How to Get the Best Deals at Hotels

Posted On 5 May 2020

Last updated on April 9th, 2024

Asking for a deal when checking into a hotel is not something I would have even thought of when I was a young man. The room rate what they say the rate is, right?

After graduating from the University of Wyoming, I ended up getting a job working as a night auditor at a hotel in Bozeman, Montana. I learned a lot about hotels during my 15 months working there.

One of the most interesting things that I learned is that when checking into a hotel in the evening (without a reservation), ask if there are any deals on rooms. There may be a manager’s special! Managers often get bonuses based on the hotel occupancy – The more rooms sold, the more the manager makes.

Deals Must Be Win-Win

Businesses are in business to make money. I want them to make money so they can keep operating. While I want them to make money, I don’t want to spend more than I need to spend. Now, I don’t want to be the customer who is a big pain to deal with.

I will simply ask if there are any specials, or if that is the best rate that they can offer. The desk clerk is the employee of the hotel, not me. I cannot tell them how they should do their job. They know the rules of the hotel better than I do. All I can do is ask in a way that they may be willing to give me a deal.

Be A Great Guest

When we stay at a hotel, we are the guest – a visitor. Since we are a guest in their hotel, we should act in a way that they would like us to come back and visit them again.

I have found that hotels enjoy us when we are friendly with the staff and we try to clean up after ourselves. Yes, we clean up after ourselves! We know the staff can do that, yet if we are able to help them, why not? The employees are people, too, and if we can help make their job easier, they are more willing to give us better treatment.

If you travel to a certain place often, staying with the same hotel will help you build more rewards points. You also become a regular, and the hotel usually treats you better.

Ask for A Better Deal

If you don’t feel that the deal you were just given was not the best the hotel has to offer, ask for a better deal. You are negotiating with the clerk, so you can ask for more.

Remember, you are looking for a better room rate, not a free room. If you ask, and the answer is no, accept it. I negotiate, I don’t argue!

When Checking In Early, Ask

It does not cost the hotel anything extra if you check into your room early! We have checked in as early as 7:00 AM. This time that I am thinking of we were on a trip to Florida. We took a red-eye flight that arrived in Orlando at 6:00 AM and our plan was to spend the day we arrived at Sea World. Leaving our luggage in a rental car in the parking lot all day was not our preference, although it was a possibility.

After arriving at the airport and getting into our rental minivan, we went to the hotel to see if we could check in early. Not all the rooms had been sold the night before, so they let us check in early. We were also able to get a free shuttle from the hotel to Sea World!

Do You need a Late Check-Out?

On another trip our van broke down. We stayed in a motel. It was dated, yet clean. The place was nothing special. When we checked in, we asked the guy if there was any deals he could give us since we broke down. No deals. That was ok, as the price was reasonable. The repair in the morning took a little longer than expected, and so we asked if we could check out late. He agreed to let us stay in the room for an extra hour. It never hurts to ask for something when you need it.

Sometimes There Are No Deals

A lot of the time you should be able to get a deal on a hotel room. Not all the time. I find it beneficial to be prepared to pay the regular price for the room, and if they can get me a deal, even better!

I don’t know what is happening at the hotel. Maybe the hotel is under pressure to charge more for rooms. The Desk clerk could be new or having a bad day. When I ask for a deal, I make it a point not to be confrontational.

You’ll Never Get A Deal Unless You Ask

If you don’t ask, you will never get the deal! So, ask. If you booked the room in advance, and got a deal when you paid for it, don’t ask for another deal! Remember this needs to be win-win.

Were you not able to enter your rewards number when booking the room? Have the clerk enter your number. Are you not able to get the points because you already got points from booking through Expedia? Again, you got a deal.

Ask About Local Places

The front desk staff is often quite knowledgeable on the local area. They can recommend good restaurants and other local places. Do you need to know how to get somewhere? Ask the clerk at the front desk.

Some hotels offer deals to local places. There may be free shuttles from the hotel. You may be able to find a local place that you wouldn’t have heard about if you didn’t talk to the front desk.

Did You Forget Something?

Most hotels have emergency supplies such as toothbrushes, safety razors, etc. They also have a lost and found. There could even be a USB cable in there so you can charge your phone.

Hotels are usually excellent at filling your requests, too. If you need an extra towel, pillow, or blanket, just ask the front desk clerk. There is no reason not to ask for something. The hotel staff are there to help make your stay as enjoyable as possible.

Park at The Hotel

Some hotels near major airports will let you park your vehicle there while you are on a trip. Sometimes, it is cheaper than parking at the airport! If you find a hotel that offers free parking, you get to stay in a room the night before your trip so you can be rested before your trip.

How can you make this an even better deal?? Pay for the hotel with rewards points that you earn by simply living your life. Check out my Shopping Rewards page for good programs.

Casino Resorts

If you would like to go to a casino resort and spend as little as possible, you can do it! MGM Resorts have a rewards program that is included in their online “free” casino games. I wrote posts about PopSlots! and myVegas. The posts explain the games as well as tips on how to get the most out of the games.

Take Away

Remember, if you don’t ask for a deal you won’t get one. Always ask for a deal. Treat the hotel staff the way you would like to be treated if you were the one working at the hotel. Don’t ask for everything. Again, you want to be a great guest.

It is possible to stay in a hotel for less money. You can also get better service than the average guest. All it takes is the willingness to ask for something and treating others with respect.