Hotel costs can quietly become the biggest line item in a travel budget. Flights get all the attention when it comes to points and deals, but savvy travellers know that hotels are just as much of a game, and in many cases, an even better one.
Whether you’re booking a weekend getaway in Montreal or a two-week international trip, there are real strategies that can dramatically cut what you pay for a place to sleep while not necessarily losing out on quality of accommodations. Here’s how to save money on hotels.
Understand the Loyalty Program You’re Working With
Most major hotel chains run their own loyalty programs, and understanding how they work is the foundation of saving money on hotels. Points can be earned through stays, credit card spend, and various promotions, and redeemed for free nights, room upgrades, and more.
The redemption value varies considerably depending on the property and how you book, so it always pays to run the math before committing your points.
One thing worth knowing: redemption rates at the same chain can vary wildly from property to property. A points night at a mid-range city hotel might cost the same as one at a luxury resort if you find the right dates and availability.
That’s where the real value hides, and it rewards travellers who do their homework before booking.
Buying Points Can Actually Make Sense (In The Right Situation)
It sounds counterintuitive, but purchasing hotel points outright is sometimes one of the smartest moves you can make to save money on hotels. When points go on sale, and they do, regularly, the math can work heavily in your favour.
If you know you have an upcoming stay at a property where the cash rate is high, buying points at a discounted rate and redeeming them for that night can represent significant savings.
The key is to never buy points speculatively. Only buy when you have a specific redemption in mind, and only when the sale price gets you to a cost-per-point that beats what you’d pay in cash. This can be made better when loyalty programs are running buying points promotions.
For example, when buying Marriott Bonvoy points, there are several times per year that they run bonus promotions where purchases can earn 100% bonus points, cutting your effective cost per point in half.
Use the Right Credit Card
This is where a lot of Canadians leave money on the table. Booking hotels on a general- purpose card, or worse, a non-rewards card, means you’re missing out on accelerated earn rates, elite status benefits, and annual free night certificates that can easily offset an annual fee on their own.
The most popular hotel credit cards often come with perks that go well beyond points. Complimentary elite status, late checkout, room upgrade eligibility, and free breakfast at certain properties are the kinds of benefits that have real dollar value, especially if you stay at that chain more than a few times a year.
If you’re loyal to a particular brand, a co-branded card is almost always worth considering, as pairing a hotel co-branded card with consistent stays and loyalty will pay off in dividends with the benefits received.
That said, general travel credit cards can also be strong hotel earners, particularly if you value flexibility over brand loyalty. Some allow you to book hotels through a travel portal and earn a strong flat rate regardless of which chain you’re staying with.
A Few Other Habits Worth Building
Beyond points and credit cards, a handful of simple habits can add up to meaningful savings over time. Always book directly through the hotel’s website rather than a third-party platform as direct bookings typically earn points and are eligible for elite benefits, while third-party bookings often are not.
Keep an eye on promotions from loyalty programs, as bonus point offers and discounted award nights surface regularly for members. And if you’re flexible on dates, use points tools to search for low-cost award nights rather than locking into whatever dates work on the cash side first.
Get The Most Value From Your Dollar on Your Next Hotel Booking
To save money on hotels isn’t always about finding the cheapest room, but instead it’s about getting the most value out of what you spend. Between understanding your loyalty program, knowing when buying points makes sense, and carrying the right credit card, most travellers can cut their hotel costs significantly without ever downgrading where they stay.
The infrastructure is there for your benefit, you just have understand it to get the greatest value from it.
