Know What the Experts Know: Hotels.com Shares 'Tips of the Trade' and Offers Big Savings on Hot Hotels

Know What the Experts Know: Hotels.com Shares 'Tips of the Trade' and Offers Big Savings on Hot Hotels

		50 first prize winners in the Hotels.com "Celebrate Spring Sweepstakes" will receive a Delphi XM MyFi(TM) handheld satellite radio with one year of basic service and free activation. One lucky grand prize winner will win a "Celebrate Spring" vacation from Hotels.com and XM Satellite Radio. (PRNewsFoto) DALLAS, TX USA

The Hotel Experts Reveal How to Get the Best Deals When Booking a Hotel Online DALLAS, Sept. 15 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- If you're wondering when you should take that trip to Hawaii or which hotel to book next February, Hotels.com, the Experts who know hotels inside and out, are sharing "insider tips" to help everyone plan their next great vacation and save money in the process. "There are thousands of great hotels in hundreds of destinations and knowing when to book is the key to getting a great deal," said Carl Minto-Sparks, senior vice president of marketing and retail operations for Hotels.com. "Online is still the way to go when booking. http://www.hotels.com often provides added discounts to its customers including gas rebates and TripBucks(TM) which are destination specific coupons for activities such as dining, area attractions and shopping that can really help keep that cash in your wallet." Booking online allows travel planners to quickly review and compare properties and choose the hotel that best fits their needs based on price, amenities and location. That, coupled with these tips from Hotels.com, will help even the savviest travel planner score big for their next trip. Tips for Planning to Save * Start planning early. There's a big misconception that you can wait until the last minute to book a great hotel deal. While last minute deals are available -- the best deals are available 30-60-90 days out. Occupancy rates are returning to record high levels again so if you're picky -- then book ahead and book online -- the best deals are online. * Do your research. There are so many great hotels out there -- from boutiques, to Bed & Breakfasts and all-inclusive resorts. Think about the type of experience you want to have, how much you want to spend and search for hotels that meet your needs. Hotels.com makes it easy to plan, shop and book a hotel. * Be flexible with travel arrangements. Timing is everything. If you know which hotel you want to visit and your schedule is flexible, then you can find great deals online. Tips on When To Book * Book early when a sale is announced or during holiday times. Book even earlier for a better chance to snap up the lower rates. Now is a great time to book holiday hotels! * Hotels in cities are usually cheapest on the weekends when business travelers aren't there. For example: NYC, Boston, Chicago and Atlanta. * Hotels in resort areas popular to leisure travelers are often cheapest during the week. Arrive on Sunday and stay thru Thursday. For example: Orlando, Hawaii, Palm Springs and Phoenix. Tips on Traveling Off-Season * Travel off-season when airfares and hotel rates are at their lowest. * For the Caribbean and Mexico - low season is September-December 15 (high season is winter). So start making plans now for a fall getaway! * Fall and spring are the times to plan that trip to Hawaii (high seasons are winter and summer). * High season for Europe is almost over and while rates will fall in the fall, Low season for Europe is winter. Here are examples of some great deals from Hotels.com: Caribe Royale -- Orlando -- Book now for travel between 11/1 and 12/24 - stay 2 nights get 15% off; stay 3 nights or more get 20%. Hotel has complimentary shuttles from area theme parks Arizona Biltmore -- Phoenix -- Book now and receive a $50 Resort Credit when you book 2 or more nights. (Credit can be applied to Food & Beverages, the spa, and retail stores.) Watermark Hotel and Spa -- San Antonio -- 10% off spa treatments when booked on http://www.hotels.com About Hotels.com Hotels.com is a leading provider of lodging worldwide, offering reservation services through its own websites (including http://www.hotels.com and others), its interactive affiliate network (http://www.IAN.com ), and its toll-free call centers (1-800-2-HOTELS). Hotels.com gives travelers one of the widest selections of lodging accommodations from traditional hotels to vacation rentals at more than 20,000 properties worldwide. Hotels.com is an operating company of Expedia, Inc. (Nasdaq: EXPE). CST: 2059975-40 CONTACT: Diana Gold Public Relations Manager, Hotels.com dgold@hotels.com 469-335-1315