29 January 2020 by David Harris 1 Comment

Tips to Save Money on Accommodation

Tips to Save Money on Accommodation (summary):

1. #BookDirect and Save
2. Use Trivago as tool to find suitable accommodation at best price
3. Type in Google Search Engine: <Accommodation Name> official website
4. Check out Google My Business
5. Compare prices to Trivago
6. Type in Google Search Engine: <Accommodation Name> official website
7. Phone or email accommodation directly and ask for price
8. #BookDirect and Save

#BookDirect & Save

Forty plus years ago there was no internet. There were several ways to book accommodation.

1. You would drive until you got to a place where you wanted to stop and go to reception. Vacancy and No Vacancy signs.

2. Go to Road Side Assistance business like NRMA or RACQ and get caravan or accommodation books with phone numbers

3. Local White and Yellow Pages

4. Go to Post Office to get White and Yellow Pages out of the area and ring Real Estates to post out holiday accommodation booklets with tariffs

How things have changed? But have they changed for the better? What is the best way to save on accommodation in today’s modern online world?

3 Main Players in Accommodation Booking

1. Airbnb

2. Priceline – they own Booking.com

3. Expedia Group – own lots of online booking sites. They bought out Aussie sites including Stayz and Wotif

Trivago: How to Save Money on Accommodation

Great as a tool but would not book accommodation through Trivago. I will tell you the reason why? Guess who owns Trivago? Expedia Group. Most of advertised accommodation on Trivago is owned by Expedia Group except Booking dot com. So one way or the other Expedia Group make money through many of their own companies or other companies advertising. At one point they advertised they would find best deal. But this is false advertising and recently litigation was taken against Trivago.

Once you have found suitable accommodation on Trivago.  Then proceed to Google Search Engine.

Google Search Engine: Tips to Save Money on Accommodation

Firstly type in Google Search Engine: <Accommodation Name> official website. Just like in Trivago go to Book Now (or similar). Type in dates and no. guests etc. Compare with Trivago and see if cheaper. Don’t worry you won’t be charged until you provide card details. You are just looking. More often than not it is cheaper because there are no booking fees as online accommodation services charge owner and guest fees.

Secondly type in Google Search Engine: <Accommodation Name> phone number. Phone up accommodation or email them directly. You are armed with the information from Trivago and their official website. Provide them with same dates and no. guests and see what their tariff is? More than likely it will be cheaper than any offer from Trivago and maybe even their web site. If there is a better deal elsewhere tell them. Say to them we can both save on fees. Ask for better deal.

Google My Business: Tips to Save Money on Accommodation

When using Google Search Engine to look for accommodation as above. The really good accommodation services would have registered their accommodation on Google My Business and this will appear to right of the Google Searches. It should have their website address and contact phone number along with Google Maps location. Maybe an email address. This is a great tip to save money on accommodation.

#BookDirect & Save: Tips to Save Money on Accommodation

You can go with the crowd and go to your usual favourite accommodation online booking site as it is quick and easy. But you won’t save money for 2 reasons. You as guest could be charged a fee and owner is charged a fee so they pass that onto you as booker to cover their fees by increasing their tariff. Owners have to pay from 3% to 15% commissions or more plus GST. Plus if you have seen the Dick Smith video the commissions go overseas and out of Australia!

For example: In 2019 I stayed at a hotel in the Hunter Valley NSW for 4 nights. If I had booked online it would have cost me to $260.00 through Booking dot com. By going directly to the hotel and not even asking for discount it cost me $200.00. SAVED $60.00. Saved 30%. That easy!

If you have previously stayed at accommodation and you want to stay there again go back to previous email to contact them directly. This is a great tip to save money on accommodation.

Book Direct through Website, In Person, Mobile or Email

How to Save Money on Accommodation? By booking direct on website, rocking up in person at accommodation, phoning or emailing accommodation. You will save in most cases (no guarantees)! You can try and haggle. Maybe even get a free breakfast thrown in. Deal direct with the accommodation after having done your research with Trivago, Google Search Engine and Google My Business. You will save more often than not.

This applies for booking either in Australia or overseas. If going overseas maybe book 1-2 days online then deal directly with accommodation once there in that country. The cost of making an overseas phone call will be worth it with the savings you make by #BookDirect.

Check out our other Aussie Chillout blogs:

Tips for Aussies Travelling Overseas 1

Aussies Travelling Overseas 2 Tips

Tips for Attending Concerts in Pokolbin

Book Your Next Short Stay Holiday Rental at Aussie Chillout:

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Email David and Hilary at [email protected] or call mobile: +61 414 826 439