Last Minute Hotel Deals
If you like to travel spontaneously and on a budget, then last-minute hotel deals are where it’s at. Thanks to major advances in booking and inventory technology, hotels can now manage their spare room capacities much smarter on a night-to-night basis, and pass these efficiencies directly onto you.
Many sites and apps are specifically geared toward last-minute hotel deals, such as HotelTonight and Priceline. With these apps, all you have to do is enter your destination and dates, and the app will show you a list of hotels available for that evening. Each one is plotted on a map, and you’ll be able to see what amenities each offers such as free WiFi, parking and breakfast, and so on.
The Thrill of the Chase: Scoring Big with Last-Minute Hotel Deals
Some apps, such as HotelQuickly and Priceline’s Express Deals, keep the hotel name a secret until you book – which can save you up to 60 percent on your hotel bill. Other sites, such as Skyscanner, allow you to search and compare prices from all of the major hotel booking engines, so you can always be sure that you’re getting the best possible rate.
Even if you’re not an impulsive traveler, it pays to keep your dates flexible when searching for hotel deals. Often, you’ll be able to find cheaper rooms if you book at slightly different times on the same date, as hotels may have higher rates for in-demand days, such as weekends or holidays. Plus, if you’re willing to try out new hotels, you might be surprised by what kind of great options there are out there.