How To Save Money On Hotel Rooms

There are a number of tips you can use to save money on hotel rooms. Below are my top 10, from comparing prices and booking a package to using rewards points and simply being friendly at the front desk. None of them guarantees a cheap price, but together they give you a good chance of paying less for your next hotel stay.

Compare Prices to Save Money on Hotel Rooms

1. Use travel websites to compare prices. Travel websites let you see many hotels and rates side by side, which makes it much easier to spot a bargain.
2. Visit the hotel’s own website. Compare the hotel’s price with the travel websites. Sometimes the hotel offers a lower rate, a member price or extra perks that the other sites do not show.
3. Use discount codes from travel websites if available. Coupon and promo codes can take a little off the price at checkout. Check the expiration date, and read the terms before you book.

Choose Where and When You Book

4. Stay further away from downtown areas. Hotels further from the major attractions are usually cheaper. Before you choose one, check how much it will cost and how long it will take to get to the places you want to visit, so the savings are real.
5. Book a couple of weeks in advance. Booking ahead gives you time to compare rates, and hotels with plenty of empty rooms may offer better prices. If you are traveling in a busy season, book earlier still.
6. Book a package with your flight or car rental. Some travel websites will give you a discount for booking a hotel together with an airline ticket or a rental car. This can be one way to save money on hotel rooms or flights. However, compare the price of booking separately before you pay. You might get a better price by booking each part on a different website.

Perks and Rewards That Save Money on Hotel Rooms

7. Look for hotels that include a complimentary breakfast. If two hotels cost the same but one offers a free breakfast, think of how much you will save on breakfast for a family of four.
8. Use hotel rewards points. Points can offset the cost of a room, and even a small balance can cover part of a stay.
9. Ask about discounts. Ask whether the hotel offers a rate for AAA or AARP members, and mention any other membership you have, such as military or corporate rates.

Be Friendly: A Free Way to Save Money on Hotel Rooms

10. Be nice to the front desk staff. If you have to wait in the lobby before check-in, be friendly to the staff. Then check in when the lobby is empty. Just being polite could get you an upgraded room if the hotel is not full. If they do not offer, politely ask about discounts or an upgrade. It does not hurt to ask, and it can sometimes help you save money on hotel rooms.

Plan the Rest of Your Trip Budget

A hotel is only one part of the cost of a trip. Compare prices for your travel, too, starting with our guide to finding cheap flights, our tips for cheap rental cars, and our advice on airline baggage fees. If you drive to the airport, compare parking prices as well. Off-site lots near the major New York area airports often cost much less than terminal garages, and many include a shuttle. You can compare rates for JFK airport parking, LaGuardia airport parking, Newark airport parking and Westchester County airport parking, and look for savings with our airport parking discount coupons.

Save Money on Hotel Rooms FAQ

These tips cannot guarantee you a cheap price, but they are a good guide to help you save money on hotel rooms on your next stay. Compare, ask, and book when the price is right.