Finding a budget-friendly Hotel Rooms in the USA can be a game-changer for travelers looking to stretch their bucks further. Whether you’re planning a weekend getaway or an extended vacation, scoring a great deal on accommodation can make a significant difference in your overall travel costs.
Here are twelve useful strategies to help you find cheap hotel rooms in the USA:
Hotel Rooms in the USA Book in Advance:
Planning ahead is one of the most effective ways to achieve a lower rate on Hotel Rooms in the USA. Booking several months in advance often allows you to take advantage of early bird specials and sales. Hotels frequently offer lower rates for plans made well ahead of time compared to last-minute bookings.
Start with sites like Kayak, Expedia or Priceline.com to get an overview of hotels in your desired area, but don’t count on them to give you the full picture. Go on to study those hotels on your own. Search for discount codes and perks such as free parking, breakfast or WiFi.And don’t ignore a hotel’s own website. Some chains offer the best rate when you book via their site.
Use Price Comparison Websites:
Leverage price comparison websites like Expedia, Kayak, and Trivago to compare rates across various hotel booking platforms. These sites combine prices from various sources, allowing you to find the best deals available. Be sure to check the hotel’s own website as well, as they sometimes offer exclusive deals.
Once you know the lay of the land, select a few choices and pick up the phone. Tell the Hotel Rooms in the USA the price you found via other sites and see if they can beat it.
Sign Up for Alerts and Loyalty Programs:
Many hotel chains and booking sites offer loyalty programs that provide perks such as discounted rates, free nights, and special promotions. Signing up for these programs can give you access to member-only rates. Additionally, subscribing to price alert notifications can keep you informed about drops in hotel prices for your chosen location.
Apps like Hotel Rooms in the USA and One:Night specialize in helping last-minute visitors get cheap hotel rooms. Sites such as Hotels.com and Hotwire also list deals for just a day or two in advance.Last-minute bookings don’t work in every situation, though. Traveling for a crowded meeting or holiday can lead to a spike in demand — and price.
Look for Last-Minute Deals:
While booking in advance is usually a good approach, sometimes waiting until the last minute can also yield significant savings. Apps like HotelTonight and Hotwire specialize in last-minute deals, giving substantial discounts on unsold hotel rooms.Finding a hotel isn’t your only lodging choice. You can rent a room, apartment or complete house using services like Airbnb and HomeAway.
Hostels are an excellent alternative for budget visitors, especially those heading outside of the U.S. Don’t worry — you don’t need to share a dorm-style room with a swarm of 19-year-olds (unless you want to). Most hostels offer a number of private rooms with en suite bathrooms.
Consider Alternative Accommodations:
Don’t limit yourself to traditional Hotel Rooms in the USA. Explore options such as hostels, motels, bed-and-breakfasts, or vacation rentals. Websites like Airbnb and VRBO offer unique lodging options that can often be more cheap than conventional hotels.Staying in the heart of the city often costs extra. Save a few bucks by staying away from the city center, yet near public transportation for easy downtown access.
In Chicago, for example, you can book the Hyatt Regency O’Hare for $152 per night, according to a recent search on Expedia. The Hotel Rooms in the USA is just a few minutes’ walk from the Chicago Transit Authority’s Blue Line, allowing you easy access to the airport and downtown Chicago. By comparison, staying at the Hyatt Regency downtown will price you $299 per night.
Travel During Off-Peak Seasons:
Traveling during off-peak times, such as mid-week or outside of busy holiday periods, can result in lower hotel rates. Prices for accommodations often fluctuate based on demand, so planning your trip during quieter times of the year can help you save money.
Negotiate Directly with the Hotel:
If you prefer a particular hotel, try calling them directly to inquire about available rates and possible discounts. Hotels may offer lower rates or extra perks to guests who book directly, bypassing third-party booking fees.
Use Cashback and Discount Websites:
Websites and apps like Rakuten (formerly Ebates) and Groupon often feature cashback offers and savings on hotel bookings. Utilizing these platforms can provide additional savings on top of current deals.
Check for Discounts and Coupons:
Look for discount codes and offers that can be applied to hotel bookings. Websites like RetailMeNot and Honey frequently list promotional codes that can offer substantial savings on hotel stays.
Stay Outside Major Tourist Areas:
Hotels located in big tourist hubs often come with a higher price tag. Consider staying in a nearby suburb or less touristy area to benefit from lower rates while still having easy access to popular sites.
Book Package Deals:
Sometimes booking a hotel room as part of a trip package, which includes flights or car rentals, can lead to cost savings. Travel agencies and online booking platforms often offer package deals that can be more economical than booking each component individually.
Utilize Reward Points and Travel Credits:
If you have earned travel reward points through credit cards or loyalty programs, consider using them to book your hotel stay. Many credit cards offer travel rewards and credits that can be redeemed for hotel stays, reducing your out-of-pocket costs.
Buy Someone Else’s Reservations:
RoomerTravel.com allows you to acquire other travelers’ unwanted hotel room reservations at a discounted rate, said consumer and money-saving expert Andrea Woroch. “The site connects you with travelers who are stuck with a reservation they can’t cancel, but are willing to sell and transfer the reservation at a discount.” The site provides discounts of up to 74 percent.
Search for Coupon Codes:
Hotels don’t routinely provide coupons, said Woroch. But if you explore, sometimes you might uncover promo coupons for third-party booking sites that will earn you a cheaper stay. “For instance, Coupon Sherpa offers 40 percent off select hotels at Hotels.com, and $20 off $150 booking at HotelWiz,” added Woroch.
Negotiate a Home Away From Home:
Sometimes, the strongest leverage you’ll have is not with hotels, but with individuals who are renting out their holiday home, said Woroch. “If you find last-minute availability through VRBO or HomeAway, haggle with the homeowner for a cheaper price,” she advised. “He or she will be motivated to negotiate in fear of missing out on the last-minute booking.”
Stay Midweek:
If you can avoid staying in hotels Friday and Saturday, you could save some bucks. “Most hotels offer a significant discount on rates starting on Sunday through Thursday,” added Woroch. As an added bonus, the pool, restaurants and spas will be less busy and sometimes offer offers, she noted.
Look for Inclusive Deals:
It may be tremendously aggravating to find an apparently fantastic hotel cost, only to see it be jacked up with daily parking fees, internet fees and even “resort fees.” “Free breakfast, Wi-Fi and parking are big perks that should be considered when comparing Hotel Rooms in the USA rates, as those daily fees can add up quickly depending on the length of your stay,” said Woroch. A family of four can save about $40 a day by opting for a hotel with free breakfast, she added.
Gift cards are good for much more than Starbucks or California Pizza Kitchen. And on sites like GiftCardGranny.com, you can locate discounted gift cards that will effectively make your hotel accommodation cheaper. For example, Woroch spotted BedandBreakfast.com gift cards discounted more than 16 percent at the GiftCardGranny site.
Download an App:
If you’ve never used the HotelTonight app, Woroch thinks you should. “The app aggregates unsold Hotel Rooms in the USA at high-end hotels and provides cut-rate prices to users,” she said.
She has seen last-minute luxury lodgings up to 70 percent discounted. That might make the breakfast buffet affordable again.
Travel a la Carte:
It might be believed that any hotel will have minimum features, such as a queen- or king-sized bed, towels, private bathroom and more. But that’s not always the case in Europe, and it could work to your benefit.
Many Hotel Rooms in the USA allow you to pay less for a “single” room, which often means a twin bed or a shared bathroom,” said Pavini.There are even budget hotels where you pay a low base price and a la carte for add-ons, like daily housekeeping, towels or an in-room TV. If you’re open to bare minimum accommodations, then you stand to save a bundle.
Stay at an Apart-Hotel Rooms in the USA Apart-hotels are serviced flats, commonly found throughout Europe, that come with a tiny kitchen, which can save you money on eating out. These can cost a little more upfront, but the facilities can help you save in the long term, said Pavini. Plus, they are included on numerous travel sites that give promo codes.
For example, three nights in a highly rated apart-hotel in Kensington, London, cost $896 ― including taxes, for a family of four,” she said. “We had a coupon code for 15 percent off on Orbitz, bringing the cost down to $784. Plus, you get $23.53 in Orbucks points money, which you can instantly use to book the hotel on the next part of your trip.” That’s a lot of saving.
