10 Ways to Save Big on Your Next Hotel Stay

Although they’re still below pre-recession prices, hotel rooms will probably cost you more this year. The Hotel Price Index found that global hotel prices rose 3% in 2013, the fourth straight year with an increase.

1. Go in the Off-Season

The top way to save on your hotel room is to travel during off-peak times. That’s how I saved more than a $100 a night at Cedar Point. With fewer people traveling, hotels drop their rates in the off-season to pull in as much business as they can.

2. Stay Midweek

If off-season travel doesn’t work for you, try to hit your destination during the week rather than on the weekend. Unless the hotel you’re staying at caters to business travelers, you’ll probably find cheaper rates on weekdays.

3. Search Online for Promo Codes

Before booking a hotel, try searching online for coupon codes or promo offers. If you’re booking through a third-party website, don’t forget to search for codes associated with the booking site as well as the hotel.

In addition, follow your favorite brands on Facebook and Twitter. Companies occasionally distribute codes or announce flash sales on social media. You might even send a message or tweet the company and ask if they have a coupon for loyal customers like you.

4. Shop Around

Hotels are a bit like cars: Everyone has a different price for roughly the same thing. Find the best rate by searching for hotel prices on a couple of different sites or use an aggregator like Trivago.com. Be sure to clear the cookies on your computer between searches to ensure your search history isn’t influencing your results.

Also, don’t neglect calling the hotel directly. In my experience, some of the best rates are offered by the hotel and not available online.

5. Think Outside the Hotel

Sometimes the best deal isn’t a hotel at all. If you have a large family or are traveling with a group, you may find it’s cheaper to rent a vacation home. For a different experience, you could try a bed and breakfast, Airbnb or a hostel or, for the really adventurous, couch surfing.

6. Bundle Your Vacation

If you’re using a third-party site, try bundling your vacation. Some sites will provide discounts if you buy your airfare or rent a car at the same time that you book your hotel room. However, be sure to also price out your airfare and room separately to ensure you’re getting a bargain.

7. Rethink the Entertainment Package

Many hotels offer entertainment packages that add meals and attraction tickets to your room. On the face of it, many of these packages are a good deal, but do some research before making your reservation.

Sometimes the entertainment package can lure us into spending more for perks we don’t need or even necessarily want. Other times, it may be just as cheap to buy the included items separately. By waiting to make those ticket and meal purchases after you arrive, you’ll likely have greater flexibility in your schedule.

8. Sign up for a Loyalty Program

From Choice Hotels to Hyatt, hotel chains fitting every budget offer loyalty programs. They often work like frequent-flier miles, earning you free nights after a certain number of stays. However, they may also entitle you to discounts and other perks like evening receptions or room upgrades. Best of all: Most are free to join.

9. Join a Club

Membership has its privileges, and some organizations have negotiated discounts with hotel chains. AARP and AAA are the two groups most likely to get you a rate cut. If you’re a member, be sure to ask about special rates before booking your stay.

10. Ask for a Deal

Finally, the best way to cut your hotel rate may be to simply ask. Don’t bother using a third-party booking site or even the hotel chain’s 800 number for this strategy. You need to call the front desk of the hotel and ask for the lowest nonrefundable rate they offer.

Another option would be to make a refundable reservation and then continue to shop around. If you find a lower price, go back to your preferred hotel and ask if they can match the competition’s price. At the very least, you may get offered an upgrade.

This post originally appeared on Money Talks News.