Booking a hotel can be straightforward, yet there are many traps for costly mistakes or subpar accommodations. To have a trouble-free and value-for-money stay, a person must be aware of traps and best practices when reserving a room.
Ten tips to enhance your hotel booking experience
- Compare prices across multiple websites
One of the most common mistakes tourists do is not price checking on different booking websites. Booking through one website could result in overlooking more competitive deals. Price compare on some of the travel websites and apps, and don’t be shy about contacting the hotel directly; they may have exclusive discounts or match lower prices found elsewhere.
- Use credit card rewards
Most tourists ignore the benefit of charging travel expenses on credit cards that offer rewards or cashback. Charging hotel reservations on a reward credit card gets you rewards or cashback, which effectively reduces the cost of your stay. Be aware of your card terms and benefits so that you can save as much as you can.
- Join hotel loyalty programs
Not becoming a member of hotel reward programs can result in forfeiting rewards like free nights, free upgrades, or free services. They are mostly free to join and provide rewards that build up with every stay. Even the sporadic traveler is not excluded since there are some that give immediate rewards for joining.
- Select the best location
Reserving a hotel without consideration of its relative location to areas of interest or schedules you’ll be visiting will lead to needless transportation costs and time lost in commuting. Map the region well so it is well timed with your and has decent public transportation to dining, transportation, and entertainment.
- Do not book at the last minute
Procrastination in booking hotels can decrease your choices and lead to increased rates. Hotels reserve higher room rates and room availability for early bookings. Early planning not only secures your preferred room but also ensures peace of mind.
- Look closely at low rates
Even tempting, unusually low hotel rates can be a red flag. They may indicate poor quality, additional fees, or terrible locations. Research the hotel thoroughly, read recent reviews, and ensure there are no additional, undisclosed fees that would cancel out the initial discount.
- Be wary of payment policies
Paying in advance for your hotel stay upon arrival may be convenient, but be used to the hotel’s payment policies. Some hotels bill your credit card or ask for special terms of payment. Clarify these matters while booking to avoid being taken by surprise at check-in.
- Be aware of additional charges
Ignoring extra fees like resort fees, parking fees, internet, or other services can result in a surprise increase on your bill. There might be some of these fees that the promotional rate might not include. Check the hotel’s fee policies carefully during booking to ensure the total cost is within your budget.
- Check recent reviews
Not reading recent reviews can lead to nasty surprises on arrival. Guest reviews give an indication of the current state of the facilities and services in the hotel. Check for trends in reviews to see what is being regularly said in terms of problems or praise, and call the hotel directly to clarify if necessary.
- Look for flexible booking options
While non-refundable rates will save you, there’s also the penalty of losing your payment if something happens to your plans. Weigh the likelihood of needing to rebook and factor in possible savings against refundable room for manoeuvre. In uncertain times, it’s a good bet to spend a little more for free cancellation or rebooking without a penalty.
