Practical Tips to Save Money on Hotel Stays for Frequent Travelers
Travel Guides (Photo credit: Vanessa (EY))
If you are one of those people who need to travel every so often, maybe for business or maybe because you love to explore new places every time you get the chance to do so, you know that flight and accommodation expenses. Luxurious hotels and first class airlines are fine if you’re traveling once in a blue moon; however, you will have to be careful with your expenditures if you are traveling more frequently.
Compare Prices
It doesn’t matter if we’re talking about hotel stays or purchasing diapers for your babies; one of the first things you should do is to compare prices. It’s likely that two providers will be offering totally different prices for pretty much the same products or services. Reasons for this vary but could be due to a grand opening, trying to attract new customers or a promotion. With the advent of Internet and all those price comparison websites, there’s no reason why you shouldn’t be taking advantage of the resources available. Even if you can’t find a price comparison website for the place you will be traveling, you can simply ask locals once you’ve reached the destination. Doing so will ensure that you’re not paying an insane amount for a service that was available for much less.
Compare Amenities
When someone is looking for a hotel, they’re essentially looking for a place to sleep at night. Regardless of your purpose for traveling, you’ll be spending most of your time away from your hotel, but that doesn’t mean you should make a decision based solely on the availability of room. There are many more factors and the amenities to consider such as a breakfast offering, laundry facility, swimming pool, Wi-Fi Internet, meeting room, gym, and the likes. So, while comparing prices make sure to compare the entire package and not just a room.
Loyalty Programs
Many hotels or chains offer loyalty programs for customers who choose to stay in one of their hotels every time they are traveling. Needless to say, if you are a frequent traveler, you must take advantage of these loyalty programs, and you’ll be amazed by the discounts and the money you’ll save. However, make sure to do your research on the hotel and the discounts and perks offered before committing to a loyalty program. You will have to stick to this hotel or chain in order to reap the benefits.
Special Offer Websites
When you are traveling to a well-known city or region, you can always check websites that offer specials and discounts. Every now and then, you’ll find a great deal; however, you need to be careful and not make online reservations without looking around for reviews to make sure you’re dealing with a reputable name.
Avoid the Peak Days
If you can be a little flexible with your dates and timings, you will be able to get discounted prices from hotels while booking a room in the off-peak days and seasons. Certain days and times of year are more popular and lodging will be more expensive during these times. But once the peak days are over, hotels won’t mind offering hefty discounts because they aren’t booked to full capacity.
About The Author: Natasha Mesty has traveled many places and she writes about her traveling experiences from time to time. She recommends the Comfort Inn Hotel in North Hollywood California which offers affordable rates and all sorts of amenities like free breakfast, wireless Internet and satellite TV.
Category: Travel
