Ever booked a hotel and then, like, a week later saw the exact same room for half the price? Yep. I’ve been there. Lost a good hundred bucks because I was too lazy to do my homework. That sting is real, my friends. I swore after that blunder—a tiny, over-priced room in Paris that smelled vaguely of disappointment—I’d never, ever pay full price again. And I haven’t. Not really. I’m a cheapskate who’d rather eat instant noodls for a week than hand over a wad of cash for a resort fee. So here’s the messy, chaotic, and totally real way I snag deals on both hotels and Airbnbs, no matter what.

It’s all about the mind games. With the booking systems, with the hosts, and honestly, with yourself.

The Great Hotel vs. Airbnb Smackdown

First things first, you gotta decide what you’re even looking for. I used to be a ride-or-die Airbnb guy. I loved the quirky uniqueness, the feeling of “living like a local.” But lately? Hotels are making a major comeback. Per a 2025 Skift piece, travelers are craving more personalized experiences, and hotels are finally catching on, offering more than just a bed. Plus, they often have better cancellation policies and, you know, a front desk you can yell at when things go wrong.

A redditor on r/budgettravel recently swore by this: “I found a better deal on Booking.com’s Genius program than I ever did on Airbnb for a last-minute trip.” That’s the vibe. Don’t be loyal; be ruthless. Use a tool like Google’s hotel search or Kayak’s map feature to get a lay of the land, then—this is the real magic—go check the hotel’s direct site. As one travel blogger on Pen It Out pointed out, a lot of the time, hotels will match or even beat the price from third-party sites to avoid paying commission. You just have to ask. I literally called a fancy hotel in Lisbon last spring and said, “Hey, I saw a price for $120 on Expedia. Can you do better?” They gave me the room for $115 and threw in free breakfast. Pure gold.

My Go-To App Rant: Why I’m Obsessed With Hopper

I get it. There are a million apps. But the one I actually use and trust is Hopper. It’s got a 95% accuracy rate for predicting price drops, according to Jetsetting Fools. I love it for flights, but for hotels? It’s a lifesaver. You “watch” a hotel and the app will tell you to book now or wait for a price drop. One time, I was watching a room in Chicago. Hopper sent a notification saying “Book now, prices are about to jump.” I ignored it, figuring I had time. Nope. Just nope. The price shot up $50 a night by the next day. I learned my lesson. Don’t be me. Trust the app.

For last-minute trips, I also mess around with Priceline’s “Express Deals.” You don’t know the exact hotel until you book, but you can see the star rating and general neighborhood. I used it for a trip to Tokyo and ended up with a 4-star place near the train station for the price of a hostel. A complete win. But be warned: these are nonrefundable. One wrong click and you’re out that cash. Got a friend who booked a non-refundable stay for the wrong month and lost a couple hundred bucks. Ouch.

Snagging a Cozy Airbnb for Pennies (and Dodging the Cleaning Fee Blues)

Okay, now for my real, messy love story: Airbnb. That love-hate relationship with the surprise fees, the weird hosts, the occasional dodgy Wi-Fi. But when it works, it works.

The number one rule? Long-term stays. A lot of hosts offer weekly or monthly discounts, sometimes up to 30%, to get a consistent booking. I found a killer spot in Montreal last year and stayed for three weeks for the price of about 10 days, because of the monthly discount. It’s the single best hack for anyone who works remotely.

Also, be a ratings snob. I only book with Superhosts now. Why? Because they’ve earned their stripes and they care about keeping them. They respond quickly, the places are almost always spotless, and you avoid the wild card of a brand new host who hasn’t figured out how to do laundry yet. Per a vlog by Two Wandering Soles, you should look for hosts that mention things like “fast Wi-Fi” or “equipped kitchen,” because it shows they’re catering to the digital nomad crowd.

And that dreaded cleaning fee? You can sometimes get around it. Not always, but sometimes. If you find a listing you love for a longer stay, message the host before booking. Ask them politely if they can offer a better price since you’re booking for a longer period. A lot of hosts will work with you to avoid the platform’s commission and maybe even knock off some of that cleaning fee. It’s a shot in the dark, but it’s worth a try. I snagged an extra 10% off a stay in Austin by doing this.

Snapped this blurry screenshot of my discounted stay in Austin—proof it works!

Don’t forget to use the map feature. I learned this the hard way. I once booked a “city center” place in Rome that was, in fact, a 45-minute bus ride from anything I wanted to see. Never again. Use the map, check the public transit links, and read reviews for mentions of the neighborhood. A lot of times, a place just one or two metro stops away can be significantly cheaper, and you can still access everything easily. I’ve found some insane deals this way—check out what’s available on travelgui.com , it’s my go-to for comparing prices in different neighborhoods.

The Weird Little Things That Save Me Cash

1. Book in advance, but watch for last-minute drops. I know, I know. It’s a contradiction. But here’s the thing: book a refundable hotel early, then keep an eye on prices. If you find a better deal closer to your date—say, on a last-minute site or directly with the hotel—cancel the first one and re-book. I’ve saved hundreds by being a little obsessive about this.
2. Use incognito mode. This isn’t a myth. Websites track your searches. If you keep looking at the same room, the price can “magically” go up. Search in incognito mode or on a different device. I’m telling you, it’s a real thing. It feels like cheating, but hey, they started it.
3. Use a credit card with travel rewards. This isn’t a booking hack, but it’s a saving hack. My Chase Sapphire card gives me double points on travel. That means every time I book a hotel or Airbnb, I’m earning points toward my next “free” stay. It’s like my wallet is paying for itself. Kind of.
4. Book directly to get perks. A lot of hotels will throw in a free breakfast or a room upgrade if you book directly through their site. They save on commissions, and you get a little something extra. Win-win. This is especially true for major chains. Per a 2025 Upgraded Points article, booking direct can also help you earn loyalty points and get your elite status honored.

A selfie I snapped with a suspiciously large free breakfast plate.

So there you have it. My messy, scatter-brained, and totally effective guide to not blowing your life savings on a place to sleep. It’s a mix of a little bit of pre-planning, a whole lot of ruthless searching, and a willingness to play the system. Go find your next steal—check out travelgui.com and snag a deal, I swear it’s worth a look. Travel smarter, save bigger. Don’t be like me and miss out on a deal ’cause you were napping. Darn.

By Quinn Gallagher, a road-worn traveler with 10+ years mastering budget hacks, spilling tips from real trips and verified sources.