Hotels Don’t Want You to Know These 5 Tricks to Save Money!
Disclosure: WE DON’T SELL ANY COURSES. We make money through product suggestions located in our content as an affiliate. We may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you. The ideas presented are Money Vice editorial team’s opinions and presented for entertainment purposes only. We’re not licensed financial advisors. The information presented should not be construed as financial or legal advice. Always do your own due diligence.
1. Book at the Right Time to Lock in the Lowest Prices
👉 In a Nutshell: Timing is everything. Book when prices drop, not when you’re desperate.
Have you ever tried to book a hotel last minute and felt like they’re charging you just for breathing?
That’s because hotels hike prices when they know you’re desperate 🫠
But if you book too early, you might miss out on last-minute price drops.
Hotels want full rooms, so they lower prices at the right moment.
Knowing when to book is like catching a wave. Wait too long, and you wipe out.
↪️ Here’s How You’ll Do It
Step 1:Set Price Alerts: Use apps like Google Hotels or Hopper to track price drops.
Step 2:Book 1-3 Months in Advance: This is the sweet spot for most destinations.
Step 3:Check Prices on Sundays or Mondays: Hotels drop rates after the weekend rush.
2. Use Secret Discounts and Hidden Hotel Deals
👉 In a Nutshell: The best hotel discounts are the ones you won’t see on Expedia.
Did you know hotels sometimes offer better rates than what you see online?
They do it on purpose to avoid paying fees to booking sites.
But they won’t just tell you 🫣 These deals are like a secret menu at your favorite restaurant.
You gotta ask, or better yet, use the right tools to find them.
Because nothing feels better than booking a luxury hotel for the price of a roadside motel.
↪️ Here’s How You’ll Do It
Step 1:Call the Hotel Directly: Ask if they can beat the price you found online.
Step 2:Use Corporate or Membership Discounts: AAA, AARP, or even student IDs work.
Step 3:Check “Mystery Deals” on Priceline & Hotwire: They reveal the hotel after you book, but the savings are huge.
3. Leverage Reward Programs and Travel Credit Cards
👉 In a Nutshell: Free hotel stays? Yes, please. Let your credit card do the work.
Imagine checking into a fancy hotel, and instead of handing over your credit card, you just flash your rewards.
Feels like a cheat code, right? 😁
That’s because it kinda is.
Hotels and credit card companies throw out free stays and perks like candy. If you know how to collect them.
And if you’re paying for hotels without earning points, you’re just leaving money on the table.
↪️ Here’s How You’ll Do It
Step 1:Sign Up for Free Hotel Loyalty Programs: Marriott Bonvoy, Hilton Honors, and IHG Rewards give free perks.
Step 2:Use a Travel Credit Card for Bookings: Cards like Chase Sapphire and Amex Platinum rack up rewards fast.
Step 3:Redeem Points for Free Nights: Always check if using points saves you more than cash.
4. Save Money by Being Flexible with Your Travel Dates
👉 In a Nutshell: Shift your check-in date, and your wallet will thank you.
Ever notice how a one-day difference in travel dates can change hotel prices A LOT?
That’s because hotel rates are like flight prices. Some days are just way cheaper 🙃
Fridays and Saturdays? Super expensive.
Midweek? You might just get a luxury suite for the price of a broom closet.
If you can be flexible, you can save HUNDREDS of dollars without even trying.
↪️ Here’s How You’ll Do It
Step 1:Check Rates for Nearby Dates: Use “flexible date” searches on hotel sites.
Step 2:Avoid Weekends and Holidays: Tuesdays and Wednesdays are the cheapest days to stay.
Step 3:Book Longer Stays for Discounts: Some hotels drop prices if you stay 3+ nights.
5. Try Alternative Booking Methods for Huge Savings
👉 In a Nutshell: Sometimes, the best deals aren’t where you’d expect them.
Ever booked a hotel and then found out someone else paid half the price for the same room?
Yeah, that hurts 😭
But those people didn’t just get lucky. They knew where to look.
Sometimes, you’ll find insane deals outside the usual hotel booking sites.
And if you’re not checking these places, you’re paying too much.
↪️ Here’s How You’ll Do It
Step 1:Use Airbnb and Vrbo for Hidden Deals: Many private rentals cost less than hotels.
Step 2:Try Hotel Bidding Sites: Priceline Express Deals and Hotwire give deep discounts.
Step 3:Check Facebook Groups & Travel Forums: Travelers often share promo codes and exclusive deals.
The best travel deals don’t go to the luckiest people, they go to the ones who know where to look and take action.
You don’t have to be rich to travel well. You just need the right strategy.
“A budget is telling your money where to go, instead of wondering where it went.” – Dave Ramsey
Hi! I'm the founder of Money Vice and a passionate personal finance enthusiast.
Here we love to talk about money using a unique type of blender, where we combine juicy chunks of money lessons, slicing them into bite-sized steps, and sprinkling some South Florida vibe for that little zing! (the perfect cocktail to learn how to stack cash to achieve financial independence).
