Travel is, at its core, a series of trial and error. When you visit a destination, you’re faced with all kinds of new experiences, new challenges, and unfamiliar situations. Wrong turns and less-than-ideal decisions are inevitable. Sometimes, these are easily fixable mistakes. You got on the wrong bus—or you forgot your toothbrush at home. Other times, the oversight can dampen (or ruin) your entire trip. If you mess up a hotel booking, for instance, there’s a good chance you’ll end up paying for it—literally.
To help you avoid some of the most common mistakes people make when booking a hotel, we spoke to a few travel experts. Below, they're sharing their top tips for booking smarter —and avoiding costly mishaps .
Booking Through a Third-party—Without Considering the Risks
You might be tempted by a low nightly rate on a third-party, but every single one of the travel experts we spoke to said this is the most common hotel booking faux pas. “Online travel agencies (OTAs) act as intermediaries between the traveler and the hotel or property, which can slow down communication and complicate changes, cancellations, or issue resolution,” says Austin-based Eric Goldreyer, CEO of Savvy and a 30-plus-year veteran in the travel and hospitality industry.
While you might be able to save some money by booking through an OTA, Jessica Hair , a travel advisor based in Greenville, South Carolina, says the trade-off isn’t worth it. “Many times, booking with an online travel agency (for example, Expedia, Hotels.com) means you can’t earn loyalty points, and you are at the bottom of the priority list when it comes to room assignment, upgrades, early check-in requests, and even resolving complaints,” she says. “Plus, if any issues arise, you often have to resolve them through the agency you booked through, adding a layer of complexity that probably isn’t worth the headache after a long day of travel.” At the end of the day, the best thing to do is book directly with the hotel.
Stephanie Fenz, the director of commercial at Kimpton Shane Hotel in Atlanta, also provides some perspective from the hotel side of things. “While those sites can be useful for comparison, they often don’t highlight the full experience, amenities, or special programming happening on property,” she explains. “Always spend time researching the hotel directly on the brand’s website and book through ‘brand.com’ when possible. Not only will you get the most accurate information, but you’ll also unlock exclusive benefits when you’re enrolled in a loyalty program.”
Waiting to Book Until the Last Minute
There are some instances when booking a hotel at the last minute is unavoidable. But those trips when you know your travel dates well in advance—family vacations, weddings, etc.? Well, it’s in your best interest to book your room ASAP. “While some travelers hope for last‑minute deals, the reality is that earlier booking usually means better inventory, more room types to choose from, and preferred locations within the hotel ,” says Fenz. She also shares that many hotels “offer excellent prepaid, non‑refundable rates well in advance that can provide real savings if your plans are firm.”
There’s also another, non-financial perk of booking early: peace of mind. If you’re traveling around a busy weekend, holiday, or large-scale event, you want to ensure you’re not scrambling to find a room at your destination.
Not Reviewing the Cancellation Policy
Hotel rooms, like airfare, are usually tied to some form of a cancellation policy—and you should always be acutely aware of what you’re agreeing to when you book. “Life happens, and sometimes plans change. Many travelers opt for the cheapest rate without realizing that the great deal they’re booking is non-refundable,” says Hair. Her solution: “Always check the cancellation policy before clicking ‘Book Now.’”
That said, your trip might require a bit of flexibility. In that case, she recommends booking a rate that offers free cancellation. “Typically, the cancellation period to receive a free refund is anywhere from three to 30 days before arrival for flexible rates,” she says. “If that's not flexible enough, travel insurance is a great safety net for dealing with the unexpected. I always recommend it for clients booking more expensive, international trips to destinations where non-refundable accommodations may be the only option.”
Assuming the Nightly Rate Is Your Final Cost
One of the biggest mistakes you can make when booking a hotel is taking the nightly rate at face value. There are almost always additional costs that will be factored into your final bill. “A nightly rate might seem appealing upfront, but taxes, platform and booking fees, and service charges can significantly increase the final price,” says Goldreyer. Things like parking, resort fees, and WiFi are some of the most common additions.
“To avoid surprises on your bill at check-out, first, check the hotel website to see if they list any additional fees (parking, resort, etc). Then, check the summary of charges during the booking process to review everything that is included in the quoted rate,” says Hair, who adds that this is especially important when travelers are looking at rates across multiple booking sites or properties to ensure they're "comparing apples to apples.”
Read the original article on Southern Living
