Tips and tricks to help you save money when booking through sites such as Airbnb, Booking.com, Expedia, Agoda, and more.
These tips and tricks will help you find the best deals on holiday accommodations, whether you are an Airbnb enthusiast, Booking.com expert, Agoda fanatic, or Expedia guru.
Plus, our well-travelled staff offer their advice on finding accommodation, finding the best price, getting extra perks, and more.
1. Booking sites are not the only option.
Compare prices on several websites before you decide where to stay.
Accommodation providers often pay extra to be listed at the top of these websites.
Booking sites can be useful for researching prices and obtaining an idea of locations. However, their advice should not be taken too seriously.
Check to see if Airbnb has an Instagram account. On their social media, you can see more pictures of the house, and they sometimes offer specials.
Pru Engel is the editor of CHOICE’s audience and engagement.
Remember to look at sites such as TripAdvisor or Google reviews. There, you can read about other people’s experiences and view photos of rooms and facilities without any editing.
Check other platforms, like Stayz, to see if you can find cheaper homestays and Airbnbs.
Pru Engel, CHOICE’s audience and engagement editor, suggests checking to see if Airbnb has an Instagram account.
They’re good for seeing more pictures of the house, and they sometimes offer specials on their social media. You can get a better deal there than you would anywhere else.
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2. Search undercover
When it comes to booking accommodations, your digital footprint could work against you. Some sites will recognise your search and adjust the prices of hotels and areas that you are interested in.
This is a marketing technique commonly used online. It’s known as dynamic pricing or personal price increases. It seems unfair and creepy, but it does happen.
Some sites recognise your search and can change the prices of hotels and areas that you are interested in.
Use ‘incognito mode’ when searching to avoid being tracked.
When you are cross-checking the prices, you can use different browsers or clear your cookies to ensure you are looking at the lowest price and not one tailored to your search history.
Tom, a member of the CHOICE Marketing team, says: “Always compare prices across different browsers and between comparison sites. You can also book directly with the hotel.”
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3. Hotel price drops are possible if you ask around
If you find a great price, ask the hotel directly if they will match it. Booking sites may not show you specials or sales.
You charge a booking charge fee to make a booking, so many will offer you a lower rate if they don’t have to deal with the middleman.
As a way to thank travellers for booking directly, some have received a complimentary room upgrade.
Andrea, a CHOICE staffer, says that she used LastMinute.com.au recently to check the availability of options and hotels in the area. However, booking directly on the hotel website saved her a lot.
“Glad that I first checked their website before filling out the LastMinute form!”
4. You can cash in your points
Use loyalty programs and credit card points to get special offers or to pay for accommodation.
You can sign up for the hotel’s membership program as you make your booking to get discounts and benefits immediately.
Members of some hotel chains can also enjoy perks like free upgrades, late checkouts, and free Wi-Fi.
Hotels are often divided into different categories, ranging from the most basic to the most luxurious. Your points will go further if you choose the less luxurious option.
“My husband travels for work a lot.” He is a Marriott Member, so he books Marriott Hotels when he travels on business and earns points,” says CHOICE Editor Rachel.
This means that when we travel with our family, we can book accommodations using points. There are many hotels in different categories, so you can pick the cheaper option to make your points go further.
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5. Be the first to Know
You can get early bird discounts and other offers by joining the mailing lists of booking sites or their member programs. These are often free. Just be mindful of the amount of data that you consent to be collected.
If you are flexible with your travel dates, you can get a great deal. Check the hotel and booking websites for any sales.
Some sites allow you to set up alerts so that you are notified whenever a great deal is available at your favourite hotel or destination.
Some sites allow you to set up alerts so that you are notified whenever a great deal is available at your favourite hotel or destination.
Andrea says, “I joined Booking.com to get Genius Level Pricing and often the prices on Booking.com are lower than those of the hotel websites.”
Another tip is to see if you can use a discount code to get a lower price. Then, use Google to search for the code. Uta, a CHOICE health insurance expert, said that she saved $50 by using this method.
6. Free cancellations: hedge your bets
Check for accommodations that allow free cancellations. (But remember to read all the fine print!) If you find a cheaper deal before your trip, you won’t lose any money.
You may not be out of pocket, but the hotel provider might be. While this is not an issue for large hotel chains, it could significantly impact smaller operators if they are unable to rebook the room.
Cancellations at the last minute can be costly for both parties. If the accommodation provider cancels your reservation, all of your carefully planned holidays could go out the window. If you book on the spot, you may have to pay more or settle for a lesser-than-ideal location or room.
Pru says that the downside of booking with Stayz or Airbnb private hosts is they can cancel at any time, even at the last minute.
I always read reviews on the internet before making a booking.
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