While traveling the place you rest your head during the night could consume a large portion of your budget. But don’t worry, there’s many options to locate secure, affordable and cozy accommodations.
We find that traveling with children doesn’t mean taking the cheapest option – we want to get the most value for dollars. We’re not so keen on roughing it as much as we used to do, yet we still would like to save money.
What you do and where you decide to live depends on a few things like:
- Your budget
- Your destination
- Your travel style and comfort level
- How big is your team
- Your interests are important to you
Remember that getting an offer of 15% off a room you don’t really want isn’t as good than paying full price for a hotel you want. Therefore, our aim is to assist you in saving money on lodging and to get a place you’re happy with.
As a family, we’ve switched the way we travel throughout the years. In the case of longer travel, we’re more comfortable in apartments as they come with kitchens, separate bedrooms , and laundry facilities. Additionally, we can share the costs with our friends or families. However, for shorter stays, we’re more than happy to stay in hotels or family-friendly hostels.
If you’re planning an extended journey around the globe, you should consider making more time in areas where your money goes further and lower your standards in more costly countries.
Here are 18 tips for scoring great lodging deals:
Location, location, location!
It doesn’t make sense to pick a budget hotel located far from everything , and you’ll need to pay more for transportation. Consider hotels located in central locations near airports, public transportation, and things to do such as restaurants, the beach and parks.
Stay for more than one night
Some hotels provide better rates if you stay for more than two nights. In some cases, you can stay four nights and only pay for three.
Hit the hotel on Sunday
Hotels tend to be less crowded on Sundays therefore you might be able to find a deal. If you decide to stay on Sunday, you’ll avoid the check-in and check-out crowds on Monday and Friday.
Your weekdays can be your best friend
In certain cities, such as Las Vegas, hotels are cheaper during the week than on weekends. Therefore, you can avoid the crowds and save money by going during the week.
Off-season is the best-season
It’s no surprise that hotels tend to be more expensive in the off-season. If you’re able to travel during shoulder seasons (between the peak season and off-peak) you’ll reduce costs as well as avoid crowds, and enjoy decent conditions.
Compare the prices of different booking websites
Don’t just book through the first site you discover. Compare prices across multiple sites to ensure you’re getting the best price.
Make sure you sign up for loyalty programs
A lot of hotels and vacation rental companies offer loyalty programs in which guests can accumulate points or discounts on future stays.
Book early or last-minute
Sometimes, making reservations early will save you money and other times, waiting till the very last moment could get you a discount.
Do not be afraid to bargain
When you book directly with a hotel , or vacation rental, don’t feel afraid to ask for an improved rate or additional features. There’s no way to know if they might even say yes!
Look for vacation rental deals
Vacation rentals, like apartments or homes, can be an ideal option for groups or families. In many cases, they can be less expensive than booking several hotel rooms.
Make use of rewards on credit cards
If you have a credit or debit card that offers travel rewards, you can make use of these rewards to cover your lodging and save money.
Check for hidden fees
Hotels or booking sites may charge extra fees for items like resort or cleaning charges Be sure to read the fine print before making your booking.
Check for discounts or offers
Many hotels and vacation rentals offer specials or discounts on items such as military personnel, students, and AAA members.
Check for hidden gems
Sometimes, the most affordable deals are found in smaller hotel chains, or in holiday rentals that aren’t well-known.
Make sure you find pet-friendly accommodations
If you’re planning to travel with a pet consider looking for accommodations that are pet-friendly. These establishments may offer discounts or special offers for guests with pets.
Utilize social media
A lot of hotels and vacation rental properties offer special discounts or deals that they advertise on social media. Be sure to keep up with them via Facebook, Twitter, or Instagram.
Consider a home-sitting arrangement or house-swapping
Home swapping or housesitting is the process of swapping houses with a different person, allowing you to reside in their house while they reside in yours. This can be a great method to save on lodging while also being in your space.
You might want to consider renting a campervan, or an RV
If you’re traveling as a group of people, renting a campervan or RV can be an excellent way to save money on lodging. Plus, you’ll be able to visit different locations and have your own transportation all in one!
Use a travel agent
Travel agents often have access to discounts and special offers which aren’t accessible to the general people. Additionally, they are able to perform the research and comparison shopping for you.
Book a package deal
Booking a hotel, flight and rental car in a bundle deal can often save you money on each of the components.
Find hostels
Hostels are an affordable option for solo travelers or groups. In addition, with the popularity of hostels that are boutique it is possible to find safe, comfortable, and safe options.
Try home-sharing services
Home-sharing platforms such as Airbnb and Vrbo are able to provide cheaper and exclusive accommodation options for example, staying in a room within a local’s home or renting a home for a large number of people.
In addition, here are some tips to help you find cheap luggage
Shop at discount retailers
Discount retailers like T.J. Maxx, Ross and Marshalls usually have a range of luggage for sale at a discount. Make sure you look these stores up before you buy from a department store.
Check out sales that are off-season
Like with accommodations It is not uncommon to find good deals on luggage during the seasonal sales or the off-season. This is especially true of the stores that sell travel and outdoor gear.
Buy used or refurbished
Take a look at buying second-hand or refurbished luggage. This is a fantastic option to save money on the top brands, and you could find gently used luggage that is in perfect quality. Websites such as Amazon and Ebay have good options and as well as local classifieds and garage sales.
In conclusion, finding cheap lodging and discounted luggage doesn’t have to mean sacrificing comfort and safety. If you do a little investigation and creativity you can locate the perfect accommodation within your budget as well as amazing deals in luggage to take on your next trip. By looking at prices, signing up for loyalty programs, making reservations early or last-minute, taking advantage of promotions and discounts, and exploring other options such as home-sharing platforms and vacation rentals to stretch your budget further and enjoy your travels to the maximum.