Hotels aren’t cheap. They can usually be the most expensive part of traveling. Sometimes your hotel room might even cost more than your flight.
But hotels are pretty nice. They are way more comfortable than apartment rentals. And they have a lot more amenities.
To get the best bang for your buck, you need to make the most of your hotel stay. There are a few easy travel hacks to make your dollar go a bit further. Here are some simple ways to get your money’s worth.
- Good Timing
Look up the check-in and check-out times before you go.
See if early check-in or check-out is an option. You might be able to get your hotel room for a few more hours if you just ask.
You can almost always leave your luggage at reception. That way you can enjoy your destination without carrying your bags around.
Obviously, you don’t want to spend your entire vacation in your hotel room. You want to get out and do things.
But you have paid for the hotel, too. If there’s a discount at the bar, enjoy it instead of visiting another bar. Check out the restaurant.
Plan time around using the fitness center and other amenities. The more time you spend in the hotel, the cheaper it becomes per hour.
Enjoy the lounge spaces, too.
- Maximize Services
Hotels offer a lot more than just a room.
Here is a list of some of the services that you might not have known could be yours. Hotels are part of the hospitality industry.
Hospitality is about way more than making your bed and cleaning up after yourself. In fact, that’s only a small portion of the job. There’s so much more that you are missing out on.
Receptionists are there to give recommendations. They are, after all, locals.
They know the city pretty well. Ask what their favorite restaurant is. That way you can avoid the touristy parts of the city.
Ask them about public transportation and taxis and whatever else you might want to know. They can often arrange concert tickets, museum visits, and other cultural activities.
Most of the time, the rate you get at the hotel will be cheaper than the door price. So there’s really no reason not to take advantage of this service.
Some hotels will even have guides or organize walking tours.
- Loyalty
Frequent travelers know that they should be loyal.
Most of the big hotel chains have loyalty programs. Sign up for them.
These loyalty programs are often free, and they have lots of benefits. If you want to get a lot of points, join a credit card program.
Hotel credit cards work the same way as air miles. You build up points. Once you have enough, you can pay for your stay entirely with points.
You could end up saving hundreds if not thousands of dollars.
When you join a program, you’ll also get better service. The hotel staff will see that you’re a reward member. You’re more likely to get a room upgrade.
You will also be given a cheaper price than normal travelers. And the chances that you might get a freebie are pretty high.
Saying no to points is basically saying no to free money.
- Small Talk
The hotel staffs are people, too.
They work long hours, and they can get lonely.
Everyone secretly likes a bit of small talk. To keep things from getting boring, here are some questions you could ask that aren’t related to the weather.
Remember people’s names. Ask about their family or what they want to do in life. Most of them have ambitions beyond staying in the hotel.
This will make you more memorable and likable.
When it comes time to give away a free bottle of champagne or give an upgrade, you’ll be more likely to come first.
Plus, being polite is always nice.
- Good Reviews
We live in a digital world.
People read reviews before they book things.
Leave good reviews on hotel websites and travel sites. If you return to a hotel, they will remember the nice review that you left.
If you stay at a chain regularly, they will see that you write reviews. That will make them eager to give you better service. Keep your reviews honest.
It’s important that people know what a hotel is really like.
Conclusion
Hotel prices aren’t that flexible. But if you take advantage of your stay, you can make your money go further.
