Planning a visit to the US this summer? Cool, there are many popular places to travel in the US, ranging from New York’s iconic skyscrapers to San Francisco’s crazy, twisty streets to Los Angeles’ sunny coastlines.
Accommodation is often one of the biggest expenses of any trip. Some cities in the US can be costly, but there are ways you can book cheaper hotel rooms without compromising things like safety and cleanliness. Here are some of my favorite ways to score the best deals on hotels in the US.
How to Book Cheap Hotels in the US
There are two main ways to book a hotel in the US: Using an online booking service and booking directly with the hotel you plan on staying at during your visit. However, the question is “how can you get the best deals on hotels?”. I am going to share with you the best tips to get hotel rooms on the cheap in the US.
First, Use Your Preferred Booking Engine
Long gone are the days when you relied on a travel agent to book your accommodation. Now, booking cheap hotels is just a few clicks away. Undoubtedly, the easiest way to book a hotel in the US is using an online booking website, and many are out there.
The best thing about an online booking website is that you can sift through many accommodation options and decide what’s suitable for your style and budget. Sites like Hotels.com, Booking.com, or Trivago often provide the best deals on hotel booking in many US cities and even specific neighborhoods, which is helpful if you visit out of town.
Call the Hotel Directly
One of the best ways to grab the best hotel deals is to contact the hotel directly. Simply find the hotel that suits your needs, call them up, and negotiate a better room rate. Many hotels in the US offer clients better deals for direct booking rather than through any booking services or agencies.
Book With Free Cancellation
When booking a hotel room through a website, you have 2 room rates, including a non-refundable lower rate and a free cancellation higher rate. The latter will give you price security and flexibility, which should be handy if you are unsure of your travel dates.
In short, you can book a hotel room at a slightly higher rate, but you can cancel your reservation without penalty. The good news is that a lot of hotels in the US are willing to give you a full refund for the reservation.
Book a Non-Refundable Room if Your Travel Plans are Firm
Another tip for booking cheaper hotels is to go for a non-refundable room. Many Los Angeles and New York hotels offer deeper discounts to those booking rooms with non-refundable rates. You can contact your hotel of choice directly and ask if they provide a better rate for non-refundable rooms.
Hotel Chain Reward Points
There are over 170 hotel chains in the US, many of which have locations worldwide. Big hotel chains like Hilton, Marriot, and Radisson offer reward points for loyal customers. Those points can tally up to some benefits when you book a hotel for your next stay.
If you are a member of Hilton Honors, you will get the chance to earn free stays in many Hilton hotels in the US (if you have earned enough points to be eligible for free stays).
Consider Hotel Alternatives
Staying in a hotel is not the only option if you travel to the US. In fact, there is a wide range of hostels in the country you can choose from. Most hostels have a limited number of rooms, making them the best budget hotels for those who do not want to spend money on a room they are only going to be in for a few hours.
Book Someone Else’s Reservation
You can buy other travelers’ unwanted hotel room reservations at a much cheaper rate. In fact, many people are stuck with a reservation they cannot cancel or get a refund for. But they are willing to transfer their hotel booking to someone else at a discount.