What are you preferred methods/sites of finding cheap accommodation?
Posted by SalamancaVice@reddit | Shoestring | View on Reddit | 23 comments
My usual go-to is to use something like Booking or Agoda to get an idea of places to stay and prices, then if possible I'll book directly with the accommodation to save a little bit more on booking fees.
Just wondering if anyone else has any tips or hacks they'd like to share?
HonoluluLongBeach@reddit
I google, then call the hotel directly and try to get the lowest rate. I always book directly with the hotel.
dumbasul@reddit
This might be a stupid question but how do you get the lowest rate? Aren't hotel prices fixed? Sorry i'm new to all this
NiagaraThistle@reddit
this is the best way to find great overlooked places and save money on room rates.
marlonbrandoisalive@reddit
I always check Google first for the best map view. Then I pick a handful of hotels I like also look at booking.com because it also has a nice interface. Once I have a small list of hotels I google them directly. I usually end up booking with the hotel directly but sometimes I find a good deal elsewhere.
I also check Airbnb and compare it to vrbo which is usually around $100 cheaper. If I find a place I like on either of those two platforms I google the specific place and sometimes find a better deal on it on some other booking site like vacasa type of place
NiagaraThistle@reddit
I avoid 3rd party booking sites and contact places directly.
I google "hotels near [city]" and swap 'hotels' with B&Bs/Guesthouse/pensione depending on the country and trip. I view results in Map View to make sure I'm targeting locations near enough to the actual city. Then I make a list of the top 15-25 and grab their emails or phone numbers and send a message to each like this:
"Hi. I would like a room for 2 nights. I will check in on [DATE] and out on [DATE]. My per night budget is $XX. Do you have anything available to for these nights and budget? Thanks!"
Then i wait. If everyone say no or does not respond within 48 hours, I make a list of the next 25 results from that search.
I got sick of the 3rd party booking sites and Air B&B since prices have skyrocketed and customer service on any of them is garbage if a problem occurs. I'd rathe book direct and know that the accommodation (especially smaller privately owned ones) are getting ALL my money and not paying the 3rd party sites.
Plus i usually find great privately owned B&Bs or small family owned hotels that offer great discounts if I pay direct and with cash.
I've had great luck doing this and have saved a ton of money on recent European trips.
Tricky_Ad6844@reddit
Staying in hostels in Mexico and Central America is amazingly cost effective.
Last week I was in Guatemala and stayed in Hostels costing as little as $19 dollars a night AND included breakfast.
DESR95@reddit
I stayed in a super nice hostel in the historic center of Mexico City for $11 per night. Paid $9-12 in Guatemala City and Antigua. I wish the USA had similar accommodations š
Duchy2000@reddit
I always use a screen scraper like kayak to find which third party has the cheapest rates (and I like the option to search by distance from landmark to find very also alternative properties, Iāve found some gems that way). I donāt always then book direct as some of the better 3rd parties offer better perks like cash back and also credit Avios at a far higher rate whilst still having the same rate as direct so overall itās not best to book direct . I donāt subscribe to ādirect is always betterā anymore although I used to. Sometimes it is but not always.
_berrystrawberry@reddit
I used staysaverz.com for my last trip and saved $43! It was a good deal.
MaleficentFee715@reddit
Get that Super membership ($14) if youāre using to book multiple hotels in a short period of time (usually a $20-30 discount per hotel, use the cash back for expensive hotel cities like nyc after cancellation
D0nath@reddit
Google Maps. It's comparing all the sites.
64-matthew@reddit
Ring the place you want to stay. It's cheaper than going through booking apps
BriefConsideration68@reddit
Is this true when booking with points too?
64-matthew@reddit
No idea
the8roundshock@reddit
Iāve had at least 10 experiences of going to a hotel in person hoping to book, then quoting a price higher than booking.com, and when I ask about it they say to just book it there. Iāve only had 1 experience of it being cheaper booking directly.
Ftmch-666@reddit
I've used Agoda before - they hooked me in with their 'up-front' cheap prices, but found their cash-back practices and user experience awful. Direct with the hotel or Booking.com for convenience, better interface and cheap enough price.
LineFormal6530@reddit
I usually compare prices on Booking too, but lately Iāve found some good accommodation and activity deals through Saving Says
ssantos88@reddit
Agoda.
valeyard89@reddit
booking.com or hotels.com via cashback sites. (Hotels.com has 11% cashback right now on topcashback.com)
MidwestGlamma@reddit
Using a real travel agent
Oftenwrongs@reddit
Actually, getting level 3 with booking and hotels gives access to muuuuch cheaper rates than direct, which is usually pretty poor, especially when dealing with foreign countries outside of the megacities.
Technical_Appeal8390@reddit
I check as date gets closer. If price drops, I cancel and rebook.
seamallowance@reddit
The first thing that I do is to choose regions where *all* lodging is relatively inexpensive to start with. (ie: no on London, yes on Quito) and travel off season. I usually use Booking.com or Agoda.com initially, and I specify my price range. (ie: <US$40). I sort by newest reviews. I look at the submitted pictures, not the ones from Management. If I am planning on catching a train or a bus, I try to stay close to the station. I look at Google maps and find hotels nearby that might not be listed on Booking or Agoda and try to contact them directly. My needs are simple, I just want a private room and a private bathroom.