Traveling and Hotels – Secrets to Saving Money on Your Next Trip

Traveling and hotels are a big part of many people’s lives. The industry is one of the world’s biggest, and it’s affected by a variety of factors, including globalization, digitalization and sustainability.

Frequent travelers know the tricks of the trade, such as booking rooms directly with hotel brands to earn loyalty points or take advantage of elite status perks. But there are other ways to save money on your next trip that may not be as well-known.

Many hotel chains offer on-site benefits or perks that can have a significant impact on your overall travel costs. For example, many offer free breakfasts to all guests. And these aren’t just basic continental offerings; they can be full, made-to-order breakfasts that provide a lot of value.

It’s also worth keeping an eye out for bundled packages that may appear to be discounting hotel stays but actually aren’t. Online travel agencies such as Expedia and Travelocity are known for offering these, but so are daily deal sites like LivingSocial Escapes and Groupon Getaways.

Another tried and true method of saving on hotels is to stay somewhere else during the tourism offseason. Hotels need to keep their rooms full in order to thrive, so they’re willing to charge more during peak season to attract the most customers. But during the offseason, there’s less demand for rooms and hotels are more willing to lower their rates to compete. In addition, some offer additional perks to encourage visitors, such as free breakfast coupons or discounts on local tours.