Kai Rivers
There are several factors to consider when booking a hotel room to ensure you get the best deal. While some sources suggest that booking early will guarantee the lowest rates, others claim that last-minute bookings are more cost-effective. For instance, a 2021 study by NerdWallet found that booking 15 days in advance could save travellers around $30 per night. Similarly, Kayak discovered savings of up to 58% on domestic hotels and 73% on international bookings when reservations were made at the last minute. However, some travellers have reported that prices increased by up to $30 per night as their travel dates approached. Therefore, it is advisable to remain flexible and continuously compare prices across different platforms and hotels.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Cheaper at the last minute? | Yes, according to some sources, hotels may reduce prices at the last minute to fill rooms. However, others claim that prices increase closer to the date. |
| Cheaper to book early? | No, it is a myth that booking early guarantees lower prices. However, booking early provides more options. |
| Best time to book | 1-2 months in advance for regular hotels, last minute for city hotels. The day of the week may also impact price, with Sunday being the cheapest day to check-in domestically. |
| Other factors | Seasonality, demand, location, and loyalty programs can also impact pricing. |
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Last-minute deals
While there are many theories on the best time to book a hotel to get the cheapest rates, last-minute deals can often be a great way to save money on your stay.
According to Colleen Carswell, a former hotel director of sales, "It all comes down to supply and demand...Most of the time, you'll actually save much more by booking at the last minute." Hotels need to fill rooms to make money, so if they still have rooms available, they will often lower prices at the last minute to sell more of their inventory. This is especially true if the hotel has to decide between empty rooms or dropping rates to get some revenue.
However, supply and demand work both ways. If demand for rooms is high and supply is low, you will likely pay more. This often happens during holidays and when there are large events at the hotel or in the area. Therefore, it can be a good idea to look for last-minute getaways after a major holiday has passed. It is also worth bearing in mind that booking early provides more hotel options, so you may have fewer choices with a last-minute booking.
To find last-minute deals, you can look at third-party sites such as Hotels.com, which offer reduced rates on stays within the next two weeks, or HotelTonight, which offers cheap last-minute deals in New York City from $102. You can also try calling the hotel directly to ask about any discounts, promotions, or upgrades. Hotels typically prefer direct bookings, and they may be willing to price match a lower rate you found on a booking engine.
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Location and demand
The location of your hotel and the demand for rooms in that area will influence the price you pay.
For example, if you're travelling to a city, you may benefit from booking last minute, as hotels in larger cities tend to have a lot of competition. This means that if a hotel still has rooms left to sell for your dates of stay, they may drop their prices at the last minute to try and sell off more of their inventory. However, this is not always the case. If the demand for hotel rooms is high and the supply of empty rooms is low, you'll likely pay more. This often happens during holidays and when there are large events at the hotel or in the surrounding area.
If you're travelling to a leisure destination, it's recommended that you book one to two months before your trip. This is because, during the busy summer travel season, most travellers book at least 7 to 13 days in advance for domestic travel and 90 days in advance for international travel.
It's also worth noting that the day of the week can impact the price of your hotel room. For example, Sunday is the cheapest day of the week to check into a hotel, whereas Friday is the most expensive day for domestic travel. When it comes to international travel, Tuesday is the cheapest day to arrive, and Thursday is the most expensive.
Additionally, it's important to consider the season in which you'll be travelling. For example, August in New York City is typically cheaper because the weather is too hot for many people. In contrast, the fall is a popular time to visit the Northeast US, so hotel prices may be higher during this season.
Finally, it's worth mentioning that booking a hotel is not the same as booking a flight. While booking a flight on a Monday or Tuesday can often result in cheaper prices, the opposite is true for hotels. Mondays through Wednesdays are typically peak days for people planning trips, so demand and prices are higher.
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Loyalty programs
While booking a hotel room, signing up for a loyalty program can help you save money and earn rewards. Many hotel brands offer free loyalty programs that provide members with discounted rates, free upgrades, complimentary breakfast, exclusive lounge access, and free nights. Here are some of the popular hotel loyalty programs:
Marriott Bonvoy
Marriott Bonvoy has been recognized as one of the best hotel loyalty programs, offering diverse earning opportunities. Members can earn points not just through stays but also through dining, car rentals, and more. Elite members receive tailored rewards such as customized welcome gifts and exclusive access to experiences. The Marriott Bonvoy app offers seamless booking, check-in, and loyalty management. Members also get exclusive rates to encourage direct bookings and repeat stays.
IHG One Rewards
IHG One Rewards offers multiple avenues for earning points, with hotel stays being the primary method. It provides several tiers to earn points and get rewards. At the Club level, members enjoy exclusive rates, no blackout dates on points bookings, and complimentary internet. Higher benefits include room upgrades, guaranteed room availability, welcome amenities, and late checkout privileges. IHG One Rewards points are easy to earn, and IHG has properties in almost as many locations as Hilton, including some Six Senses resorts that are bookable with IHG points. These resorts are extremely sought-after, making IHG points highly valuable.
World of Hyatt
World of Hyatt offers a tiered membership structure with four levels designed to reward frequent guests with escalating benefits. Base benefits include complimentary standard internet, potential free breakfast, and discounts on Member Rate reservations. Higher tiers include a dedicated check-in line, late checkout, access to hotel club lounges, complimentary parking, and enhanced room upgrades. World of Hyatt stands out for its comprehensive rewards structure, offering members multiple pathways to elite status and abundant opportunities to earn and redeem points. Members can earn points through stays, wellness experiences, and more.
Wyndham
Wyndham is the most valuable program in terms of earnings per dollar spent. It offers close to $12 back in the form of Wyndham Rewards points for every $100 spent with the hotel chain.
Other notable mentions include Hilton Honors, which allows members to accumulate points through various channels, and Expedia One Key, which offers broad earning categories and flexible redemption options.
When choosing a hotel loyalty program, consider factors such as the brand's footprint, the types of properties offered, amenities, credit cards, and transfer partners. Compare the rewards rates and decide which program suits your travel preferences and priorities.
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Day of the week
While there are no guarantees, there are a few strategies you can use to try and get cheaper hotel rates by taking advantage of the day of the week.
Firstly, it is generally recommended to book during the week, as prices tend to be lower than at the weekend. Sunday is often the cheapest day to check into a hotel, as weekend travellers have usually checked out, and the next wave of business travellers checking in on Monday have yet to arrive. Conversely, Friday is the most expensive day to check in domestically, with prices up to 20% higher than a weekday arrival.
Secondly, it can be a good idea to book a hotel during the week of travel. A 2023 Skyscanner study found that prices could be up to 21% below average when booking in the same week of travel. This is because hotels will often slash prices at the last minute to avoid rooms being left empty. However, this is a risky strategy, as prices can also increase at the last minute, and the hotel may be fully booked.
Thirdly, it is recommended to avoid booking at the beginning of the week, as this is a peak time for people to plan trips, and so demand is high.
It is also worth noting that the day of the week you book your hotel on can also affect the price. A 2023 Skyscanner study found that Friday is the cheapest day to book a hotel in the USA, and Thursday is the cheapest day to book internationally.
Other strategies for getting cheaper hotel rates include:
- Booking a longer stay, as many hotels offer weekly rates and special perks for extended stays.
- Being flexible with your dates and travelling during the low season.
- Signing up for hotel loyalty programs, which often offer discounted rates and other perks.
- Using third-party sites, which may offer discounts for spontaneous stays.
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Length of stay
The length of your stay can also impact the price of your hotel room. According to Parker, a travel expert, "The longer you stay, the bigger the discount you get". Hotels often offer special perks for extended stays, such as a free night or a weekly rate. This is because hotels prefer to minimise room turnover and incentivise longer stays.
However, this strategy may not always work. One source suggests that while booking early provides more hotel options, it doesn't always guarantee better prices. Hotels.com data showed that those who booked within a week paid about 35% less during the summer months for domestic travel and 25% less for international travel.
Another source suggests that the ideal amount of time to book a hotel room is 15 days before your trip. Looking at more than 2500 hotel room rates between 2019 and 2021, a study found rates were about 13% cheaper when booked 15 days before compared to four months before. On average, travellers saved about $30 per night by booking last minute. The savings were even higher for luxury hotels, which were about 22% cheaper when booked 15 days out.
Therefore, while there is no definitive answer, it seems that longer stays and last-minute bookings can often result in cheaper hotel rates.
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Frequently asked questions
Yes, hotels sometimes offer last-minute deals to fill rooms. However, this is not always the case, and prices can increase closer to the date of stay.
This depends on the location and type of hotel. For regular hotels in leisure destinations, it is recommended to book one to two months in advance. For city stays, it may be advantageous to book last-minute due to competition between hotels. For all-inclusive resorts, it is recommended to book at least three months in advance.
Yes, Sundays tend to be the cheapest day to check into a hotel, while Fridays and Thursdays are typically the most expensive days for domestic and international travel, respectively. However, it is important to note that the difference in prices between weekdays may not be significant.
Yes, hotel prices are influenced by the season and demand. Prices tend to be higher during the busy summer travel season and holidays, while lower rates can be found during the low or shoulder seasons.
Yes, consider joining hotel loyalty programs, which offer members discounted rates and rewards points. Additionally, look for hotels that offer book now, pay later options, allowing you to cancel without penalties if you find a better deal.
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