Finding the cheapest online hotel booking site can save you significant money, enhancing your travel experience, and gmonline.net is here to help you navigate the options. This guide explores various online travel agencies (OTAs) and metasearch engines, revealing how to secure the best deals on hotels. With insights on loyalty programs and flexible booking strategies, you’ll discover budget travel, vacation packages, and travel planning.
1. Booking Directly Through The Hotel
For loyalty program members aiming to earn or maintain elite status, booking directly via the hotel’s website, whether it’s Marriott, Hilton, or IHG, is often the best strategy. Direct bookings allow you to utilize discounted member rates and ensure you receive loyalty points and elite night credits. Many hotel chains also provide promotions that let you accrue substantial bonus points.
Failing to book directly might prevent the hotel from recognizing your elite status. For instance, a Marriott Bonvoy Platinum Elite member booking through a third party could miss out on perks like lounge access and complimentary breakfast.
Key Insight: Booking directly typically yields the most benefits if you have elite status with a hotel, ensuring you earn points, elite night credits, and that your status is honored.
2. Kayak
Kayak stands out as a metasearch engine that sifts through travel deals from various sites to pinpoint the best offers.
One of Kayak’s appealing features is its map functionality, along with its extensive filtering options on the left side of the screen.
2.1. Utilizing Kayak’s Map Feature
The map, located on the upper left of the search results page, provides a comprehensive view of your destination. It highlights hotel locations and popular spots for dining, sightseeing, shopping, and nightlife. Each dot on the map signifies a hotel, which you can click for detailed information and price comparisons.
Kayak’s map feature offers comprehensive insights into your destination city, showing locations of the most affordable hotels.
Using the price slider, you can narrow your search to focus solely on the most affordable options.
2.2. Exploring Pricebreakers on Kayak
Also, be on the lookout for Pricebreakers. These are opaque fare deals where some reservation details are hidden until after booking. When searching for a budget-friendly hotel on Kayak, filter your results to include Pricebreakers.
These deals present a price alongside three potential hotels, but the specific hotel remains a mystery until the booking is finalized.
With Kayak’s Pricebreaker, you could secure a great deal if you’re comfortable waiting to find out your hotel until after you book.
2.3. Advantages and Disadvantages of Using Kayak
Here are some pros and cons of using Kayak:
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| Pricebreaker deals offer potential savings if you’re flexible about the hotel you receive. | Kayak may not always display the hotel’s website price, which sometimes offers lower rates. |
| Kayak maps provide valuable location information, helping you choose a hotel in a desirable area. | Metasearch engines require extra verification steps, potentially missing out on exclusive deals or direct booking incentives. |
Actionable Tip: For detailed guidance on securing great deals on hotels, flights, and more, refer to Kayak’s resources or visit gmonline.net for additional tips.
3. Expedia
Expedia provides a unique rewards program, One Key Rewards, making it stand out among OTAs.
3.1. Overview of Expedia’s One Key Rewards Program
The One Key Rewards program is free to join, allowing you to earn and redeem OneKeyCash on travel bookings.
3.2. Benefits and Drawbacks of Expedia
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| One Key Rewards program allows earning and redeeming rewards across Expedia. | You won’t earn loyalty points or elite night credits with the hotel’s own rewards program. |
| Members-only deals offer additional savings. | Some bookings are non-refundable; it’s crucial to review the terms before finalizing your purchase. |
Insight: According to Expedia Group’s 2024 Traveler Value Index, flexibility remains a top priority for travelers, with many willing to adjust their plans for better deals.
3.3. Maximizing Credit Card Rewards with Expedia
While booking via Expedia means you won’t earn points through the hotel’s loyalty program, you can still earn credit card points. Look for cards that offer points in the general travel category.
Actionable Tip: Consider using cards like the American Express® Green Card, the Chase Sapphire Reserve®, or the Citi Strata Premier℠ Card, which offer 3x points on hotel bookings, enhancing your rewards.
4. Priceline
Priceline is recognized for offering substantial discounts through its Express Deals.
4.1. Utilizing Priceline’s Express Deals
Priceline can provide big discounts through its Express Deals, which keep hotel details secret until after the booking is complete. These bookings are prepaid, nonrefundable, and nontransferable, making them suitable only if your plans are firm.
Explore Priceline’s Express Deals and Pricebreakers to potentially cut costs.
Express Deals come with a more generous best-price guarantee for VIP members. Standard hotel bookings offer a refund of the price difference if you find a better price within 24 hours. However, Express Deals provide a 200% refund of the price difference if you find a better price up to midnight before your travel date.
4.2. Exploring Pricebreakers
If you prefer some certainty, Priceline’s Pricebreakers show you three hotel options before you book. While the exact hotel remains unknown until after booking, you are guaranteed one of the three options.
4.3. Overview of Priceline VIP Program
Priceline offers a loyalty program called Priceline VIP. This free program has four membership levels with perks like best-price guarantees, hotel discounts, and Express Deal coupons.
| Membership Level | Perks |
|---|---|
| VIP Level 1 | Best Price Guarantee, Hotel Discounts |
| VIP Level 2 | Express Deal Coupons, Enhanced Hotel Discounts |
| VIP Level 3 | Exclusive VIP Hotel Deals, Priority Customer Service |
| VIP Level Elite | Dedicated VIP Elite Support, Early Access to Sales, and Personalized Recommendations |
4.4. Advantages and Disadvantages of Using Priceline
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| Priceline VIP offers various discounts and guarantees. | You won’t earn hotel loyalty points or elite night credits when booking through Priceline. |
| Express Deals and Pricebreakers can lead to significant savings. | Opaque bookings require careful planning due to non-refundable terms. |
Actionable Tip: If your plans are flexible, Priceline Express Deals and Pricebreakers can offer significant savings!
5. Momondo
Momondo is an easy-to-use travel metasearch engine that filters through deals from numerous websites to find the best prices. When you find a deal on Momondo, you’re redirected to the booking website (either an OTA or the hotel’s website) to complete the reservation.
5.1. How Momondo Simplifies Hotel Searching
Momondo displays hotel prices from various websites in one place, making it easy to compare options.
Momondo consolidates hotel prices from many sites, simplifying your comparison shopping.
5.2. Advantages and Disadvantages of Using Momondo
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| The user-friendly interface shows prices from multiple sites at once. | There is no specific loyalty program. |
| Comprehensive search results enhance decision-making. | Redirects to external booking sites |
Actionable Tip: Visit gmonline.net or Momondo’s resource pages for more information.
6. Booking.com
Booking.com is a user-friendly site for searching and booking hotels, hostels, B&Bs, apartments, and vacation homes.
6.1. Exploring Booking.com’s Low-Price Guarantee
One notable feature is its generous low-price guarantee. If you find a lower advertised price for the same reservation available to the public, Booking.com will refund the difference up to 24 hours before check-in.
6.2. Utilizing Genius Discounts
Also, watch for Genius discounts. When a room type is marked with Genius discount available, you save 10% off the base price by logging into your account.
Booking.com’s Genius discount offers significant savings.
6.3. Understanding the Genius Loyalty Program
The Genius Loyalty Program offers perks like free breakfast and room upgrades, with three levels based on stays completed within two years.
| Genius Level | Requirements | Benefits |
|---|---|---|
| Level 1 | Account Creation | 10% Discount on Select Properties |
| Level 2 | 5 Stays Within 2 Years | 10-15% Discount, Free Breakfast at Select Properties |
| Level 3 | 15 Stays Within 2 Years | 10-20% Discount, Free Breakfast, Room Upgrades at Select Properties |
6.4. Advantages and Disadvantages of Using Booking.com
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| The Genius Loyalty Program offers substantial discounts and perks. | You won’t earn loyalty points or elite night credits from the hotel’s rewards program. |
| The price-match guarantee ensures you get the best deal. | Offers booking services for accommodations that are non-traditional, such as hostels and B&Bs |
Actionable Tip: Visit gmonline.net or Booking.com for more information on accommodations and travel deals.
7. Hotels.com
Hotels.com’s standout feature is its One Key Rewards program.
7.1. Maximizing One Key Rewards on Hotels.com
The One Key Rewards program allows you to earn and use points (called OneKeyCash) through Hotels.com and its partner sites, Expedia and Vrbo.
If you have a Hotels.com account, log in to access member pricing, which saves an average of 15%.
Hotels.com’s member pricing delivers great savings.
7.2. Hotel Loyalty and Elite Status
As with most OTAs, booking through Hotels.com means you won’t earn loyalty points or elite nights with the hotel’s program.
7.3. Advantages and Disadvantages of Using Hotels.com
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| The One Key Rewards program offers a unified rewards system. | You won’t earn loyalty points or elite night credits from the hotel’s rewards program. |
| Members-only pricing offers additional savings. | You have to pay taxes and fees on reward nights. |
Actionable Tip: Visit Hotels.com and gmonline.net for detailed tips on maximizing your travel savings.
8. Orbitz
Orbitz is another user-friendly OTA known for its loyalty program.
8.1. Understanding Orbitz Rewards
You can earn Orbucks through Orbitz Rewards on hotels, flights, travel packages, and activities. However, Orbucks can only be redeemed for hotels, and generally, you can only earn Orbucks on prepaid hotel stays.
| Booking Type | Orbucks Earning Rate |
|---|---|
| Desktop Hotel Stays | 3% |
| Orbitz App Hotel Stays | 4% |
Be sure to book prepaid hotels to maximize Orbucks earning with Orbitz.
8.2. Orbitz Elite Status
Orbitz has its own version of elite status that offers benefits like Wi-Fi and breakfast at select hotels after just four stays per year. After 12 stays, you earn Platinum status, which includes a TSA PreCheck application credit.
8.3. Advantages and Disadvantages of Using Orbitz
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| The Orbitz Rewards program provides value for frequent travelers. | You can only earn Orbucks on prepaid hotel stays. |
| Vacation packages can offer significant savings. | You won’t earn hotel loyalty points or elite night credits when booking through Orbitz. |
Actionable Tip: Learn how to maximize your benefits by visiting gmonline.net.
8.4. Bundling Hotel and Flight Bookings on Orbitz
Another way Orbitz can save you money is by bundling hotel and flight bookings. Combining a hotel and flight booking can result in substantial savings.
9. Hotwire
Hotwire is a long-standing OTA known for its Hot Rate hotels.
9.1. Discovering Hotwire’s Hot Rate Hotels
If you have some flexibility or aren’t particular about the exact hotel you stay in, Hotwire’s Hot Rate hotels could offer savings. These are opaque bookings, so the exact hotel is revealed after booking. However, you’ll see the hotel’s rating, neighborhood, amenities, and Tripadvisor ratings.
Hotwire’s Hot Rate hotels are a great way to save if you’re flexible with your choice of hotel.
9.2. Saving with Vacation Packages on Hotwire
Booking a hotel and flight together can save hundreds of dollars. To take advantage of this, go to the Vacations tab in the top search menu.
9.3. Advantages and Disadvantages of Using Hotwire
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| Hot Rate Hotels save money. | The specific hotel isn’t revealed until after booking, so this works best with flexibility. |
| Vacation packages reduce costs. | Hidden fees can increase costs. |
Actionable Tip: Visit gmonline.net or Hotwire’s resources for more information on booking.
10. AmexTravel.com
AmexTravel.com is a travel portal operated by American Express, functioning much like an OTA.
10.1. Understanding AmexTravel.com Pricing
One downside is that you need to create an account and log in to see the final pricing, which includes taxes and fees. Prices through AmexTravel.com tend to align with other OTAs.
10.2. Maximizing Points with Amex Platinum
If you have The Platinum Card® from American Express or The Business Platinum Card® from American Express, you can earn 5x points on prepaid hotel stays booked through AmexTravel.com. You also avoid booking fees for flights.
10.3. Advantages and Disadvantages of Using AmexTravel.com
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| Earning 5x points on prepaid hotel stays with an Amex Platinum card can be rewarding. | Booking fees apply for flights without an Amex Platinum card. |
| Access to Fine Hotels + Resorts program provides exclusive perks. | A poor redemption rate when using Pay With Points can diminish value. |
Redeeming points for hotel bookings via Amex Travel may not offer optimal value.
10.4. Maximizing Value with American Express Membership Rewards
If you have American Express Membership Rewards points, avoid using them to book travel directly through AmexTravel.com, as the redemption rate is poor.
11. Agoda
Agoda specializes in accommodations and offers hostels, private houses, and monthly stays.
11.1. Exploring Agoda’s Search and Map Features
It provides excellent filtering options and a map feature for viewing options by location.
11.2. Agoda’s Rewards Programs
You’ll earn AgodaCash on every eligible booking, redeemable for hotel bookings. Additionally, the AgodaVIP program offers elite status with additional discounts and perks.
Achieving AgodaVIP status lets you unlock additional savings and discounts.
11.3. Advantages and Disadvantages of Using Agoda
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| The AgodaCash and AgodaVIP programs add value. | You won’t earn loyalty points or elite night credits from the hotel’s rewards program. |
| Solid search functionality ensures convenience. | Limited flight search options. |
Actionable Tip: Explore gmonline.net or Agoda’s resources for more tips.
12. Travelocity
Travelocity offers various booking options, including flights, hotels, cars, cruises, and travel packages.
12.1. Saving with Travelocity Account
Travelocity advertises lower rates of 10% or more on select hotels if you create an account. Member rates will be highlighted, but discounts are only available at certain hotels, requiring flexibility.
12.2. Booking Flight and Hotel Together on Travelocity
Like most OTAs, you can save money by booking a flight and hotel together. Bundling bookings offers better value.
12.3. Advantages and Disadvantages of Using Travelocity
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| Lower member rates on select hotels reduce expenses. | The discounts are only applicable at specific hotels. |
| Lower rates on flight and hotel packages offer cost savings. | You won’t earn loyalty points or elite night credits from the hotel’s rewards program. |
Creating a Travelocity account will save you money on select hotels.
Actionable Tip: Check gmonline.net for more information and visit Travelocity’s resources.
13. Tripadvisor
Tripadvisor is renowned for customer reviews, making it ideal for understanding hotel and activity experiences.
13.1. Finding Hotels on Tripadvisor
After searching for your destination, you’ll see a list of available hotels with prices from several websites. Clicking on the drop-down menu provides an overview of where to find the best pricing.
13.2. Advantages and Disadvantages of Using Tripadvisor
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| Great customer reviews. | Prices shown do not include taxes, which can vary across websites. |
| Objective hotel data | Extra steps required to verify and complete booking on external site |
Tripadvisor shows pricing from many different OTAs.
Actionable Tip: For additional details, check gmonline.net and Tripadvisor’s resources.
14. Google Hotel Search
Google Hotel Search allows you to search for hotels directly on Google, functioning as a search engine to find the best hotel prices.
14.1. Navigating Google Hotel Search
To search, enter “Hotels in [Your Destination]” in the Google search box or go to google.com/travel/hotels.
14.2. Utilizing Map and Filtering Options
Easily search by location using the map or use the filtering options to find exactly what you’re looking for.
14.3. Understanding Price Trends
Click on What you’ll pay to get a sense of price trends in your chosen destination during your travel dates.
Google Hotels lets you see hotel prices from many sites.
14.4. Advantages and Disadvantages of Using Google Hotel Finder
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| Price trends. | No loyalty program. |
| Wide data coverage | May not include all smaller booking sites |
Actionable Tip: Check Google Flights and gmonline.net for planning.
15. Skyscanner Hotels
Skyscanner is known as a flight search engine but also offers hotel searches.
15.1. Finding Hotels on Skyscanner
While seeing the pricing options for each hotel is easy, there aren’t many filtering options available. The map feature is helpful if you prefer searching by location.
15.2. Advantages and Disadvantages of Using Skyscanner Hotels
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| The lowest price for each hotel is clearly displayed. | Few filtering options. |
| Intuitive navigation | Lacks detailed information |
Clearly seeing each hotel’s lowest price is easy when booking with Skyscanner.
Actionable Tip: Visit gmonline.net or Skyscanner’s resources for more details.
16. HotelTonight
HotelTonight specializes in offering deals on last-minute hotel stays, though you can also book in advance.
16.1. Maximizing Savings with HotelTonight
The website is easy to use, but there aren’t many filtering options. If you’d like to set up a price deal alert, use the toggle button above your search results. Note that some deals are exclusive to the app.
16.2. Advantages and Disadvantages of Using HotelTonight
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| Price deal alerts. | The website doesn’t offer everything that the app does. |
| Last-minute availability is helpful. | Limited search filters |
Setting up a deal alert can save you money when booking your hotel.
Actionable Tip: For the best deals, check gmonline.net and use the HotelTonight app.
17. Hopper
Hopper is a mobile app offering price predictions, claiming 95% accuracy.
17.1. Hopper’s Color-Coded Map
You can find the cheapest dates for your destination in the Hopper app with a color-coded map that shows the most and least expensive times for hotels.
17.2. Using the Price Freeze Feature
Hopper’s unique price freeze feature lets you freeze the price for a set period with a small deposit, which can be applied towards your stay.
17.3. Advantages and Disadvantages of Using Hopper
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| Color-coded map shows best prices. | No desktop booking capabilities. |
| Price freeze option. | Extra fees like Hopper Tip and VIP Support are automatically added and require manual removal. |
Extra fees are automatically added and require manual removal.
17.4. Avoiding Extra Fees
Before booking on Hopper, check the Trip Extras to avoid automatic fees like Hopper Tip and VIP Support.
Actionable Tip: Check Hopper and gmonline.net for details.
18. Trivago
Trivago, owned by Expedia, is a metasearch engine comparing hotel prices from various websites.
18.1. Navigating Trivago
While it’s easy to use, it doesn’t offer features that differentiate it from competitors.
18.2. Advantages and Disadvantages of Using Trivago
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| Shows prices from many websites in one place. | The featured price is not always the lowest. |
| Extensive selection | No rewards program. |
Actionable Tip: Visit gmonline.net and use Trivago for price comparisons.
19. Price Comparisons
Comparing prices across different sites is essential. Keep in mind that displayed prices often exclude taxes and fees, which can significantly alter the final cost.
19.1. Sample Price Comparison
To illustrate, consider a 7-night stay at the Hilton San Francisco Union Square.
| OTA/Website | Total Price for a 7-Night Stay at a Hilton |
|---|---|
| Agoda | $2,046.71 |
| AmexTravel.com | $2,046.70 |
| Booking.com | $2,046.71 |
| Expedia | $2,046.70 |
| Google Hotel Search | $1,803.70 |
| HotelTonight | N/A |
| Hotel’s Own Website | $2,009.87 |
| Hopper | $2,107.29 |
| Hotels.com | $2,046.70 |
| Hotwire | $2,046.70 |
| Kayak | $1,808.90 |
| Momondo | $1,875.81 |
| Orbitz | $2,046.70 |
| Priceline | $2,046.73 |
| Skyscanner Hotels | $1,843.31 |
| Travelocity | $2,046.70 |
| Tripadvisor | $2,046.70 |
| Trivago | $1,808.90 |
In this scenario, Google Hotels offered the lowest price, with Kayak and Trivago close behind.
20. Final Thoughts
Finding the best deals requires a strategic approach.
- If you have elite status or prefer a specific chain, booking directly is best.
- If you’re not loyal to a brand, start with Kayak or Skyscanner.
- For combined hotel and flight bookings, explore vacation packages.
- Consider OTAs with rewards programs for smaller, independent hotels.
According to the American Hotel & Lodging Association (AHLA), direct bookings often offer better customer service and more flexible cancellation policies.
Remember, no single website consistently offers the lowest prices. If prices are similar, prioritize flexible cancellation policies and loyalty programs.
Actionable Tip: Visit gmonline.net for updated deals, travel advice, and to connect with a community of fellow travelers and gamers.
FAQ: Finding the Cheapest Online Hotel Booking Site
20.1. What is the cheapest online hotel booking site overall?
The cheapest online hotel booking site varies, but metasearch engines like Google Hotels and Kayak often provide the lowest prices by comparing multiple sources.
20.2. How can I find the best hotel deals online?
To find the best hotel deals, compare prices across multiple sites, utilize loyalty programs, consider opaque deals (where the hotel is revealed after booking), and book vacation packages.
20.3. Is it better to book hotels directly or through online travel agencies?
It depends; booking directly is often better for loyalty members, while OTAs can offer lower prices and rewards programs for non-brand-loyal travelers.
20.4. Are opaque deals worth it for hotel bookings?
Opaque deals can be worth it if you’re flexible about the hotel and prioritize price over specific preferences.
20.5. Which online travel agencies offer the best rewards programs?
Hotels.com, Expedia, and Orbitz offer strong rewards programs that allow you to earn and redeem points on hotel bookings.
20.6. How do I use metasearch engines to find cheap hotels?
Use metasearch engines like Google Hotels, Kayak, and Trivago to compare prices from multiple booking sites simultaneously and identify the best deals.
20.7. What are the pros and cons of booking through Priceline Express Deals?
Pros include potentially significant savings; cons include nonrefundable bookings and not knowing the hotel until after booking.
20.8. Can I get better hotel deals by booking last minute?
Yes, apps like HotelTonight specialize in last-minute deals, offering discounted rates on unsold rooms.
20.9. How do I avoid hidden fees when booking hotels online?
Always check the final price, including taxes and fees, and be wary of automatically added charges like “Hopper Tip” and “VIP Support.”
20.10. What are the best websites for booking cheap vacation packages?
Expedia, Orbitz, and Travelocity are great for booking vacation packages, often offering significant savings on combined hotel and flight bookings.
Are you ready to unlock incredible hotel deals and elevate your gaming adventures? Visit gmonline.net today for the latest updates, expert tips, and a thriving community of gamers and travelers! Don’t miss out – your next great adventure awaits!
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