Whether you're an avid Airbnb-er, a Booking.com boffin, an Agoda aficionado or an Expedia expert, or even if you're completely new to the world of travel, these tips and tricks can help land you the best deal on holiday accommodation.
Plus our well-travelled staff weigh in with their own advice on searching for accommodation, finding the best price, ways to get extra perks, and more.
1. Don't stick to one booking site
Use several comparison websites to get a feel for pricing in the area you're looking to stay.
These websites won't always give you all the accommodation options, and the top listings won't necessarily be the best deals available – they're often accommodation providers who've paid extra to have their listings prioritised.
Booking sites are useful for research and to get a feel for prices and locations, but take their suggestions with a grain of salt.
Take a look to see if the Airbnb has an Instagram profile. They're a good place to see more photos of the house, and sometimes they offer specials through their social media
CHOICE audience and engagement editor Pru Engel
And don't forget to check sites like TripAdvisor and Google reviews so you can hear about real people's experiences of the accommodation and see unedited photos of the rooms and facilities before you make up your mind.
For Airbnbs and homestays, check other platforms like Stayz to see if they're cheaper there.
"Take a look to see if the Airbnb has an Instagram profile," says CHOICE audience and engagement editor Pru Engel.
"They're a good place to see more photos of the house, and sometimes they offer specials through their social media, so you can pick up a cheaper deal that you might not find elsewhere."
2. Go undercover to search
Your digital footprint can work against you when it comes to booking accommodation. Some sites can recognise what you've been searching and change their prices for areas and hotels that you're interested in.
It's called dynamic pricing or personal price hikes, and it's allegedly a common online marketing method. It seems unfair and a little creepy, but it happens.
Some sites can recognise what you've been searching and change their prices for areas and hotels that you're interested in
The best way to beat them at their own game is to use 'incognito' mode when you're searching so they can't track you.
You can also use different browsers and clear your cookies when you're cross-checking prices to make sure you're looking at the best price possible, not one that's tailor-made based on your search history.
"Always cross-check prices on separate internet browsers (or clear cookies) and compare prices between comparison sites and booking direct with the hotel," says Tom from the CHOICE marketing team.
Read more on how to avoid personal price hikes.
3. Hit up the hotel for a better price
Once you've found a good price, contact the hotel directly to ask if they can beat it. They may have special deals or sales that the booking sites won't show you.
Booking platforms charge them (and you) a fee when you book, so they're often happy to give you a cheaper rate if you're cutting out the middle man.
Some travellers have even scored a free room upgrade as a thank-you for booking direct.
"Recently, I used LastMinute.com.au to check availability and options in the area, but then found that booking directly through the accommodation's website saved a significant amount," says CHOICE staffer Andrea.
"Glad I checked their website first before completing the LastMinute booking form!"
4. Cash in your points
Make the most of systems like hotel loyalty programs or credit card points – you may be able to access special deals and use points to pay for your accommodation.
If you're booking directly with the hotel but you're not a member, you may be able to sign up as you book to take advantage of their discounts and perks immediately.
Some hotel chains also offer perks such as late checkouts and free upgrades, free Wi-Fi or parking to their members.
Hotel chains often have different levels of hotels, from more basic through to luxury. Going for the less-luxe option will make your points go further.
"My husband travels a bit for work. He is a Marriott member, so he always books Marriott hotels when he travels for work and he earns points," says CHOICE editor Rachel.
"This means when we travel as a family we can use points to book accommodation. They have a big range of hotels at different levels, so we can choose the cheaper range so the points go further."
5. Be the first to know
Join booking sites' mailing lists or member programs (they're often free) to access early bird specials and other discounts. (Just be aware of how much data you're consenting to them collecting.)
If you're flexible on travel times, keep an eye on hotel websites and booking sites for sales so you can jump on a good deal when you see it.
You can set alerts on some sites so you'll be notified when there's a hot deal going at your favourite hotel or holiday destination
You can set alerts on some sites so you'll be notified when there's a hot deal going at your favourite hotel or holiday destination.
"I've joined to get Genius Level pricing on Booking.com, and often their prices are actually less than the hotel website," says Andrea.
"Another tip is to check if there's an option to use a promo code for a cheaper price – then use Google to find a code for that platform. I just saved $50 on Agoda doing this," says Uta, a health insurance expert with CHOICE.
6. Hedge your bets with free cancellations
Look for accommodation options that offer free cancellations (but remember to read the fine print!). That way, if you find a better deal elsewhere before you travel, you can jump ship with no financial loss.
Just bear in mind that even though you won't be out of pocket, the accommodation provider could be. This isn't so much of an issue with large hotel chains, but smaller operators could be significantly impacted if they can't re-book the room.
Last-minute cancellations can cut both ways, though: if the accommodation provider pulls the pin at the last minute, your careful holiday planning could be thrown out the window. That can mean you're stuck paying a higher price or settling for a less ideal location or room type if you have to book something else on the fly.
"The downsides of booking with Stayz and Airbnb private hosts is that they can cancel your booking even at the last minute with few repercussions," says Pru.
"For this reason, I religiously read reviews before booking anywhere."
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Stock images: Getty, unless otherwise stated.
