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Browse hotels by price, location, and amenities on sites like hotels.com—but don’t pay up just yet. Most hotel chains now promise to match (and sometimes undercut) Web rates that are lower than their own.
Dial the hotel’s local number to make the reservation—off-site operators don’t have the authority to nego-tiate, but those on-site do, especially when they’re facing vacancies. Mention the rate you found online, and ask about added costs, such as city, state, and occupancy taxes. Reservationists just might cut you a deal.
Part of an association like AAA? Traveling en masse? Staying for more than one night? You probably qualify for a discount.
Avoid inflated rates by staying at hotels in tourist- trodden locales on weekdays, when the crowds are thinner, and in business hotels (near convention centers) on weekends.
Before you hand your car keys to the valet, ask where else you can park. There’s likely a spot nearby that’s cheaper—or free.
They don’t cost anything, and perks include smoother check-in (no need to dig out your credit card), later checkout, and room upgrades (how about that view?!). As the points rack up, you’ll earn free nights—and sometimes even flights.
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