The most challenging aspect of holiday planning for us is finding accommodation and finding ways to save money when booking hotels. With so many gorgeous hotels and numerous booking websites, it can be overwhelming to navigate through all the options and decipher confusing reviews. In light of the fact that hotels are often the most expensive component of a trip, finding a quality hotel becomes imperative.

The truth is that we are  quite a hotel snob. It's not that we always want 5-star hotels, but when little things go wrong, such as noisy air conditioners, rude staff, bad food, or, worst of all, cold water, it gets to us.

When it comes to accommodations, finding a great deal can make a significant difference between an affordable getaway and an expensive one, and ultimately impact the trip's total expenses. When we travel,  We are always on the lookout for the best hotel prices to save some pennies.

We have discovered some tricks for getting more value for our budget by using hotel price comparison sites as well as using hotel price comparison sites. In addition to avoiding surplus charges and choosing less expensive locations, these tips will allow you to maximize free upgrades and take advantage of special offers when booking a hotel.

Note: This blog post includes affiliate links, and I may earn a commission from qualifying purchases. Clicking on these links and making a purchase will not incur any additional cost to you. These commissions play a crucial role in supporting the upkeep and growth of this blog, enabling me to consistently provide valuable content. I only recommend hotels that I have personally used and genuinely believe will benefit my readers. Thank you for your support!

SEARCH hotels on Booking.com from your mobile device

Booking.com is hands down our favorite platform for booking hotel stays. In addition to being convenient, it also offers the option of comparing numerous hotels at once and filtering them accordingly, including swimming pools, good reviews, and air conditioning, which are important to me. As compared to other comparison platforms, this site provides a top-notch user experience, and we particularly value that, especially during those long scrolling hours.

Travel planning requires flexibility, and Booking.com has us covered in that regard. Most hotels listed offer free cancellations and do not require upfront payment, which allows us to adjust my plans as necessary.

Here's a little-known secret that can save you some extra bucks: when booking through the mobile app instead of the desktop version, you can often snag more than a 10% discount on your hotel reservation. So, next time, consider using the app to maximize your savings.

Booking.com ticks all the right boxes for us, making hotel booking smooth, straightforward, and affordable. It is our go-to platform for finding the perfect accommodation for my trips, and we cannot recommend it enough.

Make use of cashback sites in order to earn money on your bookings

Another fantastic hack that many people may not be aware of is TopCashback and Quidco. These affiliate websites function similarly to affiliate websites, but also offer you an additional benefit. As well as making money, these websites also pay you a commission on any purchases made through them.

Whenever we plan a trip, we check these sites first to see if the hotel we are interested in is offered. While you may not find boutique hotels on these sites, major companies such as Booking.com and Hotels.com may be included.

You can make your reservation using affiliate websites by simply searching for the website that you wish to book through and clicking on the links provided to make your reservation. Commissions are paid out after your stay, depending on the time of year and any ongoing offers. The best part is, there is no catch! It is genuinely free money just for booking through these websites. In order to reach users that they might not otherwise reach, companies use affiliate marketing. As a result, you reap the benefits.

A word of caution, however. Before booking through a cashback website, please ensure that you are really saving money. It is recommended that you compare the cost of booking directly versus booking through a cashback site before finalizing your reservation since sometimes the price might be inflated to compensate for the commission they are paying out.

Take advantage of the reward programs offered by comparison sites

The majority of hotel comparison websites offer reward programs that grant customers the option to earn free nights or receive discounts on their stays. It's astonishing how two people searching for the same location can encounter vastly different prices.

For instance, Hotels.com features a loyalty program where after staying for 10 nights, you are rewarded with one night free. On the other hand, if you prefer receiving discounts each time you stay, Booking.com might be a better fit for you.

Make sure you are flexible when it comes to your stay

There is no doubt that hotels often increase their rates on weekends, and many top-rated hotels require a minimum stay of two nights between Friday and Sunday. The best time to visit a stunning hotel without breaking the bank is during the midweek, specifically during off-peak periods. In this way, the hotels will be less crowded and more likely to offer discounts.

Take advantage of last-minute deals

You may want to keep an eye out for last-minute deals on same-day bookings for those who have an outstanding degree of flexibility regarding their travel dates. In light of the fact that hotels may struggle to fill their rooms so close to check-in, they would prefer to have the rooms filled at a discounted rate rather than have them remain empty. You can find great last-minute deals by visiting websites such as lastminute.com.

Take advantage of sale periods such as the start of the new year or Black Friday

Travelers who are organized and decisive and already know their preferred accommodations in advance are best off securing hotel deals during hotel sales. Black Friday and the beginning of the year tend to be the times of year when the most significant sales events occur. You can expect to benefit from attractive benefits during these periods, including a percentage discount on your regular rate or the addition of an additional night for no additional charge. Taking advantage of these sales and planning ahead can result in substantial savings on your hotel reservations.

Look for secret deals on websites

Become aware of significantly discounted luxury hotels using platforms such as Secret Escapes. It operates as a "members-only" service, but membership is free. In an effort to avoid vacant rooms, hotels offer these rooms at discounted rates, which benefits you as a traveler. You will need to be flexible with respect to location and dates in order to take advantage of this opportunity, since you may not always have ample options. It is important to note, however, that if location and timing are not your top priorities, then this strategy may enable you to save substantial amounts of money on hotel accommodations.

Send a message to the hotel and ask if you can book directly with them

Several hotels provide exclusive deals and promotions to guests who book directly with them. These offerings include discounts, complimentary upgrades, complimentary amenities, and unique packages, providing enhanced value for your money. In addition, hotels often offer a variety of rate options, such as non-refundable rates resulting in additional discounts or flexible rates that allow cancellation or date changes without charge, allowing you greater flexibility to align with your schedule and budget.

Direct booking facilitates direct communication with hotel staff, resulting in better customer service and personalized assistance. By directly interacting with the hotel staff, you are more likely to have your specific requests and preferences accommodated, so you will have a more enjoyable stay.

Be on the lookout for new openings

To establish its reputation and gather reviews, new hotels often introduce an introductory rate when opening their doors. This presents an excellent opportunity for consumers to take advantage of savings on luxury hotels that would normally be quite costly. It remains a fantastic method to grab a bargain even though not all hotels follow this practice (keep an eye out for smaller boutique establishments that do not have a well-known brand). The good news is that you do not need to spend endless hours scouring the internet to locate these new hotels, as there are numerous outstanding websites that have already done the hard work for you. Here are a few I recommend:

• Condé Nast Traveller
• Travel + Leisure
• Telegraph
• Harpers Bazaar



Take advantage of a credit card that rewards you for spending

While a credit card itself does not directly reduce the hotel's cost, there are a number of excellent credit cards that offer cashback or rewards. I personally use a British Airways American Express credit card, and I always make sure to pay for hotels with it. Consequently, I earn Avios points that I can redeem for flights. This approach allows you to be rewarded for your spending on hotels, particularly if you travel frequently. This is an excellent way to gain benefits for expenses you would have incurred even without this benefit.

In addition to the British Airways American Express card, there are other American Express credit cards that provide rewards such as complimentary upgrades, room credits, and occasionally double Avios points. However, to access these exclusive benefits, you will need to pay an annual fee associated with these premium cards. The annual fee grants you access to enhanced perks and rewards, making it a valuable option for those seeking additional benefits beyond the basic rewards.

It is also advantageous to join a loyalty program, even if you are not a frequent traveler, because you will receive exclusive hotel discounts. Hotel programs incentivize direct bookings by offering members discounted rates when making reservations through their channels. By taking advantage of this benefit, you can save a substantial amount of money on your accommodations.

Take advantage of low-cost options by booking with OTAS (online travel agencies)

For those who don't want to join hotel loyalty programs, there are websites and apps like Hotel Tonight and Priceline that offer last-minute bargain deals. These deals can save you a lot of money, but they also come with some risks.

First, you won't know which hotel you're getting until after you book. This can be a problem if you have a specific hotel in mind or if you have any allergies or dietary restrictions.

Second, these deals often don't include any perks like breakfast or Wi-Fi. You may also have to pay a premium for parking or other amenities.

Finally, there's always the risk that the hotel you get won't be as nice as you expected. This is especially true if you're booking a last-minute deal.

Overall, last-minute bargain deals can be a great way to save money on your hotel stay. However, it's important to be aware of the risks before you book.



Get a free upgrade on your hotel room

People think free room upgrades are as rare as low-calorie pizzas. But if you time your trip for the slow season and stay during the week, you might get lucky. Hotel staff are less stressed and more likely to be accommodating during these times.

Here are some tips for getting a free room upgrade:

• Be polite and ask when other guests are not around.
• Email the hotel 2-4 days before your arrival to ask about the possibility of an upgrade.
• Mention something personal about your trip, such as your anniversary or honeymoon.
• Ask about dinner or the spa. This shows that you are willing to spend money at the hotel.

Here are some reasons why you might get a free room upgrade:

• The hotel is not fully booked.
• You are a member of the hotel's loyalty program.
• You have a special request, such as a room with a view or a room on a higher floor.
• You are a celebrity or someone else who is important to the hotel.

Getting a free room upgrade is not guaranteed, but it is worth a try. Just be polite and ask nicely.

Ensure that you are not booking near a large event

If you're planning a trip to a popular destination during high season or a big event, you're likely to face higher accommodation prices. This is because demand for accommodation increases during these times, and hotels can charge more.

Our advice is to look at hotels further away from the event if you're not attending. This can save you a lot of money, and you'll still be able to enjoy the destination.

Here are some reasons why staying further away from the event can save you money:

• There will be less demand for accommodation. This means that hotels will be more likely to offer discounts.
• The prices will be lower. Hotels further away from the event will not be able to charge as much, as they are not as close to the action.
• You'll avoid the crowds. If you stay further away from the event, you'll be able to avoid the crowds and have a more peaceful stay.

Here are some tips for finding affordable accommodation further away from the event:

• Look for hotels that are not directly affiliated with the event. These hotels are more likely to offer discounts.
• Book your accommodation early. This will give you more options and allow you to take advantage of early bird discounts.
• Be flexible with your travel dates. If you're able to travel on weekdays or during the off-season, you'll be more likely to find a good deal.



Rebooking a hotel with free cancellation is a trick that can result in a savings if the price drops

When booking a hotel, most sites and hotels offer a free cancellation option up to a certain point before your stay. This can be a great way to save money if the price of your hotel drops after you book.

To take advantage of this, simply cancel your original booking and then rebook at the lower price. This can often be done with the same site or hotel that you booked with originally.

However, it's important to note that non-refundable rooms tend to be cheaper than rooms with free cancellation. So, you'll need to weigh up if paying more for free cancellation is worth it to you.

Even if cancelling your booking isn't free, it's still worth considering if the price has dropped by a significant amount. The cancellation charge may be small compared to the savings you could make.

Several websites have price promises and will refund a difference in price if a hotel is rebooked

Some websites offer price guarantees, which means that they will refund the difference if you find a cheaper price for the same hotel and dates. This is a great way to save money, even if you didn't book with free cancellation.

To take advantage of a price guarantee, you will need to find a comparable hotel that is cheaper than your original booking. The comparable hotel must be on exactly the same terms as your original booking, including the same room, hotel, dates, booking type, currency, and taxes and fees.

Secret hotels, where you find out the name of the hotel after you've paid, are generally excluded from price guarantees. Some loyalty scheme deals may also be excluded. It's also worth noting that screenshots are not accepted as proof of a cheaper price. The website you're claiming from must be able to find the deal themselves.



TAKE BENEFIT OF SOMEONE'S CHANGE IN PLAN

RoomerTravel should be on your radar if you have not heard of it previously. RoomerTravel is a marketplace where travelers can sell their non-refundable hotel reservations to others. This is a great way to save money on a hotel stay, as you can often find discounted rooms that would otherwise be unavailable.

To use RoomerTravel, simply search for the hotel and dates you're interested in. You'll then see a list of available rooms, along with the seller's asking price. If you find a room that you like, you can contact the seller to make a purchase.

RoomerTravel is a safe and secure platform, and all payments are processed through PayPal. So you can be confident that your transaction will be protected.