Booking Tips

There is an abundance of ways to book the destination your heart desires. Internet sites have become more popular, but traditional methods are still available, and sometime offer the best deals. Comparison shopping can save you a good deal of money and allow you to avoid booking fees. It also ensures you get to stay on a property that suits your lifestyle. So, what steps can be taken to ensure you’re getting the best value when traveling?

When booking a rental, the first thing I do is jump on VRBO, put in my parameters of what I am looking for and create a short list of 5-7 properties that match my needs. I always start with VRBO because they have a widespread database with the most rentals. In addition, they have great filter options on the search.

After I have my short list, I then look up the same properties on Airbnb to compare prices. I typically also look at the “more places to stay” and cross reference to see if there are any other listings that match my needs.

At this point I read all the reviews. I take reviews seriously and will remove rentals from my list quickly as we are only looking for high standard rentals. I also look for any information that I can find that might point me to the property rental agency that the listing could be through. Often times, you can book directly the same rental listed on VRBO and save on fees. These fees can be a few hundred dollars, so making a practice of cross-checking listings can really impact your long-term travel budget.

Typically, at this point I have narrowed my list to 2-3 options. I then connect with the property managers. I like to message them to get a feel for how they respond. How long does it take for them to get back to me? What is the tone of the message? I have found you can really get a feel for what to expect at a rental based on this one message. Plus, it allows the owner a chance to get to know you. Building this rapport allows them to feel comfortable with you renting their space.  One time, the owner recommended a different rental for our trip that actually met our needs better than the one I found!

I am also not afraid to ask if there are any additional discounts for the rental. In our current rental, they gave me an additional 5% off! There is no way I would have gotten this unless I asked and, literally, all I said was “is there an additional discount offered for booking today?”.  Plus, I booked directly with the rental agency and saved $499 in service fees versus VRBO.

I have found that VRBO service fees are usually at least 10% of the booking price. While Airbnb is similar, they often also have an additional guest fee. These fees are avoidable when booking directly with the rental agency who is cross posting the listing on VRBO or Airbnb. Though not always the case, it is definitely worth exploring.

For Blue Bay Breeze, we booked four days before checking in and got an amazing deal as they were looking to fill their calendar. The price was reduced by $44 per night compared to their average price. Over the 14 nights, that is $600+ in savings! So, if your flexible in travel plans, last minute deals are waiting for you to snag.

• Southwest Adventure
• Save at Sandals
• Sandals South Coast, Jamaica
• So Much Good in Destin Florida
• Sandals Regency La Toc

Another tip to save is to extend your stay. If you are planning on a five or six-night stay and have a flexible schedule, see what the price is for that seventh night. Often times, you will see a reduction in the daily rate for a full week booking.

Whenever you travel, be sure you understand the cancellation and refund policies. Not only because of the current COVID climate, but because you never know what will arise. An intentional traveler is aware of how to save money on bookings and how much it will cost them if they cannot keep the reservation.

Through a little legwork up-front, you can ensure you get a great deal on your vacation rental. Searching multiple sites and checking reviews lets you select the property that best suits your needs. Booking directly with property managers, asking for discounts, and last-minute deals can reduce your rental rate and avoid fees. If you do these things on a consistent basis, you can reduce the cost of your travel enough to squeeze in an extra trip with your savings!

If you have other ideas on how to save money when booking a rental, please let us know below.