Is it cheaper to book hotels early or late?

Figuring out the best time to book a hotel isn't an exact science — there's plenty of variation throughout the industry. But if we're looking at statistics, the lowest prices for hotel rooms are typically found just 15 days before your stay. Yes, last-minute bookings are (usually) better.



People Also Ask

A 2022 NerdWallet study analyzed more than 2,500 hotel room rates from 2019 through the first half of 2021 and found an average of 13 percent savings for those who booked 15 days in advance as compared to those who booked four months in advance.

MORE DETAILS

The best time to book hotels in the United States is during the same week of travel. Within the week before your stay, you'll see massive savings of around 21% cheaper than average. 1-2 weeks before your stay is the next cheapest time to book U.S. hotels, with average savings of 8%.

MORE DETAILS

If it's feasible, wait until the day you need the hotel room to book it. The later in the day, the better. After 4 p.m., hotels know the odds of selling a room are pretty slim, so you're more likely to get an even lower rate. On average, the same-day rate of a hotel room is 10% cheaper than booking in advance.

MORE DETAILS

In general, Sunday is the least expensive day of the week to begin your stay at a hotel. In fact, settling in on a Sunday can save travelers up to 19% on overall room rates, compared to mid-week check-ins.

MORE DETAILS

“Actually, hotel prices decline the longer you wait,” says Shank, “so if you haven't made plans yet, you can be rewarded for that with a better deal.” Same-day rates on HotelTonight are, on average, 10 percent less than if you book the day before, according to Shank.

MORE DETAILS

This is when hotels will drop their prices to entice travelers to fill their rooms for the night. For those who are dedicated budget hunters, the best time to book hotel for lowest prices is after 8pm. You might find some hotels that drop their prices significantly at this time to not lose money on an empty room.

MORE DETAILS

How To Get Cheap Hotels: 26 Hacks to Stay for Less in 2023
  1. Book the Hotel Directly. ...
  2. Use Discounted Gift Cards. ...
  3. Use Incognito Mode. ...
  4. Stay Midweek Instead of Weekends. ...
  5. Book Your Stay During the Offseason. ...
  6. Stay in a Business Hotel Instead of a Resort. ...
  7. Expand Your Neighborhood. ...
  8. Book Ahead With Free Cancellation.


MORE DETAILS

If you have a loyalty status with the chain then yes, it's probably cheaper to book directly. Also, sometimes hotel offer discounts to incentivize people to reserve with them in order to avoid paying fees to a 3rd party platform like Booking.com. But the reverse can also happen. So just check both and compare.

MORE DETAILS

Booking hotel rooms at the last minute could save you some serious money. Think of all the late-night pizza you can order with those savings! Hotels are pretty eager to get those unsold rooms filled by midnight, so they might just offer you a sweet discount.

MORE DETAILS

Booking directly with the hotel gives you more flexibility with your reservation and better communication about your preferences. Whether you'd like to cancel your booking, make an amendment, or let the hotel know about a special requirement, it's much easier when speaking straight to the hotel.

MORE DETAILS

If you see a hotel price drop after you book, your best bet is usually to cancel your existing reservation and re-book, said Michelle Phillips, travel blogger at EverywhereTheyRoam.com. “As long as you are within the cancellation policy, you won't lose out on any money,” she said.

MORE DETAILS

Since hotels are always aiming to maximize their occupancy rate, many will decrease their rates if they aren't meeting their expected targets. That's why you'll often see hotels dropping their prices a few days before a check-in date or on the day of arrival.

MORE DETAILS

Call to Ask for Unadvertised Discounts By speaking directly with the hotel staff, you may be able to negotiate a better rate or secure additional perks such as complimentary breakfast or room upgrades. Remember, negotiating with online travel agencies requires a proactive approach.

MORE DETAILS

Direct booking is a crucial component of the distribution mix for hoteliers because it helps them to increase revenue, improve guest experience, and reduce dependency on online travel agencies (OTAs) such as Expedia and Booking.com.

MORE DETAILS

Join the Hotels.com OneKey loyalty program to unlock over 10% off thousands of top-rated hotels worldwide.

MORE DETAILS

While it may be possible to call a hotel and ask for a discount, the availability and extent of discounts can vary. It's always a good idea to inquire about any ongoing promotions or special rates when making a reservation.

MORE DETAILS

The good news is – yes, most hotels will accommodate walk-in room requests depending on availability. Here we'll cover key tips for successfully getting a last-minute room, questions to ask hotel staff, options like day rates for a few hours, and your rights as a guest to change rooms if unsatisfied.

MORE DETAILS

A general rule of thumb is $3 to $5 per night for budget and midrange hotels, and up to $10 a night for luxury hotels and resorts (or more if the service is really high end). Families don't automatically need to tip more than single travelers or couples.

MORE DETAILS

According to the American Hotel & Lodging Association (AHLA), guests should tip housekeeping anywhere between $1 to $5 per night for a mid-range or business hotel. For luxury hotels where the staff offers daily cleaning services and nightly turndown services, guests should leave a little more.

MORE DETAILS

Call the hotel directly instead and ask to speak with the manager, if possible.
  1. Ask for the Best Rate. Start the negotiation by saying something like, I found your rate online for $200 per night. ...
  2. Mention the Competition. ...
  3. Tweak the Dates. ...
  4. Special Discounts. ...
  5. Discount Rooms. ...
  6. Upgrades and Special Requests.


MORE DETAILS