Finding Budget Lodging on a Shoestring

Finding Budget Lodging on a Shoestring - Leverage Discount Travel Sites for Deep Discounts

Discount travel sites can be a budget traveler's best friend when looking to save on lodging. Sites like Hotwire and Priceline allow you to bid on hotel rooms, often scoring rates well below published prices. The catch is you won't know the exact hotel until after booking. However, you can target searches by neighborhood, amenities, and star rating.

Another option is to use a site like HotelTonight that offers deeply discounted last minute hotel deals. Rates are typically 40-50% below published prices for bookings made within just a few days of stay. While flexibility is required, this can yield major savings on quality properties.
Membership-based travel sites like Costco Travel are also worth exploring. Many offer discounted hotel rates to members only. You can often find rates 10-20% cheaper than booking directly. These sites are best for booking further in advance when you have more flexibility on location.
Finally, don't forget to check rates directly on hotel websites. Many offer discounted promotional rates, seasonal sales, or loyalty program discounts not available on third party sites. Signing up for hotel email lists can help you stay on top of limited time deals and flash sales.