14 Tips on How to Get the Best Deals at Any Hotel
Tip #1
Loyalty Program
If you travel frequently to a particular destination and have a favorite place to stay, ask if they offer a special program for regular guests. In most cases, the biggest advantage of these programs is not only good value but also that it’s maintained regardless of the season and occupancy. For example, even if you frequently visit Business Hotel Plovdiv during a fair or another major exhibition in the city, we don’t change your preferential room rate.
Tip #2
Combine Flight and Accommodation
Especially for international trips with air travel, you can save money by combining your stay with the flight ticket. Large hotel chains often have agreements with airports or individual airlines, offering significant discounts. Of course, this option might not always suit you. The hotel might not be in a convenient location for your visit, or you might like the hotel but prefer to use the services of a different airline. Nevertheless, you don’t lose anything by checking for good combinations.
Tip #3
Contact the Hotel Directly
In recent years, collective online booking sites have become increasingly popular. They constantly entice you with “best deals” and offers. It’s no secret that all of them charge commissions (between 15-20%, or even higher). Therefore, our advice is to call the reception directly when you want to make a reservation. You’ll almost always get better prices. Moreover, by calling, you can quickly explain exactly what kind of room you need and any other additional information. Ultimately, if the hotel staff isn’t flexible, book your room through online platforms (everyone looks out for their own interests).
Tip #4
Booking at a Newly Opened Hotel
When a property is new to the market and looking for faster promotion, it often achieves this with attractive offers. Management teams see this as a compliment to their future guests, encouraging them to come and experience the quality of the service offered and win them over in the future. There’s one very important condition here: if the hotel isn’t up to par and has rushed its opening, it can have the opposite effect. Because we all know that the disappointment from low quality lasts long after the joy of a low price.
Tip #5
Mention if You're Booking for a Special Occasion
For example, if you want to surprise your partner for your anniversary, their birthday, or another important event, simply share it with the hotel staff. In such cases, at Business Hotel Plovdiv, we either make a gesture in the price offer or provide a small compliment to the guests. All small gestures are appreciated by customers, and that’s why good hotels do them often, especially if there’s a specific festive occasion.
Tip #6
Use the Rule of Opposites
What do we mean? For example, if you have a trip to Plovdiv over the weekend, it’s better to consider business hotels. During weekends, their occupancy might be lower, and therefore they might offer better prices. For SPA hotels, the opposite is true. If you have the opportunity, visit them during the week. It will certainly be calmer and more affordable! Clever, isn’t it?
Tip #7
"Refer a Friend" Programs
This strategy is often used to encourage free but quality advertising. Because there’s nothing more effective than a satisfied guest recommending a hotel to a friend. In this case, everyone wins. The hotel increases its occupancy, the new visitor knows they’re going to a good place, and the one who made the recommendation gets various benefits. For example, a discount on their next stay, a complimentary breakfast, massage, or fitness session. The options are many. BUT here too, the condition is that the service offered deserves praise and recommendation.
Tip #8
You're an Employee or Client of a Bank That Has a Discount Agreement with Various Hotels
This practice is also gaining popularity in Bulgaria. We at Business Hotel Plovdiv are in the final stages of establishing such a partnership with our bank – UniCredit Bulbank. All guests , coming through this financial institution will enjoy discounts on our regular prices. They will receive points back on their payment cards, which can be used to purchase other services and goods. Each bank individually negotiates with hotels what kind of benefits to offer its clients. It’s a great practice, so check if you can take advantage of it too.
Tip #9
Keep an Eye on Current Offers
Make the most of special offers. If you know you’ll be in Plovdiv on the fifth of next month, check out hotels with “Early Booking” promotions. If you need to travel to a specific destination on weekends, look for “Weekend Offers.” Does it happen that you need accommodation at your current location today? Check for “Last Minute” deals. You’ll always find something that meets your requirements. Just do some digging.
Tip #10
Participate in Games Organized on Social Media
A modern way to gather followers and potential future guests is by conducting games on Facebook and Instagram. Often, they ask you to like a page, share a photo, or tag yourself to participate in a raffle for a free stay. There’s nothing stopping you from trying. You might be pleasantly surprised if you’re chosen and get an unexpected vacation. Moreover, you might discover an interesting and high-quality place to stay.
Tip #11
Long Stay? Definitely Try a Hotel!
Do you need to stay for a week or a month? Think it will be expensive in a hotel? Wrong! Choose your accommodation, get in touch, and ask for a special offer. In these cases, good managers will make you an irresistible offer. Everyone loves to have long and secure bookings, even at more affordable prices. And for you, it will cost almost the same as an apartment-type accommodation, where there’s no one to take care of your needs, clean, serve breakfast, or respond to all your wishes. (For example, fast internet, a work computer, office services, laundry, and being greeted with a smile every day.)
Tip #12
Don't Be Afraid to Negotiate
In the hotel industry, people work with flexible thinking and are oriented towards long-term relationships (at least in most cases). Therefore, they are open to dialogue and willing to make reasonable concessions to ensure both sides are satisfied. If you think you can get a better offer, feel free to ask. It’s possible that the colleagues have already given you their best offer, or they might make an even more irresistible option for your stay. Keep in mind that quality service requires resources. The important thing in the industry is to have a balance between price and offered value.
Tip #13
Request Free Cancellation
In these dynamic times, it’s necessary to have not only a good price but also the possibility of cancellation without a fee. Anything can happen at the last minute and prevent your trip. With this option, you have the peace of mind and security that you won’t lose money. If you’ve already prepaid, at least ask to reschedule your stay to another date. We believe you’ll encounter understanding. At least we, at Business Hotel Plovdiv, always empathize with our guests by making flexible decisions in their favor.
Tip #14
Discounts for Hotel Chain Members
If your life is on wheels and wings, and you sleep in hotels more often than at home, you can do some research based on the destinations you visit and look for a chain represented in all of them. Become a member and you’ll enjoy club privileges. Depending on their different programs, you might accumulate points for discounts or free services.
P.s. We hope this has been helpful. Overall, in the tourism sector, we provide various opportunities to save money or earn bonus compliments. Our profession is a calling, and the most important thing is guest satisfaction and their comfortable stay. We’re grateful that almost always our efforts are highly valued and recognized. It’s a great joy for us that we practice an activity we love. That way, everything happens more easily. Your success is our priority!
