So, it’s the time of the year again to plan your next adventure. Hold that excitement. You don’t need to spend too much like you did last time. There are tips and tricks to save money while you’re on holiday. And that includes booking your hotel.
Hotel booking usually has the most significant share in travel costs. It typically covers about 20-50% of the pie. But many travelers have learned their lesson over the years. There are tips and tricks to shave off a considerable percentage of this expense.
This post will reveal a few tried and tested tips and tricks to save money on your hotel booking.
Tips and tricks to save money when booking a hotel
As promised, here are the tips and tricks you may use next time you’re booking a hotel to save you money:
1. Book in advance
The early bird catches the worm. This can’t be any truer when booking hotel accommodation. If you know your travel dates at least three to six months before your trip, you can take advantage of hotel promos. Many hotels incentivize travelers by offering substantial discounts or cheaper rates when guests book during the off-peak season.
If you’re the type to plan your trip months in advance, you can get at least a 20-30% discount when you book your hotel accommodation during the shoulder season.
2. Be flexible with your travel dates
Often, you’ll see a massive drop in rates during the weekdays. So, you can get huge savings if you’re okay with moving your stay to the weekdays instead of holidays or weekends.
Another thing is many hotels give massive rate reductions if you extend your stay for another day or two. You could stay longer than initially planned. This is a holiday anyway, so you must make the most of it.
3. Compare prices
You don’t have to book your stay on the hotel website. You should also check prices on online travel agencies (like booking.com, hotels.com, etc.). So, check what each platform offers to find the best deal for your needs.
Remember to check the amenities, not just the price. The price might instantly attract you, but upon looking at the fine print, you’ll see that breakfast is not included or there’s no swimming pool at the hotel. This can affect your overall experience since you’ll need to spend a significant amount on breakfast, which is typically free in most hotels, and if you’re traveling with kids, they might not enjoy it as much without a swimming pool.
Here is another tip when comparing prices. There are about ten well-known online travel agencies today, but there are also several smaller, lesser-known ones that can give better deals. Be sure to check out sites like Agoda and Hopper, too.
4. Join loyalty programs
Before booking your stay, spend some time on the hotel’s website and check if they offer loyalty programs. Most hotels do. One popular five-star hotel promises members that if they find a lower rate than the hotel offers, they can match it and add another 25% off on top of that!
Most loyalty programs are tier-based. And as you move up to the higher tiers, you’ll be eligible for more substantial discounts and even elite gifts.
5. Use discount codes And coupons
You may have already heard of discount sites. If not, type the hotel’s name on your online search bar and the keyword ‘promo code’ or ‘coupon.’ It will give you a rundown of all current discounts on your chosen hotel and their corresponding discount codes on coupon sites.
6. Book a package deal
If you are with a group requiring multiple accommodations, there are numerous hotels that will provide substantial discounts and attractive upgrades to you.
7. Negotiate a better rate
If you’re a charmer and have a way with words, call the hotel directly and ask to speak with the front desk supervisor or the reservations manager. Inquire about available discounts or rates nicely, and you might be surprised. As someone who’s worked in hotels for years I can vouch that this does work on occasion – it depends on the mood of the manager on that particular day.
8. Use your credit card rewards
Credit cards don’t just have miles on their rewards program. Many hotels also offer stays in exchange for the points you have amassed. Check the rewards program of your credit card company and check if it’s time to convert those points to hotel stays. They usually expire anyway, so why not use all of them on your holiday?
9. Look for last-minute deals
Many hotels offer last-minute deals when they get unexpected cancellations from tours or groups. They usually post this on their social media channels or send an email campaign to fill the rooms quickly. It’s best that you sign up for their newsletters and follow their various social media platforms to get first dibs on this.
Or you could search for a Mystery Hotel Deal! What’s this you ask – well, even the best hotels can’t fill all their rooms all the time, so they sell the empty rooms at a massive discount. Every hotel wants to be able to say it’s fully booked, right? Most of the other guests have paid full price and so the hotel has more than met its sales target, hence, they can afford to sell off their remaining rooms to the likes of Expedia & Priceline for a significantly lower rate.
10. Use price tracking tools
You can also download price tracking tools on your phone and set up alerts to quickly get notified of any price drops in hotel rates. This way, you don’t have to scour websites and online travel agencies whenever you need a hotel booking.
11. Check for senior, disability, military, or AAA discounts
Some hotels offer 5-20% off for seniors, the disabled, military, and American Automobile Association (AAA) members. Check their website or call them to confirm if they offer this. When you get to the hotel, don’t just expect you’ll be entitled to this. They provide this optional discount to show appreciation to this group of people.
Make sure to bring your ID as proof of eligibility because hotels are strict with this.
12. Book a non-refundable rate
Non-refundable rates are presented at a more competitive price due to its attached caveat. In cases where your travel dates are set in stone and unlikely to change, opting for this alternative can lead to significant cost savings, allowing you to allocate resources to other aspects of your journey.
Thanks for Reading!
Booking a hotel may entail a significant expense. But with the tips and tricks this post mentioned, you’ll be sure to have huge savings. Remember, don’t get too excited and click that ‘book now’ button so fast. Take your time researching, and you’ll have a holiday that you can enjoy without burning too big a hole in your pocket.
If you enjoyed this blog post, you may also enjoy my other blog posts. Some of my favorites include:
The Ultimate Month Itinerary for Greece
7 Amazing Things to do in Meteora Greece
The Very Best Things to do on Syros Island Greece
Last Updated on May 17, 2025 by snaphappytravel