5 Basics Tips in Making Hotel Bookings

Not sure what to look for when you want to book for a hotel? Here are some tips for it.

1. Booking Details

First and foremost, this is a no brainer BUT selecting the correct details (e.g. destinations, check-in and check-out dates, occupancy, room types) is the most crucial part!

A lot of people often times said that they have problems after a booking was made (like booked the wrong dates, or wrong hotel even!). They will keep on calling the travel agency to request assistance to amend the details and keep on worrying about it.

So in order to save yourself the problems mentioned, kindly reconfirm your details before making the booking.

Adapted from Expedia.com. Check the destionation, dates, and even numbers of travellers (including kids and their ages!)

2. Cancellation Policy

Remember, remember, remember! Be very mindful of the hotel's cancellation policy when you book your bookings.

Non-Refundable

This policy means that once the booking was booked by you, you are not able to cancel or modify it. Normally for bookings with this kind of policy, the room rates are cheaper, so the hotel won't allow customers to cancel this booking once it was made.

Free Cancellation

This means that a booking can be cancelled with full refund, BUT there is a catch.

Most bookings have a certain free cancellation period, so after that period, you are not able to cancel the booking and get a refund.

This is an example of non-refundable policy and a free cancellation policy.

Adapted from Booking.com

3. Payment Methods

There are different types of payment methods to pay for your booking. Some requests you to pay now, while others request you to pay at hotel.

Pay Now

This literally means paying the hotel fees now. When you are making the booking, you directly pay the fees to the website, so when you reached the hotel, you do not have to pay anything.

Pay At Hotel

Some websites allow customers to pay the hotel fees directly to the hotel. This does not mean that you pay when you ARRIVE at the HOTEL, it just means that the hotel will charge your hotel fee instead of the booking website.

Normally for this type of payment methods, some of the website rewards or freebies will not be able to be used because your fees are paid to the hotel instead of the website.

Adapted from Hotels.com

Adapted from Hotels.com. The ‘Pay at Hotel' option doesn't allow you to redeem the rewards

Book Now, Pay Later

While some other websites allow you to 'Book Now, Pay Later', which means that you can book now, but until a certain date, the booking will be charged automatically from your credit card.

Do keep in mind that the 'Book Now, Pay Later' is subject to currency fluctuation, so the room rates may vary from what you have booked on the first day.

Adapted from Agoda. This kind of bookings allow you to book first, then pay later on a specific date.

4. Child Policy

Although in most countries, children who are above 18 years old are considered adults, and those below 18 years old are still considered as children, but different countries and hotels have their own child policies.

Adapted from Agoda. This hotel's child policy clearly stated that children who are 7 years old and above are considered adults, and they are to be charged for extra fees.

So be sure to select your children's age when booking for a hotel, because you will may need to pay more if you do not follow the hotel's child policy.

5. Airport Shuttle Service

Nowadays, there are quite a number of hotels provide airport shuttle service to pick up travelers to their hotel.

Do check out with the hotel or booking website whether the airport shuttle service is free or not because sometimes the shuttle service does not come complimentary with the booking.

Adapted from Expedia. This hotel stated that there is airport shuttle services available, but fees may apply.

So be sure to check with the accommodation, so that you will not have any hassles when you arrive to the new country.

That's all for today! :)