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Chicago biz travelers save at the Hotel Allegro, which sports playful rooms and a theater district address.

By Jeanenne Tornatore

As traveler confidence returns, so do rising travel prices.  And while average daily hotel rates continue to stay below pre-2008 levels, as we head into 2011 rates are up year-over-year in many popular vacation destinations.  With the busy spring break travel season upon us, here’s some advice on how to stay within your budget and still get a great hotel room.


1. Book in the business district.
If you’re planning a weekend trip to a major city like New York, Chicago or San Francisco, find out where the financial/business districts are and check out hotel rates at the hotels that cater to business travelers.  While the rates are typically high during the week when they are full of professionals, you’ll often find great deals on the weekends as most tourists look to stay near the well-known areas for theater and shopping.  Also check out nearby residential neighborhoods — like Jersey City in New York or Lincoln Park in Chicago — that may just be a short train ride into the city.

2. Get rewarded for your loyalty.
Don’t be shy about signing up for hotel reward programs.  When the front desk rep asks you to sign up, ask what kind of perks you’ll get.  Kimpton Hotels gives all members of its loyalty program free internet access every time they stay at a Kimpton property.  That’ll save you at least $15 a day by most hotel standards.

3. Get it together and save.
You may have heard that you’ll save by booking your airfare and hotel together as a package.  But how?  Hotels with excess inventory give sites like Orbitz rooms to sell at greatly discounted rates as part of a package.  They don’t have to tell you just how cheap their rooms are going for, and you get a great deal.

4. Be social!
Social media sites can be agreat resource for special discounts and last-minute deals.  Nearly every major travel player has a Twitter and Facebook account.  And often times they promote limited time deals and even give away free trips just for their followers and friends.  Check out www.twitter.com/orbitz and www.facebook.com/orbitz for the latest news and deals from Orbitz.com.

5. Go at the beginning or end of a season.
Whether you’re planning a ski trip or your summer vacation, you’ll find some of the best deals for hotels and activities if you go during the first and last few weeks of the season.  At major ski destinations like Breckenridge and Lake Tahoe, you’ll find early season sales in November/December, and late-season deals in April, post-spring break.  Come summer, peak rates typically start mid-June for beach destinations, so heading out the first or second week of June or waiting until mid- to late August can mean saving big on your lodging.

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Jeanenne Tornatore is a senior travel editor at Orbitz Worldwide. A long-time traveler and avid deal seeker, she regularly shares her industry knowledge, practical advice and savvy tips with national print and broadcast media around the country.

Tagged: Hotels

Note: Orbitz compensates authors for their writings appearing on this site.

Jeanenne Tornatore

Jeanenne Tornatore

Jeanenne specializes in savvy budget travel tips, destination experiences, industry trends and the latest products to make any trip go smoothly. A mother of three, she's seasoned in all things family-travel, from the most kid-friendly beach resorts to navigating Disney Parks. Jeanenne is an avid outdoor adventure seeker, as well as a regular TV and radio content contributor. You'll find her @JMTornatore on Twitter and Instagram.

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