When booking a hotel room my biggest advice is to do your research.  Often it will be cheaper to book directly through the hotel, however sometimes it pays to check third party websites for specials and on-going deals.  Large websites have the budget and power to offer discounts and promotions exclusive to their customers. Orbitz.com is one such large company, and one of our preferred third party websites.  

Having had our eye on the Biltmore Hotel in Coral Gables, Miami, for a while now, we saw my parents coming to town as the ideal opportunity to book the hotel.  We had to drive them to Miami Friday morning for a cruise departure anyway, so why not spend the night on the Thursday and make a trip out of it?!

Four of us are staying here for $266.24!

We originally booked the Biltmore on Orbitz for $308.99 – a rate considerably cheaper than the $397 as advertised on their hotel website.  Cancellation was 100% free up until 48 hours before check-in.

For making this booking we instantly received $20 ‘orbucks’ –

A simple, free loyalty program that rewards travel lovers instantly. When you book flights, qualifying hotels or qualifying packages on www.orbitz.com you’ll earn Orbucks that can be used to save money on your next qualifying hotel booking.

After having signed up for emails with future deals, at 50 hours before check-in we received an email from Orbitz offering 20% off our next hotel booking.

Always opt in for emails about future specials and promotions.  You can always unsubscribe – what have you got to lose??!!

Realizing we had an opportunity to play the system, we cancelled our original reservation with a 100% refund.  We re-booked the same reservation applying our 20% promo code.

We applied our $20 orbucks to the booking.

The total price we paid for the room came to $266.24.  WINNING!

Total Savings: $81.80

MY ADVICE

1. When booking over third-party websites, ALWAYS opt in to hear about future specials and promotions.  You can always unsubscribe, so what have you got to lose?

2. Sign up for rewards programs on third-party websites.  To sign up for Orbitz Rewards it’s as easy as clicking on the “join” button at the top of the homepage. Our second reservation earned us $7.99 to put towards our next booking.

3. Always check your cancellation policy.  A more flexible cancellation policy allows you to save should a last minute deal or promotion pop up.

 About Megan Claire

Megan is an Australian Journalist who has been travelling and blogging around the world for the last 7 years to inspire others to embark on their own worldwide adventure!  Her husband Mike is an American travel photographer, and together they have made the world their home.

Follow their journey on Facebook, Google+ and Twitter.