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Two coupon guides for hotels/motels have recently gone online. One is Roomsaver.com/ and the other is Travel Coupon Guide. We use these whenever possible and have been fortunate to find good accommodations at reasonable prices. These do include some of the more upscale properties, too. We like using the coupon guides since we know what we'll be paying.
Donna
The only problem with online coupons is it's a bit tough to use them spontaneously unless you have access to a printer.
True, but if you have an idea of where you might be staying, you can get online at home before you go. I printed up a few coupons for areas in which we are heading for - and then some a few miles in either direction (in case we fall short or go further than we expect).
Donna
Definitely agree with the always getting a rewards program whenever you go out and stay in a hotel. My credit card company has got agreements with some rewards programs so I can use the points I earned from my credit card towards a free night or two at a hotel that's part of their rewards program.Quote:
Originally Posted by HyundaiTripper
Great advice re credit card rewards points. I did that for a long time. But since its usefulness is predicated totally on the amount you spend on your credit cards, and that those cards come at considerable cost, you need to make sure your spending makes it worthwhile.
On my income and spending these days it would take years just to earn one night's accommodation. By then the fees on the card will be equivalent to many hotel stays. I now have a non-reward, fee free credit card.
Lifey
Hello, facts here have given me a great deal of ease in planning out my next vacation. I’d like to also share some of my resources to you guys, especially for those who wish to go to Hawaii during their next vacation, perhaps you can share your experiences and ideas. Thanks in advance.
In September Motel 6 started providing free WiFi for AARP members. Every M6 we stayed at during our big Fall trip honored this benefit. They are our first choice on the road, with Red Roof and the next choice.
-Pat
Four days I was in a Motel 6 in Dubuque IA, last September. Free wifi was part of the deal. No membership of any organisation requested. It was the way it was advertised. Over the years, when I have stayed at a Motel 6, I have always had free wifi. It is the first thing I look for (that, and fridge/micro). I had it all for less than $60 (incl tax) per night.Quote:
Originally Posted by Pmount
Lifey
Hi Kathy, and Welcome to the Great American Roadtrip Forum.
So great to hear that you have benefited from the information found within these pages. Even better to hear you are willing to share your experiences. Check out the various forums, and see where the most appropriate place is to place your posts. Or simply respond to other folks' queries.Quote:
Originally Posted by kathycolmenero
Lifey
Motel 6's wifi policies vary by property. Generally, company operated hotels charge for wifi and franchises offer it free.
Update from my previous post: Roomsaver has been bought out (or merged) with/by Hotelcoupons.com. Both links take you to the same website, albeit different pages within.
Donna
Another idea I found to help out with lodging and food on a trip:
If you are a member of any organization that awards points for something, and then allows you to "buy" gift cards with your points, check them out. I regularly participate in three online activities that award points -- surveys, and a preventative health-and-fitness site. You collect points, and then can "buy" cards for $10-50 good at chain hotels and restaurants. One offers a prepaid Visa which costs a little more points, but is therefore good anywhere that Visa is accepted.
This is a nice way to help you pay for some food or lodging along the way. I'm saving for a couple of restaurant cards with one organization, and a hotel card with the other.
Donna
How long have you had to do these to get anything worthwhile? I have been doing surveys with several companies for well over a decade and am yet to get enough points to get anything.
Lifey
That's definitely true on the Survey sites -- it's taken me a few years. However, the health and fitness site, I've got a number of points awarded in the past 4 months and more to come. I get points for walking, taking some of the online courses, even for getting things done one should be doing anyway (like yearly medical exams, dental cleanings, certain tests that should be done at certain ages), and for donating blood to the Red Cross (got 50 pts for that, and it was something I should be doing anyway). Looking at a motel card from them, if possible.
My mom and dad get points on their credit/debit cards, and those have been adding up quickly. Mom says she's gotten one restaurant card, but usually takes the cash offered.
Donna
We have discovered in the past two years, that hotels.com, expedia.com, and similar sites probably have reduced the amounts of hotel coupons in the booklets found at state information centers, rest areas, and truck stops. Also, hotels offering "Internet rates" on their own sites have also affected the numbers of coupons. Because of this, some of the online coupon sites have either changed, or gone out completely.
Here are the ones I find that still exist, though some are ever-evolving within themselves (such as the first one):
HotelCoupons.com - this one has coupons, but also the option to book your hotel at a reduced "internet rate".
Free Hotel Coupons - a limited selection in a few areas.
Travel Coupons - limited selection in a few areas.
Midwest Travel Buddy - limited to 10 states: MN, WI, NE, IA, IL, KS, MO, AR, the TX Panhandle, plus two cities in ND)
E-hotel Coupons - coast to coast
One thing worth mentioning: In all 5 of the cases, these coupons are pretty much focused on the cities and exits along major freeways. None of them appear to have much of anything along the US highways, and definitely nothing in the tourist areas around national parks and monuments. You need to get in quite early to take advantage of these - before the dinner hour. Often times they are not accepted on weekends, or fill up even earlier than the dinner hour.
RTA has a lodging finder right here on this site, with prices comparable to what you find in the coupon books and "internet rates". It will also allow you to find things like "pet friendly" if that is something you need. The RTA lodging finder is not limited to the interstates/major freeways.
TripAdvisor, a site and app that I like to use to check reviews, real-people ratings, and similar, has also started to offer a reservation service. Like hotels.com and expedia.com, though, you are expected to pay upfront for your overnight, and there is usually a strict cancellation charge.
Donna
There are often great bargains in accommodation to be had along the old US highways, without coupons. In the past I have found most affordable motels, just by looking for them. They're not your Hiltons or Marriots... but if they are clean and it is only for an overnight, they have all you might want.Quote:
Originally Posted by DonnaR57
One time in NV at one of these privately owned motels, I shuddered when told the price. Just way out of my budget. The lady then went on to tell me where I could find cheaper accommodation, and offered to call them to see if they had a room.
Guess it all depends on how you approach these things.
Lifey