If you plan on traveling, there are many things you should do before you leave. There is packing to do, tickets to buy, and a car to fill with gas. But, you also have to remember to make reservations at a hotel. If you want some great advice, read the following article.

Before you choose a hotel and make reservations, check online review sites, such as TripAdvisor. These provide you with first-hand information about people’s recent experiences at each hotel. Find out what actual customers say about the hotel and it can help you avoid a costly mistake.

Make use of the room safe to ensure the safety of your electronics when you are not in your room. Putting these items in the safe ensures that you can go out and have fun, not worrying about what you’ve left in the room.

You can use online travel sites to find great hotels. Use these websites to your advantage! They also let you see what full price is, so you know you are saving money. Finally, by using these websites, you can learn the best places and times to take a vacation.

Be aware in advance of the check-in time. If you are early, your room may not be ready. Ask for an early check-in time if absolutely necessary.

Don’t think every hotel is pet-friendly. Call the hotel in advance to ensure the hotel is pet friendly. Also ask exactly what they mean by pet-friendly, as there might be restrictions on certain breeds and sizes of pet that they allow on their premises.

One of the best bonuses of a AAA membership is great discounts on booking a hotel. You may not have known that, but it’s true. You may save 5% or even more on nationwide hotels. The savings can really add up nightly.

For people who are frequent travelers, consider signing up for some loyalty programs with your favorite hotels. They give people benefits if they go to that chain often. It is possible to earn perks such as free stays, extended check out times and other upgrades.

You may wish to consider a “green” vacation if the environment is one of your concerns. Luckily, there are a lot of green hotels out there in this day and age. Some new hotels are built to green standards and are certified green. Old hotels will change their practices to be more green. Request the help of the travel agent in identifying hotels that are environmentally friendly.

The price you are charged for your hotel room is partly dependent upon when you make the reservations. Rooms in hotels are often priced based on their availability. Try to book a specific room at least 24 hours ahead of time, but it’s even better if you book weeks ahead of schedule. This will get you the best hotel rates. Empty rooms don’t make money, so hotels slash prices to fill the building.

Inquire about hotel transfer costs before before booking. You don’t want to ruin the deal you are getting on your room by paying for an expensive transfer. Getting this information ahead of time will maximize your savings.

Join the hotel’s membership program if you frequently stay there on business trips. These programs allow you to collect points that can be applied toward further travels.

Hotel Discounts

You can get great hotel discounts by becoming a member of AAA. AAA members get good hotel discounts and can also find good car rental rates much more easily. Also, if you require a car seat, the rental company may provide you with one if you are a member of AAA.

Determine whether or not the hotel you are considering allows smoking or not. If you are a non-smoker, then you should probably stay away from hotels that allow smoking. You may be able to get a non smoking rooms still, but you can get smoke in the air which will stick to you. Sometimes, smokers rent and smoke in non-smoking rooms. If you are a non-smoker, be sure to request a non-smoking room in a non-smoking area of the hotel or you can find a hotel that is completely smoke free.

If you will be in need of a roll-away bed or a crib, be sure to let the hotel management know in advance. Hotels usually have a limited number of these, and you don’t want to ask at the last minute. Also, you may face extra charges for the use of these items. Before making reservations, explain this.

Never check out earlier than your scheduled departure unless it is absolutely necessary. If you do, then you could be charged an extra departure fee for early checkout. When you book a hotel room, the hotel takes that room off the market; thus, if you depart early they will lose money. That is why you are charged a fee.

When you are planning to travel, finding the right hotel is key. You may be traveling for business or pleasure but you will still want a nice place to retire to and rest up. Refer back to these tips the next time you have to book a hotel room. Your enjoyment depends on it.