Checking in on a Thursday or Friday is advantageous because that’s when most business travelers will be heading home.
Sites like Kayak, Expedia, and Priceline will give you an overview of the available hotels at your destination.
If you are unfamiliar with the hotel, look up some reviews to see what other customers have said about the accommodations, cleanliness, and service quality.
This is one of the best ways to get a better deal on pricing. If you are celebrating a special event, like a wedding, anniversary, or birthday, mention this while you are on the phone. You may get a free room upgrade or a special amenities kit. [5] X Research source
Sites like Travelocity and Orbitz let you input your travel dates, locations, and preferred travel class and will give you a list of paired flights and hotel bookings that you can choose from. Some of these bundles will also include a car rental, which could potentially save you even more money!
If you are going to join a loyalty program, pick 1 and stick with it to ensure you are using all the available discounts.
You can also take advantage of booking someone else’s cancelled reservation this way. This option works best if you are traveling for leisure or by yourself for business, rather than if you are attending a big event or conference. Bigger events mean rooms will be booked up early in the season.
Better yet, go to the hotel directly and talk to someone at the desk. Face to face is often a better way to make a connection with someone if you’re asking for a deal.
Stop into these new hotels rather than making a reservation on the phone. This way you can check out the surroundings to make sure they’ll meet your expectations.
Cards like Discover and Capital One Venture offer cash back money or bonus points that can be redeemed for hotel stays. Check what discounts your current credit card company can give you.
You have to be okay with leaving things to chance a little bit, but this can be a great way to get a good room for a good price last minute. Your credit card is charged as soon as your bid is accepted, so you have to be willing to go with the flow to take advantage of this option. You can’t change or cancel the reservation.
