Whether you are a first time traveler or someone who’s been in the game for years, the hotel landscape is constantly changing and if you don’t keep up to date, you’re bound to get lost in the shuffle. Think you know the best way to get affordable traveling insurance or the best booking app? Think again! Here are the secret tips and tricks that big hotels don’t want you to know when you’re traveling.
Skip the Online Reservation System
Although it may seem easier, online booking may actually be costing you money. Every hotel has an 1800 number and you can make reservations directly and it can help you make the most out of your booking experience. Not only can you negotiate prices further down by calling a hotel directly, but you can also form a relationship with the hotel and show deep interest; which can also help you score big once you get there. Calling directly also helps prevent you from having to sign up for all those annoying email promotions.
Do Your Research
Research is the ultimate key to getting good deals like online savings and cheap insurance for travel, which some hotels may offer. Don’t simply go for the first choice you see, instead think about what you want out of your hotel and your travel experience and look up honest reviews online. Also, if you are looking to bring down your prices, make sure you look into what chains are owned by the same parent companies and which ones are owned by competitors. This way, you won’t waste your time haggling on a price that may or may not come down.
Same Day Booking
If you are planning a long road trip, you may not know where you will be or where you want to be during certain days of your trip. Booking in advance not only rushes you, but if you have to cancel you may get hit with serious fees. For those looking for a more malleable schedule, try same day booking. Not only does this allow you to mold your schedule however you want, but it may also bring down room prices. Often using the hotel phone services is the easiest way to make a reservation for same day booking and get the best price. Hotels want and need to rent all their rooms and if you rent the same day you are staying you’re getting the left over room they couldn’t’ already rent. Some profit is better than no profit for a hotel, so if you make your price point known, you have a better chance reaching it with this type of booking strategy.
Take Advantage of Free Upgrades
You don’t have to be a member of any loyalty programs for this fun perk! If you want a better room, first rent a room within your price range. Then, make sure you check in after 5pm, and simply request to be upgraded. By 6pm the hotel already knows what rooms they aren’t going to be able to rent for the night and are more likely to give you a free upgrade. Although this isn’t a full proof plan, you may find yourself scoring once or twice. If you do happen to be a rewards program member you may also be entitled to other upgrades that you wouldn’t be without the membership. To score these types of upgrades, check in late evening and talk to the hotel staff; they may be able to set you up with exactly what you want and need.
Loyalty Programs Reward Big
Almost every hotel has some type of club membership system that allows you to earn points to put towards your future stays with them. This is how hotels keep repeat customers, by offering loyalty programs most people just can’t refuse. So, if you find a chain you like ask them about their reward program and how to get a membership. You can get rewards like 10-15% off a room or a free stay. Being a rewards member can also get you perks if you’re trying to haggle in person. Hotel staff knows that someone who has a membership is serious and likes the hotel. They don’t want to anger a repeat customer, so they’re more willing to meet your requests in order to keep your business. Being loyal to one brand really can give you perks sometimes!
Go Independent
Although chain hotels can guarantee what type of room you’ll have, the service, and even streamline their online reservation system; sometimes chains just are too expensive. If you want to save money and don’t mind not knowing what to expect, independent hotels may be the choice for you. Local hotels that aren’t brands don’t have to pay franchise fees or uphold certain brand status symbols. Because of this the costs are down and they can afford to rent rooms out for more affordable prices. Although you can’t guarantee the quality of service, you can always check online reviews to see what others have experienced.
Look to Groupon
Forget your best booking app or going over loyalty points to try and scrape together deals, just visit Groupon. The site is easy to use and offers thousands of deals for anything from a new pair of shoes to event tickets and yes, even hotel stays. If you find yourself seriously in need of a good deal, Groupon is more than likely going to have a deal for at least one of the hotels you are considering. Just remember, deals on Groupon come and go often. Look for several months before your stay to find the best coupons. Those who love deals flock to this site for its unique take on couponing and for those looking for deals on travel especially, great deals run amuck for anything from small independent hotels to large, national chains.
Best booking app
Whether you just want to travel the world or simply need a way to keep costs down during business travel; these tricks will work great for you. From finding deals on cheap insurance to helping find the best travel rewards programs; these are all those things big hotels just don’t want you to know about. Well, now you know and it’s time to put them to the test.
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