Sometimes, we have to stay in hotels when we travel. Many people are disappointed with their hotel because they didn’t properly research it beforehand. Today is the day you learn how to get a great hotel room at a great price. You will learn everything you need to know to have a successful trip.

Online travel sites like Expedia or Orbitz can help you get the best price for rooms at the hotel you would like to stay at. When making hotel reservations, be sure to include information regarding hotel loyalty programs in which you may hold membership. You may also be eligible for deals that are offered to members of certain organizations, like AAA or AARP.

Consider ordering room service during your stay. While you’re likely to pay a little more, it’s worth having the convenience of staying in your room (and in your pajamas) while you wait to satisfy those nocturnal cravings.

Look at organizations you’re part of for discounts. Many of them offer hotel discounts to members. You may save ten percent or more. This is a good discount that only gets better the longer you stay in a hotel. A stay of 5 days or more could add up to one free hotel night stay!

Never book a hotel room before seeking out online deals. The hotel representative is unlikely to inform you there are better deals online. It is your responsibility to find any available discounts. Check out websites such as Jetsetter, RueLaLaTravel, and SniqueAway.

If you want to get a low rate at your hotel, start planning early for your vacation. Some hotels have a discount if you book your room a month or more ahead of time. With elite brands, this can translate into savings of up to 50 percent.

Don’t make the mistake of thinking all hotels will accept pets. Even if a web listing says a hotel is pet friendly, call the hotel to verify. Verify exactly what is meant by “pet-friendly” since certain breeds and pets over a certain size may not be allowed.

If you travel often, it’s a great idea to enroll in a hotel’s loyalty program. They have benefits for those who frequently stay at a hotel. Enjoy late check out, bonus upgrades and free nights with the loyalty paints you have earned.

You should always find out how much hotel transfers will cost before you book a room. A transfer can sometimes come with a substantial hidden cost. Ask the hotel representative ahead of time to make sure you get the most savings.

If you wish to get a lot out of a hotel stay, especially if you’re traveling for your business, get a membership program and join it like what the Marriott or Choice Hotels offers. This way, when you stay at a hotel, you can get points and then turn those points into free stuff that you can do with your family.

If you are traveling with kids, make sure the hotel you book has a working pool. Nothing is more frustrating than to have kids nagging you about swimming, only to find that the pool is closed.

If you want to inspect a hotel room for bed bugs, start with the bathroom. This is the last room they are likely to be. This is why you should keep your luggage in there while you go on a search for bedbugs. Kids and pets can stay there as well.

Allow Smoking

If you’re a smoker, then make sure you get a hotel with a smoking room. If you are a non-smoker, then you should probably stay away from hotels that allow smoking. However, even with non-smoking rooms, there’s no telling if the guy next door is smoking. In addition, previous travelers could have smoked in the room, even if it is a non-smoking room. To avoid the experience of breathing in smoke during your stay, try to stay in a hotel that doesn’t allow smoking.

If you smoke, be aware of the hotel policy with regard to smoking. Some have rooms for smokers. If this is what you’re looking for, inquire about these rooms. If they find you have smoked in a non-smoking area, they may charge you a fine.

If you are going to need a rollaway or a crib, make sure that the hotel knows this in the reservation process. Some hotels don’t offer these amenities at all. On occasion, these services may require an additional charge. Talk about these when reserving your room so you aren’t hit with unexpected expenses.

Departure Fee

If possible, do not check out earlier than your scheduled departure day. The hotel might charge you an early departure fee. Booking a hotel room means the hotel is going to take that specific room off of their market. If you wind up leaving early, then they’ll be losing money for every day that you don’t stay. This is why they have the departure fee, to get their money back that they would have otherwise lost.

If a hotel tries to “walk” you, know what your rights are. When you check-in, you may discover the room you secured isn’t actually available. They might try and send you to a different hotel. This is inconvenient, and try to avoid it if possible. If you must go elsewhere, make sure transportation is paid and you get a better room than you originally booked.

So, when it comes time to plan a trip, keep these tips handy. You will find yourself in a bad hotel if you don’t plan right. You now know exactly what you need to know to find the nicest hotel room for your upcoming trips.