hotel

How Living in a Hotel Can Be Surprisingly Affordable

Dr Penny Pincher — Thu, 03 Aug 2017 08:30:08 +0000

Since the housing bubble of 2008, people are more reluctant to take out a mortgage and get themselves tied to a specific location and 30 years of payments. A house is usually an asset that appreciates, but property values can drop for a variety of reasons, and homeowners can get hit with expensive repairs at any time.

If you live in a hotel, you'll never have to worry about finding yourself underwater on a mortgage and unable to move. You also won't have to come up with a large sum of money to buy a new furnace or replace a roof. (See also: 10 Hidden Housing Costs New Homeowners Don't Expect)

Some people who decide not to make the commitment to buy a house choose to rent a house or an apartment instead. Living in a hotel or motel is even more flexible than renting, since most rentals require a one-year lease agreement plus a deposit. Your hotel commitment is one day at a time, or perhaps a few weeks at a time if you negotiate a long-term rate.

Living long-term in a hotel is not ideal for everyone, but can be a surprisingly affordable option for people who want to live in an expensive location without paying high rent or a big mortgage. For example, the average rent for a one-bedroom apartment in San Francisco is $3,600 per month. Throw in at least $100 more for basic utilities and the price works out to over $120 per night. While you won't find many San Francisco hotels for less than $120 a night, keep in mind that if you stay in a hotel, you'll also be forgoing the need to furnish an apartment and pay a deposit, which is often three months' rent in one lump sum.

Not all locations are as expensive as San Francisco, but there are a number of places where staying in a hotel can be less expensive than the overall cost of renting an apartment.

Advantages of living in a hotel

Your living expenses become a lot more streamlined when you live in a hotel.

Fewer bills

You can avoid entire categories of bills such as utilities, property tax, insurance, repairs, and maintenance. Cable is often included, and you might even be able to get internet thrown in with it. If your hotel has a pool and a gym, you'll be able to forgo the monthly gym fees, too.

Minimal commitments

You won't have to pay a security deposit, an application fee, or have your credit checked. You can also move to another location with little or no notice.

Convenient locations

Depending on the hotel you choose, you gain access to affordable living in expensive ZIP codes and near shopping and other attractions. You can also minimize time spent commuting if your hotel is close to work. And since hotels have a full staff of housekeepers, you won't have any household chores to deal with.

Disadvantages of living in a hotel

There are some drawbacks that may rule out living in a hotel for you.

Less space

Obviously, there will be less storage for your personal items. There won't be an opportunity to grow a garden. And your kids and pets may not enjoy living in a small hotel room for a long period of time.

Receiving mail

Living in a hotel might make it difficult to receive mail and packages if you change locations a lot.

How to make it work

If living in a hotel makes sense for you, here's how get the most value from a long-term stay.

Negotiate for lower rates and perks

Hotels like to keep their rooms occupied and generating revenue, so they like to get long-term guests. Use this to your advantage to negotiate a lower rate and possible perks such as free meals or free Wi-Fi access. One tactic to negotiate a lower rate is to book a less desirable room, for example a small room or a room with a crummy view, for a long period of time. (See also: 9 Simple Ways to Save on Hotel Stays)

Use hotel rewards programs to save even more

If you stay long-term in a hotel, you can rack up a lot of rewards points that can be used for free hotel stays, saving you even more money. Join the hotel's rewards program when you check in — or before — to make sure you get all of the points you can for your stay. It's probably also worth signing up for a hotel credit card that will earn you extra points when you pay your considerable bill.

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This article is from Dr Penny Pincher of Wise Bread, an award-winning personal finance and credit card comparison website. Read more great articles from Wise Bread:

5 Hotel Room Booking Tools Every Frugal Traveler Should Know

Janet Alvarez — Fri, 19 Aug 2016 10:30:20 +0000

Frequent travelers know a thing or two about scoring the best deals on hotel rooms, but you don't have to be a road warrior to snag a great room on the cheap. We've found some of the best tools to help you get terrific prices on hotel rooms. (See also: 10 Surprising Ways to Save Money on Hotels)

1. Roomer

Roomer brings the sharing economy to hotel rooms. It's a bit like Airbnb, but strictly for hotels. Customers can buy unused hotel rooms from other people who don't want theirs, often at deep discounts. Roomer's easy interface makes it simple to buy or sell unused hotel rooms quickly and efficiently.

2. Hotel Tonight

Traveling last-minute? Don't despair. Some of the best deals on hotel rooms can actually be had when you book on the same day. That's because hotels are eager to offload excess inventory before it's too late — and that's where Hotel Tonight comes in. They show you all the very last-minute deals available in the city of your choice. I've snagged rooms that typically go for over $500 for $100 or less using this app.

3. Hotel Loyalty Cards

I just scored two weeks of free hotels in Europe for zilch. The secret was my hotel rewards credit cards. Credit cards offered by major hotel chains often come with big bonus point hauls for new customers, plus you earn points with every purchase. Finally, these credit cards can come with perks like hotel status upgrades, which will get you free Wi-Fi, room upgrades, and more. (See also: Tips for Using Hotel Rewards Points to Get the Most Value)

4. Coupon Sherpa

Couponing isn't just for groceries or other household items. Coupon aggregator sites, such as Coupon Sherpa, can also help you locate coupons for use on booking sites like Hotels.com. So, don't forget to quickly search for coupon codes before booking a room. (See also: 40 Most Useful Trvel Websites That Can Sve You a Fortune)

5. Your Phone's Calendar or Clock

As they say, timing is everything, and that couldn't be more true when booking hotels. Often, rooms at resort or vacation destinations are cheapest mid-week, when most tourists can't travel, so consider booking your trip on Tuesdays, Wednesdays, or Thursdays to score the best hotel deals. But hotel rooms at business destinations are the opposite: They're cheapest on the weekends, when business travelers are home with families.

Another timing trick? Check in late in the day to maximize the success of haggling for room upgrades, free WiFi, or other perks.

Any other frugal hotel booking tips we should know about? Share with us!

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This article is from Janet Alvarez of Wise Bread, an award-winning personal finance and credit card comparison website. Read more great articles from Wise Bread:

14 Useful Items Hotels Usually Provide for Free

Kentin Waits — Thu, 23 Jun 2016 10:00:07 +0000

We've all been there. You're in that pre-trip rush, and you forget to pack an essential travel item, or just need a little something extra when you arrive at the hotel. Before you make that trip to the gift shop or convenience store, swing by the front desk. Many hotels are well-stocked with freebies and extras for road-weary travelers. Here are 14 useful items hotels usually provide free of charge.

1. Extra Pillows and Blankets

I'm man enough to admit it — I need at least five pillows (two on each side and one under my head) to get a good night's sleep. In recent years, hotels have begun to appreciate how important pillows are to the guest experience. Besides offering an extra pillow or two upon request, major chains such as Holiday Inn now offer quests pillow menus — just pick your pillows based on the preferred firmness level.

2. Roll-Away Beds

Many hotels will provide a rollaway bed for an unexpected guest or to accommodate an unusually large group. It may not be the most comfortable way to sleep, but it beats the floor.

3. Nightlights

Nightlights can help small children and the elderly navigate unfamiliar spaces. Higher-end chains provide nightlights to guests upon request.

4. Earplugs

Though providing guests with free earplugs may imply a less-than-ideal location, they're part of the standard offerings at La Quinta and DoubleTree hotels. These chains have realized an important truth: Cities (and guests!) can be noisy — especially during big events. Often, a disposable pair of foam earplugs can mean the difference between a decent sleep and a fitful night of tossing and turning. (See also: Tips for Sounder Sleep at Hotels)

5. Sewing Kits

Have a loose button or split seam? Don't come unraveled. Many large hotel chains have complementary sewing kits on-hand for just such wardrobe malfunctions.

6. Activities for Kids

An occupied kid is a happy kid. If you forgot to pack your little one's favorite toy, ask the hotel staff to help. Many chains offer coloring books and crayons, word search books, and other age-appropriate material that promotes nearby attractions. (See also: 9 Things You Must Do If You're Traveling With Kids)

7. Board Games

Snowed in? Rained out? Many hotels will deliver board games to guests' rooms or provide them as part of the amenities in the lobby.

8. Books

Country Inn & Suites' Read It & Return It Lending Library lets guests borrow a book free of charge. It's pressure-free. Readers who haven't finished the book by the end of their stay can just return it next time. How's that for service?

9. Phone Chargers

Who hasn't left for vacation and completely forgotten their cellphone charger? When (not if) this happens to you, your friendly hotel staff can help. Most hotels have a respectable collection of chargers left behind by previous guests and are happy to pass one on.

10. Toothpaste and Toothbrushes

Got a wicked case of morning breath? Basic oral hygiene products like toothpaste, mouthwash, floss, and even toothbrushes are available at the front desk.

11. Razors

Have an important meeting but forgot to pack a razor? Never fear. Savvy hotels — especially those that cater to business travelers — usually keep a stash of extras at the front desk.

12. Curling Irons and Straightening Irons

Ladies, if you've forgotten your curling or straightening iron, don't despair. Many top hotels chains such as Kimpton and Hyatt have loaners on-hand. Check with the front desk staff and don't miss a beat in your morning routine.

13. Snacks

We're all familiar with the complementary coffee and cookies available in most hotel lobbies. But some of the more accommodating hotel staff members will raid the continental breakfast bar after hours to help a guest in need. Yogurt, fruit, energy bars, and bottles of juice are the standard fare and will work in a pinch.

14. Dog Treats

Pets are family and pet owners are loyal to hotels that don't forget Fido. Many pet-friendly hotels provide free dog treats and even loan out food and water bowls for their four-legged guests.

What's the most surprising thing you've received for no charge at a hotel? What do you wish more hotels offered their guests? Share with us!

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This article is from Kentin Waits of Wise Bread, an award-winning personal finance and credit card comparison website. Read more great articles from Wise Bread:

Tips For Using Hotel Reward Points to Get the Most Value

Jason Steele — Tue, 11 Aug 2015 06:20:20 +0000

Unlike frequent flyer miles, hotel loyalty programs offer rewards that can be much easier to use, and are often more valuable. For example, most hotels charge taxes and fees based on the rate paid, so you can typically complete an award stay for absolutely no cost at all. Nevertheless, it's still necessary to learn some techniques about using these points, in order to realize the most value from them.

Evaluating Points

One of the reasons that hotel points can be more valuable than airline miles is that many hotel programs have no blackout dates or capacity controls. This means that any available unsold standard room can be paid for using reward points. Major hotel chains with this policy include Hilton, Hyatt and Starwood (which include Westin, Sheraton, and other brands). In contrast, Marriott and IHG (Intercontinental, Holiday Inn, and others), will only make a percentage of their rooms available for award nights, so you may not be able to redeem awards during peak times.

Before you decide to commit to a hotel rewards program, you should examine the award chart, taking a close look at how many points are needed for an award night at properties you might want to visit. Then consider the ways you would be able to earn points and determine whether reaching the number of points needed for free stays would be realistic.

Another thing to consider are the perks that come with the various levels of status. Check which status level you would fall under and see what kinds of benefits and discounts you would receive (for example, free internet and upgrades). (See also: Best Credit Cards with Free Hotel Status Upgrades)

Earning Points

Although the number of points needed can vary dramatically between programs, the number of points you can earn from hotel stays can also differ substantially as well. A co-branded hotel credit card can help you accumulate points much faster than just being part of the hotel loyalty program and earning points on stays. A credit card can earn points on everyday purchases and offer a large sign-up bonus for new cardholders. In addition, having the right hotel card can offer you elite status in their program, entitling you to room upgrades, free internet, and even free breakfast. (See also: Best Credit Cards for Hotel Deals and Rewards)

Spending Points

If you have a limited number of points, and will be only be able to use them for some of your stays, there are a few ways to stretch them further. The first is to compare the cost of the room with the number of points it requires, and save your points for the times you are getting the most value. For example, if you are going to a convention or another event with a negotiated rate, then you are unlikely to receive superior value by using your points instead. If however, you are staying at a resort area during a holiday or another peak time of the year, this may be the best way to use reward points.

In addition, there are programs like Starwood and Hyatt that offer "cash and points" options that can allow you to effectively buy points at a reasonable rate.

There are some times when a hotel rewards program will not let you redeem points for an award stay. Sometimes this is due to the chain's policy of blackout dates or capacity controls, while other times a hotel that boasts none of these restrictions will still fail to offer an award room when it still has rooms for sale with cash. In these cases, it can help to call the hotel chain and try to have them override these restrictions. While this technique would never work with airline frequent flyer programs, hotel programs tend to be far more flexible and customer friendly.

There are few things nicer than staying in a luxury hotel without having to pay for it. By earning the most valuable reward points available, and spending them wisely, you can find yourself relaxing in luxury in no time.

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This article is from Jason Steele of Wise Bread, an award-winning personal finance and credit card comparison website. Read more great articles from Wise Bread:

6 Ways a More Expensive Hotel Room Can Save You Money

Deia B — Mon, 19 May 2014 09:00:29 +0000

When you book a hotel room, the price tag is not everything. If you pay attention to what's included in the nightly rate, you may find that a more expensive hotel room could give you much more value than the budget options. Here are several add-ons and features that may make the premium you pay for an expensive room worth it. (See also: Best Travel Rewards Credit Cards)

1. Location, Location, Location

As comfortable as your hotel room is, you probably didn't travel just to enjoy it. You need to get around, so abide by the old real estate mantra: Location is everything.

You have limited vacation time, and you don't want to waste it getting from point A to point B. When you stay at a well-located hotel in a pedestrian-friendly city, you can get to many places just by walking. And if public transport is safe and convenient, you could save a lot of money on taxi fares or car rental. You may even find yourself with enough time to visit a particularly interesting attraction more than once.

This convenience factor goes beyond transportation. Midnight cravings? Forget the overpriced room service food. You can take a short walk to the 24-hour restaurant around the corner instead.

2. Free Breakfast

There's no such thing as a free lunch, but you could get a free breakfast if you stay at the right hotel. Many premium hotels include a free breakfast for two in the nightly rate.

When you choose a hotel, take into account that a hot breakfast buffet could easily cost you about $15 per person elsewhere. So if it comes down to two hotels with the same nightly rate, you would save about $30 by going with the hotel that offers free breakfast.

Also consider the amount of time and transport costs that a free breakfast could save you. You might get to sleep in for another hour or so, thanks to the free breakfast. If you're a morning person, you can use the extra time to explore the area instead.

3. Small Appliances

Not all hotel rooms are created equal. Before you book, check what small appliances you'll get in the room.

Budget hotels may not provide you with a mini fridge, for example. It doesn't seem like a big deal because you never buy the drinks and peanuts from the fridge anyway. But what would you do if you had some leftover food or drink at the end of the day? And what if you bought some fresh fruits and snacks?

It's less common for a hotel to provide a microwave in the room, but you may need it to heat up those leftovers and frozen meals you stored in the fridge. You may also need a kettle or a coffee maker to make the accompanying hot beverages.

If your hotel doesn't provide these small appliances in the room, check if they have them in the common areas like the lobby for all guests to share. This arrangement is slightly less convenient, but it's better than not having them at all.

4. On-Site Facilities

Even if you plan to spend all your waking time exploring, hotel amenities can help make or break the trip.

Forgot your sunscreen? On top of on-site restaurants and cafes, some hotels also have convenience stores. The hotel prices may be higher than the drugstore prices, but you'll be saving yourself some precious vacation time.

If you like to maintain a regular workout schedule even during a vacation, sports and recreation facilities are indispensable. Besides a fitness center and a swimming pool, high-end resorts often have tennis courts and even golf courses.

5. Personal Care Items

Most hotels provide soap, shampoo, and shower caps for free. If you ask the front desk, you may also be able to get a toothbrush, toothpaste, and mouthwash. Other personal care items commonly provided in the room include a hair dryer, an iron, and an ironing board.

Having these things available could lighten your bag and help you avoid airline baggage fees, but only if you would actually use them. Many women pack hair dryers in their bags anyway because the hotel ones are often of questionable qualify.

Some hotels put in more effort into the personal care items they provide. For example, they may equip the rooms with toiletries of a certain brand, professional-grade powerful hair dryers, or even hair straighteners.

6. Free Wi-Fi

Some hotels still charge extra fees for Wi-Fi, even though it's becoming more of a necessity than a luxury. It's not just business travelers who use Wi-Fi for work and emails anymore.

Internet connection can greatly improve your trip. You need Wi-Fi to check out online travel guides, maps, and restaurant reviews. With a good Internet connection, you can use your laptop or smartphone to call home without incurring expensive long-distance phone charges.

In fact, you may not need a local phone plan at all if there's Wi-Fi at the hotel. Even with no data connection on your smartphone, you can download whatever you need to your phone before leaving the hotel so you can explore without getting lost along the way.

Depending on the hotel, you may have to pay exorbitant hourly or daily rates just to get on the Internet. There are other accommodation options that provide you with free Wi-Fi, so just say no to expensive Wi-Fi fees.

What hotel perks are you willing to pay for? Please share in comments!

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This article is from Deia B of Wise Bread, an award-winning personal finance and credit card comparison website. Read more great articles from Wise Bread:

Best Money Tips: Sniffing Out the Best Deals on Hotel Rooms

Ashley Jacobs — Mon, 28 Apr 2014 09:00:20 +0000

Welcome to Wise Bread's Best Money Tips Roundup! Today we found some amazing articles on sniffing out the best deals on hotel rooms, how being frugal can cost you money, and staying within your budget when buying a house.

Best Money Tips: Cook Food From a Hotel Room

Ashley Jacobs — Thu, 03 Apr 2014 09:00:31 +0000

Welcome to Wise Bread's Best Money Tips Roundup! Today we found some awesome articles on cooking food from a hotel room, psychological life hacks, and building a resume when you have nothing to put on it.

When Should You Get a Vacation Rental Instead of a Hotel?

Deia B — Tue, 01 Apr 2014 09:24:20 +0000

Vacation rentals — that is, rooms, apartments, and houses that can be rented in lieu of hotels — started out as a little secret that only hardcore travelers shared. But since Airbnb's inception in 2007, the use of vacation rentals has grown a lot and become quite mainstream. In 2013 alone, travelers booked 6 million stays on Airbnb. Other vacation rental companies have appeared in the past few years, although they're not nearly as popular as Airbnb. (See also: Marketing Your Extra Space as a Vacation Rental)

No doubt some of Airbnb's success is due to its clever marketing campaigns. During the 2014 Winter Olympics, Airbnb used Twitter to reach out to high-profile journalists who complained about their hotels. During the South by Southwest (SXSW) festival, Airbnb again used Twitter to reward festival-goers with gifts like Whole Foods gift cards and Airbnb credit.

For me, the notion of sharing a space with a local individual is appealing. It's definitely a different experience compared to the usual dealings with nameless, faceless hotel chains.

But even I will admit that vacation rentals are not for everyone. While staying at a vacation rental has its advantages, it also involves a lot more work than a hotel stay.

Vacation Rental Pros

Before we look at the cons, however, let's look at several reasons why vacation rentals are so popular.

Variety

AirBnB has everything from spare rooms in downtown Montreal to sprawling villas with private swimming pools in Bali. There are even castles, boathouses, and treehouses. No matter what your budget is, there is a vacation rental for you.

Nightly Rates

Speaking of budget, the rates of vacation rentals are often dramatically lower than hotel rates. These rates vary depending on the location and the type of accommodation you rent, though, so do check hotel rates as well before you book.

Long-Term Stays

If your stay will be longer than just a couple of nights, you could enjoy even cheaper accommodation. Some hosts have competitive weekly and monthly rates that could help lower the cost of your long trip. (See also: How to Land the Perfect House-Sitting Gig)

Use of a Kitchen

Unlike hotels, many vacation rentals have kitchens, which should save you some money if you don't mind cooking during your trip. I once rented a spare room in a house where the kitchen even had a free-for-all shelf full of unopened cans of tomato sauce, pancake mix, bananas, and other random foodstuff left behind by previous guests.

Local Experience

When you stay at a vacation rental, you live in a local home and have local neighbors. It's a different experience from staying at a hotel, where you're always aware that you're just a visitor. (See also: How to Live Like a Local While Traveling)

The Host

The best vacation rental hosts are friendly, generous, and knowledgeable. They give you valuable local advice that often enriches the itinerary, ask you to come along on their weekend outings, and even offer to cook you dinner. When you're alone in a strange city, great hosts can make you feel like you belong there.

Vacation Rental Cons

Before you book a room in someone else's house, consider some of the downsides of the vacation rental experience.

The Host

You may not wind up staying with the nice people described above who are happy to cook a meal for you. You could end up with a grumpy host who just wants to make an easy buck. This would be quite annoying if you were to rent a bedroom and share the house with him, but shouldn't be a big problem if you rent a standalone property like an entire apartment unit or house.

Booking

In theory, it's easy to make a vacation rental booking. You're supposed to check for the property's availability on the website, contact the host, and book once you get a positive reply.

In practice, it's not always that simple. Maybe the host doesn't update the online availability and his family happens to be visiting on the same weekend as your trip? Or maybe the host is not active enough on the website to reply promptly to your message, leaving you hanging for two whole weeks?

To improve your chances, you can start looking well in advance, choose experienced hosts with lots of good reviews, and contact multiple hosts at once. But even if you do everything right, this whole process might take more time than you like.

Amenities

Some things are always available even at the humblest motel. A coffee maker, for example, or a hair dryer.

With a vacation rental, you can't assume that such amenities will be available. You're renting someone else's home, after all, and that person may not be a coffee person.

Before you book, read the online listing carefully to check if the host mentions the amenities you need. If not, ask the host through the website's messaging system, being as specific as possible with your question.

Safety

Staying at a vacation rental means that you'll be sharing the space with a stranger or at least living in a space to which a stranger has easy access. Vacation rental websites try to verify identities and make it as safe as possible for everyone involved, but there could be one bad host who slips through the cracks.

Always check the host's reviews before you book. It won't guarantee a good stay, but a host with 10 positive reviews is a safer bet than a new host with no review. (See also: 11 Tips for Hotel Safety)

Bottom Line

Rent a vacation rental instead of a room in a hotel if the following apply to you and your vacation plans:

You don't mind spending more time on the booking process.
You like the idea of living like a local.
You want to spend less on accommodations — compare the vacation rental prices with hotel prices before you book.
You need a bigger, private space — book an entire apartment or house.
You like to meet locals and get their insight into ways to explore their city.

Have you stayed at a vacation rental? What was your experience like?

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This article is from Deia B of Wise Bread, an award-winning personal finance and credit card comparison website. Read more great articles from Wise Bread:

Is Your Hotel Hiding These 5 Fees in Your Bill?

Kentin Waits — Fri, 20 Sep 2013 10:36:03 +0000

For a frugal traveler who's traveling on his on own dime, it seems as if the days of simply renting a room for the night for an agreed-upon rate are history. These days, making a hotel reservation is an opaque process filled with hidden charges and absurd fees. After experiencing it first-hand, I completely agree with the author of this article; it's as if the hotel industry took a business tutorial from the airlines and figured out how to bulk up their profits by peppering weary consumers with sneaky charges. Here are just a few sneaky fees I've recently encountered. (See also: Best Travel Rewards Credit Cards)

1. Resort Fee

Don't be fooled by the name; you don't have to book at a five-star resort to rack up this fee. Some run-of-the-mill hotels assess a resort fee to cover amenities like pool usage, access to the fitness center, newspaper delivery, and other extras. Guests should be informed of this fee at check-in, but some hotels are better than others in being upfront about this charge. If you don't plan on taking advantage of any the perks included, ask the manager to waive the fee before you check in. Typically guests who are direct, are polite, and explain that their priority is lodging only, can avoid getting dinged. (See also: Best Credit Cards for Budget Hotels)

2. Wi-Fi Fee

While most folks assume Internet access has become so common that it's nearly a basic utility like lights and water, hotels have a different idea. From per-minute fees to flat daily charges, the price of Wi-Fi access varies widely, but expect to pay anywhere from $3–$10 per day. Like every charge, it's best to know the fees up front before you book, so you can compare rates between hotels on an apples-to-apples basis. (See also: How to Get Free or Cheap Internet)

3. Parking Fee

Don't assume parking is included in your room rate. I'm not talking valet service here — there's a growing trend even in modest-sized cities to charge for a parking space. And in larger metro areas where parking fees are mostly standard, it's important to ask if those fees include unlimited in/out privileges. If not, you'll be assessed a new parking fee each and every time you leave and return.

We all know that parking charges aren't new in the general marketplace, but they are becoming a more common trend at hotels. Though I'm sure there are some travelers who arrive without a car, I imagine they're few and far between. Be sure to explicitly ask about parking policies before you a reserve a room — the best deal in town sours when you're presented with an extra $15 parking charge each day of your stay.

4. Early Check-In and Check-Out Fee

Believe it or not, even if a clean room is available, some hotels charge road-weary travelers to check-in early. Fees vary based on how far in advance guests arrive prior to the hotel's stated check-in time, but expect to pay at least half of a full day's room rate.

Similarly, guests who have a change of plans and need to check out early can be assessed between $50 to the full price of an extra night's stay. And while we're on the subject… Hotel cancellation policies are becoming more rigid, too. Hotels that used to allow guests to cancel their reservations the same day by 6:00 p.m. are now requiring 48 hours notice in order to avoid being charged for a night's stay. To steer clear of this charge, check and double check a hotel's cancellation policy before you book if there's even a slim chance your itinerary might change.

5. In-Room Safe Fee

In most modern hotel rooms you'll probably find a safe bolted to the floor in the closet or near the entryway. This safe is available to guests if they notice it, if they have something to put in it, and if they choose to use it. For most guests, I assume the safe becomes just part of the visual landscape in the room — like the dressers that no one really uses or the tiny coffee makers that make really bad coffee. But the safe is quite different from all of those other objects. Why? Because you're being charged for it every single day of your stay. Typically, the in-room safe fee runs about $1–$3 per day, and it's added to your bill whether you use the safe or not.

To me, the safe fee seems bolder than all the rest for one simple reason: consumers are being charged simply because an object is sitting in the room. That takes some chutzpah. Imagine if you were charged for the shower cap whether you used it or not. The TV whether you tuned into Conan or not. That little coffee maker whether you brewed a scorching cup of weak coffee or not. (See also: Avoid Getting Fleeced at Hotels)

Avoiding getting hit with the safe charge is relatively simple if you act promptly. Upon check-in, scout around quickly for a safe. If you find one, but don't plan on using it to stash your pearls, call the front desk. Tell them you won't be using the safe and request that they deduct the fee from your bill (and then make sure they've actually done it when it's time to check out).

Fee Defense

I'd like to think that the hotel industry's nickel-and-dime approach will only serve to anger and alienate their customers and eventually lead to a more transparent pricing model, but I know better. The airlines have (successfully) set the bar so low that we may be witnessing a new age of price-gouging as more industries try to pump up profits. (See also: Frequently Under-Budgeted Air Travel Costs)

For consumers, the rules are the same. Know where the hidden fees are lurking, ask questions before you book, be vigilant about reviewing your itemized bill, constructively complain when you feel you've been misled or over-charged, and leverage the power of online reviews to alert other consumers to unclear or unfair pricing practices. We may not win the war, but we can make each battle a bit more difficult.

What hotel fees do you find especially irksome?

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This article is from Kentin Waits of Wise Bread, an award-winning personal finance and credit card comparison website. Read more great articles from Wise Bread:

Best Money Tips: Cool Things to Do With Hotel Amenities

Ashley Jacobs — Wed, 06 Feb 2013 11:00:45 +0000

Welcome to Wise Bread's Best Money Tips Roundup! Today we found some fantastic articles on cool things to do with hotel amenities, free ways to say 'I love you,' and how to make an interviewer like you.

Best Money Tips: Save Money When Staying at a Hotel

Ashley Jacobs — Thu, 16 Jun 2011 10:00:26 +0000

Welcome to Wise Bread's Best Money Tips Roundup! Today we found some great articles on ways to save money when staying at a hotel, shopping rules of thumb, and ways to maximize Craigslist revenue.

Cheap Hotel Room Promo: Get a Room at Super 8 for $8.88! (offer expired)

Linsey Knerl — Sun, 10 Aug 2008 14:57:46 +0000

*This offer has ended.

With a Super 8 located nearly everywhere, it’s a good time to try to get in on their amazing (yet possibly frustrating) $8.88 offer for the first 800 reservations each night. How do you do it?

Wait until 8 pm EDT (since this is when the promotion starts each day.) Go to Super 8’s website and click on the “Super 8 Rooms for $8.88” offer. Have your credit card handy. Search out the room of your choosing and be sure the stay is for one night and for a date between 8/8/08 and 12/30/08.

If it is after 8 pm, and all 800 rooms haven’t already been sold for the day, the website will allow you to book your room (limit one per person) immediately. Be sure to have your Wyndham Rewards account numbers already populated and ready to go!

Read the details so that you’re familiar with the terms and conditions. (Since this is a special promo, there are no cancellations, changes, transfers, or refunds. If you change your mind after your room purchase is processed, you’re out the $8.88 plus taxes.)

You may also want to pick out your hotel room online in advance of 8 pm, to be sure that the room you want is available and you get a chance to familiarize yourself with the different motels in the area you will be staying. Time is precious, so have all the legwork done ahead of time to improve your chances of scoring that great deal!

Super 8 has changed a bit over the past few years. Still one of the most affordable chain motels, it has held its position as a recognized leader in discount room-and-board. With the best of basic amenities, it’s a decent option for travelers looking for the right balance of cheap without being nasty. Their 8-point promise guarantees:

Free in-room high-speed Internet access
Free continental breakfast
Upgraded bath with hair dryer, adjustable shower head, and curved shower rod for more space!
Free coffee in your room, in the lobby, and even while you're on the road!
Kids 17 and under stay free (in adult family member's room)
Wyndham Rewards^SM – Earn 10 points for every dollar you spend!
Cable or satellite TV with free premium channels
Guaranteed Best Available Rate on super8.com or your first night's free! (Read more about this kicky promo in Xin Lu’s article.)

Traffic will be high during the promotion period, so plan accordingly. (And don’t wait to get in on the good deal if you absolutely must get a room booked ASAP. It’s not worth missing out on a reservation.) This promotions runs until 8/15/08, so if you’re lucky enough to get one, please let us know!

This article is from Linsey Knerl of Wise Bread, an award-winning personal finance and credit card comparison website. Read more great articles from Wise Bread:

Hostels vs Hotels: Choosing the Perfect Place to Stay Within your Budget

Nora Dunn — Fri, 01 Feb 2008 02:23:22 +0000

Most people think that the frugal way to travel is to stay in hostels. However there are a number of scenarios where that may not be the case.

Hostel Amenities

Hostels vary incredibly in layout, overall mood, location, clientele, and amenities.

Most hostels have both dorm room accommodations as well as private and semi-private rooms. There will be a kitchen (fully stocked with cooking and eating utensils, and occasionally some staple foods too) which is shared by everybody in the hostel. Some hostels have multiple kitchens, depending on the layout.

There are also often common areas, bookshelves (where you can leave a book you have read and take a different book with you), and a variety of other occasional amenities including games, DVDs, satellite televisions, and internet access.

Washrooms are often shared, but sometimes those who get a private room will have a private washroom.

Many hostels will also organize or host small tours or activities in the area, depending on the area, culture, and type of guests. Most hostel guests are younger, many being under the age of 30. However one thing you will quickly learn about hostels is that you never know what you are going to get.

One of the things that can be the appeal or deterrence (depending on the type of traveller you are) is the wide variety of circumstances you can run into at a hostel. You never know what the exact amenities will be, how many people are crammed into one space, what the room layout will look like, and what services will be offered. Its location may be right in the middle of the action, or tucked away inconveniently far from everything you want to see.

Some hostels will encourage guests to hang around on the property for the day with a comfortable atmosphere and friendly staff, while others actually have lock-out policies requiring guests to leave between 10am and 4pm (for example). Some have curfews at night, some prohibit all alcohol and drugs on the premises, and others yet have the cheapest bar in town attached to the place with a 24-hour party atmosphere.

Some hostels serve breakfast in the morning, while others are skeleton accommodations with nothing more than a bed to offer.

Hotel Amenities

Hotels by comparison, are much more predictable. You will get a private room with a bed, full washroom, and occasionally a kitchenette or in-room coffee maker. You won't have to make the bed (as you often do with hostels), or strip it when you leave.

The locations and clientele of hotels however will vary significantly, so like hostels you don't always know what you're going to get. But that's all part of the appeal of traveling, I think!

Comparison for the Single Traveler

For the single traveler, hostels will almost always be cheaper, as long as you are willing to bunk up in a dorm room with other travelers. Security becomes an issue if you are staying with strangers, so having the ability to lock up your belongings or trusting inherently in your fellow traveler will be a necessity.

Hostel private and semi-private rooms can often be on par (if not a touch cheaper but sometimes even more expensive) than basic hotel rooms. For a single traveler, the decision comes down to the preferred amenities and social setting. You can save a pile of cash by preparing your own food in the kitchen provided in a hostel, and there is a lot of inherent value in the camaraderie with fellow travelers and the common area amenities. You can learn what places to stay away from, what is worth seeing, and often you will make fast friends with other travelers and see the sights with them in following days and even weeks of your trip.

Comparison for Travelers in Groups

For families or groups of friends, the decision to stay in a hostel or hotel is a touch more complex. Here are some guidelines:

Privacy

Do you want privacy, or as a group are you interested in meeting other people? If your itinerary is already set and all you need is a place to lay your head down, then sharing a hotel room will likely be cheaper.

How Many are in your Group

Depending on the number of people you are travelling with, some hostels may be hard-pressed to accommodate your entire party. Then again, if your group can fill up an entire dorm room (and some dorm rooms sleep only four people anyway), then you may be able to save a few bucks and take advantage of the hostel amenities too.

How Long is your Stay

Some hostels, in order to prevent a seedy transient crowd from infiltrating the place, may require that guests have a departure ticket, or will limit the number of nights you can stay. Hotels, although they also don't want a transient crowd, aren't always as stringent since there are more rooms to be had and no social scene to "poison" with the wrong type of person staying there.

How Old are You

Although age discrimination is illegal, an older traveler or group of travellers may feel out of place at a hostel.

Getting Used to Hostels

Initially when I started travelling and staying in hostels, I was leery. I tired quickly of the standard conversations with other travellers: Where are you from, Where are you going, Where have you been, etc.

I stayed at a few hostels that had large groups of travellers moving through that all knew each other, and felt like I was on the outside of a giant inside joke at times. I was also used to staying in hotels, and hadn't learned how to make the jump to hostelling and all it had to offer.

Since then, I am a devout fan. I have met friends for life from all over the world (and now have places to stay with them in many countries), I have learned from other travelers' experiences where the great places to eat, drive by, and visit are, and I love the surprises of not knowing exactly what the place will be like until you are there. Sometimes it's not so great, but sometimes hostel mis-adventures make for the best travel stories!

Choosing the Perfect Hostel

There are a number of resources to search for the hostel that will suit your needs. They include:

Hostel World

Hostel Times

The Backpacker

This article is from Nora Dunn of Wise Bread, an award-winning personal finance and credit card comparison website. Read more great articles from Wise Bread:

Where on Earth did the $1 bill go?

Paul Michael — Sun, 02 Dec 2007 05:48:23 +0000

I'd like to start by saying I'm awful at math. I mean, really bad. So it will come as no surprise to learn that I just scratched my bald head in wonder when I was told the following story. It may be one you've heard before, or a variation of something that's really old, but I'll tell it anyway. And then maybe one smart WB reader can show me how this puzzle actually is solved, because I'm clueless.

The story starts with three guys (although it could have been three girls, hey, I'm not being sexist here). They're all out on the town and get quite merry in a local bar. Instead of attempting to drive (bad idea guys) or paying for a pricey cab, they decide to share a cheap hotel room and split the bill.

The price for the room, they are told by the receptionist, is $30 for one night. No problem for our guys, they each cough up $10 and go sleep off the booze. In the morning, the receptionist gets the bill and realizes the price for the room is actually only $25. As this guy is as bad at math as I am, he decided to give each guy $1 back and pocket the remaining $2 cash.

Here's where my head hurts.

The guys originally paid $10 each for the room.

They get $1 back each, meaning they paid $9 each for the room.

And the receptionist has $2.

$9 x 3 = $27

Add the $2 from the receptionist.

$27 + $2 = $29

But they originally paid $30. So, where on Earth did the $1 bill go? Help!

This article is from Paul Michael of Wise Bread, an award-winning personal finance and credit card comparison website. Read more great articles from Wise Bread:

These Choos were made for walkin': an interview with a modern urban nomad

Andrea Karim — Wed, 31 Oct 2007 01:44:24 +0000

Fabulously Broke in the City is the nom de blog of a young Canadian woman who frequently comments on Wise Bread. I've been reading her blog for several months, and have become intrigued by her lifestyle (modern nomad), and her shared struggle to pay down her education debt while living a fun, urban, and stylish life - all while living out of a suitcase.

Since one of Wise Bread's own Canadian bloggers, Nora Dunn, also leads a modern nomadic life, the concept of living out of a suitcase, literally, has been on my mind as of late. I asked Fabulously Broke to tell us more about her life and her lifestyle (FB actually lives in hotels, staying wherever her employer needs her to be - her husband travels with her, and they actually keep all of their worldly possessions in a suitcase). You can read her version of an FAQ here (recommended).

Who are you? Why do you blog anonymously?

*laugh* I'm "FB".. I'm 24 years old, just recently married to my husband whom I've lived with for the past 6 years, with a goal to clear the rest of my $35,000 in debt by the end of December 2008, and be debt-free, and begin saving for a mortgage.

Oh, and I'm a reformed shopaholic. Seriously. Until I started tracking my expenses in June 2005, I had NO IDEA where all of my money was going and I kept living on borrowed time and money. Now, I love organizing my expenses in Excel and budgeting as well as playing around with my debt repayment numbers.

I blog anonymously not because I really want to.. but because I don't want my friends and family to start reading this blog, and compromise my ability to blog about whatever subject I want - be it my monthly financial situation, problems with my family and Husband's family, and all that sort of information. Not a lot of my friends agree with my lifestyle and the choices I've made. *shrug*

You write a blog about your lifestyle, called Fabulously Broke in the City. Why did you choose that name? Are you actually broke?

I chose that name because I was inspired by the hit TV series by HBO called "Sex and the City", and I was fascinated with the idea of the main character Carrie Bradshaw (played by Sarah Jessica Parker), working on a modest writer's salary yet being able to afford a fabulous New York apartment that wasn't a rat-infested hole in the wall, and being able to shop to her heart's delight with and do all of these amazing things in a city that's so notorious for its high cost of living. But nowhere in the entire show did they really mention how the reality of her situation. Then I thought about Suze Orman, and how she calls our generation the "Young, Broke and Fabulous", and that's how "Fabulously Broke in the City" was born.

I actually am very broke, in terms of net worth. I think I started the blog in 2006, but I didn't actually take my blogging seriously until June 2007 when I finally got rid of my apartment, and began to aggressively pay down my debt, save for retirement and strive for a more frugal lifestyle - that's when the blog just evolved to what it is today.

I started with -$56,000 in education debt, no savings, no retirement plan, nada... and the real push to get out of debt began in June 2007 when I looked at what I was spending. As of today, I sit at about -$35,000 in total education debt, but with my retirement savings I'm at -$22,000.

You've described your life as being lived "out of a suitcase". What does that entail? How can one live in a big city without a fabulous apartment and a walk-in closet full of designer clothing?

It just takes a change in perspective. :) It was hard to think about becoming what I call a "modern nomad" but the more I considered it, it made more sense based on my line of work.

I basically live wherever my next project takes me, and while it's been mostly big cities, I could also be sent to a little town in the middle of nowhere - which I think might be better for me because there'd be less temptation and chances to shop!

The client normally loves having the consultant live in the city where the company is, because then I'm not coming in late to work on Monday, or leaving early on Thursday, and I'm available almost 24/7 as I am just a stone's throw away from the company. Plus, I love what I do, and that usually translates into working long hours, and if I have to worry about getting back to my home in another city when I'm trying to finish something for the weekend, it gets to be pretty frustrating. I also hate the hotel & airport song-and-dance.

It was pretty hard getting rid of my 'stuff' when I first started, and I still find myself pining for certain clothing items or shoes that I have stored away at home. But you just make do with what you brought. I also find that since I don't have a home and I basically carry my life on my back, I've learned to pare down more, pick essential pieces, buy less and really analyze whether I need certain items or not - which is helping develop my frugal streak. It's not for everyone, but I love the uncertainty and being able to see different cities and really immerse myself in the local milieu.

I've also never bought a piece of designer clothing in my life, unless you count buying it from a thrift store. I haven't even touched the threshold of $300 for a single pair of shoes/boots/piece of clothing and I don't want to!

You blog frequently about fashion. Is this cathartic, or does it just make you want to shop a lot more?

Hmm..... Good question. It depends. If the price tag is outrageous, but I still think it's beautiful and appreciate its workmanship, then I blog about it, but I don't even remotely fantasize about owning it. But if the price tag is reasonable, and more affordable, that's when I get in trouble..

I have one major weak spot: Just physically being in the store around all the beautiful, affordable items.

That's why I tend to try and keep very busy with my blog and going over my budget, so I don't feel the desire to go out and ultimately be tempted to spend for nothing. It seems to be working so far... until I need to go out and buy something like a winter coat. Then the temptation is really hard to resist, and I sometimes fall back into my old habits. The good news is that now I find that every purchase now goes through a different thought process than before I started caring about my money.

Now, I really, REALLY think about what I'm buying, and compare coats across 15-20 stores before I decide on the best one for the best price.

Can you tell me more about life as a "modern nomad"? I'm assuming you have a 'home-base' to return to? How long are you typically away from home? How do you save money on things like food if you are always 'out of town'?

I do have a home base. A home city in fact. But I've since given up my apartment, so it's really just a formality to let people know which division/department I'm from. I don't have any ties to the city whatsoever other than my family and friends, and everything is in storage in another cheaper city.

My job is such that I have to be willing to travel 100% of the time. At first I was very hesitant to do so, but ever since I gave up my albatross (my apartment), it's been a lot easier to ask for projects that are not within my home city, and my company loves it because not many people are willing to travel 100% of the time and not go back home.

Most of my projects last around 5 months, but I sometimes get extended for longer, up to 8 months, but that's quite rare. It depends on the nature of the project and what the client wants to get done.

I save money on food, shelter and utilities (the big 3), because when I'm on a project, the client pays for all of my travelling and living expenses (transportation to get there, hotel, food, laundry, taxis sometimes a car rental). It's sometimes cheaper for the client to keep me here than it is to let me keep going back home every weekend and I tend to work longer because I am in no rush to catch a plane.

I get a meal limit that I can use to spend on food every day, and they pay for my hotel as well as for my laundry. When you don't have an apartment, it works out very nicely to keep staying in a hotel - I've started thinking of my hotel as my home now. I also don't have to clean any more, or buy cleaning supplies, and/or basic necessities like toilet paper because it's all included in the hotel rate.

A lot of people believe that eliminating debt involves giving up benefits that seem so common to modern, middle-class living. What are some of the luxuries that you have given up in order to work at paying down your debt? Do you get a latte every morning, for instance? Do you have a gym membership? Do you own a car?

To be honest, I haven't given up anything that I truly miss. I don't get a latte every morning - I only get it once in a while when I know it's going to be a long day, and I'm in the mood for one, but sometimes when I'm waiting in line I start thinking about the cost of it, and berate myself for almost succumbing to the delicious nectar of Starbucks and I force myself to walk out of the store.

However,bh when I wasn't as serious about paying down my debt, I got a latte every morning (a huge venti one in fact). But as my wallet got thinner, my body started getting bigger. I put on quite a bit of weight and as a result I decided to cut myself off and now I only drink lattes as a treat.

I don't have a gym membership - all the hotels I stay at have a in-house gym, and/or I just walk everywhere since my hotels are usually located right in the heart of the downtown close to where the company is.

I don't personally drive or own a car, but my husband does. We just have an old beater car that we have had for about 6 years now. It stays in decent shape and working condition because we don't drive it :) We only use it to get back and forth between different cities if I'm on a project or if we're visiting family, but other than those occasions, we just walk (which is healthier for us in the long run), and we take the local public transportation (which is cheaper, considering the price of gas lately).

I think the 'luxury' I miss the most is having a lot of cash at my disposal to do whatever I wanted with and knowing that I'd be able to clear it without a problem with my next cheque. This was what fuelled my shopaholic habits before I got serious about clearing my debt (mid-2007). Now that I have a budget and I track every single penny of my expenses, I am a lot more frugal and discerning about buying items because I want my budge to succeed.

Luckily, I've gotten so used to the bank debiting a HUGE amount of my paycheque every month, that I don't even register how much extra money I have now that we're modern nomads. I just take the amount I would normally pay into my rent or utilities if we had a place to live, and channel it into debt. I don't miss the extra money because I foster a sense of scarcity in our household, and my husband knows I'm deadly serious about clearing my debt (he calls it obsessive, I like to call it aggressive).

So, I suppose the one luxury I miss the most is shopping with abandon and without any cares in the world, and safe in the knowledge that I could clear it without a problem with my next cheque... if that makes sense.

What tips do you have for people who are interested in adopting a lifestyle that is similar to yours?

You have to be willing to be lonely and away from anything familiar, as well as not having everything you would normally have in an apartment, nor being able to go to parties or special events that are happening in your home city unless you're willing to pack up your home into a suitcase every weekend, and crash at a friend's place for that weekend to attend the party.

To elaborate, when I join a new project, I normally don't know ANYONE. And depending on the client culture (so far, it's been fabulous), you may or may not make friends with your colleagues - the age gap can be a huge factor, as well as personality.

You have to be willing to be by yourself for a majority of your weekends and weeknights for the first month or so, and be OK with not having your friends to go out with, or your entire wardrobe to pick out exactly what you want to wear. Whatever you've brought, is all you've got and you have to work with it. If you start rebuilding your wardrobe again, you're going to amass a LOT of junk that you'll have to figure out how to carry around for the next year or so.

A lot of people cannot understand why I would willingly stay in any foreign city the entire time and be away from my friends and family, but I'm not very close to my family, and while I'm very close to my friends, I make it a point to do an hour-long call each week to a different friend just to keep up on what's happening in their lives. It is VERY easy to just communicate by email, MSN or other social networking sites like MySpace. But there is no substitute for seeing a friend in person, so I try telephoning them each week so I can hear their voice and connect that way to stay an active part of their lives.

It's pretty lonely at times. Even with my husband here. But I find that we've started to really connect on another level and we're finding ways to have fun together, and go for walks as tourists in a new, unfamiliar city, and experience all the local sights and attractions together.

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This article is from Andrea Karim of Wise Bread, an award-winning personal finance and credit card comparison website. Read more great articles from Wise Bread:

hotel

How Living in a Hotel Can Be Surprisingly Affordable

Advantages of living in a hotel

Fewer bills

Minimal commitments

Convenient locations

Disadvantages of living in a hotel

Less space

Receiving mail

How to make it work

Negotiate for lower rates and perks

Use hotel rewards programs to save even more

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5 Hotel Room Booking Tools Every Frugal Traveler Should Know

1. Roomer

2. Hotel Tonight

3. Hotel Loyalty Cards

4. Coupon Sherpa

5. Your Phone's Calendar or Clock

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14 Useful Items Hotels Usually Provide for Free

1. Extra Pillows and Blankets

2. Roll-Away Beds

3. Nightlights

4. Earplugs

5. Sewing Kits

6. Activities for Kids

7. Board Games

8. Books

9. Phone Chargers

10. Toothpaste and Toothbrushes

11. Razors

12. Curling Irons and Straightening Irons

13. Snacks

14. Dog Treats

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Tips For Using Hotel Reward Points to Get the Most Value

Evaluating Points

Earning Points

Spending Points

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6 Ways a More Expensive Hotel Room Can Save You Money

1. Location, Location, Location

2. Free Breakfast

3. Small Appliances

4. On-Site Facilities

5. Personal Care Items

6. Free Wi-Fi

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Best Money Tips: Sniffing Out the Best Deals on Hotel Rooms

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When Should You Get a Vacation Rental Instead of a Hotel?

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Variety

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Long-Term Stays

Use of a Kitchen

Local Experience

The Host

Vacation Rental Cons

The Host

Booking

Amenities

Safety

Bottom Line

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Is Your Hotel Hiding These 5 Fees in Your Bill?

1. Resort Fee

2. Wi-Fi Fee

3. Parking Fee

4. Early Check-In and Check-Out Fee

5. In-Room Safe Fee

Fee Defense

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