Score the Best Deals: Your Guide to Booking Accommodations at Unbeatable Prices

Unveiling the Secret to Saving on Your Next Motel Stay

Have you ever wondered if booking accommodations through major travel websites like Booking.com or Expedia always guarantees the best price? The answer might surprise you: it's not always the case.

In today's digital age, many industries are shifting from traditional brick-and-mortar stores to online platforms, leveraging the internet's global reach to reduce costs and promote their services. However, the accommodation industry operates differently, largely due to the role of Online Travel Agents (OTAs). These OTAs, such as Booking.com and Trivago, invest heavily in advertising and marketing, making them appear as the ultimate platforms for online bookings. Despite this, motel owners often incur hefty commission fees for every booking made through an OTA, leaving little incentive to offer discounted prices on these platforms.

So, how can you secure your ideal room at the best possible price? Here’s the secret:

  1. Use OTAs for Research: OTAs are excellent resources for reviews and photo collections. Start your search by using these platforms to find a motel with good ratings, ensuring a satisfactory stay.

  2. Visit the Motel's Official Website: Once you've identified your preferred motel and selected your dates, copy the motel's name and look it up on Google. You're looking for the official motel website and direct contact details.

  3. Call and Inquire: Contact the motel directly. Mention that you found their listing on an OTA and politely ask if they can offer a discount for direct bookings. You might be pleasantly surprised to find savings between 5% to 10%! Motel owners often prefer to offer a discount to direct bookers, increasing their profit by bypassing the OTA middleman.

  4. Enjoy Additional Benefits: Booking directly also allows you to request specific preferences, like "Could I have the quietest room at the end of the hall, please?" Furthermore, if your travel plans change, handling amendments is often simpler and quicker when coordinated directly with the motel staff.

By following these steps, you can unlock better deals and enjoy a more personalized booking experience. Remember, motel owners appreciate direct bookings as it benefits both parties—guests get better rates, and motels save on commission fees.

Thanks for reading! We hope these insider tips help you make the most of your hard-earned money on your next travel adventure. Safe travels and happy savings!