Hotel Tips

Prices can go down as you get closer to your travel date, then sharply up in the last few days. I found rates at the same hotel to be lower if i was bidding a few weeks out, higher if i was bidding more than a month away, and sometimes even higher bidding only one …

Research room rates: twins or showers may be cheaper but you won’t know if you don’t ask. Travel with a partner: singles can cost more than doubles! Ask about for recommendations we cant beat word of mouth, its frequently how to discover the greatest value choices. Get to recognize the staff theyll be more probably …

Once the room is reserved, document all hotel information and a full itinerary to leave with a friend or neighbor in case of emergencies. If you book your room through a travel agent, make copies of the reservation confirmation they provide you, for it will clearly state the hotel’s information and your arrival and departure …

Taxes vary – even between websites. If you’re trying to eke every penny out of your journey, priceline and hotwire charge different taxes and fees on the same opaque reservation. So you may find that a $71 “bid” is cheaper on one site (usually on hotwire) than on the other. Special offers: a lot of …

Travel agents will ask for special package deals loaded with options or discounts for seniors, families or the military that may apply. They also understand your needs and expectations, so they will be able to choose the hotel that’s best for you, based on the amenities and services it provides, along with its proximity to …

Find a great deal online, call the hotel and ask them to match it: it’s preferable for them to do the deal directly and cut out their commission fee to the agent (can be as much as 30%). Camp: not for inner-city stays but reputable, well-run campsites are perfect for outdoorsy, budget travelers. Put more …

Priceline and hotwire aren’t the only opaque sites. They’re still usually the best, and i’ve never found a priceline-beating deal on travelocity’s or expedia’s opaque products. But i have found priceline-beating rates on easy click travel (www.easyclicktravel.com) and lastminutetravel.com (www.lastminutetravel.com), so they’re worth adding to your hotel discounter bookmark list. Keep checking the room-rate even …