When you decide to travel, you shouldn’t simply pack your bags and hit the road. You will require at least some level of planning to ensure that no matter where you go, you have accessibility to essentials, including a hotel room to spend a night or two. But there are several mistakes one may make when reserving a hotel room. And avoiding these nine terrible booking errors may help them find a stay suitable to their taste.

Not comparing prices
Hotels usually have their website and list themselves on third-party platforms for bookings. So when you decide to make a reservation, it is imperative to compare the rates displayed on each website. Sometimes you may find a huge margin difference, which may help you save a significant sum during your stay.

Paying for individual services
Irrespective of the purpose of your trip, paying for services like a car rental, airfare, and hotel rooms, individually might dig into your budget. Instead, look for package deals on booking websites that cover your travel, stay, and meals, as these will help you save money.

Opting for non-refundable rates
People tend to pick non-refundable payment options when booking a hotel room because of the reduced cost. However, several variables might affect your travel plans, resulting in you losing money on the booking. So pay a bit more for the refundable booking option. It will give you the flexibility of getting your money back if you need to cancel.

Avoiding a credit card
Using a credit card isn’t a bad idea, especially when one pays dues on time. Banks usually tie up with hotels and offer customers significant discounts and other deals when they use the card for a booking.

Neglecting the location
You might find a gorgeous hotel room at an attractive rate online. However, getting to the place might be challenging due to the lack of public transport. So look for means to get to a hotel before finalizing a booking.

Overlooking resort fees
Though the hotel rate at the time of booking might seem alright, you must always check for hidden charges, including cleaning spa charges, resort, processing fees, and additional taxes. Furthermore, calling ahead to check how much you could expect to pay for such services helps keep costs in check.

Forgetting to check the set currency
Sometimes people make a hotel booking and forget to check the set currency rate. If the currency is set incorrectly to another one, for example, in Euros, you might pay a hefty foreign currency fee. Therefore, set your search to the right currency before finalizing a stay.

Booking early or late
Booking a hotel room early won’t always help save on travel costs. You might be able to secure a good hotel deal even a day or two before you need to travel. Considering seasonality during booking could give you a decent idea of the ideal hotel rate.

Not reading reviews
While you look for hotels, avoid overlooking the reviews. Here’s where past customers write about their experience at the hotel during their stay. And reading these reviews will help you make a better decision before you pay for the room.