This week our members share their hotel booking strategies! The right tools and a bit of research are key to scoring the best hotel for the best price.
There are two steps to booking hotels. Websites such as Booking.com and Expedia can help with the first step – selecting a hotel – as they present an overview of all the options. Once you’ve narrowed the search down to just a few hotels, our members suggest checking the hotels’ reviews on websites like TripAdvisor. Reviews will usually highlight a hotel’s hidden faults, so it’s an important check.
After deciding on a hotel, the second step is to find the best price. To do this, our members suggest using a comparison website such as Trivago or Hotels Combined. These online tools don’t just compare hotels; they also compare the prices that different third-party booking websites are selling the same room for.
In addition to this, our members recommend always checking the cost of the room if booked directly with the hotel. There is often a significant difference in price! Keep in mind that if you’re a member of a hotel loyalty program, you’ll need to book directly with the hotel in order to earn points and use your status perks. And don’t stop checking once the room is booked – it may reduce in price later!
One member points out that NRMA, RACQ and RACV members can access further savings by taking advantage of their “AAA” discount at Hilton, Sheraton and various other hotels.
Finally, some members prefer the convenience of using a travel agent. Travel agents may also have access to special wholesale rates that aren’t available online. But our members warn that it’s important to shop around to ensure you’re getting the best deal.
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