How to Pinch Pennies on Hotels
Hotel expenses are a major part of your vacation budget. The cost can make or break the decision to go on vacation when times are tough. This article will show you how to save money on your next hotel stay.
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Instructions
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Avoid staying at a hotel during peak seasons or on holidays. For example, the peak season in Florida is the winter, when everyone trys to flee the cold. The peak season in New England is summer, when the weather is warm and school is out for the summer. New Year's Eve is generally the most expensive night of the year to stay in a hotel.
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Have an adjustable schedule. If you can stay on a Monday or Tuesday, it will be cheaper than on a weekend.
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Research all specials and discounts. The hotel may have an unadvertised special, such as getting the fourth night free. Ask about discounts for AAA and AARP. Call your hotel directly to see if you can get a better rate.
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Put as many people in one room as you can. It will cost less to put four people in one room with two double beds than to rent two rooms with a king size bed in each. Rollaway beds can often be put in the room for free for small children.
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Choose a hotel with as many amenities as possible. Pick a hotel provides free breakfast for guests. A location with its own water park will save you the cost of paying admission to a water park elsewhere.
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Avoid late checkout fees. Find out the checkout policy and stick to it. If you need to check out later, talk to the front desk to get permission so you don't end up paying for an extra night's stay.
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Book directly through the hotel chain. If you use a discount website, you will pay booking fees and cancellation fees if you change your mind later. The added advantage is that your credit card is not charged until the dates of your stay. Your money can stay in the bank earning interest until you actually take the trip.
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Take advantage of guest rewards programs for free nights. If you stay at the same chain, you can build up points to get a free stay. Check out some of the rewards programs listed in the resources.
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Drink the hotel's coffee in your room and skip going to a coffee shop. You can save up to $20 per day on the costs of an adult family of coffee drinkers by avoiding this money trap. If you have any coffee packets left at the end of your hotel stay, take these with you to use at home.
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Resources
- Photo Credit Christi Bowers, 2007
