How to Save on Your Hotel Stay

Spring is here and that means it’s wedding and graduation
season. These occasions are very different, but they do have something in
common: travel.

We all know traveling isn’t cheap, and you can rack up a
hefty hotel bill rather quickly, but if you plan ahead, you’ll save a bundle. Here
are several ways to reduce your hotel bill when traveling:

Search for
hidden discounts. Look
online for current deals and promotions on hotels in the city you’re visiting,
but remember that sometimes a bed and breakfast or a condo can cost the same or
less than a traditional hotel, and you’ll probably get more free amenities.

[See the Best Hotel Rewards Programs.]

Visit different
resources to compare pricing. Start off at a travel site like Expedia or
Hotwire. Check as many sites like these as you can. After you find a good deal,
compare it to the hotel’s main website because sometimes they actually offer
the lowest price. Then check deals sites for special promotions and coupon
codes. Remember, you never know which venue will offer the lowest price, and a
little extra time researching is worth the money you’ll save. If you book
through a travel or deals site, make sure to read the fine print about
cancellation policies before you book.

Brag about special occasions. If you’re traveling for a special occasion
like a birthday, anniversary, honeymoon or graduation, be sure to call ahead and
talk to the front desk or concierge. Ask how they can make the trip special and
they might throw in a free bottle of wine or another amenity. Don’t forget you
can also take advantage of reduced group rates if you have a lot of friends and
family staying at the same hotel.

Be flexible
about travel dates. The cost of a hotel stay can vary dramatically from one
week to the next. You never know if there are events going on in the town
you’re visiting or how occupied the hotel is. The higher the demand, the more
money the hotel will end up costing you.

If your
vacation dates are flexible, it pays to research different travel times. Weekdays
are often cheaper than weekends. This isn’t always true, but most of the time
it costs less to take a trip Monday through Thursday.

Join a loyalty
program. You will benefit from being part of a loyalty program
whether you travel a lot or not. You can instantly enjoy benefits like free
nights, upgrades and other fun rewards, as well as special discounts if you are
a frequent guest. If your company is loyal to a particular hotel chain, mention
that when booking. Even if you’re not on a business trip, you may still be able
to benefit from the relationship.

Keep in mind that most hotel loyalty programs won’t give you
points when you book through a third-party website, but some sites, like
Orbitz, have their own loyalty programs.

Take advantage of
other membership discounts. Being part of a club or working in a particular
field can also help you save on your hotel stay. Call the hotel you’ll be
staying at and ask if there are any specials for AAA or AARP members. Also let
them know if you’re a student, member of the military, government worker,
non-profit employee or part of the postal service. You’d be surprised at how
many companies give special discounts based on memberships and employment.

Look for
packages. If you’re already flying to your destination, you can
considerably reduce the price of your hotel stay by buying a vacation package.
Get your flight, rental car and hotel reservation all at once through sites
like Expedia.com, Priceline.com and Hotwire.com.

The best thing you can do to save money on your hotel stay
is invest time. Research your options and don’t be afraid to ask for a lower
rate or better room when you check in. Depending on circumstances, you might just
get lucky. Happy traveling!

Offers.com
has affiliate relationships with merchants mentioned in this article, including
Orbitz.com, Expedia.com, Priceline.com and Hotwire.com. Any purchase on
their sites using Offers.com deals and coupons may result in a commission for
Offers.com. The opinions and recommendations expressed here are those
of the author alone.