Rates are on the rise, and consumers are looking for more comfort and more affordable options. Fortunately, there are some alternatives to hotels – and there are discounts too. If you want to travel in style but aren’t ready to break the bank, consider staying at a hostel. The costs of a hostel are a fraction of the price of a traditional hotel.
Rates are on the rise
It’s hard to avoid it: rates are rising when traveling and booking hotels. Globally, average daily rates have surpassed pre-pandemic prices, according to a report from Amadeus. With more travelers planning vacations than ever before, hoteliers are bracing themselves for a spike in demand. Amadeus’ Demand360 study analyzed booking data from the past two years.
While prices have been on the rise since early last year, they’re still lower than a year ago. In some popular destinations, including New York, Europe, and the Caribbean, it’s better to travel outside of these peak times. Even special events, such as the Pandemic-related disruption in recent weeks, can cause prices to spike.
Consumers are looking for more comfort
According to a recent survey conducted by Oracle and Skift, more than half of travelers are planning to stay in hotels instead of vacation rentals in the next six months. The study included respondents from the U.S., Asia-Pacific, and Europe, so it is important to take country distinctions into account when interpreting the findings.
While the quality and comfort of a hotel’s rooms are still of utmost importance, it’s crucial that hotels understand how travelers feel. Safety and security are top of mind for some travelers, but it’s worth noting that age and income also play a large role in their travel preferences.
Hostels are an affordable alternative to hotels
Hostels have a variety of advantages over traditional hotels. They have communal areas, wi-fi, and bars. They also offer big bathrooms and lockers for your stuff. Plus, they tend to be a bit cheaper than traditional hotels. You can meet people from all over the world and even make new friends. In addition, you’ll have the opportunity to share your experiences with others.
Another benefit of staying at a hostel is that you’ll have more opportunities to interact with other travelers. In most cases, hostel guests are young, budget-conscious backpackers or students. You’ll also be able to share common areas with them, and there are often social events, which means you’ll meet others. That’s a big plus for millennials who want to make new friends while on their travels.
Discounts
Using a hotel reservation site to get a discount is an easy way to save money. Most of these sites do not charge you to use your credit card. They require only your billing and email address and amount of booking to process your payment. Once you’ve paid, you can access a variety of hotel deals, including those that are exclusive to your destination.
Discounts can also be obtained through your insurance company or credit union. If you’re an AAA member, you can enjoy discounts on selected hotel chains. These can range anywhere from 5 to 25 percent. Many travel agents are also able to negotiate better hotel deals and offer additional perks to their customers.
Rewards programs
Rewards programs for travel and hotels are a great way to get the most out of your travel spending. You can use these to get free flights and upgrades when you book your regular trips. There are many different programs out there, and figuring out which one is right for you is sometimes difficult. Luckily, NerdWallet has done the research and analyzed the fine print to make your life easier. You can now compare rewards programs and make the most out of your travel dollar.
When evaluating rewards programs for hotels and travel, it’s important to consider factors such as customer service, ease of earning free travel, and loyalty. The best loyalty programs will consider the mindset of the traveller and cater to their specific needs.