You shouldn’t have to pay full price while traveling. In fact, you can often find hotel coupons and discounts that shave off a portion of your bill that help cut down on travel costs. From luxury resorts to bed and breakfasts, deals abound. In some cases your hotel coupons may be processed electronically, which means the discount is taken off the bill when you reserve online with a special code. In other cases, you may get a discount by showing a loyalty or membership card of some kind.

Membership Programs

Membership programs, like AARP or AAA, offer coupon codes and hotel discounts to their members. The coupon codes will likely vary depending on the season and hotel you select, but according to Bankrate.com, you could save up to 25 percent. Frequent-flier programs may offer hotel coupon codes online. If you’re a member of a branch of the U.S. military, work for the government, or you’re in a union, coupons may also be available, or you may receive a special discount by showing your identification upon arrival at the hotel.

Coupon Websites

Online coupon sites, like RetailMeNot.com, Groupon.com or Coupons.com, sell both printable and online hotel coupons. You can get a code to input online while reserving your room, or you may receive a printable coupon to show at check-in for additional savings. These coupons are typically offered by hotel chains and can only be used at that particular location.

Loyalty Clubs

Some hotel chains offer loyalty programs and discounts. They also offer Internet-only coupon codes that allow you to save an additional percentage off your reservation fee simply by reserving online. Hotel chains that offer loyalty club memberships –- such as Choice Hotels, Marriott or Hilton –- allow travelers to earn points for each stay that are good toward free hotels, travel coupons and discounts down the road.

Other Considerations

If you can’t find coupons, you can use one of a few additional ways to save on your hotel stay. According to Frommer's, you’ll find better hotel rates traveling on the weekend –- especially Sunday night. Also, traveling during the off-season can lower your hotel bill, such as traveling January through March. Use the Internet to hunt down deals by browsing different travel websites such as Hotels.com, Travelocity.com or Expedia.com. Sometimes, reserving packages –- such as a hotel room, rental car and flight combination -- through these travel websites can lower the cost of your room.

About the Author

Shailynn Krow began writing professionally in 2002. She has contributed articles on food, weddings, travel, human resources/management and parenting to numerous online and offline publications. Krow holds a Bachelor of Science in psychology from the University of California, Los Angeles and an Associate of Science in pastry arts from the International Culinary Institute of America.

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