As travel costs continue to climb in 2025, Americans are looking for smarter ways to save while booking their vacations. Whether you’re planning a weekend getaway or an international vacation, there are a few tried-and-true strategies that can help you cut costs on both hotels and flights without sacrificing comfort. Here’s how you can beat the system and book the best deals, no matter where you’re heading.
1. Book Early and Beat the Price Hike
The early bird gets the deal—plain and simple. Both hotel prices and airfare climb as your travel date nears, so locking in your stay and flight ahead of time is essential for savings. For example, booking a flight early can save you hundreds of dollars, especially when flying to popular destinations during peak seasons. Hotel prices follow a similar trend: the sooner you book, the better your chances of snagging a discount.
Don’t wait until the last minute. Booking months ahead, especially for summer trips to places like Hawaii or Europe, can save you a bundle compared to booking just a few weeks out.
2. Compare Rates Across Booking Platforms
Don’t settle for the first price you see. Smart travelers use multiple booking platforms like Expedia and Hotels.com for hotels, and Google Flights for flights, to compare rates. These platforms often feature special discounts, member-only deals, and even last-minute offers that you won’t find elsewhere. For hotels, you can often see bundled deals that include flights, making it easier to compare your overall travel costs in one place.
Use the same strategy for flights. Sites like Expedia and Google Flights show you the cheapest flights on various airlines, and price alerts can notify you of price drops. If you’re flexible with your dates, these tools can help you score huge savings.
3. Skip the Prime Tourist Zones
Sure, staying in the heart of the action is convenient, but it’s also expensive. If you’re willing to stay a little outside the touristy hotspots, you can save big on your room rate. For instance, hotels in downtown LA or New York can cost several hundred dollars per night, but neighborhoods like Koreatown in LA or Brooklyn in New York offer cheaper options with easy access to the city’s main attractions.
The same goes for flights. While booking flights to big, popular airports like LAX or JFK might seem like the obvious choice, opting for a nearby secondary airport can save you money. Try flying into Long Beach instead of LAX, or Newark instead of JFK for cheaper airfare.
4. Join Loyalty Programs and Reap the Rewards
If you travel often, signing up for hotel loyalty programs can be a game-changer. Expedia Rewards and Hotels.com Rewards allow you to earn points for every booking that lead to discounts, free upgrades, and even free nights. The more you travel, the more perks you can enjoy.
Don’t forget about airlines! Many airlines, like Delta and American Airlines, offer frequent flyer programs where you can rack up miles for every trip, which can be redeemed for free flights or upgrades. Pairing an airline loyalty program with a hotel loyalty program can maximize your savings and keep you on the road for less.
5. Keep Your Eye on Flash Sales
Flash sales are a great way to score a deal, but you’ve got to be quick. Both hotel booking platforms like Expedia and Hotels.com and airlines such as JetBlue and Southwest often run limited-time offers that can drop rates by 30% or more. These sales typically come and go fast, so sign up for email alerts from these platforms to catch deals as soon as they drop.
For flights, these sales are most common during off-peak seasons. Airlines will sometimes offer massive discounts, especially on less popular routes, so be on the lookout for these surprise deals.
6. Consider Non-Refundable Rooms and Flights
Non-refundable hotel rooms are usually cheaper than refundable ones, but only book them if you’re sure your travel plans are set in stone. Many booking platforms, including Hotels.com, offer discounts of up to 30% for non-refundable rooms.
Similarly, non-refundable flights can save you up to 20% on airfare. But keep in mind that with both hotels and flights, once you book, it’s locked in. Be sure your plans are solid before you commit.
7. Use Travel Perks from Your Credit Card
Some credit cards come with valuable travel perks like hotel discounts, room upgrades, and bonus points for every dollar spent. Credit cards like the Chase Sapphire Preferred and American Express Platinum provide not only access to hotel deals on Expedia and Hotels.com, but they also come with travel protections and bonuses that can lower your out-of-pocket costs.
And don’t forget about airline perks! Many travel credit cards offer access to exclusive flight deals, bonus miles, and even benefits like priority boarding or airport lounge access. Using the right card can make a significant difference in your travel budget.
8. Time Your Stay and Flight to Avoid Peak Periods
If you can avoid booking during peak travel periods like holidays, weekends, or school breaks, you can save a ton on both hotels and flights. Weekdays, especially Tuesday or Wednesday nights, are often cheaper for hotels, and flying mid-week can also lower your airfare. Airlines tend to increase prices during weekends and holidays, so flying on a Tuesday or Wednesday could save you hundreds.
Off-season travel is another way to save. Traveling to Florida in the fall or California in the spring can get you hotel rates up to 40% lower than peak summer months. The same is true for flights: choose off-peak seasons for better airfare deals.
9. Bundle Your Travel
If you’re booking both a flight and a hotel, consider using a booking platform like Expedia to bundle your travel. Vacation packages often offer discounts when you book both your flight and hotel together, saving you money across the board.
Expedia often offers package deals with significant savings, especially for longer stays or international destinations. This approach takes the hassle out of comparing flights and hotels separately and ensures you’re getting the best price for your entire trip.
10. Don’t Forget to Search for Discount Codes
Before you click “book,” take a few seconds to search for promo codes that can lower your price. Websites like RetailMeNot or Honey list up-to-date discount codes for hotels and airlines, including those on Expedia and Hotels.com.
Promo codes can also apply to flight bookings. Many airlines release flash code deals during certain sales, and discount sites can help you find hidden promo codes for everything from reduced baggage fees to discounted tickets.
Final Thoughts: The Savvy Traveler’s Guide to Saving on Hotels and Airfare
While hotel and airfare prices might seem sky-high, there are plenty of ways to save if you know where to look. Whether you’re booking early, comparing rates, or taking advantage of loyalty programs and flash sales, these strategies will keep your travel budget in check. A little planning, flexibility, and smart use of booking platforms like Expedia and Hotels.com can help you book your dream vacation for less. So go ahead, start booking smarter, and keep your wallet happy for your next big adventure!