How to Get Cheaper Hotel Rooms

With a little work, you can get discounts on hotel stays.

One of the biggest expenses associated with traveling is lodging. It is not uncommon when visiting a major tourist destination for you to be faced with price tags of hundreds of dollars a night for a hotel room, significantly cutting into your overall travel budget. Using a few simple resources and some advanced planning can lead to cheaper room rates. Lowering your expenses in this area can make for a better vacation and is easier than you may think.

Instructions

1. Register for a hotel's preferred guest program. Many chain hotels have a "preferred customer" program that rewards you with points for each stay. After earning enough points you can redeem them for discounted or even free rooms.

2. Search websites that look for the lowest hotel prices. Call the hotel to make sure what you're seeing online is, in fact, the lowest rate.

3. Travel during the slow season. Prices of hotels are based in part on supply and demand. If you are going to Disney World over the holidays, for instance --- one of the resort's busiest times --- you will likely pay full price for hotel rooms. Travel there in mid-January, however, when attendance is low, and you will find discounted room rates.

4. Ask for discounts by phone or in person. It could be that the hotel is experiencing low occupancy and is willing to make a deal on the spot to grab your business. Ask if you can get an upgrade if you already have a paid reservation.

5. Apply membership discounts. Organizations like the American Automobile Association and credit card points often offer discounts to members.

References

• New York Times: Hotels: Fewer Deals but Low Rates
• CNN: Finding Hotel Deals
• "Hotel Secrets from the Travel Detective: Insider Tips on Getting the Best Value, Service, and Security in Accommodations from Bed-and-Breakfasts to Five-Star Resorts"; Peter Greenberg; 2004