Sometimes, we need to travel out of town or out of the country and the only place to stay is a hotel. If this is the case, you should know the different ways to save money when staying in a hotel.
The best place to look for good rates is online because most establishments these days post promos through their company website. While browsing, you may even find a site that offers airline tickets and hotels which is good for companies who don’t have corporate rates.
Once you have found a few good choices, compare what each one is offering and then get whoever is offering the best deal.
If you have only purchased an airline ticket and have not found yet a place to stay, look at the local phone book and then make inquiries the moment you land. Unlike the first option, this is going to be quite challenging especially if you are looking for a place and calling from a public phone.
When you are talking to someone from the hotel, ask if they offer any discounts. It is possible that one of your credit cards you have may entitle you to a 10% discount and you will never know until you ask.
But what if you don’t have to ride a plane but travel by car? You can still find ways to save money for a hotel by visiting the local gas station, restaurant, rest area or visitor’s center that usually give out free coupons or even brochures. Such discounts could save you $10 to $20 per night so you can use the money on something else.
If there are no promos and no coupons, try your luck and see if you can negotiate a reasonable price for staying in the hotel. There is a chance you could get it if you happen to be a member of the military, a club, a certain school, part of a union or part of a professional organization.
Should the hotel be unable to give you a discount, don’t waste your time there and consider other places which you may have not considered before. This could mean the rooms may be smaller and the service they give may not be equal to what you have experienced in the past but there could be other things which may surprise and even impress you during your stay.
But the best way to save money on a hotel is still to book in advance. Most hotels give good rates when you book 6 months or longer in advance compared to booking a reservation a week or two before your actual arrival.
Things are far more different though when you are part of a contingent and you are booking for a large number of people for the next few days. This is because even if hotels give you a discounted rate, they still make money because the guests will not only sleep in the rooms but also use some of the amenities the hotel offers including eating in the restaurants.
There are ways to save money when staying in a hotel. You can look for good deals online, calling them once you get there or simply by using your charm so good luck when you are looking for a place to stay.
