20 tips on how to book the cheapest hotel room possible. Looking to score a deal on a great hotel? These tips & hacks will ensure you get the best price on your next hotel stay. First: Be flexible
Go when other people aren’t. The rule of opposites. Business destination? Go during the weekend. Resort like Vegas? Going during the week. Even consider this within a single city.. San Diego by the beach in the summer will be expensive. Cheap in the winter.
2 – New Hotels
Hotels that just opened typically have really low occupancy levels and often offer prices well below the competition to get people to know them.
3 – Not the major chains
Particularly internationally
Especially if there is only one of that particular chain in a destination
Find the local chains. In Japan: Toyoko Inn, or JR Hotels. In Taiwan: K Hotel
4 – Coupon Codes and Affiliations
AAA, Senior, through your work
Find coupon codes on FF blogs and flyertalk
Use the flexible dates search to find a day with your rate
5 – Promotions
Find promotions on places like travelzoo, groupon, and the hotels website
Check promotions like stay 3 nights get 1 free. Might not always be cheaper
Free breakfast, resort credit
Get more points promotions
6 – Stay for a long time and book in advance
Long stay rates, advance booking rates
I always book hotels if there is a remote possibility I’m going
7 – Be creative with your searches
Going for a week? Try searching for a day at a time, just the weekend, just the weekdays.
8 – Check a few aggregators
Kayak, Expedia, agoda, TripAdvisor
Maybe a country specific one like Rakuten
Make sure you are signed in when you search
9 – Also check the hotels website directly
Make sure you are a member of their loyalty program
10 – Get the hotels credit card
Free perks like breakfast, late checkout, just for having the card.
And you’ll earn more points for the booking
11 – Other Credit Card perks
Amex FHR
Citi Prestige Card
Buy 3 nights get 1 free
12 – Price Match
Found a lower price on somewhere else? Many hotels have a low price guarantee and will beat the low price somewhere else.
13 – Keep checking the rate
Rate might become lower as the date gets closer.. rebook the lower rate
14 – Book a nonrefundable or prepaid rate
Usually 10 to 20% less
15 – Book last minute
Hotels tonight
16 – Bid on a room
Dont care where you stay? Use Priceline to bid on a hotel.
17 – Be creative
B&B, AirBNB, Hostels, Capsule Hotels, Overnight trains, day room
18 – Buy gift cards
Often can find gift cards at 10% off face value
19 – Use points
For free. Or cash and points. Dont get suckered in to “Premium” rooms
20 – Experienced an issue? Let the hotel know
Might get a discount.. or even a complete refund
