9 Tips for Holiday Hotel Savings**by John Hughes Newswise — In the coming weeks, families across the country will be traveling over the river and through the woods to visit loved ones during the holidays. Those that require extended trips will undoubtedly also incur the expense of staying in a hotel. But for knowledgeable travelers, there are several tricks to help keep costs down, giving Santa some extra spending money for presents. Location, location, locationThe general rule of cost of living is that rural areas are much more affordable than comparable facilities in major metropolitan areas. But this can be misleading when it comes to finding a hotel. The business travel schedule heats up during the week but nearly disappears come Friday night. Convention hotels with thousands of rooms struggle to fill up outside of special events and often steeply discount their rates to put heads in beds. In this case, traveling downtown might create substantial savings where staying in the suburbs or further away will limit competition and drive prices higher. Business before pleasureAccording to an August 2012 study by Google and Ipsos MediaCT, 57 percent of business travelers have used a mobile device to access travel information, while only 38 percent of leisure travelers did the same. Mobile devices are a fantastic tool either by browsing the web or using apps that can lead to significant savings. Private consumers can take advantage of these deals too. Using them to access travel sites to compare rates is an ongoing trend that allows travelers to see several options all at once. While that’s certainly helpful, don’t forget to check websites of the actual hotel chains as well. Sometimes, hotels offer specials that are not released or publicized on travel sites. Everything’s negotiableSticker prices can be misleading. Certainly there are profit margins that hotels must meet to stay in business but reservation representatives are permitted more wiggle room than you might think. Don’t be afraid to call the hotel directly and haggle in order to get a better deal. If you’ve found a lower rate at one of their local competitors, don’t be shy and say you’re considering other options. Be a loyal customerFrequent travelers who have their favorite hotel chains can really capitalize on joining loyalty reward programs. Between free stays, discounted rates and suite upgrades, the benefits can add up quickly. Some programs now allow for points to be used at their own online marketplace to purchase consumer products or restaurant gift cards, which can also save money on food expenses during travel. Plan aheadBooking well in advance of your trip gives you time to weigh all the options and settle on the best price available. The holidays presents one of the highest travel times of the year and waiting too long can limit your options. Travel sites continue to make comparison-shopping increasingly easy. You might find yourself driving longer distances than necessary, or going out of your way to find a cheaper room. With gas prices still well over $3.00 per gallon on average, this can quickly eliminate any net savings that could be available. Procrastinators rejoiceAlthough it seems contradictory to the last point, waiting until the last minute to book your accommodations can actually yield high savings too. Hotel rooms are a commodity based on time, and every night a room sits vacant, the hotel loses potential revenue. As hotels try to fill their rooms, prices could fall to lure last minute guests. This course is certainly a gamble, as rooms may or may not be available. But smartphone applications such as Travelzoo and Hotel Tonight, have made this a much easier option to pursue. Get your money’s worthMembers of travel groups such as AAA or AARP are automatically eligible for hundreds of discounts that are factored into their value proposition. If you are already a member, make sure you take full advantage of all the benefits you’re paying to receive. Be flexibleHotel rates change based on demand. Adapting your travel plans to fit the less popular travel dates can lead to significant savings. Call the hotel directly and inquire about arrival/departure patterns. After you determine when the lowest price will be, adjust your travel plans accordingly. Sometimes, you get what you pay forA low price and a good deal are not always the same thing. There are several hotels out there in which visitors quickly see why the price tag is so low, and the facilities and services reflect that. To avoid a room that begs the question of the last time it was cleaned, check out TripAdvisor.com or other third party websites to read customer reviews. They are generally written by folks who had a strong enough impression of the hotel to take the time to either write in favor, or in disgust of their stay.
John Hughes is the hospitality management program director at York College of Pennsylvania, and the former vice president of operations for Carnival Hotels and Resorts.
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