My mom always told me that I had “champagne taste on a beer budget.” Nice! But there is some truth to that. And when it comes to travel, we should all be looking for the best bang for our buck. So how can you stay in great hotels and resorts and still have some $$ for eating and sightseeing? Checkout some of these tips:
Book early for best availability, rooms and rates. Last year, you could get a good last minute deal but people are traveling again, the economy is slowly recovering, and to get the great deals you need to plan and book ahead.
- Reward yourself. Sign up for the Hotels.com WelcomeRewards program. It’s simple and easy, and FREE to join. When you book any 10 nights, you earn a free night stay at more than 64,000 hotels worldwide. I’ve already earned and used free nights and have another WelcomeReward night reservation in Italy in the Fall. It’s a great way to experience a variety of hotels with the benefits of a true loyalty program.
Ask For What You Want! Don’t hesitate to ask the front desk personnel upon check-in if there’s an upgrade available. Many hotels are glad to move guests into a “better” room. It builds customer loyalty and it helps them to sell that more affordable standard room to someone else.
Be Flexible. Hotels in resort areas popular to leisure travelers are often cheapest during the week. So travel Sunday-Thursday for lower prices.
Frequent Flyer Miles. Use the frequent flyer miles you have been stockpiling for an upgrade! You can farewatch for the ticket prices and still ride in style.
Make friends with the Concierge. The hotel Concierge is literally your ticket to what’s hot in a given town. The concierge often has discounts to local restaurants, shows, clubs and events. They can get restaurant reservations when no one else can. And they want to help you, so let them!
Ready to plan that getaway? Travelers, like me, who like to stay in style at four and five star hotels can find deals starting at $96 a night with Hotels.com’s Luxury for Less sale. Find deals such as the five-star Ritz-Carlton Chicago from $250 per night for a three night stay with the third night free, while The Royal Sonesta Hotel Boston, a four star hotel, starts at $135 a night. Luxury deals of 40% off can be found at Rooney’s Boutique Hotel in Buenos Aires with rooms from $116 per night while the five star Venetian Resort Hotel & Casino in Las Vegas is offering $150 in resort credits.
See Hotels.com for restrictions.
If you have questions or comments for the author of the Travel Smart Blog, Nicole Hockin, please email: 
shoot amazing info dude.
Thank you!