If you’re traveling, where you lay your head at night can consume a large portion of the budget. However, don’t fret because there are plenty of ways to find secure, affordable and cozy accommodations.
For us, traveling with children isn’t always taking the cheapest option – we want to get the most value for our money. We’re not as down for roughing it as we used to be, but we need to cut costs.
What you do and where you decide to live depends on a few things like:
- Your budget
- Your destination
- Your style of travel and comfort level
- The size of your crew
- Your interests are important to you
Remember that getting 15% off a room you don’t really like isn’t the same than paying full price for a place you do. Our goal is to help you save money on accommodation and get the perfect place to stay.
As a family, we’ve switched up our accommodation preferences over the years. For longer trips, we’d prefer apartments as they come with kitchens, separate bedrooms and laundry facilities. Furthermore, we can share the cost with other families or friends. But for shorter stays, we’re happy to stay in family-friendly hotels or hostels.
If you’re planning an extended trip around the globe, you should consider taking a longer trip to places where your money goes further and lowering your standards in more costly countries.
Here are 18 tips for scoring great lodging deals:
Location, location, location!
It’s not logical to pick a budget hotel located far from all amenities and you need to spend extra on transportation. Find hotels in central areas that are close to public transportation, airports, and things to do like restaurants, the beach and parks.
Stay for more than one night
A lot of hotels offer discounts if you stay for more than two nights. In some cases, you can stay four nights and only pay for three.
Go to in the Hotel on Sunday
Hotels tend to be less busy on Sundays, which means you’re likely to get a bargain. Also, if you book on a Sunday, you’ll be able to avoid the crowds at check-in and checkout on Monday and Friday.
The weekdays are the best days to be a part of your life.
In certain cities, such as Las Vegas, hotels are more affordable during the week than weekends. Therefore, you can stay away from all the tourists and spare money by going during the week.
Off-season is the best-season
It’s not a surprise that hotels tend to be more expensive during off-season. If you can travel during the shoulder season (between the peak season and off-peak) it is possible to reduce costs as well as avoid crowds, and enjoy decent weather.
Compare rates across various booking sites
Do not just book on the first site you come across. Compare the prices on multiple websites to ensure you’re getting the best deal.
Sign up for loyalty programs
A lot of vacation rental and hotels offer loyalty programs in which you can earn points or discounts for future stays.
Pre-book or book last-minute
Sometimes, booking early can save you money and other times, waiting until the last minute could score you a discounted rate.
Don’t be afraid to negotiate
If you are booking directly with a hotel or vacation rental, don’t be intimidated to ask for an improved rate or additional facilities. You never know, they might just say yes!
Look for vacation rental deals
Vacation rentals, like apartments or homes, can be a great option for groups or families. In many cases, they are less expensive than booking several hotel rooms.
Benefit from credit card rewards
If you have a credit card that offers travel rewards, you can utilize the rewards for your lodging and save money.
Check for hidden fees
Certain booking sites or hotels may charge extra fees for items like resort or cleaning charges, so be sure to check the fine print prior to booking.
Find discounts or promotions
Many vacation and hotel accommodations offer discounts or promotions for things like military personnel, students or AAA members.
Check for hidden gems
Sometimes, the best bargains are found in smaller, independent hotels or holiday rentals that aren’t popular.
Find pet-friendly places
If you’re planning to travel with a pet Look for places that cater to pets. Some places provide special discounts or deals for guests with pets.
Utilize social media
Many hotels and vacation rentals have special deals or discounts that they advertise via social media. Be sure to follow them on Facebook, Twitter, or Instagram.
You can try a home-sitting job or a house-sitting
Home swapping or housesitting is the process of swapping houses with a different person which allows you to reside in their house while they stay in yours. This is a fantastic method to save on accommodation while still having your own space.
You might want to consider renting a campervan, or an RV
If you’re traveling as a group of people hiring a campervan, or RV can be the best way to save money on accommodation. Additionally, you’ll be able to visit different locations and have your own transportation all in one!
Use a travel agent
Travel agents are often able to access discounts and special offers that aren’t available to the general public. Additionally, they are able to conduct the research and comparison shopping for you.
Book a package deal
Booking a hotel, flight and rental car together as a package deal can often save you cash on each component.
Look for hostels
Hostels are an affordable option for solo travelers or groups. With the popularity of hostels that are boutique, you can often find comfortable, clean, and secure options.
Try home-sharing services
Home-sharing platforms like Airbnb and Vrbo can offer more affordable and distinctive accommodation options, like staying in a private room in a home owned by a local or renting a complete house for a large gathering.
For your convenience, Here are some suggestions to help you find cheap luggage
Shop at discount retailers
Discount retailers such as T.J. Maxx, Ross and Marshalls often carry a selection of luggage at discounted prices. Make sure you look these stores up before purchasing at a department store that is more traditional.
Check out sales that are off-season
Just like with accommodation You can usually get good bargains on luggage during off-season or end-of-season sales. This is especially true of outdoor and travel gear stores.
Buy used or refurbished
Consider buying used or refurbished luggage. It’s a great method to save on high-end brands. You may be able to find gently used luggage that is in excellent quality. Websites such as Amazon and Ebay offer a variety of options, and there are local classifieds as well as garage sales.
In the end, finding cheap lodging and discounted luggage doesn’t have to mean sacrificing the comfort or security. If you do a little research and imagination, you can find an ideal accommodation within your budget, and also get amazing deals in luggage to take on your next journey. By looking at prices, signing up for loyalty programs, making bookings early or last-minute, taking advantage of promotions and discounts, or looking at alternative options such as rental homes and home sharing platforms, you can increase your spending and enjoy your trip to the highest degree.