The Secrets to Finding Hotel Deals

Are you on a tight budget for your next vacation?  There’s no need to settle for a cheap motel just because you’re pinching pennies.  You can find great hotel deals for fine establishments if you know where and when to look.  Even some of the best hotels in the world offer huge discounts on their rack rates.  The hard part is finding those rates when you need them.  Here are secrets that budget travelers can use to find deals for great hotels.  With these strategies at your disposal, you can stay in a nice hotel rather than a shabby motel on your next budget vacation.

Check the Hotel’s Website

This might sound like a not-so-secret tip but the majority of people hunting for deals tend to go straight to websites like Priceline and Orbitz.  Rather than booking a hotel on one of these sites, check directly with the hotel’s official website first.  The hotel’s official website may feature exclusive deals and discounts that are even better than the ones you found on third-party sites.  Many hotels list deals on their websites that cannot be found anywhere else.  Your best bet is to check with the hotel websites directly and compare the deals you find with those listed on third-party sites.  If a deal you find on an official hotel website is better, call to confirm availability.

Make the Most of Online Bidding

If you are pretty flexible about what hotels you are willing to stay in, online bidding websites are an option.  When used properly, bidding websites can get you ultra-low prices on hotels.  However, online bidding is not a good option for anyone who wants more control of where they will be staying.  If low prices are your top priority, bidding sites can be an invaluable resource.

Comparison Shop

You may think that since the internet is constantly updated with real-time information, all travel deals websites will have the same prices listed but that is not the case at all.  In order to get the lowest prices on accommodations, it is advisable to check with a variety of different sources for low budget travel information and bargains.  An easy way to do this is by subscribing to a feed on a website that regularly publishes hotel deals from all around the web.  This will save you the hassle of having to visit one website after another each day in order to keep up with the latest bargains.

Ask about Special Discounts

If you are in the military, a member of the AAA, a student, or a senior, ask hotels directly whether they can offer you a special discount.  If you have kids, ask the hotel prior to booking whether or not they allow kids to stay for free.

Be Flexible

Plan your trip during the off-season or midweek.  Doing this can save you up to 50% on hotel rates.  Timing is everything since prices are dramatically cut when the demand is low.  Call the hotels you are interested in and find out when their off-season rates start.  If you plan on staying in a hotel for longer than a week, inquire about weekly rates or whether they have a “stay seven nights, get one night free” type of offer available.

And last but not least, check to ensure that the rate quotes you get include taxes and surcharges.  What might seem like a great deal at first glance may be quite the opposite once you see the total after taxes, surcharges, and incidental fees.  Make sure to check with the hotel about any charges that may be added to your bill at the end of your stay such as telephone charges.  After all, the last thing you want is to end your relaxing vacation with an unpleasant surprise.