These days, you no longer have to shell out thousands of dollars for a vacation. For one, travel fare has somewhat become accessible and affordable. Second, it is now easy to score a travel deal.
Lastly, there are practical steps that you can take to save up on accommodations.
1. Location matters
Finding cheap accommodation doesn’t make sense if it’s miles away, and you have to spend extra on the transportation costs.
So, see to it that you’re staying in a central area that’s pretty much close to local attractions, restaurants, and shops. That way, you can walk to and from your desired destinations.
2. Timing is everything
Destinations often have “off” seasons or times of the year with fewer tourists. There are plenty of reasons for this. However, this is often related to the weather.
For example, people going on vacation for one week want to travel when they know they can get the best weather. That way, they’ll be able to squeeze in every activity for a short period.
If you’re traveling to your destination of choice where you know fewer people are going on vacation there, then everything will be cheaper. This includes plane tickets, souvenirs, all the way to the accommodation.
It’s also worth noting that important events and festivals in a destination may cause spikes in the number of visitors. During a specific holiday, it’s not impossible to find difficulty booking a hotel room. If you are lucky, it could be costly.
For instance, booking a hotel in Paris in February can be challenging because of the Paris Fashion Week.
3. Compare accommodation prices
After choosing a place you want to book, make sure that you browse through the usual booking sites to check the accommodation prices.
Make sure that you compare different sites like Trivago, TripAdvisor, and Hotels Combined. Also, see to it that you Google the place in advance.
4. Check for free cancellation
To find the best rates online, make sure you make your bookings in advance. This will allow you to keep an eye on prices so that you can make better deals on another property or even in the same place at a much sweeter deal.
For instance, Booking.com is offering free cancellation on most of its rooms. They also have a book now, pay later feature that lets you lock in rates with some degree of flexibility. Just make sure that you double-check the booking conditions on every room type so that you’ll have better peace of mind when you book through them.
Not only does this help you save money in the long run, but it also ensures your safety. Sometimes, the weather can be unpredictable. This can lead to delayed flights that will push you to cancel your travel plans altogether.
5. Look out for additional fees
Years ago, the price listed for an accommodation will be the exact amount you’ll be paying. Any unexpected fees incurred in your bill at the end of your stay will be considered unusual. However, these days, hotel fees are the norm.
At Planet Maids Cleaning Services NYC, we advise our clients to check if a cleaning fee is included. Of course, this will depend on the accommodation type you are booking. Often, hotels would consist of cleaning expenses in your accommodation costs. But it will be a different case if you request a laundry service.
Nonetheless, it would be nice to know whether you need to pay extra to make your room spick and span.
Rooms that looked like great deals might cost more than previously advertised. To avoid any surprises during the check-out, make sure that you research any possible hidden fees before you plan your next trip.
6. Be a part of rewards programs
While becoming a part of a hotel’s loyalty program is only a social status for frequent travelers, anyone can sign up for it. Surprisingly, it doesn’t cost a penny if you plan to join a hotel loyalty program.
However, these programs will be providing you with several benefits:
- Enjoy discounted accommodations rates, no matter how short or long your stay is.
- Hotels offer their rewards program members free cancellation.
- Get perks like better room locations, VIP treatment, free Wi-Fi, and so much more.
7. Keep an eye for deals
Finally, it would be best to keep an eye on discounts and exclusive deals before booking your accommodation. Usually, this will vary based on room type, season, number of guests, and more.
You can even follow the hotel’s social media pages or sign up for their newsletter. That’s because they are likely to post their promos on these channels. And keeping in touch with them will enable you to get first dibs on accommodation deals.
Hopefully, the tips listed above will allow you to save as much money as you can for your next stay. That way, you do not have to dry your wallet up to enjoy a vacation.
