8 Ways to Get the Best Chicago Hotel Rate

Chicago, on Lake Michigan in Illinois, is known for its extraordinary shopping spots, remarkable architecture, some of nation’s best attractions and off course, the lake. It attracts more than 40 million visitors every year. If you have planned to visit the windy city, you will be thanking your lucky stars for all those websites and mobile apps offering you a wide range of cheap Chicago hotels and Chicago Motels and helping you make your Chicago hotel reservation. You want to save on your Chicago accommodation, and want to spend those extra bucks to enjoy your trip: go sightseeing and get clicked, savor some amazing Chicago cuisines and buy some gifts for your friends and family. 

But what might have worked for you when you last visited Chicago or when your friend did, might not work this time. So, following are some sure-shot tips to get you the cheapest Chicago hotel rates whenever you travel.

Be flexible with your check-in and check-out dates. You can save money if you can adjust your dates while booking your Chicago accommodation. Hotel rates can vary due to many reasons: an event near the hotel, peak season or simply, less room availability. And if you are flexible with your dates, you can get a deal. At times, even a day or two can make a big difference and can spare you some money to buy an extra T-shirt at a shopper’s stroll.

Call the Hotel. Once you check a Chicago hotel or a Chicago motel and like it, find its number on Google (not the 1800 number) and call them. Check if you can get a better deal or at least some freebies. The hotel agents know more than the agent representing a third party company. They can tell you what can be arranged and what can’t be arranged. It will keep you from a future inconvenience.  

Use membership programs and special offers. Many Chicago hotels and motels offer a discount to military personnel, educators, seniors, corporate employees and AAA and AARP members. So check if you qualify for any discount. There is no harm in asking. There are numerous hotels and motels in Chicago and competition is tough. Ask if there is any promotion or offer that you can take advantage of.

Compare online and go for price match. So many search websites advertising the cheapest Chicago accommodations, popping up on your computer and mobile screen, and spamming your email? Must be chaotic to check them all, right? Don’t do that. Rather, check Chicago hotel rates on websites which let you compare Hotel prices on different websites. Do the comparison on www.kayak.com and www.trivago.com. Search websites offer match price. You can find a free night or a discount coupon for your next trip.

Last minute Deals. Chicago Hotels and Chicago motels often set off a last minute deal to fill their unoccupied rooms. If you are flexible with your deals you can be lucky to save some extra money to explore Chicago.

Opaque booking-big risk, serious rewards. Hotwire.com started opaque booking, also called blind booking, a decade ago and many hotel booking sites followed the suit. You pay for a room in advance without knowing the name of the hotel and the booking will be non-cancelable and non-changeable.  There is certainly a risk involved of uncertainty as it can introduce you to unpleasant surprises, but check internet, the booking sites are getting business, and people are saving money. You can save up to 60 percent. 

Check the less known hotels. This can be useful in doing your cheap Chicago hotel booking if you don’t want to pay big bucks to big hotel chains. These can be small hotels, bed and breakfasts or vacation rentals. Most of these are not found on booking sites. You can try TripAdvisor. 

Know the total cost. While doing your Chicago hotel reservation, check what fees are included in the base rate. Know what parking, rollaway, WiFi and others will cost you. Do your calculation before you book you’re your favorite Chicago hotel or Chicago motel.