All too often affordable vacations planned after a carefulreview of cheap traveloptions such as cheap airplanetickets, discount hotel rooms, and cheap vacation packages endup being more expensive than planned because of avoidable surprises.
The following are hotel money drainers and ways to beatthem, according to Jessica Festa:
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Minibardeals often end up as expensive as a prime rib dinner for a few bags ofsnacks and/or candy. Hotels are chargingyou as much, often more, for the convenience of minibar items as the itemitself. Your best bet is to stock up onsnacks before checking in, or to head out to a nearby convenience store uponyour arrival to find reasonable snack prices.
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Roomservice prices often rival those of 5 star restaurants. Unfortunately instead of paying for fantasticfood and ambiance, you are often over paying for someone to transport mediocrefood via an elevator. Instead look intoreserving a hotel or an Airbnb apartment that comes with a kitchen to cook foryourself. Alternatively consider diningat a local restaurant. Sharing economyplatforms such as EatWith and Feastly provide fun and affordable ways ofenjoying a delicious local cultural experience.
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Notsigning up for a hotel rewards program can cost you in the long run. Almost all hotel rewards programs are free tosign up for. Admittedly some hotelrewards programs are better than others. You should always look into your hotel reward program details. When possible you should try to stay at thesame brand, or a partner brand, when reserving hotel rooms so that you earnmore points over time via a program where you will ultimately be able to redeemthose points.
Most hotel reward programs are worthsigning up for even if you will not be visiting that chain frequently becausethey frequently offer basic freebies such as Wi-Fi and dining credits. If it is a hotel chain/brand that you stay atfrequently, you should look into signing up for a co-branded credit card tomaximize points and free stays.
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Not leveragingyour social power can cost you. Ask youhotel, prior to arrival, if they acknowledge social media behavior. Hotels often reward travelers for onlinesharing. Even chains that do not have adedicated social media program may have individual hotels willing to strike adeal.
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Purchasingyour hotel reservation separately from your airline reservation often is amajor mistake. Package deals often savetravelers hundreds of dollars vs. making separate hotel and airreservations. Smart travelers comparisonshop via online travel agencies such as Cheapfares and Orbitz to see whatsavings are being offered via package deals.
www.cheapfares.com