Due to high inflation and rising prices for groceries, energy and air fares, many Americans are having to reconsider how much they spend on holidays. Nevertheless, according to a new report from Hotels.com, most are in no hurry to give up travelling altogether and are instead changing the way they plan and pay for their trips.
The study notes that consumers in the US are increasingly becoming a kind of “deal-finding strategists”, trying to make the most of reward points, added extras, smart booking times and package deals to bring down the overall cost of their break.
According to Hotels.com, so-called “filter-first” planning has become more popular: users first set budget filters on booking platforms and only then choose accommodation options. The number of such searches has risen by more than 1,800%.
Another trend is more active use of loyalty programmes. With tighter budgets, travellers are more likely to pay for trips using accumulated rewards and points, and, according to the report, redemption of rewards has increased by 820%.
Priorities have also shifted when it comes to choosing a hotel. Instead of focusing solely on the lowest nightly rate, tourists now place greater value on “visible value” – free breakfasts, all-inclusive meal plans or other service packages that help cut additional costs while travelling.
Package deals are also regaining popularity. To avoid unpredictable cost increases once they are already on holiday, more and more people are opting for trips where a significant share of expenses is fixed in advance.
Experts at Hotels.com also offer several practical money-saving tips. Their data show that travellers who booked hotels at the last minute paid on average 23% less than those who booked four or more months ahead. Checking into a hotel on a Sunday in the US works out around 15% cheaper than starting a stay on a Friday. January remains the cheapest month to travel, while mid-October is becoming one of the most expensive times of the year.
The report also highlights a number of destinations where accommodation costs are falling. Among popular spots in the US, these include Maui (down 27% in price), Las Vegas (down 10%) and Park City in Utah (down 8%).
Price drops are also being recorded at international resorts. In Liguria (Italy), hotel prices have fallen by 31%, in Leipzig (Germany) by 25%, and in Hanoi (Vietnam) average nightly rates are down 22%.