For those who travel often for work...Best Hotel Discounts? AAA worth it?

allister

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Hello all! I am self employed and travel on the road often for work with an enclosed trailer in tow. I recently tried to stay at a cheaper hotel this past weekend to save some money (Sleep Inn) and had an awful experience. I generally stay at Holiday Inn Express, Hampton Inn, and hotels in that range. It seems on average I say I'd spend $125 a night.

I looked into getting AAA, but didn't really notice any discounts for having AAA vs going through Expedia. I do most of my booking through Expedia and will save $10 here or there with Expedia rewards. I find it cheapest to book the cheapest hotel with decent reviews(Holiday Inn Express, Marriot, Hampton Inn, etc) rather than sticking to one brand and trying to get brand rewards.

I have been strongly considering trading in my work trailer for a toy hauler or enclosed trailer with living quarters and then either paying minimal fees for a campground or parking in random walmart parking lots. Also looked into truck bed campers but not sure my F350 can handle a bed camper plus trailer, it's not a dually. Plus the bed campers are as much as if not more than toy haulers it seems. But, I'd sort of be investing my money rather than throwing it away in a hotel.

Before I go that extreme of a route, are there any tips or tricks I might be missing for getting the best deals on hotels? I always scope out Expedia, Trip Advisor, and kayak which for the most part all end up having the same rates. I have heard very negative things about Priceline so I have avoided that site altogether.

I am not against cheaper hotels like best western, red roof inn, days inn but I always do my searches based on reviews and those hotels are never near the top.

Thanks in advance for any input or suggestions!!!!
 

lOOKnGO

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I bought a brand new s250 electrical shelter and made it into a camper. They were made to fit into the humvee. We slept a family of 4 with sink tv w/DVD and sink for 63 days a couple years ago on family adventures. On board solar and water. Storage for everything. $1230 invested.
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Last pic shows on trailer but it does fit in a short bed ford no problem.


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Gravik

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Hotels.com.

Buy 10 nights, get one night free of equivalent value of your 10 nights

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RES0574

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I am self employed/own my own company, and we are on the road 90% of the year. I have found that being a member of the respective chain's points system will obtain a cheaper rate for you. My experience has been that AAA works with a cheaper rate 5~10% of the time. I do not know if you perform any work with a state or federal government agency, but you can use a government/government contractor rate if you do. 50% of my revenue comes from USCG, MARAD, NOAA, and MSC related work, so I use the government contractor rate. I have a TWIC card so whenever the hotel clerk asks for my Government ID, I just show them the TWIC card. It is a "government" ID, and states so on the back of the card. This will typically save me a decent amount.

If you know you will be staying for an extended amount of time, call the hotel directly and speak to the GM. They typically can provide a negotiated rate based upon the amount of days. I take this route for all of my guys when they are on the 30/60/90 day projects.

One other avenue I have been using recently is AirBNB. I am in Bay Ridge NY staying at an AirBNB for a project in Brooklyn because the only hotel around charges crazy rates for their closet sized rooms. My AirBNB is 25% cheaper than any hotel rates I have found around here. AirBNB also has a "business" option now as well.
 

AustinSN

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My fiancee just picked up an American Express that pays 12x points when you stay at Hiltons (I believe).

It has other benefits as well, but if it's 12x points that would start to add up after a while.

Something to chew on.
 

BlckBox04

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hotels.com is definitely one of the best outlets for booking
 

gasyone

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I’m on the road 130-160 nights a year. I only use Hilton properties. If you are on a routine route you can negotiate lower prices, they can give you a code to use when you book. I recommend using one brand as you can maximize the brands benefits. You get their rewards program then their preferred credit card which can quickly give you free nights as well as other benefits. I pay anywhere between $95 to $140 a night for a Hilton property and as a diamond member and with the American Express I use, I can accumulate a free night after about 5 stays. I’m fortunate I expense all my travels as my company reimburses me so I get to use the free nights for my vacations.
 

bglf83

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We use the AMEX Hilton Ascend card for all purchases.

We used the AMEX SPG card before as well. Just not as many Starwood properties at the time. They ate Marriot now, so that may be different.

Once you get status with Hilton. You can stay in a hotel for 5 nights but only pay for 4. Also, you get points for free stay and breakfast. Hilton owns a bunch of hotels including Hampton inn.
 

lOOKnGO

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We use the AMEX Hilton Ascend card for all purchases.

We used the AMEX SPG card before as well. Just not as many Starwood properties at the time. They ate Marriot now, so that may be different.

Once you get status with Hilton. You can stay in a hotel for 5 nights but only pay for 4. Also, you get points for free stay and breakfast. Hilton owns a bunch of hotels including Hampton inn.

Hilton is our go to. Two nights last weekend $140 just outside D.C and last night in Lancaster Pa. $116 new Tru Hilton. The kids loved it. Very contemporary.
http://tru3.hilton.com/en/hotels/pennsylvania/tru-by-hilton-lancaster-east-LNSRURU/index.html


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Blown 89

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Get a fifth wheel. I have a 24' RV I travel in and it's amazing sleeping in your own bed while on the road. I recently drove to Northern California for a race and looked for groups of semis on the side of the freeway and stayed among them when I got tired. Some of the rest stops were beautiful and allowed 8 hour parking, other times I was in casino parking lots with sections set up for RV's. It's not always the least expensive option but it changes the way you look at domestic travel.
 

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