In a discussion of the secrets and how they relate to the travel industry, it’s no secret that everyone wants to save money whenever they can. This is certainly the case with the huge push in the industry to help uncover great last minute hotel deals. Finding a place to stay can, in many cases, make or break our travels. Whether for business or pleasure, if you have a bad experience with a hotel, it puts a damper on your trip. If you have also paid too much for the bad experience, it really makes your blood boil.
The travel industry, as a whole, has been changing for the better part of the last three decades. According to travel experts, there was a time when much of the travel industry was regulated by travel agents and agencies. While they did a great job and were a reflection of their time, today’s travel industry is about lots of options, low cost, flexibility, and choice. The consumer-driven travel industry has come to where even travelers who wait until the last minute can book big savings that might not have been possible some ten years ago.
Here are some secrets travel gurus recommend if you’re looking to score big last-minute savings when booking a hotel room:
1. Combination offers: If you want to stay in a hotel, you probably need to travel. While some trips may work better if you drive, many people prefer to fly to their destination and rent a car to get around town. Some of the best savings you can get bundle all of these options into one travel package, bringing the price down considerably. You have to be persistent in searching for these offers, but they are available.
2. Travel Websites – Part of the persistence needed to find great bundle deals includes checking out websites that specialize in travel savings. These sites bring together the best deals from across the internet, saving you time and ultimately money. You can also sign up for email reminders and alerts about new offers.
3. App Mania: Whether you work with iOS or Android, you’re certainly familiar with the growing number of apps available to do just about anything. Look a little deeper and you’ll find apps that are specific to finding amazing hotel booking deals, especially for the procrastinator in all of us. With the right mix of alerts and having our mobile devices close at hand, finding a last minute deal just got really easy.
4. Weekday travel: Most travelers try to book on the weekends, which means they’re competing with everyone else trying to book on the weekend. Hotel industry insiders agree that by changing your reservation during the week, you’re likely to lock in some serious savings on your hotel booking simply because hotels want to make sure they fill their rooms even if they’re discounted.
5. Off-Season Travel – Along the same lines as traveling on weekdays, choosing to travel during a time of year when others don’t can result in big savings. This applies not only to hotel room reservations, but to almost all other modes of travel. This can be huge for those looking for combo deals.
Last-minute hotel deals are easier to come by than you think, but it’s important to keep in mind that as much as you’re playing the procrastinator, you also need to think critically in terms of how best to get the deals you want. With all the options you have, casting a wide net and using technology to your advantage may be the best approach to getting the savings you want the next time you book a hotel.