If you want to find the best possible lodging deal on vacation, shopping around can make a huge difference in what you pay per night.
The hotel room search strategy can vary depending on the destination and the budget, but in all cases, a little extra time investment in research can really pay off.
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When your accommodations costs are coming out of your own limited budget, the right strategic moves can mean cheaper hotel deals. That translates to more money to spend on other aspects of your vacation.
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Keep in mind though that all the bargain hunting strategies below go out the window when it’s a peak festival weekend, a holiday period, or just plain high season. If you don’t have much flexibility and haven’t left your travel variables open, there’s not going to be much you can do to bring down the rate. You’re paying top dollar by default. Otherwise…
USE AN AGGREGATOR SERVICE
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No matter how many times you hear some company say you’ll always get the best price from them, there are constant irregularities in the price across websites. Take this screen shot for example:
When you’re searching though, many of the “choices” are really just divisions of the same company. You need to see all of them to compare.
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You always have to shop around and these sites make it easier to do so. The same hotel will be many different prices as you can see in the screen shot.
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if you’re dealing with a major hotel conglomerate. Intercontinental Hotels Group, Marriott, and the like will supposedly match the price you find elsewhere if theirs is higher. You often have to go fill out a form like this though to get the difference.
Sometimes an independent hotel will honor cheaper prices elsewhere too, but you have to take the time to track down a front desk manager or reservations person and take it up with them.
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Sometimes there’s some local hotel booking version you’ve never heard of if there’s a big domestic, so ask around or just start searching for hotel deals with one of the aggregators and see what pops up.
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USE GOOGLE MAPS FOR INDEPENDENT HOTELS
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In much of the world outside the USA, the best hotel bargains are with independent properties, not chain motels and hotels. Many of these hotel owners balk at paying the 20-25% these booking companies charge them to send business. They’d rather be 50% full and get the whole rate than be 75% full but owing a fat commission on every booking. So they rely on Google Maps.
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How this works in practice is that you zero in on the area where you want to stay, then see what is popping up when you search hotels on Google Maps. You’ll find places with terrible reviews and places with great reviews. Start looking through the latter and see what’s in your price range. If you book direct for two nights or more, you may even be able to get a lower rate or a room upgrade by contacting the owner directly.
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USE COUPONS FOR THE CHEAPEST MOTELS
If you’re driving across the USA, you see these coupon books at rest stops, in diners, and in tourism bureau offices in almost every state for the cheapest motels. I’ve probably used these 20 times or more to get a deal on a place where I’m just passing through.
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I’ve frequently compared them to what I could find online and the coupon books usually give a better rate.
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All of the motels are not created equal though and some should be avoided.
If you’re driving across the USA, you see these coupon books at rest stops, in diners, and in tourism bureau offices in almost every state for the cheapest motels. I’ve probably used these 20 times or more to get a deal on a place where I’m just passing through.
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I’ve frequently compared them to what I could find online and the coupon books usually give a better rate.
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All of the motels are not created equal though and some should be avoided.
I’ve done the same thing with my IHG card for a decade and a half now and have gotten free rooms from them.
I put regular expenses on the card and also use it when I’m at that particular hotel chain for incidentals. The points add up fast.
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Some credit card programs like Amex Membership Rewards and Chase Sapphire will allow you to transfer points to different programs.
UTILIZE LOYALTY PROGRAMS
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If you’re not getting a freebie, belonging to the loyalty program can mean it pays to book direct anyway. You’ll usually get the free Wi-Fi, plus loyalty perks like later checkout or a room upgrade. Sometimes you even get an extra discount on room rates or point redemptions.
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​I always inquire about an establishment's loyalty program whenever booking with it, even if I think I'd use that loyalty program infrequently. They're free to join so why not?
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ASK ABOUT DISCOUNTS WHEN MAKING RESERVATIONS
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Most accommodations offer AAA and AARP discounts on room rates. Likewise for active military and/or military veterans. These discounts are usually around 10%.
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When I'm about to make accommodations reservations, the first thing I'll click on when visiting their website is SPECIAL OFFERS.
Nor am I afraid to play one establishment against the other: "Yeah but if I book at so-and-so, they're offering me this special deal... If you can match it, I'll likely book with you."
As a former resort owner, I know it's far better to make some kind of a deal than have a unit sitting empty for a weekend or more. What's the worst that could happen? They'd say "Sorry, we can't do that."? You've got nothing to lose by attempting to make a deal.
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SOMETIMES IT PAYS TO WAIT​
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When planning a Mexico trip for my niece and I, I found a deal with a 4 star all inclusive resort, Cozumel Palace.
If I waited until Black Friday to book my reservations, I got a seaside suite at 50% off the regular price plus a $1500 resort credit, same as cash, that we could use both inside of and outside of the resort.
This was the suite we got at half price:
It had an in room Jacuzzi, a bar that was stocked daily, 24/7 valet service, a nice sitting area and a balcony with patio furniture and hammock.
Sometimes it pays to play the waiting game rather than rushing to make reservations.
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DON'T GET THE BIGGEST AND BEST HOTEL ROOMS
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​The fancier the room, the more amenities, the higher the cost of the room. Do you need to pay top dollar for the biggest and best when you're likely only going to lay your head there at night? If you're celebrating a special occasion and you want to splurge, that's one thing...but generally, what you'll want is someplace clean, comfortable and functional.
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CHOOSE YOUR ACCOMMODATIONS WITH LOCATION IN MIND
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You're going to pay top dollar in tourist destinations where your accommodations are right in the heart of the action. Moving further away or toward the outskirts of town accommodation prices are usually cheaper. And quieter.
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STAY IN A GUESTHOUSE, HOSTEL OR COUCHSURF
While this won't be for everyone, it's a fantastic way to slash travel costs especially if you're a solo traveler. And it's a great way to meet some interesting people.
I’ve spent as low as $10/night on these types of budget accommodations. Here are a few websites that are worth looking into:
Hostelworld
This website allows you to search hostels worldwide to find some of the best deals. Hostelworld usually has the most listings, but it charges a $2 service fee to book your accommodation.
Hostelbookers
This website is typically the cheapest option for booking hostels and guesthouses around the world. Though it’s cheaper than Hostelworld, there are fewer listings to choose from. Hence, it’s important to compare these websites prior to booking a budget accommodation.
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Couchsurfing
Couchsurfing is a service that allows travelers to “crash on someone’s couch” or otherwise stay in a local’s home. It’s a great way to meet people and have an authentic experience. One of the best parts of all? It’s free!
Be sure to choose a large dorm to save the most cash, and bring earplugs just in case you have a snorer in the room!