Traveling to a new place usually involves spending money on accommodation which could take your expenses a notch higher. And if you are one of those who doesn’t like spending the night on someone’s couch or in a hostel, you can end up paying quite a few bucks on hotel rooms. Yes, resorts and hotels come with their own set of comforts, but we often have to shell out more money to experience them. The better the hotel, the higher the cost. But you don’t always have to spend a significant amount on hotel bookings. A few tips can help you cut this cost. We share some of these to crack the best deal the next time you book a stay.
1. Use Credit Cards With Huge Travel Cash Back Perks
Begin with the basics. If you’re a regular traveler – domestic or international – one of the simplest and most consistent ways to save money on booking hotels is to use a travel rewards credit card. It seems so simple, and that’s because it is.
You would book the hotel anyway, so why not book with a credit card that draws 1.5% cashback (or equivalent points) straight into your account. Use a credit card with travel-specific rewards and no foreign transaction charges.
2. Use Trustworthy Booking Sites
Safety first! Imagine that you almost get to the city and realize that your host canceled at the last minute or the hotel declined your booking request? Using a trustworthy and Cheapest hotel booking site, you can get the best deal and excellent support.
3. Check Fare Comparison Websites
Before you book a hotel room, ensure you check websites that compare tariffs for the same hotel room by different agents. This will ensure that you don’t pay extra and get the best deals. At times these prices are lower than those shown on the hotel website.
4. Travel off-Season
Travel during the off-season is one of the most effective ways to save money on accommodation. If you have a hotel in mind that you’d like to stay in but is out of your budget, go during the off-season. You will get rebates and many additional benefits for going when they don’t have too many visitors.
5. Book in Advance During Peak Season
And if you vacation only during the peak vacation season, you should ensure that you book a room in advance. While last-minute booking works during the off-season, the rates generally rise during peak season. So once you select your destination, ensure you book a stay at the earliest.
6. Book In Advance With Free Cancellation
Are you a super-organized traveler? If so, start researching the Cheapest hotel booking site in advance and see if you can find a hotel at a price you feel is excellent value, including free cancellation.
Typically, when booking through a hotel booking site, a room has two rates: A free cancellation higher rate and a non-refundable lower rate. Booking with free cancellation in advance isn’t surely going to get you a lower price, but it will give you flexibility and price security.
7. Book In Advance With Non-Refundable Rate
Conversely, booking in advance with a non-refundable caution can save you a lot of money if you can confirm your dates. People always book non-refundable rooms when they are confident of dates. There’s a minimum risk factor for any unexpected issues, but the low risk is worth it for the cost variation. Significant savings on hotels often comes down to risk vs. reward.
8. Stay During Weekdays Instead of the Weekend.
Weekend stays tend to be more costly because of the high demand. If you can, try and schedule a stay for weekdays instead of the weekend, and you will surely save up. Or, if you can’t, book a room from Thursday onwards. You can get great offers if you book at the Cheapest hotel booking site.
So, when you are ready to start planning that next adventure away from home, turn to Travel Pony and see exactly how they can help you find the hotel of your dreams in any area of the world.