The travel industry is currently in crisis mode as COVID-19 and other diseases are rampant, TSA checkpoint lines are growing longer, and hospitality companies are reporting near-capacity bookings. Stacker, a data journalism site, recently studied data from YouGov to determine how loyal travelers are to hotel chains. Stacker segmented their results by generation, and they found that millennials were among the most loyal to their hotel chains. This trend has implications for the future of the industry. If you are looking for discounts and other perks when staying at a hotel, consider getting a hotel loyalty card.
Booking in advance
If you’re planning a trip, booking your hotel in advance can help you save money on your accommodations. By booking early, you’ll have more time to plan your trip and make special requests. Plus, when you book in advance, you’ll have a better chance of getting the hotel of your choice. Plus, if you’re traveling during a popular travel season, hotels may be more expensive. Here are some tips to book hotels in advance.
First, booking your hotel in advance will allow you time to research the various accommodations available. While most hotels are available at any time, some may be more expensive than others, so booking in advance will give you enough time to compare rates and book your room. Second, by booking in advance, you’ll know exactly what amenities you need in a room. You can also choose to have an extra pillow, which is something that might not be available on the day you travel.
Booking on the day
Booking a hotel the day before your trip can help you save money, but it may also limit your ability to plan your trip. Hotels often display higher prices during the week, but lower prices during the weekends. Regardless of how much you’d like to save, the earlier you book, the better. Aside from avoiding high prices, booking a hotel on the day of travel also allows you to research restaurants in advance.
Depending on the hotel, last-minute discounts may still be available. For example, you could find deep hotel discounts by booking the night before – or even the day of travel. There’s also the option of using an app or website, like HotelTonight (available in the Google Play store or Apple App Store). Essentially, you’re paying less to book a hotel the day before, but you’ll have to be willing to live on the edge to find the best deal.
Booking with a travel agency
In some cases, hotels and airlines will not recognize elite status and recommend booking directly with them. Even if you’re a frequent traveler, booking directly with an airline or hotel may still save you money. However, online travel agencies often charge additional fees that can completely wipe out any savings you’ve made. In addition, some hotel chains and airlines may not recognize your elite status, which could lead to a lower price or cancellation.
An online travel agent (OTA) acts as both a marketing channel and distribution channel for hotels. Increasing numbers of potential guests use OTAs to find and book a hotel. These sites are designed to make the search process convenient and easy, and often feature reviews and customer feedback. OTAs allow travelers to compare prices and read hotel reviews and ratings without the hassle of calling each individual hotel. This makes booking with OTAs an especially smart choice for many travelers.
Getting a good night’s sleep
The best hotels aren’t necessarily the best for sleeping, but some amenities can help you get a good night’s sleep. According to Dr. Megan Bell, a sleep scientist and instructor at Harvard Medical School, you can improve your sleep by choosing a higher floor in a hotel. In addition, you should bring your own pillows if you suffer from back or neck pain. You should also request a double bed if you’re traveling alone. This will help you sleep much better than sleeping in a room with a stranger.
Traveling can also disrupt your sleep, so it’s important to plan your trip accordingly. You can’t expect to sleep on time while traveling. If you don’t have an easy time adjusting to a new time zone, try keeping a schedule that doesn’t interfere with sleep. If you’re staying in a hotel, try to make sure that the hotel is staffed with friendly staff who will be happy to help you sleep.