Top 8 Hotel Hacks Tricks That Will Make Your Life Easier

Staying in a hotel can be a fun and relaxing experience. But it’s also easy to make a few mistakes that can ruin your trip. In this post, we’ll share five hotel hacks that will make your life easier. From ways to save money on food and drinks to how to get free Wi-Fi, I’ve got you covered with these five simple hotel hacks that will make your life easier. 

1. Ask for an Upgrade

If you’re looking to get the most out of your hotel stay, don’t be afraid to ask for an upgrade. Sometimes, all it takes is a kind word and a smile from the front desk attendant. If there are any empty rooms available, they may be happy to assign you to a higher-level room at no extra cost.

Another great way to score an upgrade is to book your room during slow times of the year. Hotel occupancy rates are generally lower during the week and in the middle of the month. So, if you can travel outside of peak season, you’re more likely to get a better room at no extra charge.  What’s the worst they can say, no?  It’s always worth asking the question, and like with anything else in life, you’ll never know unless you try.

2. Take Advantage of the Breakfast Buffet – Best Hotel Hacks

The free breakfast buffet is one of the best things about staying in a hotel. However, many people don’t take advantage of it because they can’t wake up in time.  Set your alarm, head down and grab a little something to go, and head back to sleep if you need to.  This will at least give you enough energy to last you until lunchtime and will save on your bottom line.

3. Book Directly Through the Hotel

One of the best ways to get the best deal on a hotel is to book directly through the hotel. This way, you can avoid any hidden fees or markups that may be included when booking through a third-party site. In addition, by booking directly, you can often take advantage of loyalty programs and other benefits that the hotel may offer.  You may find the rooms slightly cheaper on third-party sites, but you also may end up dealing with a bigger hassle in the end.  So, if you’re looking for a hassle-free stay, be sure to book directly!  I am a huge fan of booking all my stays with Marriott hotels directly through the site.  With all the stays a year I complete in a year, I’m able to use all my credit card award nights in addition to getting upgraded every time I stay! Additionally, if you need to cancel your stay, there is little to no hassle.  You can easily click on the button on the website, and bam, you’re able to change your stay or cancel without any complications.

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4. Offer to Write a Review

If you’re a frequent traveler, you know that finding a great hotel can be a challenge. But with a few clever hotel hacks, you can make your life a lot easier. One great way to get a good deal on a hotel is to offer to write a review. Many hotels are happy to offer discounts or free nights in exchange for a review on websites like TripAdvisor and Booking.com.  Just make sure you contact the hotel directly and ask.  You’ll never know unless you ask! Even saving 10% on a stay is better than no percent.  So, if you’re willing to spend a few minutes to help the hotel, they can potentially help you out as well.  Hey, 10 bucks is 10 bucks. 

5. Get a Hotel Loyalty Card

So, if you’re a frequent traveler, signing up for a hotel loyalty card is always worth it. These cards allow you to rack up points every time you stay at a hotel, which can then be redeemed for free nights, room upgrades, or other perks. Hotel loyalty cards are available for a majority of hotels in the US, especially if they are part of a hotel chain.  Even local hotels may have certain offerings if you ask. 

Most loyalty cards also come with a range of perks and benefits, such as early check-in and late check-out, free Wi-Fi, and discounts on food and drinks. So, if you’re looking to get some extra value from your next hotel stay, sign up for a loyalty card before booking your stay.

6. Book at the Right Time

Alright, let’s talk about how to snag the best deals on hotel accommodations. Buckle up, ladies!

Day of the Week:

If you want to save some serious cash, pay attention to which days of the week you’re booking your hotel stay. Friday and Saturday nights tend to be the most expensive because everyone and their grandma is hitting up resorts and hotels with their weekends off. If you can swing it, booking your hotel stay for Sunday through Thursday could snag you some serious savings.

Time of Year:

Nobody wants to break the bank just because they took a vacation during peak season. The time of year you’re traveling can seriously impact hotel prices, so be strategic. If you can, plan your travels during the shoulder seasons or off-seasons when demand is lower. Trust me, hotels want your business even when it’s not the height of tourist season.

Time of Day:

Who knew that the time of day you book your hotel could impact the price? Apparently, booking in the late afternoon or early evening could lead to better deals. Plus, keep an eye out for those surprise flash sales or discounts that drop at night. It pays to stay vigilant!

Use Price Comparison Websites and Apps:

Finally, don’t forget to use technology to your advantage! Websites and apps like Expedia, Booking.com, and Kayak can help you compare prices across multiple platforms. Make sure you’re getting the most bang for your buck and save some coin while you’re at it.

7. Bundle Deals

Alright, ladies, let’s talk about the money-saving magic of booking a bundle deal that includes both your hotel and flight. Get ready to put those savings towards more fabulous shopping and cocktails on your trip!

Economies of Scale:

These travel agencies and online platforms offering bundle deals have some serious negotiating power. They’ve got partnerships with airlines and hotels, which means they can score some sweet discounted rates thanks to the volume of bookings they generate. So, if you snatch up one of these bundles, you might just enjoy lower prices compared to booking each component separately.

Convenience:

Bundle deals offer the convenience of streamlining the whole booking process. Say goodbye to jumping from website to website, trying to piece everything together. It’s like a spa day for your travel planning, making your life one hundred times easier and more fabulous.

Potential for Additional Savings:

Some bundle deals throw in extra perks to sweeten the pot. How does a complimentary airport transfer sound? Or maybe breakfast is on the house? Heck, you might even luck out with tour packages thrown in. These extra inclusions not only add value to your trip but also contribute to your overall savings.

Promotional Offers:

Get ready to go deal hunting, my fearless friends. Travel agencies and online platforms are always running promotions and exclusive offers for bundle packages. Keep your eyes peeled for special deals, promo codes, or limited-time discounts that can slash even more off the cost of your trip.

Single-Transaction Benefits:

Picture this: One transaction, one payment, one less thing to stress about. Booking a package deal means you can handle everything in a single swoop. It’s like hitting the travel booking jackpot. Plus, making just one payment can be advantageous in terms of payment processing, and it might even offer you some extra financial security.

8. Sign Up for Alerts

Alright, ladies, it’s time to get savvy and stay ahead of the hotel deal game by signing up for those sweet alerts. Let’s dive into how to effectively use and benefit from hotel deal alerts.

Create Accounts and Profiles:

First things first, create accounts on those travel websites and apps that offer deal alerts. Give ’em your email address and create a swanky profile while you’re at it.

Set Preferences and Destinations:

Now it’s time to tell those platforms what you’re all about. Set your travel preferences and favorite destinations, so the alerts can cater to your specific interests and needs.

Opt-In for Email Notifications:

Brace yourself for the glory of email notifications. Many travel platforms offer these delightful alerts for deals and price drops. Opt-in to receive these bad boys, so you can stay updated on the latest offers without having to obsessively monitor the website or app.

Customize Alerts for Specific Hotels or Destinations:

Got a hotel or destination in mind? Well, girlfriend, some platforms let you set up alerts specifically for those dreamy spots. Customize your alerts to focus on those preferences, and let the savings come to you. It’s like having a personal deal-hunting assistant!

Be Flexible with Dates:

As much as we’d all love to jet off on our dream vacation on that one specific date, sometimes it’s best to be flexible. When setting up alerts, consider widening the window of your travel dates. Some platforms give you the option to set alerts for a range of dates, which increases your chances of finding a jaw-dropping deal.

Monitor Flash Sales and Limited-Time Offers:

Time is money, and in the world of travel deals, time is fleeting. Many deals are here today, gone tomorrow, or in the blink of an eye. But fear not, my fierce ladies, because by receiving those alerts, you can be ahead of the game. Be among the first to know about flash sales and limited-time offers, and seize the opportunity to book before those deals disappear into thin air.

Final Thoughts

While these may seem like simple hotel hacks, they may not offer the over-the-top type of exceptional value, but they do add up over time.  Receiving a free night’s stay now and then could be worth using a few minutes of your time every time you stay.  I’m all about making the little things add up to get the big things in the end.  So, enjoy these five hotel hacks, and you’ll have your next weekend trip paid for by the hotel rather than out of your own pocket in no time flat.  And no matter where you go, always remember to Travel Till You Drop!