Thanks to the large number of travel websites, it is easy for anyone to book hotels online before going on a holiday. Now, you don’t need to worry about problems like room availability and facilities offered, even if you are traveling during the holiday season. You can compare and pick the best hotel that fits your requirements and budget. Yet, you may wonder if you are getting the best deal while booking hotels online. To help you out, here are some easy tips that you can try while making your hotel reservation to make sure that you get your money’s worth.
Look for the term ‘all-inclusive’
While booking your hotel stay, do not automatically assume that you get complimentary breakfast or even free Wi-Fi. Many hotels–even the big chains–can charge a fee for this. So, you must look for all-inclusive package deals that will cover the total cost of your stay, including food. In this way, you do not end up paying extra for something as basic as using the internet or getting parking facilities.
Try to book a mid-week stay
It is more expensive to book a hotel room over the weekends than on any other day in the week. If you can manage it, book at least the first day of your holiday on a weekday. Booking a room on Thursday and Friday, as opposed to Friday and Saturday, can help you save some money. Additionally, staying mid-week will also help you reap the benefits of quick room service and empty restaurants in the hotels. Another bonus tip—while Saturdays are expensive, Sunday nights are usually cheaper. So you can think of booking a room on Saturday and Sunday as well.
Search for discount coupons online
While a hotel may not offer you a direct discount, travel websites would. So, keep an eye out for the best deals. Try to compare a few travel websites before deciding on the one from where you plan to book your stay. This tip can help you save hundreds of dollars, especially if your whole family is headed out for vacation. Coupon websites like Coupon Sherpa offer discount coupons for hotels as well as hotel booking websites.
Use airline miles
Most people are not aware that airline miles can not only be used for flight reservations but also for hotel bookings. You can end up saving a lot of money by using your airline miles while booking hotels online. Some credit card companies have tie-ups with airlines that allow you to collect miles every time you swipe your card. So, you can call your credit card company and ask them if they offer such cards.
Download a travel app
Most leading hotel booking sites have their own apps. If you have not yet used a travel app, it is time to discover their benefits. Numerous travel apps offer huge discounts and bonuses to customers who use their app to make a reservation for the first time. You should get a pop-up discount code as soon as you register on the app. If you already have the app, check for any points you might have collected which you can use to get an additional discount. Or, you can simply download the app of a different travel company for new discounts.
Try out business hotels
This trick may seem unusual, but it works. Business hotels often lower their rates over the weekend or on public holidays to keep room occupancy high. So, do check out the rates of business hotels at the place you plan to visit. Business hotels often have great inclusions and provisions. So, you may end up snagging a great room at a minimal price. The best time to try and book business hotels is during the holidays when not a lot of people are traveling for work. Just make sure that the business hotel you book has all the facilities you need.
Sign up for alerts
If you travel frequently, remember to sign up for discount alerts from the hotel booking websites you use often. These alerts will keep you informed about the best deals throughout the year. You can either sign up for an email alert or download the app and get instant notifications on your smartphone. It will help you stay a step ahead of others and pay less while booking hotels online.
Don’t forget to compare prices
In the highly competitive hospitality industry, many hotels are ready to slash their prices to match what a competitor offers. So, do not hesitate to show that you are getting a better deal elsewhere. You can even use this technique when comparing the prices of third party websites while booking hotels online.
