Staying at a hotel can be a huge expense on a trip. Saving money on your hotel room leaves more money to spend on other parts of your trip. This is a guide about saving money on hotels.
By checking in later in the day, you lose money. Most venues require you check out by 11am but you can check in by 2pm. That means you pay for a stay of 21 hours in just about every hotel/motel you stay in. So, if you check in at 11pm and pay for that 21 hours but only stay 12, you are losing 9 hours. If your room was $60.00 that is $2.85 per hour for that 9 hours, or $25.65. Take advantage of the money you save, wear and tear on your back, family, kids, pets and car and stay the full 21 hours. Even if you arrive a bit later, you will arrive with a better attitude because you got more rest and spent your dollars wiser.
I do this whenever I can, and it's saved me in more ways than I can say. During my trip across country in April of 2011, I would sleep in the car enough to drive safe, then check in at 2pm the next day, trading off as it were. That extra 9 hours was worth it, and since I paid for it anyway, felt I was spending my money wisely.
By Sandi from Salem, OR
Also, I built up points by staying at LaQuinta where ever I go. Got a free night one time and paid $15.00 another time for a room that was selling for $93.00, because of points. If possible, it pays to stay at the same hotel establishments. Loyalty seems to pay off.
I haven't found any cheaper rates at the websites like Priceline, etc. When finding rates online, keep in mind that looking for cheapest rate does not always get you the cheapest rate, if you are a senior. So check both ways.
By Betty from Lubbock, TX
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Check Your Hotel Bill