Once you get a flight ticket, now it’s the time to book a hotel. Unlike flight deals, you do not need to book a hotel a long time in advance to get a great price. It is possible to land a great deal when booking right on the check-in date since hotels do not want their rooms to be empty without making any revenue.
But don’t just wait to book a hotel at this time since it risks of not having a good place to stay at all.
Many websites offer discounts on hotel and hostel bookings. But if you want to save the most money, you have to know where and how to look for the best deals. We cover six popular hotel booking websites and the discounts they offer.
Agoda
If you’re looking for awesome discounts, Agoda is the website you want to use. If you travel often, use Agoda consistently and check its member deals, promo codes, and AgodaVIP discounts. Agoda may also offer account-based credits such as AgodaCash, but availability varies by booking, account, and market.
Savings
When comparing hotels on Agoda, check the final price after taxes, service fees, and any cancellation policy are shown. Agoda often displays discounts, member prices, and limited-time offers, but the final amount can change by date, room type, and payment method.
But how do these savings stack up against other booking sites? Compare the total price for the same room type and cancellation policy, not just the discount percentage shown on the search results page. It seems one of the main benefits to booking with Agoda is using any account-based rewards, promo codes, or member discounts you can access.
Agoda Secret Deals
If you want to save even more money, check out Agoda’s special deals and member-only offers. The discounts and deal names change, so read the booking terms, cancellation policy, and included extras before paying.
Priceline Express Deals
To maximize your savings using Priceline, check out their Hotel Express Deals page. To search for available hotels in Bangkok, type in your check-in and check-out dates. Priceline then gives you a list of hotels with details such as star rating, general area, guest rating, amenities, and price before the hotel name is revealed.
What does this info mean to you? Let’s take a closer look.
Savings
Because taxes, fees, and other charges can affect the final price, compare Priceline’s total checkout price with the same dates on other booking websites before you book. Express Deals can offer large discounts, but the exact savings vary by hotel, travel date, and availability.
Undisclosed Hotel Name
Priceline doesn’t show the hotel name before you book. If they did, everyone would go straight to Priceline for discounts. Hotels would lose out on full-priced rates. Instead, Priceline gives you the hotel’s star rating and the area of Bangkok. It can be cryptic. Again, BetterBidding.com helps you narrow down what hotel you’re about to book through Priceline.
Guest Rating
Priceline shows guest ratings when they’re available. I’d be wary of booking a hotel without a displayed rating. It’s one thing to book without knowing the hotel’s name. But to book without knowing the name and the rating—now you’re risking it.
Should You Use Priceline?
If you’re not concerned about which hotel you’re going to stay in, and you pick a hotel with a strong guest rating and meaningful savings after taxes and fees, go for it. If you must know the hotel you’re going to stay in, then check out our next section on how to save money booking a hotel in Bangkok through Expedia.
Expedia
Savings
A hotel search on Expedia can show discounted rooms, member prices, and package savings depending on the hotel and travel dates. Check the total price and cancellation rules before you book.
Expedia also offers membership rewards and savings through One Key in eligible markets. Expedia’s VIP Access properties may offer extra perks, such as food-and-beverage extras, spa credits, or room upgrades, but the exact benefits vary by property and booking.
Through their last-minute hotel deals, you can also find reduced rates on select hotels, although the discount changes by destination, hotel, date, and availability.
Guest Rating
Expedia displays star ratings and guest reviews when they’re available. But some of their listings don’t have any ratings. So you have to wonder if the savings are worth the possible tradeoff in comfort, security, and the unknown.
Should You Use Expedia?
Expedia offers you convenience as well as great savings. If you always book hotels online, it is suggested that you use Expedia so that you can make the most out of your accumulated rewards points.
Hotels.com
To gain access to a wide selection of hotels, all you need to do is enter your travel dates, destination and traveller’s details.
Savings
Hotels.com offers hotel discounts and member prices that change by destination, date, and property. Its loyalty program varies by country; in eligible markets, Hotels.com is part of One Key, which lets members earn OneKeyCash on eligible bookings.
Hotels.com also shows hotel ratings and guest reviews when they’re available, which can help you compare a discounted rate with the quality of the property.
Should You Use Hotels.com?
If you enjoy traveling without making plans in advance, you’ll love the last minute deals on this platform. And if you travel with friends the site gives you reduced prices on group bookings.
HotWire.com
Savings
Hotwire is well-known for opaque hotel deals. With Hot Rate Hotels, Hotwire says you can save up to 60%. You also get the star rating, amenities, and general area of the hotel.
When you use Hotwire, you can see important details about the booking, but you usually won’t know the name of the hotel until you confirm your reservation. But there are some great deals on Hotwire and not knowing the name of the establishment adds an element of surprise.
Should You Use Hotwire?
The helpful tools which allow you to find the best deals is an added value of using HotWire. For example, you can find the cheapest times of year to book a hotel in Bangkok.
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