I have observed that frequent travelers are better at booking hotels and flights without overspending.
This is mainly because casual travelers such as you often end up paying more than necessary just because you don’t know what you’re looking for or how to save on travel bookings. I am writing this guide to educate travelers on what they should look for when booking flights and hotels online.
Feel free to scroll to the end and read the final thoughts section, as it sums up the entire article in a short paragraph.
Economy Seats Only!
Yes, you read this subtitle correctly… It is better to fly economy and save money instead of getting a business class upgrade. I say this because the trip won’t last too long, and you could spend the money saved on other things during the trip. One of the best things to spend more money on than intended is accommodation, whether it’s a luxury hotel, a villa, or a resort.
Main Takeaways
- Spending a little more on hotel bookings is better than spending on flight tickets. It is okay to splurge only if it doesn’t cause money problems for the rest of your trip.
- You can find countless villas by the beachside that don’t cost too much.
Book Hotels Near Attractions or Airport
I know these types of situations are rare, but a friend of mine once didn’t check the distance between the airport and hotel before booking it, and guess what? He ended up traveling almost 8 kilometers and spending money he could’ve easily saved. Hence, it’s better to find decent hotels near the airport to save on travel time.
Another factor to keep in mind is the distance between the attractions and the airport. I know this is not always possible, but you can also try booking your hotel near the places you plan to visit. On the other hand, it is common for hotels to be near famous attractions such as heritage sites.
Key Highlights:
- Don’t forget to check deals on booking platforms to get affordable prices for hotels and resorts.
- Try booking your hotel near the airport so that it’s convenient for you during arrival as well as departure.
Time Your Bookings Properly
You need to ignore, to a certain extent, the old myth that booking a year in advance will help you get a lower price. Oftentimes, what ends up giving you a great deal is a last-minute booking. It is important to know that this is increasingly rare, as airlines increase prices as the date gets closer. This happens because they know that travelers will have the option to pay a higher price for the same seat.
These last-minute price drops usually happen on low-cost airlines that are trying to fill their inventory. Another way to get better value for money is booking during the midweek.
Key Takeaways:
- I’d suggest booking your domestic flight tickets at least a month early. The international flights, on the other hand, need to be booked even earlier.
- I always book during midweek days as someone who doesn’t like crowds. An additional benefit of this is that you might find lower-than-usual prices.
Airlines Reputation
This point is what many travelers ignore these days. Before you book any flight tickets, just make sure you do a quick reputation check of the airline using social platforms and reading verified reviews. You don’t want to be the one who buys a ticket and ends up getting poor customer service.
Main Highlights:
- Check whether an airline charges you extra for changing your flight date(Remember, policies may vary from airline to airline).
- Don’t forget to read cancellation and refund policies before buying the ticket.
Discount Aggregators & Loyalty Programs
Finding the lowest prices and coupons can be time-consuming when booking flights and hotels online. This is when using discount aggregation platforms is a good idea. These platforms basically find deals on flight tickets and accommodation and list them in one place. As you all know, prices for travel bookings are highly dynamic compared to other industries.
Look for loyalty programs when booking hotels: Many hotels, such as Radisson Hotels, offer exclusive perks to their guests through loyalty programs. After earning enough points by booking through them, you can redeem these points for extra nights of stay, get additional savings on bookings, and priority access for check-in and check-out.
Main Highlights:
- Some loyalty programs are free to join while others aren’t.
- Use offers from discount aggregator sites during the validity period. These offers are manually updated to ensure users like you always find active discounts.
- It is better to start looking for offers from discount platforms first rather than using the booking platform directly.
Final Thoughts
I will tell you the same thing that I say to everyone… no matter what happens, never forget to check the airline’s reputation, hotels near the airport, and available discounts & loyalty programs. Make sure you don’t book your hotel far away from your airport or the place that you’re visiting. Remember, the fastest way to find active offers for flights and hotels is to use discount aggregator sites.
