Save On Travel: 5 Times Hotel Prices Decrease Throughout The Year

As hotel prices fluctuate throughout the year, it becomes increasingly possible for everyone to enjoy VIP travel experiences. This article is sponsored by Discover®, who believes experiences should be accessible to everyone and is proud to present affordable ways to travel for different budgets.

Millions of people travel across the United States each year, so whether you plan to travel for work or play, finding lodging is a critical part of that process.

Hotels provide the perfect accommodation for travelers, but the prices can fluctuate depending on several factors. Luckily, if you catch a deal at the right time, you can receive a lot of savings.

This is especially important for those who might be on a budget but still want to explore. Smart travelers know hotel prices go down throughout the year — so here are the best times to book to get the best deals for your wallet.

If you plan to travel during the week, it can be more cost-efficient than weekend travel. As a result, weekdays — i.e., Monday through Thursday — are the pretty slow days for many hotels. According to Reader’s Digest, the best day of the week to book and stay at a domestic hotel is Monday, and for international travel, you should book your hotel for a Tuesday.

Off-peak season travel can be more economical because many hotels offer discounted rates and other promotions to encourage travelers to visit. Keep in mind to check the weather and the attractions you are interested in are open during this time, as many are closed. So to save money, Afar.com advises travelers to book their hotel stays during the off-peak season — when fewer visitors are in town.

Hotels see an uptick in booking around major holidays such as Christmas or New Year’s Eve. But when the holidays are over, everyone packs up to leave, leaving many hotels ghost towns. Try to schedule your next trip for after the holidays or the holiday season. Readers’ Digest reported that the cheapest month for staying at a hotel is January, which is right after the winter holidays. So, not only will you be avoiding a costly hotel bill, you will be avoiding crowds as well.

Having too many vacant rooms is bad business for hotels. So when this happens, they often try to entice travelers into booking with them by offering discounted rates on last-minute stays. HotelTonight CEO and co-founder Sam Shank suggests the best time to book a hotel is 4 p.m. “Throughout the day of check-in, prices keep decreasing,” Shank said. “If there are still these empty rooms by 4 p.m. the day of arrival, the hotel will have a lot of certainty that they are not going to get filled otherwise. That’s when they’re really willing to put a really, super good deal on it.”

When hotels undergo renovations and refurbishments, they tend to shut down access to other amenities for guest safety. Because of this, many hotels provide discounts and promotions on stays to compensate for the inconvenience, per AllTheRooms. So, if you are just looking for a no-frills hotel stay, this might be the best option for you. 

Booking an affordable hotel can be tricky, but with the right tips and tools, saving on travel is not impossible. So, for all your future adventures, remember that thoughtful research and flexibility are key to locking in an exciting and budget-friendly experience.