Next to airfare, hotel accommodations are one of the largest expenses travelers have to endure. Vacationers don’t have to put up with sheets that feel like they’re made of cardboard, dingy bathrooms or funky smells coming from the carpet just to save a buck. Instead of sacrificing your comfort, there are many creative ways to get a comfortable room at an affordable price. Here are some creative ways to save on your next hotel stay.
Read More: How to Save Money for Vacation from 11 Travel Experts
13 Ways to Save Money on Hotel Stays
1. Book rooms during the off-season.
Summer, spring break and the holiday season are some of the most expensive times to book a hotel, as high demand can raise prices to a premium. If your schedule allows it, try to travel outside of the busiest tourist months for your destination. Not only will the hotel rates be more reasonable, the attractions will also be less crowded.
Also, make sure there aren’t any big events or conventions going on during your stay to avoid the worst price hikes. For example, events like Comic-Con in San Diego make hotel rates skyrocket.
2. Stay just outside the city’s center or attraction zones.
Shopping for hotel rooms just a mile or two from the city’s main attractions will help you find lower rates. You’ll have to spend a little more on transportation costs, but you can take public transpiration to get around, walk to truly absorb the sights, and some cities even have bike share programs.
3. Look beyond U.S. websites for lower international hotel rates.
International booking sites often offer different selections of hotel rooms than you’d find in U.S.-based sites, and price-comparing against these could help you find a much better deal. Check out Momondo.com, Agoda.com and Venere.com to search for international hotel rooms at affordable prices.
4. Bundle your trip.
Many travel sites like Expedia, Orbitz, Kayak and Priceline offer discounts if you bundle services like a car rental or airfare with a hotel stay. If you also a rewards program member for certain hotel chains or car rental companies, you can save even more. Even Costco offers affordable vacation packages to members.
5. Ask around for a better price.
If you found a great rate on a hotel room, it’s possible a nearby competitor will be willing to beat the price. This may seem a little awkward, but hey — you’ve got nothing to lose (as long as your reservation is refundable).
Consider calling the hotel and saying, “I have a room reserved nearby, but your reviews look better and I’m wondering if I should switch. Would you possibly be able to beat the price or offer a free upgrade?” The worst they can say is no, so it doesn’t hurt to try.
6. Use a credit card with hotel rewards
Some credit card companies offer hotel rewards programs, like the American Express has its Starwood Preferred Guest Card and Chase Marriott Rewards Premier Visa programs. Also, The Hotel Choice group, which includes Sleep In, Econo Lodge and Comfort Suites, offers a Visa card that gives new members four free nights with the purchase of one night’s stay.
Read: The Only 3 Travel Credit Cards Worth Carrying
7. Take advantage of the hotel’s continental breakfast.
There’s no need to spend money on breakfast if your hotel already provides it. Many hotels, like Holiday Inn Express, offer a variety of breakfast options at no cost to the customer — you might even be able to snag an apple or banana to snack on later. Eating this free ave your money for a more memorable dining experience, like dinner at a popular local restaurant.
8. Skip the mini bar and bottled water.
That basket of snacks and nice, big bottle of water next to your freshly made bed sure seems like a nice gesture, but partaking of the contents will cost you … a lot. Some hotels charge as much as $10 for a basic bottle of water, so be sure you know what is and is not included in your nightly rate. Stock the room mini fridge with your own snacks and beverages to help you resist the temptation.
9. Check for online hotel discounts.
Hotel room discounts go well beyond your basic online booking sites. Companies like Groupon, LivingSocial and other flash sales sites often have incredible discounts on hotel rooms and vacation packages. Booking sites like Hotels.com also can offer coupon code discounts or limited-time offers that can knock your hotel bill down a bit.
10. Know the common hotel discounts.
You can save money on hotel rooms, museum and movie tickets, restaurants and more by taking advantage of some very common discounts. Often hotels and other businesses offer special rates for teachers, students, alumni, federal and emergency workers, AAA members, military personnel and AARP members. Check with the hotel or the qualifying organizations to find out which ones you can take advantage of.
Related: 7 Ways to Save on Last-Minute Travel
11. Analyze the entertainment package.
Many travel companies will sell entertainment packages that claim to offer discounted rates on events, spa services or tickets to local attractions, but they might not be discounted and could include activities you’re not interested in. Research the prices for each service or attraction beforehand and calculate the costs — you might save more paying for these entertainment and activities individually.
12. Ask for a room upgrade.
According to BudgetTravel.com, your best chance to get a room upgrade is to check in close to 6 p.m. and simply ask for one. By this time, most hotel clerks know which rooms are available for the night and there could an upgrade ready and waiting just for you.
13. Get hotel price change alerts.
Budget Travel also recommends searching sites like Yapta.com and TripDibs to get price alerts when rates go down, and the latter even locks in certain rates while you continue to comparison shop. TripDibs only has a few participating hotels, but hopefully the concept will continue to catch on.
This article originally appeared on GOBankingRates.com: How to Book a Hotel for Less Money
This article by Morgan Quinn first appeared on GoBankingRates.com and was distributed by the Personal Finance Syndication Network.
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