Booking a hotel in this time and age is easy. All you have to do is land on a third-party platform, see the options available in the destination you are traveling to, set the date or date range, and hit the search button. Undoubtedly, third-party platforms have made it super easy for you to make hotel reservations. But making a few mistakes is inevitable. Read further to see the hotel booking mistakes one should avoid:
Booking a non-refundable room
More often than not, non-refundable rooms are priced much lower than the regular ones. While they seem to be a great deal at first, they clearly should be high-risk. Non-refundable rooms are best avoided, especially if you are on a business trip or have a large family. There is a high risk of losing hundreds of thousands of dollars in case of cancellation. The better bet would be to look for a reservation that can be amended. You can choose hotels that allow you to postpone your stay in case of a cancelation of the existing booking.
Not signing up for a reward program
Renowned hotels offer loyalty programs where repeat customers get certain reward points added against every booking. There are instances where people have stayed for five nights in a row without having to pay for their hotel booking; they just redeem their reward points with the hotel. Also, loyal customers who are part of such packages are given preference for better rooms, views, and other complementary. The biggest blunder would be not signing up for such programs and enjoying these privileges.
Paying with the wrong currency
If you are using your international credit card to book a hotel reservation online, check the currency they prefer to transact with. While most hotels worldwide accept dollars for the transaction, some don’t. Some banks do not charge for such market conversion, while others charge a hefty fee for such conversions.
Wrong location
It is always wise to check the map before proceeding with a reservation. While most people make a decision based on the reviews, they may still not provide all the essential information. The hotel could be the best in the city, but it may not meet your expectation if it is miles apart from the city center or a public transportation center. A simple and quick Google Map search is all it takes to ensure the perfect booking.
Not asking for a better room
Everyone hopes for a room with a better view. Sometimes, however, you may end up with a room right next to the elevator. This certainly does not mean you cannot ask for a better room. In all fairness, if some rooms (with a better view) are empty, you will likely be assigned one. But if you do not ask, you will never know.
Not checking all websites
The last two decades have seen mushrooming of third-party hotel sites. While many are trustworthy, it is always prudent to make a comparison before locking into a particular rate with a specific service provider. But before doing any of these, try calling the hotel and checking if they can match the price with the online listing. You will be surprised that some hotels may even offer a better discount than the ones available online. Going further, booking directly on the hotel’s website will make you a prioritized customer.
Not looking for bundles
If you are taking a vacation on a shoestring budget, you would have made a terrible mistake if you had not bundled your bookings. Booking airfare, hotel, and car rental all at once could save a substantial lot of money. But before doing so, compare the prices individually. Even with a bundle, you should look for refundable or reschedulable options if you have to cancel or change your travel plans.
Not paying attention to the asterisk
When you make a hotel reservation online, there is usually a tiny symbol with asterisks, which points to the fact that “additional fees may apply.” Many people ignore this and jump the gun when they see an attractive price being offered. Therefore, this wonderful hotel could charge a hefty sum for processing, cleaning, spa, and additional taxes. Consequently, it would certainly be a good idea to find out what you are paying for and if you have to shell out extra.
Not using a credit card
Credit cards are king when it comes to booking a hotel. They offer rewards like airline miles, hotel stays (free or discounted rates), shopping vouchers, or cash-back bonuses. Also, if you give a debit card to a hotel, chances are that they take an initial deposit just to protect themselves in case you have insufficient funds in your account. Sometimes, such deposits are not refunded. Hence use your credit card but be wise when repaying the outstanding on time.
Booking at the wrong time
Waiting till the last minute to make a booking could lead to dire consequences. Last-minute booking rates tend to soar high, and chances are that you may not even get a reservation. While there is no answer to when is the right time to book a hotel, you should know that room rates depend on several factors like seasonality, location, weather, and general tourist and convention crowds. As a thumb rule, booking 30-45 days ahead would be wise.
Just going with the price
You cannot just book a hotel room based on its so-called best rates. You need to consider the location and amenities offered on-site as well. Besides that, consider if the rate includes breakfast and an airport shuttle. Certain fundamental conveniences provided by the hotel make staying a better experience.