Planning a holiday is fun, exciting, as well as expensive! One of the biggest expenses you will incur on a trip is your hotel stay. Hotels can account for over half of your entire trip’s budget. However, you don’t need to worry. You can snag an affordable deal and save lots of money in many ways. Therefore, if you are planning your next trip, check out this list of tips to help you find the best hotel deals on websites like http://www.hotels.com.

Check comparison sites
Comparison websites help you scout the place you are visiting for the best and cheapest hotel deals. Websites such as http://www.hotels.com or http://www.expedia.com make life easier for all travelers. You can view the hotel’s facilities online and make an informed choice based on your needs. Moreover, you get to save a lot of money and time by pre-booking your stay. This option is especially great if you are planning to travel during the peak holiday season.

Be flexible with your travel dates
When booking your hotel on the internet, you need to keep in mind that the dates often determine the pricing. Check the prices for multiple days on websites like http://www.hotels.com. Reserving a room several months in advance will give you the cheapest rates possible. The reverse is also true, that is, booking on the day that you are traveling can also get you a steal deal. Hotels are keen to get rid of rooms that are empty because of vacancies. However, booking during the holiday season can be tricky. One way to get a cheaper hotel rate during the holiday season is to book past the check-in time. At such times, hotels will want to sell their vacant rooms at any cost.

Visit the hotel’s website
Before sealing the deal on a comparison site, do visit the hotel’s website to see what prices or deals they are offering. More often than not, hotels also have fabulous rooms and suites that they do not advertise on comparison sites like http://www.hotels.com. You can even get a great deal on these rooms by calling the hotel directly and inquiring about what they can offer if you extend your stay by a few days. Hotels are often happy to reward guests who book through their website directly.

Use your credit card to book online
Many leading credit cards provide bonus points for signing up or for spending a certain amount of money within the first few months. More often than not, these points can be redeemed against some fabulous hotel room stays. Several credit cards offer airfares or hotel accommodation in exchange of reward points. Therefore, if you have been planning to apply for a new card, this is the best reason to do so.

Try price bidding sites
This technique might seem like a hassle to most people, but many travelers claim that they have received their best deals on hotels and airline tickets through bidding websites. Some people swear by traveling through offers available on bidding sites. One of the most popular websites that allows you to bid for hotel rooms is http://www.priceline.com. You can bid and get the best deals on your entire holiday, including airline and cruise tickets.

Consider less expensive options
5-star hotels do not give you as much value for money as some less expensive options. For instance, many 5-star brands charge you for Wi-Fi and breakfast. On the other hand, many inexpensive hotels, like 3-star or 4-star hotels, offer more value for money on online bookings. Apart from a cheaper stay, you also receive facilities like free Wi-Fi, breakfast, and sometimes, free local calls too.