“I’m Not Paying That!” — How to get the Best Hotel Deals

Traveling with the family can be all sorts of adjectives; fun… stressful… magical… busy. There’s one adjective that parents both fear and begrudgingly understand: “expensive.” It seems as if the cost of a family vacation is rising by the day, but it doesn’t have to be that way, not if you know how to shop for them. Nowadays hotels are offering all sorts of discounts, and not just on budget accommodation either. You can get great discounts on top-quality hotels. Here’s how.

1) Shop for bargains

Ever hear the saying “Don’t buy a car at the first place you go”? Well, there’s a reason for that, because you don’t know what else is available if you don’t check. You’re going to get bigger discounts on hotels the more homework you do. Visit comparison websites, where a little research will see you save a lot of money.

2) Use membership programs

If there’s a hotel chain that you particularly enjoy, sign up for their rewards program. Hotels offer their loyalty members deals that they don’t offer anywhere else, including perks such as free nights or free breakfast. There are also other memberships that you may be a part of and not realize they offer savings. Did you know that a lot of hotels have discounts for AARP or AAA members? You may also receive special discounts if you work in education or the military, so if this applies then it’s your best interest to mention this while you’re booking.

 3) Look for package deals

While you may not need the free round of golf that comes in the package deal, you still can come ahead if it’s the right package. This is especially true if you’re renting a car along with the hotel, which is one of the most common package deals and, consequently, one that holds the biggest savings.

4) Visit the hotel’s homepage

Technically, this is part of the first tip, but so few people forget to actually visit the hotel’s own website that they miss out on potential offers and bargains. Many host Internet special offers that can’t be found anywhere else.

5) Ask

Sometimes, after all the shopping around and membership joining, the best deal can be had by just asking. Most concierges are sympathetic to families traveling together, and a simple “Do you have any special deals for families?” can go a long way. These can include passes to theme parks, an upgrade, or free breakfast. As any parent knows, every little thing helps.

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