Cost saving ideas: Saving money on hotels

Are you interested in saving money on hotels?

My best tips for saving money on hotels during your travels are things that I’ve learned over the years through some trial and error.

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1. Book early to save money on midrange hotels

I can’t emphasize this one enough. If you book at the last minute generally you are left with the most expensive hotel rooms at the highest prices or cheap hotel rooms that aren’t very nice to stay in.

The best selection of mid-range hotels or condos will be available well in advance and they will be booked very quickly. I usually book my accommodations as soon as I am even thinking about going to visit a location, sometimes from nine months to a year in advance. Although it is possible to get a last-minute deal or for something to become available last minute in my experience prices usually rise as you get closer to your travel dates.

 2. Reserve with flexible options whenever possible – even if you have to pay more

Before the pandemic, I would always look for the lowest-cost option which was often non-refundable. I assumed that I would probably go on my trip no matter what. I now have a greater appreciation that life happens, global pandemics are a thing, people get injured or sick, family members pass away unexpectedly, and flights can be cancelled.

After going through the hassle of trying to get my money back due to Covid I’ve changed my ways. I almost always book accommodation where I pay nothing until I stay, or if I have to put down a deposit I look for generous cancellation policies where I can cancel for free until as late as possible.

Flexible bookings are basically free or low-cost travel insurance because you can book and cancel at any time, often with no obligation to pay anything upfront. Even if you have to pay a bit more to stay it is still worth it for the flexibility unless you have already purchased travel insurance. If you have the flexibility to cancel you can continue to look around for a better price but will still have a guaranteed place to stay if you don’t find something better.

3. Book during non-peak periods and weekdays

Hotels have peak seasons and low seasons and the rates you pay will reflect the time of year that you book. Generally booking during the summer holiday season, over Christmas, and during school holidays will result in you paying the highest rate. Mid-week bookings can also be lower than booking on weekends in some hotels and locations.

It may not always be possible to book off-season or to book mid-week but if you do have flexible dates, check the prices during peak season and again during shoulder or low season dates to see if you are saving enough money on the hotel to make it worthwhile to change your dates.

4. Carefully consider the location of your hotel or apartment, any hidden costs, and if you are really saving money on hotels

I recommend booking in central areas with easy access to low-cost transportation and amenities. In most cities, you will have the option to book right in the central tourist district, close to mass transportation, or somewhere further away from the centre.

Often there are lovely accommodations available further away on the outskirts for a much lower price. Is it really a bargain? You need to carefully consider what the hidden costs are to determine if you are really saving money on hotels, and if both time and money saved is worth staying further away.

Consider the following:

• How will you arrive at your destination? If you take a taxi to and from your hotel how much will that cost?
• Will you need to leave the area to get to the main tourist sites and if so, how will you get there?
• If you travel to central areas by subway, bus, or Uber/taxi how long will it take you to get to the main tourist areas what will it cost you per trip? How many times will you need to do this?
• Are you in close walking distance to transit and to other amenities you will need such as grocery stores or restaurants?
• If you are driving, how much does it cost to rent a vehicle for the days you need it?
• Is free parking available or will you need to pay to park? If so, how much will this cost you both at your hotel and any locations you will be visiting?
• If you are planning to take a guided tour will they pick you up and drop you off where you are staying? Many tours will only pick up and drop off in central tourist areas.
• Is there a resort fee? How much is it per night?
• Is there a city tax applied to your booking?

These hidden costs can add up quickly and exceed the upfront cost of booking a hotel or condo in the central tourist district. I almost always book in the best possible location, close to transit, even if I have to give up a bit in terms of how new the furnishings are or how fancy the hotel or condo is.

5. Look for mobile-only pricing

If you find a hotel or condo and like saving money on hotels, search for hotels using your smartphone or Ipad. I’m not sure why but several times I have found the exact same property and room on the exact same website at a lower cost just because I booked it on my phone instead of a desktop or laptop.

6. Shop around and compare different options, even for the same hotel or apartment you’ve already booked

Prices can change over time for hotels and condos even with the same provider so I always keep shopping around even when I’ve already booked something. This is why I love the “pay when you stay option” on Booking.com or Hotels.com. I will often book several different hotels and then later cancel the ones I don’t want for free. There is zero obligation, you don’t pay anything upfront, and you can cancel for free if you find a better option, or if your hotel room has a discounted price later on.

Be sure to compare prices of the hotel or condo on different sites by checking the following:

• Check the price of your hotel room with other providers to see if the cost or terms of the booking are more favourable with another provider for the hotel you want.
• Always check the price of booking directly on the hotel website instead of through a third-party booking company. Sometimes you will get a better price.
• Compare the price of an AirBnB or VRBO condo to the price of hotels. Recently, I was looking for hotels in Waikiki and I found that the prices were hundreds to thousands of dollars lower to stay in a VRBO instead of a hotel. I also didn’t have to pay a hefty resort fee for each night of my stay at the VRBO but I would have had to at a hotel. We also decided to buy a few groceries and drinks and have breakfast and a few lunches in our condo which saved a lot of money. I don’t know why there was such a dramatic price difference between a hotel and VRBO but I am glad I checked.
• Watch for price drops. There may be sales from time to time and the exact same accommodations that you booked will drop in price even with the same provider. Monitor the price periodically and if the price is lower be sure to rebook at the lower price and cancel your original booking. If you booked with flexible cancellation you will still be able to do this and won’t be locked in.

7. Enroll in loyalty programs, reward, or discount services

Sign up for free loyalty programs with hotels, credit cards, or specific discount services. I regularly save anywhere from 10-20% off of hotels, sometimes with free room upgrades through the Booking.com Genius loyalty program. Hotels.com, Expedia, and VRBO have a free One Key loyalty program where you will earn points called One Key Cash that can be used toward booking accommodations, car rentals, and flights through any of them.

Sometimes you may already be eligible for programs that will provide you with a discount so it is worth your time to check your existing credit card benefits, professional association perks, or memberships. Perkopolis is a free service offered through my professional association and many AMA members will also have discounts on hotel rooms. There is a wide range of credit cards available and many of them will have travel benefits whether it is travel insurance, discounts towards specific purchases, or free miles, points, or dollars towards future travel.

I haven’t personally benefitted a lot from hotel chain loyalty programs because I usually don’t stay at the same hotel chain all the time. However, they are usually free to join and if you travel for work or are a frequent guest of the same chain you may be eligible for promotions and discounts. All of the big hotel chains have loyalty programs and some popular ones include Accor Live Limitless, Marriot Bonvoy, World of Hyatt, Wyndham Rewards, Choice Privileges, Hilton Honors, IHG Rewards, Iprefer, or Best Western Rewards.

8. Watch for Black Friday, Cyber Monday, or other sales

There is no guarantee that your specific hotel will be on sale on these dates but I always check prices around these big sales dates as sometimes I will find a great deal. Since I usually book with a flexible cancellation option, I would just cancel the old booking and rebook at the sales price.

9. Keep an eye out for promotions at newly opened hotels

If you don’t have a specific hotel in mind, keep an eye out for hotels that have just recently opened. Many new hotels will have promotional rates or will include things for free if you book early on. Hotels are eager to get positive reviews online and will sometimes offer travellers extra freebies, and upgrades, or will go the extra mile to ensure you tell others about your positive experience staying with them. For example, I stayed at a brand-new hotel in Cayo Santa Maria, Cuba called Melia Las Dunas and they offered us a free bottle of rum and a large basket of fresh fruit in our room as a welcome gift.

10. Get free accommodation

Yes, its true that you can stay in beautiful homes around the world at a fraction of the cost by becoming a member of a reputable program. TrustedHousesitters.com and HomeExchange.com are two of the most trusted and respected global communities of explorers seeking to cut their accommodation costs.

Trusted Housesitters

Have you heard of TrustedHousesitters.com? It’s a community of adventurous souls who have discovered an innovative way to explore the world without breaking the bank. Explore the wide range of house-sitting opportunities on the website. Filter your searches to find assignments in your dream destinations.

As a member of TrustedHouseSitters.com, you can access a wide array of house-sitting opportunities across the globe. Homeowners seek responsible individuals to care for their homes and pets while they’re away. House sitters are verified and complete background checks. In exchange, you get to stay in these homes for free, providing you with comfortable, private accommodation.

House sitting gives you an opportunity to immerse yourself in the local culture and lifestyle. Many house-sitting assignments involve taking care of adorable pets. If you’re an animal lover, this is a fantastic perk.

TrustedHouseSitters.com offers various membership options and the Basic Sitter plan starts at $169 CDN ($123 USD) annually. Once you see the benefits, you can choose a membership plan that suits your travel frequency. After signing up, create a comprehensive profile that showcases your experience and reliability. Couples and families can also complete a housesit as long as this is mentioned in your profile. The more detailed your profile, the more attractive you’ll be to homeowners.

Home Exchange

Another fantastic money-saving strategy is to become a member of HomeExchange.com. You can swap your property with another member or use a credit system to stay in a location of your choice in over 130 countries worldwide. I wrote about a couple I know who were members of HomeExchange.com for over 10 years and they explained how they booked free accommodation across Canada using Home Exchange credits.

To get started, anyone can browse or set up a home profile for free on the Home Exchange website.  Similar to an AirBnB listing, you can search for accommodation in the location you want to stay that has the amenities that you need. There are all types of properties available from large properties and houses, condos, tiny homes, cozy cottages, B&B’s, secondary suites, rooms, or even boats.

Both parties connect to discuss the dates and details of the exchange before having it officially booked through the Home Exchange website. You do not have to have a reciprocal exchange with each other because there is a credit system. You host guests at your own property to earn credits, and bank credits for future exchanges wherever you want to go.

If you decide to go ahead with the exchange you would pay your membership fee which is currently $220 CAD ($160 USD) per year. Home Exchange offers a guarantee in your first year, so if you search but don’t find an exchange you can get a second year of membership free of charge.

11. Volunteer

A great way to combine travel with purpose and to give back to causes you care about is to volunteer. International Volunteer HQ (IVHQ) is trustworthy organization of volunteer travel experts that provides services to help you in organizing your trip and supporting you from start to finish.

You can search for your preferred destination and type of project or ask for a recommendation. To get started submit a free application online so that IVHQ can check that your eligible for your chosen program and that there is availability for your preferred dates. Once you’ve been accepted on your chosen program, the next step is to save your spot by paying the Registration Fee. You can make free changes to your destination, project or start date right up until 14 days before your start date.

Your entire in-country experience as an international volunteer is organized for you by IVHQ’s knowledgeable local teams. IVHQ charges a registration fee of $329 to pay for their services. All volunteers who have completed an IVHQ program are eligible to receive a 10% discount off their Registration Fee when they register for their next IVHQ program. IVHQ offers an affordable, convenient, and hassle-free way to volunteer abroad.

A Program Fee is paid in addition and is passed on to the local team and organization hosting you in-country to cover the expenses associated with your stay, including your airport pick-up, orientation, accommodation, food and staff support to ensure that your volunteer program goes as smoothly as possible. Program fees also benefit the local community, as they are directly invested into locally-driven initiatives and employment opportunities for local people. You don’t need to pay your Program Fee until 30 days before your start date.

Your Program Fee typically includes:

• Accommodation
• Meals
• Airport pick-up 
• 24/7 in-country support 
• In-country orientation
• Discounts on local activities

Program Fees vary depending on the cost of living in the countries where you’ll be volunteering and the duration of your program. If you are looking for a short-term volunteer abroad program, IVHQ’s Peru – Lima, India – Delhi, South Africa and Nepal programs have the most affordable Program Fees, starting from just $275 for 1 week.

There are only a few things you need to organize yourself, such as visas, flights, and travel insurance. IVHQ will support you, answer questions, and you will have access to discounted flights, and a travel insurance partnership with IVHQ partner rates.

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Get the best deal by following these tips for saving money on a hotel

I usually book my own hotels and condos and these tried and true methods worked for me and are recommended if you are interested in saving money on a hotel.

1. Book early
2. Reserve with flexible options
3. Book during non-peak periods and weekdays
4. Consider hidden costs
5. Look for mobile only pricing
6. Shop around
7. Enroll in loyalty, reward or discount programs
8. Watch for sales
9. Keep an eye out for promotions at newly opened hotels
10. Get free accommodation
11. Volunteer

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