In regards to hotels, most times I prefer to stay in the center of each city in full service hotels.
When prices are outrageous though, I look to save money.
There are many ways you can do this.
You can stay farther from the city center.
For instance, instead of staying in Times Square/Midtown, you can stay in the Financial District or the Village in New York City.
You can stay in the suburbs outside of major cities.
For instance, you could stay in Brentwood outside of Nashville.
Another way to save money on hotels is to stay at an airport hotel.
I used this tactic recently on my trip to Chicago.
I knew I had to get to Chicago in the summer, when the prices were double the rest of the year.
Although this was my fourth trip to Chicago, I had never been there in the summer.
Again, I was in for some serious sticker shock.
I was not going to pay $400-$500 when I know the rates would drop Iater.
I thought that maybe the prices would drop before my trip.
Sometimes, if you do a last minute booking such as the day before your stay, the price can drop.
The prices didn’t drop.
I was on public transportation, so the suburbs were out.
I usually only use suburbs when driving.
So, that left me with one option: an airport hotel.
Can this ever work for you?
Here is how and when an airport hotel can save you money.
I really enjoyed my trip!
My Trip To Chicago
As most people who follow the blog know, I want to be a frequent flyer.
Right now, that means flying every month.
Later, as I build more reward points, it could mean flying every week.
I have been slow to get to monthly flying, but will have it consistent by the fall.
Chicago was my July trip.
I picked Chicago because it is one of my favorite cites.
It is also cheap in terms of flights from my city, usually around $150.
Frequent flying is on my own dime, so I watch costs.
Chicago was my July trip again.
L.A. should be my August trip.
New York City should be my September trip.
After that, I plan to add international monthly trips.
I also want to go back to Vegas, and visit other West Coat cities like Denver, Phoenix, Salt Lake City, and Seattle.
In any case, Chicago turned out to be a good trip for July,.
Again, I had never been to Chicago in the summer.
My other trips to Chicago were in October, November, and May of different years.
Now that I fly every month, I can probably get to Chicago more than once a year.
When I get to my international trips, I can also use long layovers to drop in the city.
Again, Chicago is one of my favorite cities.
If you want to save money, keep in mind that the summer is the most expensive time in Chicago (like a lot of places).
So, you may want to avoid the high costs, and choose another time.
I will say that I think everyone should experience Chicago in the summer at least once though (if not more).
The city really does come alive as they say.
Again, I had a great flight price on United at $166.
I had not flown United’s Basic Economy in 2 years.
For those who don’t know, United is the only airline of the Big Three that does not allow a free carry onion Basic Economy.
I said I would give it a try though for the blog.
I like United, but I still don’t like not having a free carry on.
So next month, I will be back to Delta and American.
In any case, I knew hotels would be more expensive in the summer.
I thought there might be a drop in price again though.
Again, I was wrong.
So, that left me with my chosen option: an airport hotel.
I enjoyed my trip to Chicago.
I am glad that I saved the money.
My budget is $200/day for hotels, so I had no choice.
I had used all my hotel points.
Again, I enjoyed the whole experience, including my airport hotel.
My $155 Hyatt Place O’hare Stay
I picked the Hyatt Place O’hare again.
Usually, I prefer full service hotels.
I like the Hyatt Place as a limited service hotel better than other limited service hotels.
Most of the full service airport hotels were a little $200 after taxes.
As usual, in checking hotels, I use calendars at Hilton and Marriott to see the cheapest rates for the month.
The Embassy Suites was going to be around $200 after taxes.
The Hyatt Regency was over $200.
The Hyatt Place was &155 after taxes.
You usually won’t do anything at an airport hotel.
There is usually nothing there.
So, you should not spend too much.
After my day marathon in Chicago, it was a relief to rest anyway
I got to the hotel around 9 p.m. , and could sleep and be ready for another full day in Chicago.
Hyatt Place had a double points promotion, too.
Hyatt also has a promotion called the”Hyatt Brand Explorer.”
You get a free night certificate after every five brands.
I plan to earn my first free night certificate soon.
So, the Hyatt Place O’hare it was for $155 after taxes.
Again, I enjoyed my stay.
I even got my free breakfast.
Remember, most limited service hotels offer free breakfast.
How An Airport Hotel Can Save You Money
How does an airport hotel save you money?
Again, generally, airport hotels are cheaper than your central city hotel again.
Most times , they won’t go much over $200.
You will need to take the airport shuttle.
Airport hotels are generally filled with business and other travelers who need to get up early for a morning flight.
Here are some negative to keep in mind though:
- There is usually nothing at an airport hotel, so you will need to eat at a hotel restaurant or grab food
- the shuttle may not run late
- you won’t have an evening out
Keep in mind that this was the better option than paying $400-$500 for Downtown Chicago.
Under normal circumstances though, Downtown Chicago or other city centers can be gotten for $200-$250.
In that case, there would be no need for an airport hotel,
Make sure to use hotel flexible calendars again to find the cheapest dates.
Other Ways To Save Money On Hotels
Airport hotels are not the only way to save money on hotels.
You can also consider:
- staying in the city farther from the tourist spots
- staying in the suburbs
- choosing weekdays for places like Las Vegas that tend to cost more on the weekend
- choosing weekends for hotels with a lot of business travelers like the Loop in Chicago
- Using all points
- Using cash/points
Remember, to use what method works best for you.
Again, not all tactics work for everyone or in every situation.
Again, generally, I only stay in the center of each city at full services hotels.
In Chicago, that is usually the Magnificent Mile again.
So, whenever my next trip to Chicago comes up, I will probably be back to Downtown Chicago.
Except for the summer, Chicago is usually not very expensive city.
I can usually get away with $200-250/day in the Gold Coast again.
So, for me this is not a tactic I would use without the $400-$500 summer Chicago prices.
I like the center of each city because in most places it is usually not that more expensive than a lot of other parts of the city with the right timing.
I prefer full service hotels because they are not usually that much more than limited service hotels under normal circumstances.
In this trip, I choose the limited service Hyatt Place again.
Just keep in mind that the commute to an airport hotel is not worth it in terms of time and convenience unless you are saving hundreds like this scenario.
Again, like all tactics, you should be aware of this tactic in case and when you need it.
Don’t Forget To Earn Points, Promotions and Use a Cashback/Airline Portal
As always, pick a credit card that rewards you for travel like the Chase Sapphire Preferred/Reserve.
If you have a hotel credit card, you can consider that too.
As usual, make sure to check hotel promotions before you book your hotel.
I was able to take advantage of the Hyatt Place double points promotion.
Before you book, check which hotels have the best promotions.
Check to see if the hotel brand is on a cash back or airline shopping portal too.
If you are not familiar with hotel cash back/airline shopping portals, read this post.
Basically, in addition to your credit card rewards, additional points from hotel promotions, hotel shopping portals allow you to earn extra cash or airline miles.
Summary
An airport hotel can save you money.
Like all tactics,, it is is not for everyone or every situation.
Again, I don’t find the hotel prices under normal circumstances to be too high in most places.
I have used this tactic in similar situations as this one though.
On one trip to Atlanta, there was a kid’s sport tournament in town.
All the hotels in Downtown Atlanta were double the price, so I stayed at an airport Doubletree.
Like all tactics, use this tactic when and if you need it again.
Like the other tactics, you should be aware of this tactic in case you need it like I did.
I enjoyed Chicago and my Hyatt Place O’hare stay.
It was a great trip.
As usual, if this post was useful, save it on social media below.
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