Traveling is one of life’s greatest pleasures, but hotel costs can quickly eat into your vacation budget. Fortunately, with the right strategies, you can score incredible hotel deals and save 50% or more on your next stay. Whether you’re planning a luxury getaway or a budget-friendly trip, here’s how Americans are finding the best hotel discounts.
1. Book During Off-Peak Seasons
Hotels lower their prices when demand drops. Traveling during shoulder seasons (the periods between peak and off-peak) can lead to massive savings. For example:
Beach destinations: Visit in late spring or early fall instead of summer.
Ski resorts: Book in early December or late March.
Major cities: Avoid holidays and big events.
Savings: 30–60% off standard rates.
2. Use Discount Travel Websites
Websites like Kayak, Expedia, Priceline, and Hotels.com offer exclusive deals, last-minute discounts, and member-only rates. Some even provide price-match guarantees or free nights after multiple bookings.
Pro Tip: Check HotelTonight for same-day deals at up to 70% off.
3. Leverage Loyalty Programs & Memberships
Many hotel chains (Marriott, Hilton, Hyatt, IHG) offer free loyalty programs that give members:
Discounted member-only rates
Free upgrades
Points for future free stays
Bonus: Credit cards like Chase Sapphire Preferred or American Express Platinum offer travel rewards that can be redeemed for hotel stays.
4. Try the “Hidden City” Trick (For Advanced Savers)
If you’re booking a flight + hotel package, sometimes it’s cheaper to book a longer stay than you need and check out early. Some travel sites offer steep discounts on bundled trips.
Caution: Only do this if the terms allow penalty-free early checkouts.
5. Negotiate Directly with the Hotel
Call the hotel and ask:
“Do you have any unadvertised promotions?”
“Can you match a lower price I found online?”
“Is there a discount for extended stays?”
Many hotels would rather fill a room at a lower rate than leave it empty.
6. Use Cashback & Coupon Sites
Rakuten (up to 10% cashback on hotel bookings)
RetailMeNot (discount codes for Expedia, Booking.com, etc.)
Honey (automatically applies coupon codes at checkout)
7. Consider Alternative Accommodations
If traditional hotels are still pricey, try:
Vacation rentals (VRBO, Airbnb)
Hostels (private rooms can be cheap)
Hotel alternatives (Sonder, Selina)
Final Tip: Be Flexible!
Adjusting your travel dates by just 1–2 days can sometimes slash prices in half. Use Google Hotels’ price calendar to find the cheapest nights.
Bottom Line
With these strategies, you can consistently save 50% or more on hotels. Start planning smart, and your next trip could be both luxurious and affordable!
Where will your next discounted stay be? Let us know in the comments!
