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6 common hotel booking mistakes to avoid

6 common hotel booking mistakes to avoid

Booking a hotel stay has become as easy as ordering food online—you type in the location and pick a hotel, choose the facilities and services you want, and move on to payment options. But with ease also comes the possibility of overlooking important details, especially as you have multiple apps at your disposal to check out hotels. Not practicing caution and making avoidable hotel booking mistakes could cost you extra money or ruin your stay.

Not checking the cancellation policy
Not reading the fine print is one of the common hotel booking mistakes people make to save time. So, the consequences can be seen in credit card statements when the hotel charges a fee for cancellation and does not refund the entire amount you paid while booking the room. This is why it is crucial to check the cancellation before making the booking. Hotels could have hidden charges or deadlines for canceling your stay.

Ignoring resort fees and taxes
Most people start budgeting their whole vacation around the hotel charges. But, you may overlook the hidden costs, i.e., the initial per day charges may not include city taxes, resort fees, and other surprise charges. At some places, you might even have to pay extra to access the facility’s wifi. This is why you should check with the hotel the total cost before you confirm the booking.

Booking a room without a view
When people are distracted by great deals on hotel stays, they overlook the importance of a nice view from their room. On vacation, your hotel room isn’t going to bring you much joy if you don’t have a decent view to enjoy from the windows. Watching TV can get old soon on vacation. So, avoid making this hotel booking mistake and ask for a room with a view before confirming your stay.

Choosing non-refundable rates
Non-refundable rates are usually lower, making them extremely tempting. But, a smarter choice would be to go with a refundable option. With non-refundable rates, you lose the entire amount if you need to cancel the trip, say in an emergency. The cheaper rates are a ploy to fill up rooms that would have remained unbooked during peak vacation season.

Last-minute booking
Uncertainty in the plans can lead you down this slippery slope. However, confirming your stay at the last minute is a hotel booking mistake that can cost you a fortune. When you book a room matters, as the closer it is to the first day of your stay, the higher the charges could be. This means you may end up paying an abnormally high amount for a stay that would have otherwise been reasonably priced.

Not checking reviews
One of the biggest hotel booking mistakes people make is relying solely on what has been marketed by the hotel. However, advertisements could be deceiving, so customer reviews are your best bet. You should always check the hotel reviews and ratings beforehand to shield you from surprises like inadequate housekeeping or unsanitary conditions.

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