Traveling? How to Save on Your Hotel Bill

(ARA) – Whether you’re heading for a late-winter escape or you're planning ahead for spring break with the kids, traveling remains a popular activity despite the challenging economy. If you're on a budget, you don't have to give up your vacation plans, you just need to know how to travel smart.

"One of the key ways to find the right property within your budget is to look at the overall value of the stay, not just the nightly rate," says Scott Booker, chief hotel expert and guest advocate for hotels.com. “A hotel offering complimentary breakfast, for instance, could save a family of four around $40 per day. Properties are also rewarding guests with discounts for longer stays, dining coupons, and other features to attract more guests.”

You can find the right property within your budget by doing some simple research. Here are Booker's top tips for the value-minded traveler:

* Book early.
As soon as you decide on the property you want, book it. During peak travel seasons, such as over holidays and school breaks, properties can fill up quickly. Check to see if the site offers a price match guarantee, so that if a price drops you can get the lower rate.

* Have deals come to you.
Subscribe to travel newsletters and know when to check sites for new promotions. Being the first to know gives you a huge advantage at scooping up good deals. For example, Fridays are a great day to check hotels.com since new deals are loaded on Thursday nights. They also send out an e-newsletter on Tuesdays featuring some of the best promotions.

* Look out for hidden fees.
Properties can charge for a variety of different services that may give guests an unwelcome surprise. These can include extra person charges, resort fees, fitness center usage fees and pricey change or cancellation fees. Be sure you know what these charges are before you book -- and if you're uncertain about anything always ask for clarification.

* Consider a condo.
Families and groups may find vacation rentals a better option, since they offer many of the comforts of home -- multiple bedrooms, common areas and a kitchen. Condos and specialty lodging can provide a better value for a group versus the cost of multiple hotel rooms. Plus, guests can bring, prepare and store food, which means spending less time and money at restaurants.

* Think about location.
A great rate isn’t a good deal if you spend too much time or money trying to get to where you really want to be. Location can easily offset a bargain price, so make sure the property is convenient to your main activities for the trip -- whether it’s the slopes, grandma’s house or the city center.

* Look carefully at reviews.
In the current environment, travelers accustomed to booking four-star hotels are now looking more closely at two and three star properties to save money. But because they are not very familiar with these properties, people can be anxious about booking them. Guest reviews offer great insight on what the property will be like once you’re there and help you decide if you’ll receive the same level of comfort as a hotel with a higher star rating. Also be sure to read reviews from people who have actually stayed at the property. You need to know you’re reading honest comments from people who have recently been there.

* Talk with a live person.
There are so many choices available online that it’s easy to spend a lot of time searching -- which can lead to confusion and missed bargains. If you are having trouble deciding on a property, it might be advantageous to talk with a live person.

"At hotels.com you can call a specialist to ask questions and book a property for no extra charge," says Booker. "We understand that every traveler is different, and that the same property isn’t right for every trip. Asking questions and reviewing all of your options can help you find the best hotel so you can truly enjoy your vacation.”

Courtesy of ARAcontent