Hotel prices have been climbing fast. But most people pay more than they should—simply because they don’t know where or how to look for better deals.
It’s easy to click on the first result you see. That’s a mistake.
If you’re booking directly through well-known hotel websites or mainstream apps, chances are you’re overpaying. Today, you’ll learn simple, proven strategies to save hundreds—without sleeping in shady motels or skipping the amenities you want.
Why Hotel Prices Feel So High
In 2023, average hotel prices in the U.S. hit around $160 per night. That’s up more than 17% from a couple of years ago.
Why are costs rising?
- Inflation has raised operating costs
- Demand surged after pandemic-related restrictions ended
- Hotels know travelers are willing to pay more after years of staying home
You’re not imagining it—rooms are more expensive. But with the right tools, you can still cut those prices significantly.
Book Through the Right Platforms
You’ve probably heard of Expedia, Booking.com, Travelocity, and Hotels.com. They dominate Google results but aren’t always the cheapest.
Third-party apps and reward-based travel companies often beat the big brands.
Use Rakuten for Up to 10% Cash Back
Rakuten partners with hotels and travel sites to offer cash back bonuses. Signing up is free. When you click through Rakuten to book a hotel, you can get back a portion of your spending—sometimes as high as 10%.
Example:
- You book a $500 hotel room through Expedia using Rakuten with a 9% cash back offer
- Rakuten sends you $45 as real money, not points
It takes just a few seconds to activate. Install the browser extension, and it will alert you when cash back is available.
Leverage Booking.com With Rakuten: Double-Dip Savings
Booking.com often features exclusive hotel rates. Pair that with Rakuten during promotional periods to stack discounts and cash back.
Example:
- Booking.com lists a hotel room for $120 nightly, while Hotels.com lists the same for $145
- Booking.com also qualifies for 8% cash back through Rakuten
Total cost difference: You save $25 upfront and up to $10 in cash back per night. That stacks fast over multi-night stays.
Use a Cash-Back Credit Card
Combine travel rewards or plain cash-back credit cards with your hotel purchase. This adds another layer of savings.
Cards to consider:
- Discover it Miles – 1.5x miles per dollar everywhere
- Chase Sapphire Preferred – 2x points on travel, great for booking hotels
- Capital One Quicksilver – Straight 1.5% cash back
If your card offers travel protection or cancellation insurance, even better. You add value without paying more.
Check Google Hotels—but Don’t Book There
Google Hotels gives you a quick look at which website is offering the best price for the same room.
But the trick is: don’t stop there.
After finding a hotel and lowest price via Google Hotels, search that hotel on a cash-back site like Rakuten. Go through that portal instead of Google’s links, and you could squeeze out another few percent in savings.
Comparison Shop With Lesser-Known Tools
Try using these lesser-known tools for better pricing:
- Trivago – Searches dozens of travel websites to compare room prices
- Traveluro – Often shows lower rates than major competitors
- Hotwire – Gives cheaper prices in exchange for fewer hotel details until after purchase
Bear in mind with Hotwire and Priceline Express, you don’t see the name of the hotel until after you book. But you’ll get the general area, star rating, and amenities.
This mystery aspect can scare some off—but the savings can be worth it.
Ask for a Price Match or Call the Hotel Directly
If you see a hotel charging less on a third-party site, call the property and ask them to match or beat it.
This method has two benefits:
- You avoid third-party cancellation headaches
- You might score upgrades, parking discounts, or resort fee waivers by speaking with someone live
Hotels prefer direct bookings—it saves them paying a fee to those travel platforms—so they’re often willing to sweeten the deal.
Travel Sites That Offer Free Nights
Some reward-based travel sites give you points toward free hotel nights. If you stick to one platform, these can add up faster than you think.
- Hotels.com Rewards: Stay 10 nights, get 1 free—average value of your 10 nights is used to calculate the reward
- Orbitz Rewards: Earn ‘Orbucks’—typically 3% on hotel bookings to use later
- Wyndham Rewards: Rooms from 7,500 points per night in many areas
Loyalty systems work best when you book all your stays on the same platform. If you travel often, pick one and build rewards there.
Use Discounted Gift Cards for Extra Savings
Buy discounted gift cards for sites like Hotels.com, Airbnb, or certain hotel chains from places like:
- Raise.com
- CardCash
- Gift Card Granny
Example:
- You buy a $100 Hotels.com gift card for $90
- You pay for the booking using that gift card, saving $10 more than the booking platform’s best price
This trick works great when buying multiple nights or booking for family and friends.
Book at the Right Time
Timing matters. Here’s what research shows:
- Mid-week rates are usually cheaper than weekends
- Tuesday is often the best day to book
- Last-minute bookings (1-2 days before) can unlock major discounts—if you’re flexible
Tools like Hopper track hotel prices and alert you when prices drop.
Try Apps That Unlock Post-Booking Discounts
Even after you book, you may not have locked in the best deal. Paribus and Pruvo track price drops on your hotel and rebook if prices fall.
If your booking is eligible for free cancellation, these services track your reservation and help you rebook at the lower rate without lifting a finger.
Simple to use. Just forward them your booking confirmation email, and they do the rest.
Split Your Stay Between Two Hotels
This isn’t ideal for long stays, but for trips 3 to 5 nights, prices can vary based on the day.
Example:
- Hotel A charges $180 Thursday and Friday, but $120 Saturday and Sunday
- Hotel B charges $110 Thursday and Friday
Switching hotels saves you $70 total. You’ll need to pack up partway through your trip, but some travelers are happy to trade comfort for significant savings.
Avoid Extra Fees That Inflate Your Final Cost
Cheap base price? Check the fine print first. Avoid these hidden charges:
- Resort fees – Often $25-$50 per night; added during checkout
- Parking fees – Can run $10-$50/day, especially in urban centers
- Wi-Fi access – Some hotels limit high-speed connections to premium bundles
Use filters or call the hotel to confirm total pricing before you book. A “cheap” hotel with heavy fees might cost you more than a higher-end one with none.
Don’t Count Out Airbnb and Short-Term Rentals
If your stay is three nights or longer, check Airbnb or Vrbo. These often save money, especially if you want more space or a kitchen.
Watch for:
- Cleaning fees—some listings charge $100 or more per stay
- Consider location—downtown hotels offer convenience, but short-term rentals may be cheaper in surrounding neighborhoods
- Pay attention to cancellation policies, which vary by host
Solo travelers might stick with hotels, but groups and families can save hundreds with short-term rentals.
Test “Mystery” or Last-Minute Apps
Apps like HotelTonight or Priceline Express let you grab unsold rooms for steep discounts—especially the day of travel. You won’t know the exact hotel until after booking, but you’ll often stay in 3- to 4-star properties for under $100 a night.
If you can live with a little surprise and risk, the rewards can be big.
The Bottom Line
You don’t need elite hotel status or a massive travel budget to get solid deals. By using a few smart tricks and stacking deals where possible, most travelers can save $50–$200 per stay. That’s real money back in your pocket—not points, perks, or theory.
Next time you book a hotel, don’t just settle. Search wide, use rewards, and build a plan to pay less every time you travel.
