Booking a hotel can be one of the biggest expenses when planning a trip, but using travel websites like Expedia, Hotels.com, and Costco Travel can help you save money. Here’s how to make the most out of these platforms and get the best deals on your hotel stays.
1. Use Expedia for Wide Options and Regular Sales
Expedia is one of the most popular travel websites, offering a wide range of hotel options. They frequently run promotions and sales, especially if you book a flight and hotel together. Here’s how to take advantage of Expedia:
- Check Regular Sales: Expedia often has sales and discounts. Sign up for their newsletter to stay updated on the latest deals.
- Bundle Deals: Consider booking your flight and hotel together. Expedia offers significant discounts for bundled bookings.
- Rewards Program: Join the Expedia Rewards program. You earn points for every booking, which you can use to save on future trips.
2. Take Advantage of Hotels.com Rewards
Hotels.com is another excellent choice, especially for frequent travelers. They offer a great rewards program where you can earn free nights.
- Rewards Program: For every ten nights you book through Hotels.com, you earn a free night. This can add up quickly if you travel often.
- Secret Prices: Sign up for Hotels.com’s free membership to access secret prices and special discounts that aren’t available to the general public.
- Price Match Guarantee: If you find a lower price elsewhere, Hotels.com will match it. This ensures you’re always getting the best deal.
3. Benefit from Costco Travel’s Exclusive Deals
Costco Travel offers some of the best deals for Costco members. They often bundle additional perks with hotel bookings.
- Exclusive Member Deals: Costco Travel provides exclusive deals for members, which can include discounts and special packages.
- Additional Perks: When you book through Costco Travel, you might get extra benefits like resort credits, free breakfast, or complimentary upgrades.
- Vacation Packages: Costco Travel also offers vacation packages that can save you money when you bundle hotel, flights, and car rentals.
4. Book Well in Advance and Use Fully Refundable Options
One of the best strategies to save money on hotel bookings is to plan ahead.
- Book Early: Hotels often offer lower rates for bookings made well in advance. By booking early, you lock in a good rate before prices go up.
- Fully Refundable Bookings: Choose fully refundable options when you book. This gives you the flexibility to cancel if you find a better deal later.
- Recheck Prices: As your trip gets closer, check hotel prices again. If you find a cheaper rate, you can book the new deal and cancel your original, fully refundable booking.
Final Tips for Saving Money on Hotel Bookings
- Compare Prices: Always compare prices across different travel websites. Sometimes one site will have a better deal than another.
- Use Discount Codes: Look for discount codes and coupons before you finalize your booking. Websites like RetailMeNot or Honey can help you find the latest codes.
- Stay Flexible: If your travel dates are flexible, you can often find better deals. Mid-week stays are usually cheaper than weekends.
By following these tips and using travel portals like Expedia, Hotels.com, and Costco Travel, you can save a lot of money on your hotel bookings. Happy travels!