Best Time to Book A Hotel: How To Save Money & Get the Best Rooms

Are you planning a trip but don't know when to book a hotel room to get a good price or what type of accommodation to book that suits your budget and needs?

Then, in the article below, CabinZero will provide you with all the information that we have collected from reputable sources about the best time to book a hotel, ways to get the best rates, and cancellation policies to keep in mind so you can avoid overpricing when planning your trip on a budget.

How Far in Advance Should You Book A Hotel?

Wondering when to hit that booking sweet spot? We’ve got you covered below. And with a clever use of points and miles, you might even land yourself a free night’s stay.

Domestic Travel

For domestic travel, hotel booking depends on location and demand. During peak seasons at popular places, booking accommodation 3-6 months ahead will get you better lodgings at better rates. For regular weekends and city stays, booking around 4–8 weeks in advance is usually fine. If you plan to go on weekdays to less touristy areas, booking 1–4 weeks in advance often gets you a decent deal. 

International Travel

When traveling internationally, the best time to book a hotel is often 6-12 months before the peak season and 3-6 months before the off-peak season. Popular destinations like Tokyo, Paris, and New York tend to have higher demand, so early reservations can help secure better choices.

Last-Minute Deals

Do hotel prices go down closer to the date? Well, many hotels have a 24- to 48-hour cancellation policy, and when cancellations happen, hotels lower rates to fill those rooms. 

When booking at the last minute, you can save up to 58% on domestic hotels and up to 73% on international ones, according to a Kayak study. Try using apps like HotelTonight, Booking.com, and Airbnb to find and secure the best prices for you. 

However, it can be risky, as the availability and room options for lower rates are sparse. If you’re not into taking a gamble for a cheaper deal, it’s better to book a hotel in advance. The tip here is to monitor for any price drops so you can cancel the reservation (after double-checking their policy to avoid a penalty) and rebook at a lower rate.

If you want a cheap weekend getaway and take advantage of a last-minute deal, book on Friday close to check-in time because if there are still available rooms, the hotel will offer deep discounts.

Do a thorough research to know what time is cheapest to book a hotel.

Best Days of the Week to Book a Hotel

Cheapest Days to Book

A Skyscanner's study shows that demand generally decreases as the weekend approaches, and when hotels realise they won’t fill their rooms, they reduce prices by Thursday and Friday. These days are the best time to book a hotel at low rates, as you can save around 6% or less. 

Most Expensive Days to Book

According to Hopper's report, people are most likely to book a hotel on Sunday, Monday, and Tuesday. As a consequence, it can lead to higher hotel rates. 

On Sunday, families tend to spend time planning trips together and making reservations simultaneously; while on Monday mornings, hotels target business travellers who aren’t cost-conscious because their company is paying for the accommodation. 

Best Days to Check In & Out

Typically, checking in on Sunday is the most cost-effective option, as weekend travelers return home after their trips. For domestic travel, Friday is the priciest day to check in. For international stays, Tuesday is the recommended day to arrive, while Thursday isn’t.

What is the best day of the week to book hotels?

How Seasonality Affects Hotel Prices

Peak vs. Off-Peak Travel

The peak season will cause hotel prices to skyrocket because this is when tourists flock from all over. On occasions such as New Year, Christmas, or summer, when the weather is nice, and special events take place, famous tourist destinations are always crowded with visitors.

Room rates increase by 50-100% on such days. Therefore, it’s best to avoid major holidays and choose hotels that are not too close to the center. The best time to book a hotel is at least 2-3 months in advance.

Conversely, if you have a flexible job or can travel during off-peak seasons, remember to take advantage of the “Stay longer, pay less” policy or stay mid-week to save 30-70% on room rates compared to peak seasons.

Shoulder Seasons

This is the transition season between peak and low tourist seasons, typically in spring or fall. It is a golden opportunity to take advantage of cheap room rates with incentives such as free breakfast, discounts for longer stays, or free upgrades. Las Vegas, Ayia Napa in Cyprus, and Halong Bay in Vietnam are some famous destinations for an affordable spring break.

Keep a close eye on hotel discount programs, as you can save 15-30% on rates compared to peak season. However, be mindful of the weather during these times. Some locations may experience light rain, but it doesn’t significantly impact the trip.

Holiday & Event Considerations

What's the cheapest day to buy a hotel room? Definitely not holidays, but try booking in advance, your chances might be higher.

If you decide to travel during these seasons, it's important to prepare carefully. Room rates can surge by up to 300% during occasions like Lunar New Year, Thanksgiving, or Christmas. In cities hosting major events, rapid room occupancy can cause rates to increase by 2 to 5 times.

The best time to book a hotel in advance is 3 to 6 months, and consider renting an Airbnb or a homestay instead of staying in a large hotel. You should also choose accommodations that are further from the center or in the suburbs and then rent a car to reach the event. 

For super-big events like Coachella, the Carnival, or Oktoberfest, you should book 6-12 months in advance. However, other than those major places, there are many budget-friendly destinations with beautiful landmarks and equally interesting festivals you should also consider. 

Weekdays are a great time to book a cheap hotel room.

Best Booking Strategies for Maximum Savings

Use Price Tracking Tools

To find low room prices, you can use tools like Google Hotels, Kayak, Hopper, Trivago, or Skyscanner. 

Is it cheaper to book a hotel online or walk-in? Just use apps to find low rates conveniently.

Leverage Membership Discounts

Most booking platforms and hotels offer membership discounts, such as 10-15% off room rates or 10 nights' stay plus 1 night free. These programs can save you a lot of money, but there are a few things you should keep in mind to fully take advantage of your membership:

• Certain discounts apply only to non-refundable bookings. 

• If you're not sure about your plans, choose a rate that offers free cancellation even without a discount.

• Check to see if the discount applies to all room types or just certain types.

• For example, you may book a hotel with a 20% member discount, but the price is nonrefundable. If you cancel, you will lose the entire room fee.

• Some points programs (such as Marriott Bonvoy, Hilton Honors, and Expedia Rewards, etc.) allow you to redeem points for free or discounted nights, but the conversion rate may not be good. 

• If the conversion rate is too low, save your points to redeem during the best time to book a hotel, which is the peak season, or upgrade your room.

• Check to see if the hotel has extra fees for using points (some places charge taxes and service fees)

• Some platforms allow membership discounts to be stacked with discount codes or cashback.

• If booking on Booking.com, Expedia, or Agoda, check to see if you can add a discount code or use a cashback credit card from these top-pick credit cards.

• When booking, use Rakuten, TopCashback, or Shopback to get extra cashback. You can get an additional discount of up to 20%. 

Becoming a member is the best way to book a hotel, you get you a huge discount. Credit: RajchlovaLucie

Book Direct vs. Third-Party Sites

Do you get a better room if you book direct with a hotel? You can get good rates either through a third party or by booking directly with the hotel, with their pros and tips in mind.

Flexible Booking Policies

Suppose you're unsure about your plans, enjoy searching for great deals, frequently go on business trips, travel in groups, or travel during certain seasons. In that case, flexible booking can help you save a significant amount of money after you determine the best time to book a hotel.

Flexible booking policies include:

• Free cancellation: Allows cancellation without charge within a certain time.

• Date changes flexibility: You can change your stay dates at no extra cost.

• Full refund: If you cancel early, you will receive the full amount.

• Pay at the property: No need to pay in advance; only pay when checking in.

Some important notes when applying these policies include:

• If you are not 100% sure about your travel dates, don’t go for a non-refundable rate. Book at a flexible rate first, then cancel when you find a better deal later.

• If you prefer last-minute bookings, choose a room with a free cancellation policy. If you find a cheaper deal close to the date, you can cancel the old booking for free.

• Beware of false flexible policies because some hotels or booking platforms advertise “Free Cancellation” with hidden conditions. Use travel insurance to get a full reimbursement if anything unexpected arises. 

• Continuously monitor room prices to find better deals and save money.

Make use of flexible booking policies and you can get rooms at better prices. Credit: Sara_saris

Taking Advantage of Last-Minute Deals

Best Apps for Last-Minute Hotel Deals

When to Book Last-Minute

Booking close to the date can save you 30-60%, especially when you:

• Travel in low season

• Book on Sunday, Friday, or Saturday (Tip: Book rooms after 3 pm for the best rate)

• Book in major cities or business hotels

• Stay in hotels with flash sales or special discounts

Alternative Accommodation Options

Along with deciding your best time to book hotel, types of accommodation are another important factor to consider carefully. Some of the most common lodgings you can find are:

Vacation Rentals vs. Hotels

Boutique & Independent Hotels

Choose an accommodation depending on your personal preferences and financial capabilities.

Conclusion

Hopefully, with the information that CabinZero has compiled, you will have useful tips on how to choose the best time to book a hotel and save money for your upcoming trip. Don't forget to refer to other articles as well as extremely useful products for your trips on CabinZero. Stay tuned to our other articles in the future.

Ky Duyen