent news for travelers who are often shocked by hidden fees. In addition, the site offers discounts for military and AARP members and is a popular choice for families traveling together.
Check Your Credit Card
Most hotels require guests to have a credit card to book a room. This provides a guarantee of payment and ensures that the hotel will receive compensation for the reservation should anything go wrong with the guest’s stay. It also helps the hotel verify a guest’s identity.
However, some hotels might allow you to book a room without a credit card. You can call the hotel’s reservation line and explain your situation if you are unsure. The reservation agent should be willing to work with you to find an alternative solution.
In addition, some hotels offer a variety of discounts that you can’t find on third-party booking websites. These can include special deals for specific cities or events, daily deals, and even secret deals. It’s worth checking out these discounts before booking your stay. However, it’s also essential to remember that these discounts may come with additional fees, so be sure to read the fine print. Also, check your credit card’s spending limit before traveling, as some hotels might put a security deposit on the account that will trigger overdraft fees if you exceed it.