This oldie-but-goodie tip is born of experience. And given that we are heading into the summer travel season, it bore repeating and I had to pass it along. Last year, two times that I have had a hotel to book, I searched early and found some reasonable deals. I booked through the hotel’s website directly and waited patiently.
A couple of weeks before I was scheduled to check in, I started to check the websites again. I checked Trivago, Kayak and the hotel websites. Still no change, so I waited. Same thing occurred the week before.
Then, I caught a break. The day before my scheduled check-ins, the prices changed. In one instance, the price dropped $50 for the night. I quickly booked that rate and then (after getting the confirmation), I cancelled the other reservation.
The other savings instance the offer was a bit different. The rate was the same but included in the same rate was a $50 food and beverage credit. This was perfect because I had planned to spend a quiet evening by the hotel pool and grab a bite of room service. I immediately called the hotel front desk (not the main reservations line they always want to connect you with), and told them about the new credit. I didn’t even have to cancel my rate; they just added the credit on to my account.
Something similar happened a few years ago when I was booking a hotel before and after a cruise out of San Juan, Puerto Rico. When I originally booked, there were no points rates available, but a week or two before the cruise, there was a points option that would have allowed a small number of points plus only $60 a night. Score.
So the moral of the story is check early and late. As hotels get closer to the dates and realize they have a number of vacancies, a lot of times you can score a sweet deal or some added perks to lessen your bottom line.
And always remember to look for special rates. If you have AAA, most hotels throw in additional discounts. That’s how I got the $50 food and beverage credit: it was on a AAA deal. Other special rates include those for senior citizens, veterans, and even residents of certain states. Starwood properties, for example, often offer special rates for in-state residents.
For more tips and tricks on how to get the best travel deals, sign up for the BarrisTourista and get a 5-Page Travel Deals Mini Guide with ways to scoop up great deals!
These are great tips. Thanks I am planning a trip and need a good deal. I will to keep checking the price on the room.
I’ve been planning on my NYFW trip in February of next year. Some of these should really help as I’m planning to make hotel reservations.
These are excellent tips! I am already planning for a couple of trips for 2016 and love to save a dollar.
these are great tips! I’ll definitely be looking when I book upcoming trips
These are all right on the money! I used to work as a reservationist for a 5-star boutique hotel— sometimes the best rates were gotten through calling us directly. I’ve blocked people into specific rooms and added extras to people’s reservations, just as a result of them calling and having a positive conversation!
Kerri, exactly! That is going to be another tip… calling the hotel directly! I have gotten many great upgrades and savings doing that!
As my kids are getting older, traveling is something we enjoy. Great ideas.
Thanks. This will come in handy. I will benefit from your travel savy.
Great tip! Deals are important. Thanks for sharing!
This are great tips that I try to be mindful of those few times I book a hotel (Oddly I only book this kind of lodging for business now, and Air BnB for leisure).
Great tips I want the family to fly to Miami right after Christmas. Purchasing four tickets is pricey, so I need the biggest bang for my buck.
Yeah right after Christmas is the most expensive time for warm destinations! It is horrible value-wise!
Good tips. Checking cross-brand promotions and discounts is always a forgotten one, but so lucrative.
Great tip and one that I often forget. I love the time you got the extra food and beverage credit! What a win….
I love this tip! I pinned it to remember it often. I travel quite a bit and it is so aggravating to book a room and then find it somewhere else cheaper!
Rena, yes! I hate that. I post new tips every Thursday so be sure to come back and also check old tips in the Tyra’s Travel Tips category (and sign up for a travel deals cheatsheet for FREE 🙂
I love these tips. We are planning on going away in a few weeks and I will be trying to implement some of these ideas!
Thanks Jenn. Check out the blog every Thursday in the Tyra’s Tips and Tricks category. I am all about traveling well but for great prices! And if you sign up, you get a bonus Travel Deals Cheatsheet to score amazing deals!
I hadn’t thought of checking back after making the reservation. I always book our hotel rooms online and do my best to price shop. I’ll try this the next time we go away!
I’ve always been the one that thought the earlier the better. Looks like that’s not always the best. Thanks for the tips.
I am an earlier the better person too Alli. But I start to make sure I am not missing out right before. I think it’s the best of both worlds.
We went away last weekend for a football game. My hubby kept checking the sites until the week before to try and get a better deal. Sadly we didn’t 🙁 everything was booked up because of the game, but I agree to keep checking back. You never know when something better will pop up
Savannah, yeah surrounding footballs (especially with it being homecoming season) is always tough. But always check… it could be something like a food credit. And use AAA rates if you have it!
I’m printing this out so I can remember for my summer vacation. What great tips you have!
Thanks, Dina! Every Thursday, I post a new tip and trick so check out the “Tyra’s Travel Tips” category. And if you sign up, you get a bonus Travel Deals Cheat Sheet to use to get great deals!
Those are great tips. I know we usually rush for the early price thinking it is best, but with hotels that is not always the case.
These are great tips! Travelling is fun but hotels can be expensive if you don’t plan far enough in advance.
these are some awesome tips. my family and i are wanting to start traveling more so we’ll definitely be using these tips!
Nice! I love the feeling of money remaining in my account. I’ll definitely try these tips out. What about cancellation or change fees? Have you ever ran into that?
Thanks for the great tips. I did not know that here were different rates depending on the time you book. I will keep this handy and share it with my brother whose work always has him traveling.
Thanks for all the tips. You travel bloggers inspire me to get up and go somewhere! Even if just to a hotel.
woww…you gave me superb idea. thanks!!! now I am gonna plan my holiday 😉
Great tips! We don’t travel or stay elsewhere often as our kiddos are still a bit young but I look forward to traveling more, and stays away from home as they get older!
I agree completely…when booking trips (hotel, air, etc) I check at least 5-10 times a day (at different times each day). It makes such a difference!
I need to save this information because I’m terrible at deciding last minute and getting a crappy deal.
These are all great tips on getting a great deal for a hotel room! I will have to remember these the next time I book a room!!
Thanks for the tips. I am in the process of travelling and these tips will definitely come in handy. Thank you for sharing.
A friend of mine gave me the same advice the other day, she ran into the same kind of drama when booking flights for a daughters bday party in Las Vegas…
Thanks for the tips! I’ve usually tried to book early, but should more often look again at the last minute. It all comes down to asking, I guess!
Two great tips just in the title! Searching way before your trip is a good way to make sure you are going to get the best price you can. You can even check for when some of them do discounts and such and go then.