Most travelers book a hotel and never look back. I do the opposite — and it recently saved me 7,000 points and $31 on upcoming stays. By booking flexible rates early and checking back for price drops, I've turned a quick habit into one of the easiest ways I save points and cash.
In practice, this doesn't require much time or effort. Checking my 34 upcoming hotel reservations takes less than 30 minutes. After all, checking current rates is quick, and I don't need to check award rates for bookings in programs like Wyndham Rewards and World of Hyatt, which have fixed award charts and therefore won't drop in award price.
I book a freely cancellable stay as soon as I know I need to visit a particular destination on specific dates. Even if the rates are exceptionally high — as they were for a stay in Vancouver, British Columbia, last summer and an upcoming trip to Adelaide, Australia, this spring — I've learned to secure something and then keep checking. After all, while rates may drop, they often keep rising.
A great solo travel tip spotted this week on The Points Guy Articles.
