Summer hotel discounts are there — if you know where to look

12.07.2024 - 21:37 / thepointsguy.com

If you haven't booked a vacation yet this summer, it's not too late — and it doesn't have to drain your wallet like it has in prior years or even months.

Deals are still out there for those looking to take a last-minute or late summer vacation in the U.S.

The latest inflationary data from the U.S. showed airfares declined nearly 6% from a year ago. U.S. hotel rates are down 1.7% from a year ago — significantly lower than peak inflation times when hotel rates were shooting up as high as 29%. Kayak reports you're likely to pay about 7% less for a U.S. hotel room this summer than a year ago, though the company also notes that hotels abroad are actually 2% more expensive.

But, while it's absolutely still possible to get a good price on your vacation this summer, you do need to know where to look, where to avoid and how to maximize your budget.

Experts note that most rate cuts are taking place at budget-friendly hotels, while higher-end hotels continue to charge lofty rates, especially for leisure travelers.

"Despite ongoing inflation and cost-of-living challenges, Americans are still reprioritizing travel as an essential part of their health & wellness routine, and many are willing to pay a premium for it, especially at the four- to five-star level," said Philip Ballard, chief communications officer at HotelPlanner.com. "Most of the hotel deals are going to be found at the two- to three-star level since those hotels aren't seeing as much demand."

If you want to travel internationally, Ballard says the strong dollar can help you vacation cheaply ... if you do your research.

European hotels are seeing rates skyrocket in the lead-up to the Summer Olympics in Paris, and in-demand destinations like Rome and London are also pricey, especially if you book at the last minute. To save money, travelers would be wise to check out more off-the-beaten-path destinations like Crete and Albania in lieu of perennially popular destinations like Paris and Santorini, Greece. The current strong dollar also makes destinations in the Asia-Pacific region incredibly attractive, Ballard said.

Back stateside, falling gas prices — already on pace to be lower than the last two summers — are making summer road trips easier on the wallet. Hitting the road also gives you the chance to avoid those legendary summer travel nightmares at airports. Furthermore, picking alternative leisure destinations like ski mountains or lake towns over beaches can be a great way to find bargains.

That isn't to say you should completely give up on your beach dreams, though: Daily hotel rates in Hawaii in May fell 1% from a year ago to $342, according to Smith Travel Research, a company that collects market data on the hotel industry. It's still not the