How to Snag a Deal on Hotel Accommodations

Many people assume a plane ticket will be your most expensive part about traveling, but I find that accommodations eat up much more of my budget than flying. I have no hesitations on springing for discount airfare – I’ll take a few hours in a cramped budget plane for the cost savings – but hotels are another thing. I like having a comfy place to stay that can provide some amenities when I need a break from exploring a destination. Striking the balance between budget-friendly and having luxury digs can be difficult, but here are my tips for racking up the savings when it comes to your travel accommodations.

It’s tempting to want to be in on the action. Staying in a central location is convenient and can put you near more things to do, but the trade off is usually inflated rates. Consider looking for hotels that aren’t near major landmarks or the city center – they’ll be less expensive and sometimes more spacious. Utilize public transport or walk to get around, since using Ubers or taxis will cut into the savings you found. Staying outside the touristy areas means you’ll get to explore more of the city and maybe get more of a local-like experience, too!

Weekend rates are almost always higher than staying Sunday – Thursday. Switch up the timing of your trip to avoid costly weekend or holiday stays. Also be aware if there are any special events happening in town during your dates. Hotels might book up in advance and jack up their rates since demand is high.

Bigger hotels seem to be combating discount third-party booking sites by offering their lowest rates directly on their websites. While I usually do initial hotel searches on sites like Booking.com or Eurocheapo.com, I’ll also scope out the hotel’s website to see if there’s a better rate available if you book direct. At the very least, most hotels offer a best price match policy. Bonus to booking direct – if things get mixed up with your rate or accommodations, you’ll be able to sort it out with the front desk. Some hotels will make you work with wherever you booked if you have issues over the reservation or rate.

Having a loyalty account (not necessarily a branded credit card) with a hotel chain can unlock member-only rates that add up to serious cost-savings. Sign up to get rewarded and make an effort to stick with that brand. Over time, your loyalty will add up in the form of points and perks. I’m a long-time Marriott Rewards member and in addition to special rates, I’m usually treated to complimentary upgrades, free breakfast, drink vouchers, upgraded WiFi speeds, or other in-room perks with no extra effort on my part.

Everyone wants to stay in the beachfront room or the Eiffel tower view suite, but those premium accommodations come at a cost. Instead of blowing your budget on something upscale for your whole trip, compromise. Spend the majority of your trip in a more reasonable room at a cheaper rate, then switch over to the upgraded room for the last night or two. You’ll get a taste of the high life without having to break the bank. Just make sure to schedule the premium room for the end of the trip, that way it feels like an upgrade rather than a step down if you planned it out vice versa.

If you’re staying for something special – anniversary, birthday, honeymoon, etc. – let the hotel know! You might get a free upgrade, or some other perk, out of it as a gift or congratulations. While booking, in the special requests area, just mention what you’ll be there for. Then, call the hotel to confirm your reservation a few weeks before your stay and casually mention your celebratory event. Lastly, at check-in, you can drop another reference to your reason for staying. I ended up upgraded for all three hotels I stayed at during my honeymoon using this trick, snagging rooms that would have cost hundreds more had we initially booked them. I also got complimentary bottles of wine and champagne, as well as snacks and bar vouchers!

Some hotels offer packages that cut expenses related to other travel expenses or experiences. For example, a hotel might offer a getaway package that includes parking and breakfast, or a romance package that will get you a spa treatment and dinner. While the package will cost more than just paying for a hotel room, the extras can save you on other things you would have had to shell out cash for.

Most hotels will offer a special rate if you prepay in advance. While these deals will lock you in, as they are typically non-refundable, they can save you hundreds on your stay. Having travel insurance (something I always recommend) will usually cover you in case you run into a situation where you can’t stay anymore (ex. travel delays, illness).

We’ve all heard of Airbnb, why not check it out? Sometimes staying in something that isn’t a typical hotel can result in cheaper accommodations. I’ve rented out an apartment before and scored a week in Prague for $100 TOTAL. Homestay, VRBO, and FlipKey are alternates to Airbnb if you want other options. Alternatively, you might have more luck negotiating rates at local B&Bs, too, especially if you plan to stay for more than just a few days.

Whoa….what? Why actively search for more expensive hotel accommodations? Sometimes we care so much about saving a buck that we fall blind to the fact that you get what you pay for. Look past the bare bones room a hotel offers and see if staying in the upgraded room makes more sense. It may offer access to the concierge lounge, which might land you free breakfast and drinks. Opting for the suite-style room may include a small kitchenette – allowing you to cook some meals and save on the cost of dining out all the time. Even consider opting for a more "upscale" hotel in general. It may provide amenities (private beach access, free bike rentals, airport transfers) that make your trip more economical and worthwhile.

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The beachfront view from our Mykonos hotel - snagged using some of the tips from above!

When I first started traveling internationally, I thought I either had to stay in hostel-like accommodations or splash a ton of cash to stay comfortable. Now, I pull these tricks out of my sleeve to really find the compromise between staying on budget and enjoying my hotel. Do you have a dreamy hotel view you want to experience someday? I'm always #wanderlusting over those overwater bungalows in the Maldives!