When you travel, the two largest bills for your trip are bound to be airline fees and lodging.
So what's a budget-conscious traveler to do? Look for ways to cut down on those expenses, of course! Let's look at one-half of that equation: hotel lodging.
Here are five ways that you can reduce the cost of your next hotel stay.
1.
The Law of Supply and Demand: Dates Matter Airlines and hotels are very similar in that they both practice the law of supply and demand when setting rates.
For airlines, increased travel on a major holiday means their planes are going to be full and tickets will be sold for a premium price; for hotels, various other factors, such as the weather, local events, summer vacation season, etc.
affect the rate of a room.
So if you're planning a trip to Disneyland in July or August, be prepared to pay the premium rate for a hotel at or nearby the park.
A comparable room in Phoenix during the same months, on the other hand, will be offered at its lowest rate since the extreme temperatures mean few travelers are planning trips to the city.
This is referred to as seasonality.
By the same token, day of the week matters.
A business hotel is typically full during the week but nearly a ghost town on weekends; the opposite is true for a resort property.
In the first instance, you'll get a great rate on Friday or Saturday night stays while in the second instance, a mid-week stay is cheapest.
Tip: Before you make firm plans for specific dates, ask the hotel representative what events are occurring at the time you plan to visit and what seasonal rates apply (high, low, or shoulder).
2.
Big Travel Websites Don't Always Offer the Best Deal Sure, you're likely to get a great room rate from a bidding site like Priceline (considered an "opaque" site because you don't know which hotel you're getting).
But if you have to have a particular location or specific amenities, stick with an online site where you can see exactly what you're getting.
Check out two or three travel sites and get a general idea of the rates for a particular hotel.
Then pick up the phone and call the hotel directly.
Ask about any special promotions that may be available, such as membership or package rates.
You might be offered a deal that is not advertised online.
If you put up enough rate resistance and the hotel is under-booked for those dates, most major hotels allow the reservation agent to lower the price of your room.
3.
Stay Away From Airport Hotels If you need to stay at a hotel the night before you fly out, avoid those properties located next to, or near, the airport.
Typically, they enjoy high occupancy rates - and that means a higher room rate.
Yes, it's convenient to get a shuttle ride to and from the airport but you'd save money by staying farther away and parking your car at an off-site airport lot.
4.
Corporate Rates If you work for a large company with multiple locations, chances are they've negotiated discounts with one or more hotel chains.
Check with the travel or HR department.
Even if you are taking a leisure trip, you may be able to use the corporate rate and save yourself some money.
You may also be eligible for discounts at major theme parks or other attractions - just ask.
5.
Rewards Programs Most major hotel chains offer a rewards program where you can earn a free night in exchange for a certain number of stays.
If you travel a lot for business, the reward points could add up quickly and completely finance your vacation trip.
If you only travel occasionally, a credit card with hotel rewards could be a viable option.
But you'll never earn points if you don't get signed up! These days every penny counts - but don't let that stop you from traveling.
There are ways to make your trips more affordable, including these five ways to lower your hotel bill.