It is becoming harder and harder to get cheap hotel rooms in the U.S. in the last few years. Let’s learn the tips on how you can get affordable rooms without blowing your budget and get a memorable stay.
As of Dec. 2019, the average daily rate (ADR) of hotels in the U.S. is $125.55, according to Statista. Despite this figure, it is still possible to find cheap rooms in the country using these takeaways:
- Price match.
Price matching is not only for stores like Waltermart or Best Buy. Even hotels can do a price match. It works when a hotel offers to match the competitor’s lower price.
Many may not be aware of it because they do not advertise it. However, price matches are available in hotels and their third-party sites.
All you have to do is to price match a competitor’s price and submit the cheaper-price link as proof. Some hotels may reward you for a free stay after staying there for a couple of nights.
- Find Home Away From Home.
You can find good and cheap accommodations not only in hotels. A good trick is to look for last-minute deals on HomeAway, a vacation rental marketplace.
Negotiate with the homeowners to get cheap accommodation. Since it is a last-minute booking, they will be more pressured to give you it to your price for the fear of missing out.
- Compare.
This is basic and should not be ignored. If you want to get affordable hotels, you have to visit multiple sites to compare.
Take advantage of their promotional codes. Check out extra bonuses like WiFi, breakfast, and parking.
Although you are visiting different sites, don’t forget the hotel’s own site. Some hotels give a lower rate than the third-party sites if you book directly from them.
- Bargain.
This technique seems similar to price match but this one allows you to reach hotels directly. After you have selected a few hotels, grab the phone and give them a ring.
Inform them that you’ve found another site offering a lower price. Ask them if they can lower the price for you. Bargaining a hotel room results in about 80 percent better room rates.
- Look for internet bookings.
Look for hotels on the internet as they often come at an unbeatable rate. Usually, you can see terms like “corporate” and “best available” indicated to indicate best buys.
You should be extra careful though because booking over the internet usually has these strict rules: no cancellations, no changes, and full payment when booking. What’s good with online booking is that hotels and third-party sites often release great deals every now and then.
You should subscribe to get updates so that you wouldn’t miss these deals. For example, Sheraton and Westin hotels offer their weekly “Starpicks’ ‘ destinations that give guests a 20 percent off if they stay between Wednesday and Saturday.
- Prove your age or affiliation.
Older guests can take advantage of the 5 to 10 percent discount on lower-priced hotels. You just have to prove that you’re affiliated with AARP.
If you’ll be booking at Best Western, you only have to prove that you’re at least 55 years old. You can also get discounts if you’re a government employee, affiliated in the military, and a member of groups like AAA.
- Stay loyal.
Loyal guests deserve some rewards too. Some hotels give them extra privileges for staying loyal to them such as future discounts, room upgrades, free nights, airline miles, and rental-car savings.
You can also enjoy added perks like access to hotel club lounges (Hyatt Gold Passport), late checkout (Marriott Rewards), fast check-in, and weekend discounts if you’re a loyal guest.
- Pick other accommodation options.
If hotels are too pricey for you, you can still book a comfy accommodation like an apartment, room, and houses like the one on HomeAway and Airbnb. Backpackers and budget travelers can save a lot with hostels.
- Go outside the city.
The location can increase the price of the hotel room. If you want to save a few bucks, why not check out the accommodations outside the city and accessible to public transports?
- Stay on mid-week.
If you can be a little flexible, book your stay in a hotel during mid-week rather than Friday and Saturday. The majority of hotels offer huge discounts if you stay between Sunday and Thursday.
If you are flexible, you can land a decent hotel room without breaking your bank. Apply these simple tactics that can help save a few bucks and make your stay more enjoyable.
Categories: Travel
