18 Sneaky Ways to Pay Less for Hotels

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by Holly Johnson
Last updated: 9:00 AM ET, Sat July 22, 2023

Buy Another Person's Reservation

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In some cases, it may be possible to buy another person's hotel reservation for less than they paid — or at least for a lower rate than the property is charging right now. This is made possible through a website called RoomerTravel.com, which lets travelers sell their hotel reservations to third parties.

While the process may seem tricky, RoomerTravel makes it easy to browse available rooms and all payments are handled through the platform. On the buyer's side of the equation, all you have to do is book and pay for the room you want. After that, the platform takes care of transferring the reservation to your name and all you have to do is show up.

Use a Travel Agent

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The services of a travel agent can be a lifesaver when you're unsure exactly where to stay and you just want some ideas. Not only that, but travel agents often have access to special rates and hotel deals that offer extra perks like free breakfast and room upgrades.

The best part? Using a travel agent is almost always free since they get paid commission on the vacation packages they book on your behalf.

Ask for a Price Match

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Maybe you found a hotel booking for a price you can live with but you really want to book it through a specific platform. It's also possible you booked your hotel already but you found a better price on another site. In either case, you should check whether the platform you want to book with offers any kind of price match guarantee.

As one example, Hotels.com promises to match prices when you find a better deal for a hotel on another platform after you booked. "Found a better price? Let us know and we’ll match it," writes Hotels.com on the company website. You can even submit your request for a price match online using this form.

Book Last-Minute

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According to the 2023 Travel Trends Report from Hopper, more than half of the hotel bookings made on the Hopper app throughout 2022 were for same-day check-in. This is likely due to the nature of the app and its use by travelers wanting convenience first and foremost, but it's also because last-minute hotel bookings can be downright cheap.

While the Hopper app shows a range of affordable hotel stays you can book early or at the last minute, a platform called Hotel Tonight is another good one for last-minute vacation deals. In fact, the app promises heavily discounted room rates for those willing to be flexible with where they stay.

Check with Warehouse Clubs

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If you have a membership with a major warehouse club, you might be surprised to find out they offer excellent deals on hotels and resorts, cruises and other travel. For example, Costco Travel is incredibly popular when it comes to saving big on resort stays around the world, including all-inclusive properties.

You have to be a member to use warehouse club travel sites, but joining can be worth it if you travel often and want the chance to get the best deals available. Costco Travel even throws in free gift cards to the warehouse club with many available bookings, which can lead to even more savings down the line.

Redeem Credit Card Rewards

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Do you have any travel rewards points — or even some cash back — lingering on a credit card you rarely use? If so, you may be surprised at the rewards options you have when it comes to booking hotels.

Some flexible rewards currencies like Chase Ultimate Rewards and American Express Membership Rewards have their own travel portals with great hotel deals you can book with points. You can even use either platform to book with a combination of points and cash, which is a great way to utilize unused rewards you don't have any plans for.

Buy Discounted Hotel Gift Cards

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You can also save on hotel stays by purchasing hotel gift cards for less than what they're worth, which you may be able to do through a range of online platforms or even warehouse stores you frequently shop at.

For example, a website called Gift Inventory offers Hotels.com gift cards with discounts as high as 15% off.

Cash In Unused Airline Miles

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Maybe you have some unused airline miles you haven't found any use for. In that case, you might be surprised to know you might be able to use them for hotel stays. The fact is, plenty of frequent flyer programs do let you book hotels instead of airfare with your miles. Examples include both the American AAdvantage program and British Airways Executive Club, but there are plenty of others.

The redemption rates aren't always that great, but this strategy can help you put your unused airline miles to good use.

Sign Up for a Hotel Credit Card

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If you have an upcoming trip and you don't have your hotel plans in place yet, consider signing up for a hotel credit card well in advance. Many hotel credit cards offer sign-up bonuses that are enough for several free nights in a hotel or resort, and all you have to do to earn them is meet a minimum spending requirement on the card.

Some hotel credit cards even offer free anniversary nights when you renew your card each year. Many also give you automatic elite status with the hotel brand, which can help you score other perks like free internet access, complimentary breakfast, early check-in, late checkout and more.

Look for Resort Fees Before You Book

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Major hotel booking sites would love to trick you into booking a property without knowing you have to pay resort fees when you arrive. To turn the tables on these companies, you have to watch out for resort fees ahead of time — and always go out of your way to avoid properties that charge them.

How do you discover resort fees that aren't easily disclosed? If you're booking in a destination that is known for resort fees (e.g. Las Vegas or New York City), google each property you're considering before you book to check for any unadvertised fees. Also read over the fine print of your booking before you add your payment details.

Keep An Eye Out for Coupon Codes

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Any time you book something and pay for it online, you should check to see if available travel coupon codes could knock the price down. This strategy applies to hotel stays just as much as any other purchase, although hotel coupon codes aren't available with every hotel brand or website and are much more common with some sites than others.

As an example, it's pretty easy to find coupon codes for Hotels.com through websites like RetailMeNot.com and CNET.

Bundle Hotels and Airfare

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If you plan to book a hotel or resort but you also need to fly to your destination, booking a vacation package can help you save big on all aspects of your trip. You can book vacation bundles through a range of online platforms like Expedia and Priceline.com, and the hotel savings you get could be significant.

For example, Expedia.com says you can save up to 30% when you add a hotel to your flight booking and join their One Key loyalty program.

Don't Forget About Discounts

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If you have an affiliation with a program that's known for its discounts, make sure to see if they apply before you book a hotel or resort stay.

Examples include membership discounts with AARP or AAA. However, you could also qualify for hotel discounts if you're a member of the military or a veteran.

Look at Airbnb Options

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Also remember that you don't have to spend your vacation in a hotel or resort if you don't want to. You can also look into alternative lodging options, including those offered through platforms like VRBO.com and Airbnb.

Not only can you book condominiums and vacation villas through Airbnb, but there are other, more affordable options to consider as well. For example, the Airbnb platform lets you book everything from individual rooms in a person's house to glamping tents and tiny homes. You can even use the site to book camping sites and houseboats!

Join a Hotel Loyalty Program

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If you are planning to stay with a major hotel chain like Hilton, Hyatt or Marriott, you should make sure to join the brand's hotel loyalty program first. Joining these programs is absolutely free, and you don't need a hotel credit card to earn points for free stays. In fact, you can earn hotel loyalty points for each paid hotel stay you complete with major brands no matter how you pay for the booking.

Not only that, but most hotel loyalty programs offer their best deals and lowest rates for members. This means you may be able to pay less for your vacation just by signing up for membership first.

Stay In an "Off Brand" Property

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Maybe you don't want to stay in a major hotel, and you prefer to spend your vacation slightly off the beaten path. In that case, you're positioned to get an even better deal on your hotel or resort stay.

If you're able and willing to stay in a small, family-run bed and breakfast, an off-brand hotel in a major tourist area or a smaller property you've never heard of, it's possible to save on your stay and get added perks like room upgrades and free wifi. As long as you read hotel reviews first to make sure you're booking with a reputable property, this strategy can work rather well.

Lock In Rates Early (But Continue Checking Prices)

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In many cases, you don't actually have to prepay for your hotel before your vacation. Instead, it's common to lock in your rate online ahead of time and pay a few days before your booking or even when you get there.

In either scenario, you should check the cancellation policy before you book to make sure you have some flexibility. With a fully cancellable booking, you can continue checking hotel rates until your trip, then just cancel and rebook your stay each time prices drop.

Book a Groupon Getaway

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Finally, keep an eye out for hotel and resort deals offered through Groupon Getaways. Deals offered through this platform may seem fairly random, but they are often for all-inclusive resorts, waterpark resorts and other types of properties that make for a nice family vacation.

The best part? Groupon Getaways can be downright cheap. In fact, this platform often advertises Las Vegas hotels for as little as $20 per night, waterpark hotels for less than $100 per night and all-inclusive resort deals for as little as $80 per night with double occupancy.

If you've been searching for airfare, a hotel stay or a vacation package and prices seem significantly higher right now, you're definitely not imagining it. Recent data from Hopper showed that consumers booking trips in early 2023 may have seen airfare prices that were nearly 20% more expensive than last year, and some hotel rates were as much as 50% higher compared to January of 2022.

Creeping prices for hotels and resorts are especially troublesome for travelers who are more than willing to drive to their destination versus flying but still want to score a good deal. After all, there are few ways to escape the high costs of paying for a roof over your head during a family vacation, and most of us want to book lodging that's nice enough to enjoy over a week-long trip.

With the impacts of travel inflation in mind, you may be wondering about the best ways to save money on hotels and resorts without having to spend your family vacation in a roadside motel. The reality is, you may be able to save a bundle if you book ahead, book at the last minute, join a hotel loyalty program or utilize a range of discounts you may not have thought of before.

Ready to save big on hotels this year? Consider these 18 sneaky ways to pay less for your next getaway.