Tips to Booking Lodging and Finding Great Hotel Deals

Did you know that throughout the globe, hotels and lodging account for close to $7 trillion in revenue each and every year? For that reason, it is more possible than ever for you to find some great hotel deals online. Hotels aren't hurting for money and the internet has opened up the playing field, allowing consumers to find more deals than ever, while also increasing their options for booking as a whole. If you want to learn more about finding the best lodging for any type of trip, business, pleasure or emergency, read this guide and put these tips into action.

Four Great Tips for Booking Hotels

#1: Consider Membership Discounts and Promo Codes Any Time You Book a Trip

There are countless opportunities available for you to save money on your hotel booking when you simply look into potential discount or promo codes, or memberships. For instance, belonging to organizations like AAA, AARP, Hotels Etc. and various forms of insurance can open you up to a number of discounts that you otherwise would not have thought about. You may also be able to receive discounts based on memberships to fraternal organizations or trade unions. Aside from memberships, you can also receive some money off of your booking any time you find coupons, discounts and temporary promos. Before booking any trip, consider Googling promo codes to use in the little box at checkout -- you would be surprised at just how readily available they are and how much they can save you.

#2: Time Is Everything, So Consider Your Timetables When Booking Any Hotel Stay

When you really want to save some money, you will need to think about the time of month, year, week or even day that you book your hotel stay. This is especially critical if you are a person who travels frequently and consistently requires a quality hotel stay. If you are able to wait it out a little bit, you should even consider booking your hotel the day before your stay. This might sound like a last minute decision, but many hotels will greatly decrease their prices in order to avoid having too many vacancies.

#3: Join Membership and Rewards Programs Whenever Possible

One of the best things you can do to stay at a hotel for discounted rates is join the hotel's rewards program. In the same way that grocery stores offer instant discounts, coupons and gas points for choosing to shop with them consistently, hotels give you access to members only benefits and plenty of discounts the more that you choose to stay with them. In places like Las Vegas, you can even get points that allow you to become eligible for free rooms. These discounts become more favorable the more that you use them, and you will also be able to have promotions sent to your e-mail on a regular basis, keeping you in the loop.

#4: Don't Discount Your Ability and Power to Negotiate

Keep in mind that as the consumer, you always have the power to negotiate. Sure, you will be given a listed price, complete with tax any time you attempt to book, but too many people assume that these prices are written in stone. On the contrary, you will be able to receive price matching, discounts and even free extras sometimes but simply asking. The most that can happen is that the hotel refuses you, but you will never know what kinds of discounts or opportunities you can experience, especially if you are friendly, persistent and flexible in your needs and accommodations. Ask to speak to a manager before your stay.

With these points in mind, it is easy to see the amount of power you have at your disposal whenever you are looking to book a hotel stay. It is very important that you use these tools to your advantage, in order to make the most of the situation and find a hotel stay that suits you. You can log on to web sites such as hotelsetc.com for further information to help you out in this regard. So apply these travel tips and use them to the best of your ability.

Jonathan Leger is a small business owner and personal development enthusiast. He also runs a popular question and answer site with a section dedicated to travel and recreation.