Accommodation, after plane tickets, is the most expensive part of any trip. As we mentioned in our post on how to book the cheapest flight possible, the Internet has brought with it a veritable avalanche of booking sites, many of which offer varying prices even for the same hotel. When it comes to planning, it’s far too easy to waste both time and money these days. To make things easier, we’ve listed the cheapest accommodation booking options available. This includes everything from the best ways to get a deal even if it’s free! to our ultimate hotel hacks and tips. Here’s how to get the best deal on a hotel room.
SAVE MONEY BY SIGNING UP
That one minute it takes to sign up for a hotel or booking website can result in significant member-only discounts. Sceptical? Check out our example below or compare it for yourself. Many booking sites have reward programmes (in which you can earn credit or free nights after a certain number of bookings) or member programmes (where a membership earns you exclusive discounts). If you are hesitant to sign up because your inbox is constantly flooded with emails, don’t be! You can still get deals by signing up once to get a log-in ID and then clicking “unsubscribe” from all subsequent e-mails.
Members-only reward programmes are used by the following companies:
Hotels.com (earn members-only prices and points – after 9 stays your 10th is free) (earn members-only prices and points – after 9 stays your 10th is free)
Booking.com (earn members-only prices) (earn members-only prices)
Expedia (earn members-only prices) (earn members-only prices)
Agoda (earn members-only prices) (earn members-only prices)
Trip.com (best for Asia – earns account credit with each booking) (best for Asia – earns account credit with each booking)
SUBSCRIBE TO A HOTEL REWARDS CREDIT CARD WITH A MASSIVE POINTS BONUS
Signing up for a hotel rewards credit card is one of the simplest ways to save hundreds of dollars on travel. With so many card issuers vying for your business, there are massive point bonuses to be had simply by signing up for the card and meeting the minimum spend requirement, as well as simply using the card for everyday purchases.
BY BOOKING AHEAD WITH FREE CANCELLATION, YOU CAN “HOLD” GREAT RATES
Booking a reservation with “free cancellation” can help you lock in great rates ahead of time. Most booking sites offer free cancellation on the majority of listings, but always check the cancellation policy and how long it is valid for (for example, is only available until 48 hours prior to the scheduled booking date).
While this is a great way to lock in a great rate, many booking sites, such as Expedia and Hotels.com, will give you an even bigger discount if you book a non-refundable rate. It pays to plan ahead of time!
Finally, don’t make it a habit to “hold” an infinite number of hotel rooms/dates – hotel owners don’t appreciate repeated cancellations.
COLLECT POINTS FOR FREE OR UPGRADED HOTEL STAYS
Every major hotel chain has a rewards programme that allows you to earn points that can be exchanged for free hotel stays or room upgrades. What you may not realise is that hotel booking websites have also launched their own loyalty programmes. Earning points on a booking site has the advantage of allowing you to earn points when staying at any hotel, not just one chain. As a result, if you stay at the Hilton one night and the Marriott the next, both stays will earn you points as long as you book through the same site.
Some booking sites with their own loyalty programmes include:
Hotels.com Rewards: Collect 10 nights in any hotel and receive one night free.
Genius of Booking.com: Although not a points programme, the more hotels you book, the more perks you get, such as free breakfast and discounts of up to 20% off.
Expedia+ Benefits: Earn points by booking flights, hotels, car rentals, vacation packages, and other services. With an Expedia+ credit card, you can earn even more.
Earn points on flights, hotels, car rentals, vacation packages, and more with Orbitz Rewards. With an Orbitz Visa card, you can earn even more.
Hotel loyalty programmes can still be a great option. Many hotels provide members of their loyalty programmes with exclusive perks and pricing, such as late check-out and complimentary internet access. Most hotel programmes have numerous partners, allowing you to earn points through credit cards, flights, car rentals, online shopping, and other means.
FOR LONGER STAYS, WEEKLY AND MONTHLY RATES ARE AVAILABLE
Longer term rates can significantly reduce nightly rates. Surprisingly, a 7-night stay can be less expensive than a 6-night stay (see example below). Why is this the case? Owners prefer extended bookings because it means fewer room changes and thus lower costs. Weekly and monthly rates on Airbnb are competitive with what locals pay in rent and are almost always much lower than hotel rates.