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KEY POINTS

  • Earn points through hotel loyalty programs and keep an eye out for bonus opportunities.
  • Hotel credit cards are a great way to earn bonus points, and many of these cards also include free night certificates.
  • Other ways to save include visiting in the shoulder season and booking a package deal with a travel agency.

It doesn’t get much better than staying at a nice hotel for a fraction of the usual price. I did so earlier this summer, redeeming points I’d earned on one of my top travel rewards cards. When you save on the hotel, you can spend more on activities, going out to eat, and the rest of your trip.

While hotel stays can be expensive, there are also lots of ways to pay less than the normal nightly rate. Here are the best travel hacks you can use to book cheap hotel stays.

1. Sign up for hotel loyalty programs and look for ways to earn bonus points

We’ll start with a simple one. Sign up for an account with the loyalty programs for any hotels you visit. It’s free, and you’ll earn points you can redeem toward stays.