Vacations are a great way to relax and explore new areas, but they can get expensive. Hotel stays, in particular, can cost quite a bit.
Fortunately, there are a few simple ways to find hotel discounts. Let’s look at the key ways to find hotel discounts while planning your next trip.
Look for flexible dates
Unless you’re traveling for a specific event or holiday, booking your hotel stay around the time of your desired date may help you find a friendlier price. Check prices a few days before and a few days after you’re considering staying. You can also change the dates of your stay, such as to an off-season period, to find lower prices. Staying midweek may also be less expensive than staying on the weekends.
Extending your stay may also help you get a lower rate. Some hotels may offer lower daily rates if you stay multiple nights or even a special discount if you plan to stay for a week or longer. You can find out if a hotel has limited time offers by looking at their website or calling the hotel.
Book within two weeks of traveling
Booking your hotel closer to the date of your stay can sometimes make it easier to find discounts. More specifically, booking within about two weeks of your travel date sometimes can be the best time to book a hotel.
However, the opposite is true if you are traveling during the holidays, which can mean an increase in hotel prices. Remember, booking a hotel at the last-minute can be risky, especially if you’re not flexible on your booking dates.
Expand your location
If you’re okay with staying a little farther away, looking for areas around your desired location can help you find lower prices. More popular areas tend to be more expensive because they allow you to easily walk to restaurants and tourist destinations.
If you expand your hotel search to an area a bit further from the main streets of your destination, you might find a better price. If you’re staying somewhere with good public transportation and rideshare options, you can save on hotels while still having easy access to the places you want to visit during the day.
Use your credit card reward points
You can use your credit card reward points to book hotel stays. Some travel portals like Citi TravelSM can also let you earn points when you book travel on eligible cards. You can also easily compare the prices of different hotels. Check whether your credit card has these offers and tools to help you plan and prepare for your next trip. You might also want to consider these perks when choosing your next credit card.
Disclosure: This article is for educational purposes. It is not intended to provide legal, investment, or financial advice and is not a substitute for professional advice. It does not indicate the availability of any Citi product or service. For advice about your specific circumstances, you should consult a qualified professional.
