Finding a Place to Stay
42. Stay in a U.S. national park lodge in winter. If you're willing to brave the cold, you could save up to 40 percent. For a complete listing of national park lodges, log on to US-Parks.com.
43. Negotiate your room rate once you're there. During off-season slumps, some properties will barter. Go between 4 and 6 p.m., when the reservations agent will want to fill canceled rooms. Offering to pay cash and staying at least three nights will increase your chances of getting your asking price.
44. Instead of staying in a hotel, rent a condo or villa if vacationing for more than two nights. You'll cut costs, and you'll have the comforts of home—like being able to cook in your own kitchen, which can save bundles of cash on food. Check out ResortQuest, Rentalo, and Rent Villas.
45. Hotels in European capital cities can be costly. Seek out accommodations one or two neighborhoods away from the action. Compare costs at Venere.com. Just make sure transportation to city center doesn't cancel any money you save. If you can't walk to the sites you want to see, factor in transportation to guarantee your hotel arrangement is truly cost effective.
46. Don't settle for "brochure rates." Ask about current promotions, discounts for AAA and AARP members, and credit card rewards programs such as Blue from American Express. (For more credit card reward programs, check out Credit Card Guide.) Make sure to look into best-rate policies in which some hotels will match their competitor's rate if it's lower. Also, check out Quikbook.com, which offers up to 60 percent off hotel rooms throughout the U.S. And when you do get a deal, carry a printout of the quoted price with you. You won't often run into businesses deliberately trying to take advantage of you, but if discrepancies arise a simple letter or e-mail can do wonders for getting the rate you were promised.
47. Purchase a meal-inclusive package at your hotel. Often the lowest room rate doesn't include meals, so a room that looks cheaper could really add to your overall budget.
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49. When washing clothes, it's often cheaper to support local independent businesses as opposed to hotel laundries. But if you really want to save, wash clothes in the hotel sink or bathtub with hotel shampoo; hang them on the shower curtain rail to dry.
