Guide to hotel rewards programs, deals and booking strategies

Stretch your travel budget by saving on hotels. See our top tips for when to book, finding the best hotel rewards credit card, and avoiding hidden fees.

How to get the best deals on hotels

Hotel rooms aren’t cheap, and if you aren’t careful, they can quickly run up the cost of your trip. Fortunately, a little planning can help you save on lodging and get the most from your travels.

Good to know:

Rewards credit cards: If you travel often, apply for a hotel rewards credit card. The yearly free night certificate frequently covers the card’s annual fee. Plus, you’ll enjoy member perks and earn points toward more free stays.
Booking without a credit card: Most hotels accept debit cards, but you should budget for the room plus an up-front deposit. Unlike a credit card hold, a debit card deposit will withdraw actual funds from your account.
Alternative payment options: Digital wallets are also increasingly accepted. Some hotels take cash but may require additional documentation.
Hotel rewards programs: Finding the right loyalty program means matching your needs with a program’s strengths. Occasional travellers should opt for programs with low redemption requirements while frequent travellers can benefit from premium programs
Booking strategy: Book 1–3 months in advance with free cancellation, and keep an eye out for last-minute deals. Friday is the best day to book, but stay mid-week for the lowest room rates.
Resort and destination fees: These mandatory fees are common at hotels in major cities. To avoid surprise charges, book through a site that offers a “full-stay cost” option, or call the hotel to confirm any additional fees before booking.

Discover more hotel booking strategies 

Take a deeper dive into insider strategies for finding the best hotel deals.

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How to book a hotel without a credit card

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Best hotel rewards programs: Your guide to maximizing loyalty points

If you travel often and haven’t joined any loyalty programs for hotels, you’re leaving money on the table. Rewards points can add up to free nights, upgraded rooms and other member benefits. We break down which programs have the best perks.

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When is the best time to book a hotel?

Is it cheaper to book a hotel far in advance, or are last-minute deals the key? We share our top tips for when to book, how to use comparison tools and price alerts, and why a little destination research can help lock in the cheapest room rate.

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Hidden hotel fees: What travelers should know before booking

What is a resort fee, and how do you avoid paying it when booking a hotel? This guide walks you through your hotel bill, from service charges and destination fees to incidental holds. Learn how to keep hotel fees down and avoid billing surprises.

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Frequently asked hotel booking questions:

To get the cheapest price on your hotel room, book 1–3 months in advance with free cancellation and use price alerts to monitor for last-minute deals. Avoid traveling during peak times around holidays and local events, and select a hotel without resort or destination fees. Join hotel loyalty programs and take advantage of credit card rewards to score free nights and other perks.

Hotels are usually cheaper when you book early. Booking at least a month ahead is the safest bet, especially during busy travel times. However, last-minute deals do pop up, particularly in the off-season or mid-week. If you’re flexible on your room type and where you stay, taking advantage of free cancellation (if available) and rebooking could nab you a low rate.

Friday has a slight edge in booking prices in the US, while booking on Thursday can save a little money for international trips. When planning your trip, try to arrange a mid-week (Tuesday–Thursday) stay for cheaper rates.

Finding the best hotel rewards program depends on your personal travel habits. Marriott Bonvoy has a ton of hotel options, but earning a free night can take a while. World of Hyatt has great elite-level benefits but fewer hotels. Hilton strikes a nice balance with flexible redemptions. If you travel only 1–5 nights per year, Wyndham or IHG’s low redemption thresholds might be the best bet.

No, destination fees are typically mandatory and can’t be waived if you’re staying in a big city like New York, Los Angeles and Chicago. Hotels use these fees to charge more for bundled amenities and services, including fitness centers, swimming pools, concierge assistance and activities like tours. Unfortunately, even if you don’t plan to use any of these extras, you will likely still have to pay for them.

Despite recent laws requiring greater fee transparency, most travel sites continue to advertise lower rates and show fees separately, where guests might easily overlook them. Use sites that feature “all-in pricing” to encourage greater transparency and accurately budget for your trip.

You might see several line items on your hotel bill that greatly increase the price of your stay. The city might charge a mandatory occupancy or city tax to fund municipal services. Resort and destination fees are hotel-imposed and are a way to advertise lower rates while charging for amenities that you might think are included. These fees are almost always mandatory.

Other fees hotels charge include: 

  • Service charges

  • Extra person charge

  • Early check-in and late check-out

  • Parking and valet

  • Pet fees

  • Minibar and in-room charges

Be sure to review your bill at check-out. Merely moving an item available for in-room purchase can trigger the sensor that charges you for it.


At check-in, the front desk will place a hold on your credit card as a deposit for incidental charges. This usually ranges from $100–$200 per night. While it’s not an actual charge, this amount will still be unavailable on your credit card, so it’s important to plan accordingly. The hold will be released after checkout if you did not make any in-room purchases and there is no damage to the room.

No, many hotels accept debit cards instead of credit cards. Digital payment options such as PayPal, Apple Pay and Google Pay are also gaining acceptance. Cash bookings are sometimes possible, but may require additional documentation. Prepaid travel cards are also sometimes an option. In general, independent hotels may have more flexible payment policies than major chains.

The best hotel rewards credit card depends on your travel preferences. If you like to keep your hotel options open, Chase Sapphire or American Express cards have the most flexibility. 

If you’re loyal to a particular hotel chain, co-branded cards allow you to focus your spending to earn free nights and upgrades and enjoy other member perks like late checkout and expedited check-in. 

The Hilton Honors American Express Aspire Card, World of Hyatt Credit Card, Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant American Express Card and Hilton Honors Aspire cards offer welcome bonuses of 50,000–150,000 points. These can be redeemed for multiple free nights and automatic Elite status.