How to Find the Lowest Hotel Rates
You don't necessarily have to stay at a cheap hotel to get an inexpensive rate. Hotel room rates are often negotiable especially at higher-end establishments. Here are some helpful tips to getting an affordable hotel room:
When planning your trip, check online. Start with the hotel's official website to find out what types of rooms they offer and whether any online specials are available. Shop around at the websites of various hotels around your destination.
Shop by price. Several websites offer deep discounts on hotel rooms. They won't always tell you exactly where you'll be staying, but they'll tell you the general star rating and approximate location.
Ask for discounts and promotions. Many hotels offer special rates for multiple nights, seniors, students, frequent guests, people who use a particular airline or car rental company, or people who are in town for a convention. Call the hotel directly, rather than the central reservation number. If a certain hotel has lots of vacancies, you can likely get a better deal. Don't ask for the "corporate rate." If anything, it'll usually be higher than the regular rate.
Ask about upgrades. Even if a hotel isn't offering any promotions, you can often get a free upgrade, such as a mini-suite, for the price of a single room. Look for an easy upgrade and set your sights high. A hotel's "Presidential Suite" is often empty. See if you can get it for the price of a standard room. If it's not booked, you might get lucky.
Book in off-peak seasons. Visit warm-weather resorts in spring or fall, or ski resorts in summer. Be friendly and polite, on the phone or in person, and people will be more likely to offer you a better deal.
If you're on the road, be open to options. Have several properties in mind; leave your bags in the trunk; and be willing to drive further if the hotel won't negotiate.
To view hotel ratings for the United States and Europe, click here:
http://www.jdpower.com/Travel/ratings/north-america-hotel-ratings/
http://www.jdpower.com/Travel/ratings/european-hotel-ratings/
When planning your trip, check online. Start with the hotel's official website to find out what types of rooms they offer and whether any online specials are available. Shop around at the websites of various hotels around your destination.
Shop by price. Several websites offer deep discounts on hotel rooms. They won't always tell you exactly where you'll be staying, but they'll tell you the general star rating and approximate location.
Ask for discounts and promotions. Many hotels offer special rates for multiple nights, seniors, students, frequent guests, people who use a particular airline or car rental company, or people who are in town for a convention. Call the hotel directly, rather than the central reservation number. If a certain hotel has lots of vacancies, you can likely get a better deal. Don't ask for the "corporate rate." If anything, it'll usually be higher than the regular rate.
Ask about upgrades. Even if a hotel isn't offering any promotions, you can often get a free upgrade, such as a mini-suite, for the price of a single room. Look for an easy upgrade and set your sights high. A hotel's "Presidential Suite" is often empty. See if you can get it for the price of a standard room. If it's not booked, you might get lucky.
Book in off-peak seasons. Visit warm-weather resorts in spring or fall, or ski resorts in summer. Be friendly and polite, on the phone or in person, and people will be more likely to offer you a better deal.
If you're on the road, be open to options. Have several properties in mind; leave your bags in the trunk; and be willing to drive further if the hotel won't negotiate.
To view hotel ratings for the United States and Europe, click here:
http://www.jdpower.com/Travel/ratings/north-america-hotel-ratings/
http://www.jdpower.com/Travel/ratings/european-hotel-ratings/