How to Snag Hotel Discounts for Your Next Vacation
There are plenty of ways to save money on your next vacation. Here are a few of them:
Hotels often offer deals to fill empty rooms, so booking your hotel room early is one of the best ways to get a good deal. The savings can add up.
Book Early
There are some ways to snag hotel discounts for your next vacation. One of the most popular methods is to book your room in advance. You can often save up to 25% off a hotel by booking months, weeks, or even days in advance.
Another way to get a better deal is to check out what other hotels in the area are charging. This can be done using sites, which allow you to see the average price of a room in the hotel you’re considering staying at.
Many hotels on online booking sites like Hotels.com may also offer special deals for government and military personnel, seniors, and AARP members. If you plan a stay in an area where these groups are frequent travelers, call the hotel to ask about any extra perks they offer.
It’s also worth checking whether you can get a discount on your room by booking through a loyalty program. This strategy can be a great way to save on your next trip, depending on where you are going and how much money you have to spend. However, it’s important to remember that you can only get this benefit if you are a loyal member of the chain.
The best time to book a hotel is 15 days before your arrival. That’s because hotels tend to lower their rates a month or two before your check-in date.
If you need more time to book, consider using a travel app that will alert you when a lower price is available for your desired hotel.
You can also book your hotel directly. This is a great way to save money and avoid the extra fees that come with third-party booking sites.
When booking a hotel, always choose the option that offers the best cancellation policy. This will give you the most flexibility should your plans change. And, be sure to read the fine print before you book.
Book Direct
One of the best ways to snag hotel discounts for your next vacation is to book directly with a hotel or other travel provider. This will save you money, time, and hassle and ensure that you are getting the best possible deal on your stay.
Booking direct with hotels will also give you the advantage of knowing your price ahead of time and avoiding any last-minute charges that may pop up from third-party sites. You’ll have an easier time negotiating your rate, and you can even use the benefits of loyalty programs to save extra on your hotel bill.
Many large chain hotels offer special deals for loyalty members only, often in the area of their website that’s reserved for those with that particular chain’s loyalty membership. These discounts can be anywhere from a dollar to $50 or more, depending on the property and the time of year you’re traveling.
Other great ways to save on your stay include researching the various packages available online and comparing prices and deals. For instance, some hotel chains have a best-price guarantee where they’ll match rates and then discount them by up to 25%.
These types of deals are often only available for a limited time, so it’s important to plan your vacation around these offers. These discounts can be applied to the entire stay or just specific areas such as breakfast or pool access.
Another way to save on your stay is by utilizing credit card rewards and airline miles. Some credit card companies and airlines have partnerships that allow you to transfer your points and miles to partner sites in order to take advantage of special deals on flights and hotel stays.
You can even use your hotel’s loyalty program to get bonus points and deals for your stay, such as free upgrades or complimentary meals. These can add up to significant savings and make your stay more enjoyable!
Negotiate
Getting discounts on hotel rooms can be an effective way to cut down on your travel budget. But before you start negotiating, it’s important to understand the process.
First, you need to understand your company’s travel budget. This will help you determine how much room rates can be discounted for your team.
Next, you should research which hotels have the lowest rates for your dates and times. This includes checking the hotels’ websites and at least two other travel sites.For each hotel, you should compare the rate they offer to the market value for your dates and time. This will give you a strong edge when negotiating.
Once you have this information, it’s time to talk with the hotel. Ask to speak to the manager and make a point of telling them about your business needs. This can be done through an email or a phone call.
Another way to save on hotel rooms is by using a corporate credit card. These cards are often offered to companies and employees, and they can entitle you to free stays or a discount on rooms.
You can also try contacting the hotel you are considering to see if they have any discounts for corporate travelers. This can often get you a more reasonable rate than the one they advertise on their website.
In addition to lowering your costs, negotiating with hotels can be an exciting and educational experience. It can also help you earn more points and rewards for your loyalty program.
