With the holidays just around the corner it is practically the time of year to start making reservations for all of those holiday travels. Looking for a hotel room can be one of the toughest aspects of the holiday season, especially if you’re looking to beat holiday prices. There are many hotels out there that can offer you a cozy place to spend your holiday with family and with a few simple to follow tips you can spend less than you’d think. Sure, we all want our holidays to feel special which might mean spending a few extra dollars to get the comfort we require. However, if you can follow these tips you might find that really expensive hotel room is a lot more affordable than you originally thought.
1. Forget the Star System
A lot of people tend to judge a hotel on the amount of stars it as earned, which could be a huge mistake if you’re working with a tight budget. The star system can be great if you’re looking to splurge a little and want to get a high end experience, but if you need to book a room for a few days the star system probably will make you feel a little uncomfortable. Most five star hotels took years to earn each star, so if you want a high end experience then try to check out a newer hotel that might not have worked its way up to the five star level. Of course, if you are on a tight budget then you might want to stick with an economy hotel. These rooms are not only clean and comfortable but will also give you a whole lot more for your money. For instance, most economy hotels will allow you a free breakfast and wi-fi which could cut hundreds off of your holiday bill. Many places will even provide an indoor pool and gym if you’re looking for entertainment between family visits. The best thing is many of these hotels will also allow children at no extra cost!
2. Social Media
Today’s society is strung around social media pages, which could be a huge advantage to you if you like to keep up to date with what’s going on. If you’re planning to stay in a specific hotel then make sure you follow or like their social media page. Typically hotels will go through and update on their latest deals and events that are happening during the time you are staying. This will not just help save you money, but it will also allow you to plan accordingly. Make sure to keep an eye out for coupons and other deals so you will know what to ask about when you go to pay at the desk. A lot of social media pages love to hear from their customers. So, if you’re planning a stay soon then you might want to mention how excited you are on their page. Sometimes the hotel will give you a discount or an upgrade just for helping them prove they have loyal customers.
3. Bundle
When it comes to traveling, you’ll probably get the most out of bundling your entire vacation. There are numerous sites online and travel agencies worldwide that will help you get your airline ticket and hotel reservations in one package. You might not think that bundling is the best idea, but when you do a little comparative research you’ll find that you will save a lot of both the airline and the hotel reservation. This is usually because hotels have to charge you a fee for many of their services when you shop online or reserve via the phone. When you get your travel plans worked out through a bundled package a lot of the time you actually get to waive the fees that make your hotel a lot more expensive than the hotel advertises. You should always make sure you compare prices before locking yourself into any bundle though so you don’t have to worry about the deal not saving you enough money.
4. Refunds
Sometimes we book a hotel far advance which could mean the rate of the hotel decreases within the time of actually checking in. Thanks to many different sites, including Tingo, you can now go online and check the rate of your hotel at booking time as well as now to see if there was a decrease in price. If there was then all you have to do is enter the information into the site for a refund of the difference. Many hotels will actually allow you to call up and ask for the same refund, so don’t be afraid to call and ask about it if you’ve noticed the price of your hotel has been reduced. This is one of the easiest ways to ensure you pay a fair price as well as to save even more money for other traveling expenses. Of course, when you do book with a hotel you should always make sure your hotel has a refund clause just in case you can’t make the trip. This will ensure you get your deposit back if you end up not staying in the hotel.
5. Upgrades
A lot of people like to get the full experience of their hotel room which could really cost a bundle if you’re not keeping track of your purchases. From room service to television usage the fees can really add up on you stay at a hotel. If you tend to be someone who absolutely loves the convenience of room service and other hotel add ons then you might want to just go for the whole add on package. This will allow you to add room service as you wish without having to worry about the bill mounting higher and higher. Before you check into a hotel make sure to call and ask about their add on program so you can see if this is worthwhile for you and your family. Many hotels will have a lot of different add on programs so you may be able to customize your stay specifically to your needs.
6. Loyalty Programs
There are a lot more people traveling during the holidays now. Either for business trips or to reunite with loved ones, spending time in a hotel room is a pretty common experience. If you find yourself staying at hotels frequently you may want to sign up for the loyalty program, especially if you have a specific hotel you like to stay in. This will allow you to get free extras when you stay at a hotel while also providing you discounts and occasionally a free night in a room. This can be especially great during the holiday season as you may want to go a bit more expense when choosing your hotel package. The points you earned throughout the year may work to help you cut down even more on your hotel room which will make the stay even more comfortable for you.
7. Time Your Visit
A lot of the time your biggest savings will come with your timing. When it comes to hotel rooms this can be a major factor in the price you pay for your room. It is always best to know when peak travel times are in the area you plan on visiting. This can help you avoid traveling these times if possible, which can save you a lot of money. If you’re planning on traveling during the holidays then chances are rates will be higher everywhere. So, if you have to travel during a peak period then you will already know it is best to book in a less popular area of the city, or on the outskirts of a city. You may be surprised at some peak times though, so it is always best to research your destination before planning the vacation. If you can avoid a peak period you should as it will help save more money than you would expect.
8. Location
It’s always convenient to stay in a hotel next to an area we plan on visiting, but it isn’t always convenient to pay the price. Usually hotels around the center of a city or next to a huge attraction, like a theme park, are blown out of proportion when it comes to price. So, if you’re looking at spending some times near a big attraction then you may want to start your search away from the area you’ll be visiting. Yes, it is always nice to be close so you don’t have to worry about traveling, but by staying further away from the area you could save up to a hundred dollars a night, if not more. It is best to call about up hotels away from the area to see if they operate shuttles to specific areas or if there is a good public transportation center near the area. This will help cut down on travel expenses while you’re there so you can enjoy spending less money on the entire vacation.
9. Discounts
Most hotel rooms have an excellent discount system that most people simply overlook. It is important to call and talk to the hotel about discounts before you decide to book with them so you will know exactly what discounts you qualify for. Typically hotels have many of the same discounts that standard places have. For instance, if you’re a senior citizen or military then there’s a good chance you will get a pretty good discount on your hotel room by just showing you identification card. There are also numerous discounts out there for students who have a valid school I.D. Card which is perfect for college students who are traveling home for the holidays. A lot of hotels will also not charge extra if you have young children staying with you, so make sure to ask about the price of a child staying and mention the age of your little one. Some hotels will even give a special price to professional truck drivers who find themselves on the road all of the time. The discounts are endless, so just make sure to mention your needs when you make a reservation and you might be surprised as to how much you can save.
10. Barter
Bartering might sound a little medieval, but you’d be surprised as to how much it can save you while you’re working on securing a room. Before you start your bartering process you should always make sure you book into a hotel that has a refund policy. When you find a great hotel then look around for its greatest competition. If it seems like a hotel you’d like to stay in then call it up and mention that you’re staying at the other hotel and would like to know their deals. Usually people will jump on the opportunity to steal business away from a competitor so you will end up with a great deal. The key to this process is finding hotels that are near to one another and have a lot of the same features. Once you have this part of the bartering ready, you will be good to go find an even better deal.
With all of the hustle and bustle of the holiday season the last thing you’ll want to worry about is your hotel room and paying too much for it. These simple tips will help you avoid spending too much on your room without having to sacrifice the standard of place you’re staying at. Finally, you’ll be able to have a comfortable place to stay that won’t leave you feeling remorseful about the bill. This will really help improve your holiday season or any other time you feel like traveling.
