Vacation travel is booming in the United States as pent-up demand is released. Consequently, travel may be more expensive than ever.
Besides using the best travel credit cards, there are other ways to unveil deep discounts on your hotel stays.
Here are 10 ways to get epic upgrades and freebies for your hotel stay.
If you’re over 50, take advantage of massive travel discounts and trip-planning resources
Over 50 and love traveling? Join AARP today — because if you’re not a member, you could be missing out on huge travel perks. When you start your membership today, you can get discounts on hotels and resorts, airfare, cruises, car rentals, and more.
How to become a member today:
- Go here, select your free gift, and click “Join Today”
- Create your account (important!) by answering a few simple questions
- Start enjoying your discounts and perks!
An AARP membership not only unlocks discounts that could save you hundreds on your next trip, but you’ll also have access to deals on vacation packages, guided tours, and exclusive content to help plan your next getaway.
Important: Start your membership by creating an account here and filling in all of the information (do not skip this step!). Doing so will allow you to take up to 25% off your AARP membership, making it just $12 per year with auto-renewal.
Price compare on third-party sites
Before approaching the hotel for a reservation, make sure to do a little research. Sites like Hotel Engine, Priceline, Expedia, and Booking.com often run deep discounts on hotel stays.
These sites are one-stop shops that can help you nab added discounts on travel, excursions, necessities, and more.
Even if you do not find a deal you want to settle on in your precursory search, you can bring price-matching options with you when you contact the hotel for rates.
Book directly with the hotel
When you book directly with a hotel via email or their location’s local number, you may be privy to better deals than others. Hotel representatives often try to upsell you on items, but they also have the power to grant you discounts and opportunities.
Plus, booking directly through the hotel where you will be staying may earn them more money from the sale than booking through a third party or website.
Feel free to ask the rep you are speaking with what types of deals may be going on, and keep your ears open for any you haven’t noticed online. You may just get out of it with a couple of nights free.
Join the hotel loyalty program
Most hotel chains have loyalty or rewards programs that you can plug into for deep discounts, especially as you accrue points.
These programs are so popular and encourage so many return customers that boutique hotels and smaller chains have started implementing their own loyalty opportunities.
If you're consistently staying at specific hotel chains and utilizing their rewards programs, then you could qualify for free stays and upgrades.
Hotel giants like Wyndham, Marriott, World of Hyatt, and more offer member-only experiences at destinations around the world, including extended sauna and gym hours, free food, and much more.
Earn a $250 travel bonus with this incredible card
There's a credit card that's making waves with its amazing bonus and benefits. The Bank of America® Travel Rewards credit card has no annual fee and you can earn 25,000 bonus points after spending $1,000 in purchases in the first 90 days of account opening.
You can earn additional points just by using this card for your everyday purchases — unlimited 1.5 points per $1 spent on all purchases. The 25,000 bonus points can be redeemed for a $250 statement credit toward travel or dining purchases.
If you want to travel and dine out more, the Travel Rewards card can help you get where you want to go.
The best part? There's no annual fee.
Add a browser extension
Nowadays, you can sift through coupons and offers automatically with a browser extension. This is an app downloaded directly to your browser, like Hive, Rakuten, and The Guestbook.
These extensions scan through available deals, and often offer up to 10% cash back. Choose the extension that has partnerships with brands that you frequent, as you have real potential to earn cash-back checks.
Cozy up to the staff
It should come as no surprise that we encourage respect for every member of the hotel staff and fellow guests. It should also be obvious that the nicer you are to people, the more they may be willing to engage with you and help you out in a bind.
If you are friendly, you may be able to ask the bellhop about upgrade opportunities or get a deal of a meal out of room service. Front desk staff will be more likely to answer your questions and let you know what discounts may be available to you as well.
Avoid being creepy, and never go into a situation expecting freebies. If you have a specific request, feel free to ask. Sometimes it just takes clear, kind communication.
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Host a special event at the hotel
All-inclusive resorts and hotel chains around the world will offer special discounts — and even free stays — to people who bring a block of customers to the location.
For example, resorts like Beach Palace Cancun or Hyatt Ziva Cancun will host a free wedding and throw in several free nights for the couple if they bring in about 30 guests for a minimum stay at the property.
A hotel wants to keep customers who bring groups coming back. You are likely to be a repeat customer for anniversaries and other events. You helped them book rooms that would otherwise be empty.
Speak with your hotel rep about what they can offer you if you plan on hosting your next big event there.
Let the hotel know you’re celebrating
Even if it isn’t necessarily true, a great way to get an upgrade or even free items is to let the hotel clerk or bellhop know you are celebrating.
It might not be your wedding, anniversary, honeymoon, family reunion, bachelorette party, or otherwise, but staying at a hotel is absolutely a cause for celebration.
If you want to see what the hotel can offer, communicate that you are celebrating an event. They will want the stay to be extra memorable for you.
Send a personalized note
Consider sending a personalized email to the representative whom you booked with. If you do not have any personal contact information, reach out to the location via their publicly displayed email address or submission form.
Send any details about your trip that you are excited about or a line of gratitude for helping you get the best price. This may warrant them flagging your account with details, offers, or other small touches for your stay.
Pro tip: Follow up with another email a day or two before your arrival to confirm your reservation. This will keep you and your enthusiasm top of mind for freebies and fun.
Reserve during a slower time
If your travel isn’t being scheduled around an event or specific timeframe, try reserving your hotel during a slower time. Peak season and weekends are more difficult to find rooms, with travel, weddings, getaways, conventions, holidays, and more.
Vacancies are highest in the middle of the week and during off-seasons, when the hotel may be more willing to offer a discount. Rooms are also more likely to be listed online at better prices during this time.
Bottom line
There are so many great ways to take advantage of better prices when you are traveling. Being kind and inquisitive is key.
If all else fails, child, student, and senior travel discounts are usually options to explore. Remember, if you don’t ask, you won’t get anything. So put on your best manners and ask for a little extra.
Easy-to-Earn Unlimited Rewards
Benefits
Card Details
- $0 annual fee
- Simple, flat-rate rewards
- Flexible redemption options
- Up to 75% preferred Rewards bonus potential
- Apply Now
- Earn unlimited 1.5 points per $1 spent on all purchases, with no annual fee and no foreign transaction fees and your points don't expire as long as your account remains open.
- 25,000 online bonus points after you make at least $1,000 in purchases in the first 90 days of account opening - that can be a $250 statement credit toward travel purchases.
- Use your card to book your trip how and where you want - you're not limited to specific websites with blackout dates or restrictions.
- Redeem points for a statement credit to pay for travel or dining purchases, such as flights, hotel stays, car and vacation rentals, baggage fees, and also at restaurants including takeout.
- 0% Intro APR for 15 billing cycles for purchases, and for any balance transfers made in the first 60 days. After the Intro APR offer ends, a Variable APR that’s currently 18.49% - 28.49% will apply. A 3% Intro balance transfer fee will apply for the first 60 days your account is open. After the Intro balance transfer fee offer ends, the fee for future balance transfers is 4%.
- If you're a Bank of America Preferred Rewards® member, you can earn 25%-75% more points on every purchase. That means instead of earning an unlimited 1.5 points for every $1, you could earn 1.87-2.62 points for every $1 you spend on purchases.
- Contactless Cards - The security of a chip card, with the convenience of a tap.
- This online only offer may not be available if you leave this page or if you visit a Bank of America financial center. You can take advantage of this offer when you apply now.
FinanceBuzz writers and editors score cards based on a number of objective features as well as our expert editorial assessment. Our partners do not influence how we rate products.
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Read Card ReviewIntro Offer
Earn 25,000 online bonus points after you make at least $1,000 in purchases in the first 90 days of account opening - that can be a $250 statement credit toward travel purchases
Annual Fee
$0
Why we like it
The Bank of America® Travel Rewards credit card is great for individuals who enjoy earning rewards and traveling.
Cardholders will enjoy the flexibility to redeem points with no blackout dates and receive a statement credit to pay for travel and dining purchases.
Earn 1.5X points on all purchases everywhere, every time.
- Apply Now
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