Booking a hotel? 7 little-known tricks that can help you get a better deal

This one costs nothing.

If you’re booking directly, call or message the hotel and ask whether they have a better available rate, package, or room option for your dates. They may not, but you won’t know unless you ask.

You can also clarify what’s included before paying, which can prevent unpleasant surprises later.

A good hotel deal isn’t always the room with the biggest discount splashed across the screen. Sometimes, it’s simply the booking where you took a few extra minutes to compare the details.

And that can be the difference between finding a cheap room and finding a genuinely good deal.