HOW TO BOOK THE CHEAPEST HOTEL POSSIBLE (UPDATED 2018)
Jan 24, 2018 12:20PM
Next to plane tickets, accommodation is the biggest chunk of any trip. As echoed in our post on how to book the cheapest flight possible, the Internet has brought with it a monstrous pile of booking sites – many of which offer different prices even for the exact same hotel. These days, it’s far too easy to waste your time and your money when planning.
To simplify things, we’ve laid out the cheapest accommodation booking options out there. That includes sharing the best ways to snag a deal (even free!), to our ultimate hotel hacks and tips. Here’s how to book the cheapest accommodation possible (now updated for 2018)!
1. Sign in for savings That one minute it takes to sign up on a hotel or booking website can amount to some serious members-only savings. Skeptical? Check our example below or try comparing for yourself!
Many booking sites offer rewards programs (where you earn credit or free nights after a certain # of bookings) or members programs (where a membership earns you exclusive discounts). If you’re hesitant to sign up because your inbox is perma-flooded with e-mails, fear not! You can still snag deals with a one-time sign-up to get a log-in ID, click “unsubscribe†from all e-mails thereafter.
A few companies that take advantage of members-only rewards programs include: *Expedia (earn members-only prices) *Hotels.com (earn members-only prices and points – after 9 stays your 10th is free) *Booking.com (earn members-only prices) *Agoda (earn members-only prices) *C-trip (in China – earns account credit with each booking)
2. Use the best search engines As you’ve probably learnt by now, not all booking services are created equal. Many sites tack on sneaky commissions to already inflated rates. The websites we’ve found to consistently have the best prices that also search broadly include: *Expedia (good for members only and last-minute deals) *Hotels Combined (combines multiple hotel and hostel search engines including Hostelbookers) *Booking.com (offers special rates with free membership) *Hotels.com (often has coupons)
Thrifty Tips: Reserve as far in advance as possible for best price – intentionally waiting for last-minute deals is a huge gamble, especially considering tip #3 (up next)!
3. “Hold†great rates by booking ahead with free cancellation Booking a reservation that has “free cancellation†can help you secure great rates in advance. Most booking sites have free cancellation on the majority of listings, but always be sure of the cancellation policy and check how long that is valid for (e.g. sometimes it’s only free cancellation until 48 hours before the booking date).
While this is a great way to hold an exceptionally good rate, many booking sites like Expedia and Hotels.com will offer an even greater discount if you book a non-refundable rate. It pays to plan ahead!
Finally, don’t make a habit of “holding†infinite hotel rooms/dates – hotel owners don’t enjoy repeated cancellations!
4. Collect points for free or upgraded hotel stays Every major hotel chain has a rewards program, letting you earn points that can be exchanged for free hotel stays or upgrades to your room. What you may not realize is that hotel booking sites have started their own loyalty programs too. The advantage with earning points on a booking site is that you can earn points when staying at any hotel, not just one chain. So if you stay at the Hilton one night and the Marriott the next, both stays will earn you points as long as you book with the same booking site.
Some booking sites that have their own loyalty programs are: *Expedia+ Rewards: Earn points on flights, hotels, car rentals, vacation packages, and more. Earn even more with an Expedia+ credit card. *Hotels.com Rewards: Collect 10 nights across any hotels, get 1 night free. *Orbitz Rewards: Earn points on flights, hotels, car rentals, vacation packages, and more. Earn even more with an Orbitz Visa card.
Loyalty programs with hotel chains can still be a great option. Many hotels offer exclusive perks and pricing to members of their program, such as late check-out and complimentary internet access. Most hotel programs are well connected with many partners, allowing you to earn points through credit cards, flights, car rentals, online shopping, and more.
