With the holidays coming up, you’re probably scrambling to figure out how you can avoid the high prices of staying in a hotel while you visit with friends and family. Although it may seem impossible to find a hotel at a budget friendly price this time of the year, there are a few things you can do to try to cut back on spending, so you won’t end up in a budget crisis while you’re away. With a few tricks and a little bit of insider savings suggestions, your holiday travel is well on its way to a frugal adventure that will leave the entire family satisfied. So, don’t let hotels leave you scrambling to afford their high cost, instead leave the hotels competing to offer you the best deals in town.
1. Shop Around
One of the key elements to helping you save the most money is to actually shop around. Even though it’s getting closer and closer to the holiday season, you should always take the time to research your hotel so you can find a price that will satisfy your needs. You should start your hotel shopping adventure online, as you will have more access to information so that you can get a general idea of the hotel and its costs. Of course, you should always consult more than one website when you’re dealing with hotels. Some websites can really help you find the best deal possible, while others will concentrate on discounts or bundling packages. You shouldn’t just stop with the website though. If you give a hotel a call, you may find out more discounts that will save you even more. If you’re still struggling with the process, you could always talk to a travel agent to figure out your next steps.
2. Play the Field
Shopping around for hotels can be tricky, so if you find a hotel you think is offering a good deal then go ahead and book it if they offer free cancelations. This will allow you to secure the deal, while still giving you the option to shop around for something better. Sometimes, you may find another great deal or something that is similar that strikes your fancy. If you call the first reservation to cancel they may be willing to fight for your business and offer you a better deal. You can even bring in the second hotel into the negotiations to see who can offer you the best possible deal. Although this may take a whole lot of effort on your end, it will be worth it when you get to stay in a pricier hotel for the same price as a budget hotel.
3. Know What’s Included
Before you book your room, you should know what exactly comes in the hotel package as this will help save you a whole lot of money. Generally, the hotels will list the items on their website or your receipt, but don’t feel bad about calling to get a rundown of what items are included in the purchase. This can come in handy in 2 different ways. First of all, it will let you know what you can and can’t use in the hotel. For instance, if your hotel doesn’t include gym, pool or Wi-Fi access, then you could be looking at a pretty hefty bill when you check out. There’s other small things that may end up costing you too, so just make sure to know where you stand financially before making yourself at home in the hotel. Secondly, knowing what’s included in your purchase could help you find a hotel at the same price, or just above that will offer you a lot more amenities. The more amenities that are included the more likely you are to spend less on other aspects of your vacation. Of course, if you only plan on sleeping in the room then the cheapest price will always win out.
4. Book By Phone
Websites can really save time and come in handy when you’re shopping around. However, they don’t really compare to a phone call when you plan on booking a hotel. Generally, when you call to book a hotel you may be privy to more discounts than you expected. The hotel can actually offer you special rates, discounts and other amenities that will save you a whole lot of money when you check out. If the hotel doesn’t come straight out and offer you a deal, then simply ask. There’s no harm in it. You also don’t have to book if you don’t like what the hotel has to offer, so don’t feel obligated even if you’re on the phone with them. Another great thing about booking on the phone is it is a lot harder to get your wires crossed, which could mess up a reservation. When you book online, all of the information isn’t exactly customizable if you have unique needs. Whereas, if you book online you can have the matter taken care of before you even arrive. It makes things personal again, which is always nice when you’re planning on staying somewhere.
5. Bundle the Deal
Sometimes, when it comes to booking a hotel, it’s always best to handle the expenses in one big bundle. If you’re planning on having a little fun this holiday season then you can probably easily grab a great hotel and amusement park deal. Disney theme parks are notorious for these deals and they really do save a lot of money before it’s all said and done. There’s lots of ways to bundle though. For instance, if you plan on driving a rental car to and from your destination then you should be able to bundle that deal to save a bit of money. Most travel websites try to bundle your airline ticket, hotel and rental car if they can, which helps you add some bulk savings to the mix. So, make sure to shop around and see if you can find a bundle that makes your life and financial situation a lot easier.
6. Shop Early
Although it’s already nearing the holiday season, it’s not too late to get in a little early shopping for the holidays you may celebrate in December. Generally, you want to shop as early as you can though because it will offer you the biggest discounts. You can even begin shopping in the summer time, if you’re sure you’re going to have specific dates for traveling available to you. Of course, you can always book ahead with a refundable or changeable reservation, so you can ensure you still get the best deal you find, but won’t lose money if your plans end up changing. Another great thing about shopping early is it ensures you have a room to stay in. If you travel to more popular areas during the holidays then this is a battle in itself. So, it’s always best to have something booked, even if you want to shop around for last minute deals when you arrive.
7. Skip the Extras
Hotels love to tack on extra items for your room. For instance, one of their best sellers is an entertainment package for the television. Although it’s tempting to have more channels to enjoy, you can always watch TV at home, so there’s no need to spend the extra money while you’re on vacation. There’s a lot of packages like this in hotels, so make sure you know exactly what you’re paying for before you agree to anything. You should also talk about some of the hidden costs that hotels add to room charges. Some of these you may be able to opt out of, if you know what to ask. Of course, there’s also the more obvious extras that you should avoid. For instance, room service can really add a small fortune to the bill as can eating or drinking anything out of the minifridge.
8. Look for Discounts
There’s more discounts around than you can imagine, so don’t be afraid to do a little searching around to see if you can save a lot more money on your hotel room. One of the more popular discounts is military service, which will often take off the amount you would pay in taxes on the room. Of course, there are discounts for other professions too, as well as those for senior citizens or the disabled. Some hotels will allow children to stay for free, which comes in handy if you’re traveling with the whole family. Membership rewards are another huge bonus to help you out. For instance, if you’re a member of AAA then you should find a discount coming your way. Credit cards and travel points will also supply you with some points to take off a bit of money on your bill. Also, if you tend to stay in hotels often, you may want to try out their rewards systems as you might be privy to a free night. Last but not least, there are coupons to help out with hotel expenses, so try looking on the hotel website or other coupon sites to see what you can come up with.
9. Look at Reviews
A lot of people tend not to choose a motel or hotels that tend to have a cheaper price tag. Often, they assume that it’s in a bad neighbor or simply isn’t being taken care of by housekeeping and maintenance. Although this can be true, sometimes, often you might find that the hotel or motel you’re checking out may save you a lot of money. By simply checking out reviews, you can learn a lot about a hotel. Of course, when you do this you should make sure you visit multiple websites because you’ll want to get the most accurate reviews on the hotel. Often enough, these smaller hotels put a lot of effort into the upkeep of their hotel and finding friendly customer service in order to fight the bigger competition. If you’re still not sure about the hotel/motel then book a room if it’s refundable. Then, when you get there check it out. If it doesn’t meet your standards then go with your back up plan.
10. Move Along
Sometimes, you can actually save money by switching to a different hotel. This is especially easy if you’re visiting bigger places like Las Vegas, but it might take a bit of effort in other areas. First of all, you should make a reservation at your hotel of choice. When you arrive, enjoy your first night’s stay. However, you should go check out other hotels in the area too. If you tell them you’re staying at the first hotel then they may want to compete a bit to get your business. This could leave you with an even better deal than before. As your trip goes on, repeat the cycle. Of course, you should also be careful with this method. If the area is particularly crowded then it may be wise just to sit tight. Some hotels will actually walk customers that aren’t staying longer if the hotel is particularly busy, which it generally is during the holiday season.
Booking a hotel in the holiday season doesn’t have to be a nightmare. With these simple tips you should be able to find an extraordinary deal on your hotel, while ensuring you don’t have to sacrifice your comfort or peace of mind. With your hotel booked and your savings nestled comfortably in your wallet, you’ll wonder why you stressed out over holiday hotel bookings in the first place.
