Booking a hotel can be a considerable expense for your trip. Whether you need a one-night-only weekend booking or a longer stay, the cost of staying in a hotel can add up quickly.
However, do you know you don’t need to compromise in quality and comfort for the sake of saving a few dollars? There are many tips and tricks you can use to help you save some money on your next hotel booking and get the best deal without stretching your budget too far. Let’s take a look.
How To Get The Best Hotel Prices Online
Use A Comparison Site
One of the best ways to get the cheapest price for your next hotel booking is to use a comparison site. You just need to put your travel dates and destination into the comparison site, and they will do everything else for you. So don’t spend your time opening tabs for different hotel sites to get an idea of costs, do it all in one place, and it’s even easier to find what you need, whether it’s finding 50+ hotels in Halifax from $134 CAD/night or looking for hotels that have 4-star ratings or specific amenities. Hotel comparison sites do it all.
Be Flexible
This isn’t always possible, but if you can be flexible with your travel dates, this can unlock more favorable rates or even added extras as hotels try to entice you to book. Prices fluctuate depending on the day of the week, any high-profile events going on, the item of the year, and even during different seasons. Midweek breaks are often cheaper, as is traveling just outside peak times and dates. So if you can avoid going on the more expensive times, be savvy with your booking for even lower costs.
Loyalty Programs
Loyalty programs are your best friend when it comes to unlocking extras or preferred rates. For instance, some hotel chains like Marriott or Hilton offer loyalty schemes for members that give you perks like free nights, room upgrades, or lower prices, while others allow you to accumulate points to put together a nice package. These are all the discretion of each hotel company, but if you have favorites, sign up for any loyalty schemes they have and take advantage of what is on offer.
Set Price Alerts
Some booking sites have the option for you to sign up for price alerts for your chosen destination and dates. They automatically alert you when prices drop, making it easier to lock in lower booking fees for your trip. You need to do this as early as possible, as prices can rise closer to your travel dates or if demand increases. But it’s worth setting the theme up to see what happens.
Check Cancellation Policies
Initially, booking your stay without cancellation options might save you money. For example, if you choose the option that offers refunds or changes, you might find the price is considerably higher. But, if the cancellation policy allows you to cancel for free, it might be worth booking with this option and then cancelling closer to your trip and rebooking if a cheaper price comes up. It might not always work in your favor, but it’s an option to consider.