17 of the Best Websites to Book Cheap Hotels in 2024

When planning a vacation, an important choice you need to make is deciding where you’ll stay. Many travelers book hotels because they find them to be a safe and comfortable accommodation choice. If you’re starting to plan your next trip, you may be wondering where to stay and how to get a great hotel price. If you know where and how to book, you can secure an excellent price for your next stay. We’ll explain the different websites you can use to find or book a hotel and the best website options to consider.

Types of Websites to Book Hotels (Summary)

Here are a few types of websites that you can use: 

Book directly with the hotel: You may decide to book directly with the hotel. When you do this, you’ll make your reservation directly on their website. Some hotels offer extra savings this way, but you may not be getting the best possible deal. But when choosing this method, you can feel more confident that the hotel will have your room and that you’ll be dealing directly with the hotel’s customer service. Examples of major hotel chain options include Marriott International Hotels, IHG Hotels and Resorts, Choice Hotels, Hilton Worldwide Hotels, and Motel 6.

Use an online travel agency: Using an online travel agency is another option. With this method, you’ll search for hotels based on your search filters and will be shown the best prices. You can also book directly with these online travel agency companies. 

Search for a hotel using a travel aggregator: While you can’t book a hotel directly with a travel aggregator, you can search for the best hotel deals with this tool. Travel aggregators search the web and gather the best prices for you based on your search filters. These tools are easy to use and can save you a lot of time. With that in mind, they will often direct you to an online travel agency or directly to the hotel’s website to book.

Use HotelSlash to track prices after booking: HotelSlash is a new service that monitors existing hotel bookings for price drops and upgrade opportunities. This paid service lets members track prices for bookings made directly with hotels, through OTAs, and through HotelSlash.

Use an online travel rewards portal: You can also book a hotel stay through an online travel rewards portal. If you have a rewards credit card and earn points or miles, this may be a good way to put your earned rewards to use. These are similar to online travel agencies, but they’re tied to the credit card rewards program that you use. Actual hotel credit cards may even be more valuable.

Check out some recommended websites below:

Online Travel Agencies (OTAs)

Online Travel Agencies or OTAs make it easy for you to search for hotels. They compare rates available throughout the web and organize the search results all in one place for you to view. You can use various search filters to find the perfect hotel for your needs. Before using an OTA, you should be aware of the pros and cons. 

Pros: Using OTAs may offer benefits. You can often find a better hotel deal when compared to booking directly with the hotel. You can also use other money-saving tools like cash back rebate programs to save even more on the cost of a hotel. 

Cons: When you use an OTA to book a hotel, you’ll need to deal with their customer service. If you need to make reservation changes or have an issue, that may be frustrating because they may be less likely to help you out. Additionally, you may not be able to cancel your reservation beyond 24 hours after booking. Some OTAs may charge a fee to do this or may not allow you to cancel at all. 

These are some OTAs that allow you to search for and book hotels:

1. Orbitz

Orbitz makes it easy to search for and book a hotel. Search filters allow you to find the perfect hotel by narrowing down essential details such as the location, property type, room type, amenities, cost, and accessibility. The prices shown include taxes and fees. Some properties and bookings qualify for Orbitz’s price match guarantee. Orbitz has a rewards program called Orbitz Rewards. You’ll earn Orbucks when booking travel through Orbitz, and you can redeem Orbucks for hotel stays.   

Pros:

• Has a rewards program 
• Has a price match program for eligible bookings
• Prices listed include taxes and fees

Cons: 

• Earned Orbucks can be redeemed for free hotel stays, but not all properties and bookings are eligible
• Not all properties and bookings qualify for a price match

Click Here to See Cheap Hotel Deals at Orbitz

2. Expedia

Expedia is another OTA option when searching and booking hotel stays. You can use the many search filters to find a hotel for your next trip. Some filtering options include property type, guest rating, cost, amenities, star rating, and location. Expedia makes it clear if a booking is fully refundable. You can also make reserve now, pay layer bookings for some properties, which allow you to pay at check-in. Expedia offers a price match guarantee on eligible bookings. Expedia also has a rewards program called ExpediaRewards, which enables members to earn rewards and get discounts. 

Pros:

• Has a rewards program 
• Has a price match program for eligible bookings
• Prices listed include taxes and fees
• Offers reserve now pay later bookings

Cons: 

• Not all properties and bookings qualify for a price match

Click Here to See Cheap Hotel Deals at Expedia

3. Hotwire

Hotwire is another OTA you can use to search and book hotels. You can use the many filters to find a great hotel. Some bookings qualify for a price match if you find a lower price on an identical booking within 24 hours of making a reservation. 

Hotwire also has Hot Rate prices available for some properties. 

Hotwire will show you basic details about a hotel and its price but will hide the property name. You won’t find out where you’ll be staying until you book and pay. As long as you’re okay with not knowing that hotel you’ll be staying at until after you make your reservation, Hot Rate bookings can save you money. 

Pros:

• Shows non-refundable and refundable property options
• Hot Rate bookings can offer significant savings 
• Offers price matching on eligible bookings 

Cons: 

• We noticed that many of the refundable property bookings cost more money
• When you book Hot Rate properties, you won’t know where you’re staying until after you book 
• Not all properties and bookings qualify for a price match

Click Here to See Cheap Hotel Deals at Hotwire

4. Booking.com

Booking.com allows you to search and book hotel stays, but they also display other accommodation options such as bed and breakfasts, hostels, and vacation homes. You can filter your search in many ways, including by star rating, budget, accommodation type, distance from attractions, and available amenities. 

When you perform a search, Booking shows the price for your entire stay instead of a nightly price. With that said, taxes and fees aren’t included. Booking offers price matching. This is available up to 24 hours before check-in for the same dates, accommodation, and room type. Booking must be able to verify the same price online. This OTA also has its own rewards program with discounts available at participating properties. 

Pros:

• Shows whether a property offers free cancellation
• Shows properties that allow you to pay later 
• Has a price match policy
• Includes non-hotel accommodation options 

Cons: 

• The prices listed don’t include taxes 
• Genius Rewards program doesn’t allow you to earn points

Click Here to See Cheap Hotel Deals at Booking.com

5. Travelocity

Travelocity is also a popular OTA choice to use when booking hotel stays. Like many other OTAs, you can filter your search results to find the right hotel for your next vacation. Travelocity will tell you if a booking is fully refundable. You also have the option to book and pay in advance for hotels, or some properties will allow you to reserve now and pay later. It’s worthwhile to create a Travelocity account and login because some properties show member-only pricing. Travelocity also offers a price match guarantee. 

Pros:

• Prices listed include taxes and fees
• Shows whether a booking is fully refundable
• Shows properties that require pre-payment and also show reserve now, pay later properties

Cons: 

• No rewards program

Click Here to See Cheap Hotel Deals at Travelocity

6. Agoda

With Agoda, you can filter your search results quickly and in similar ways as other OTAs. Like Booking.com, you can search and book guesthouses and hostels in addition to hotels. Agoda will tell you if a booking includes free cancellation and highlights other notable perks, such as free breakfast. If you prefer not to pre-pay for your hotel stay, Agoda will show you properties that allow you to pay at check-in. We noticed that these options usually cost more. 

Their PointsMAX program lets you book accommodations with Agoda and earn points or miles through your favorite airline loyalty program, which can be a nice perk for frequent travelers.  

Pros:

• Book hotels and other non-traditional accommodations like guesthouses and hostels
• Shows whether a property offers free cancelation 
• Includes both pre-pay and pay at check-in options 
• Earn points through airline loyalty programs with Agoda’s PointsMAX program 

Cons: 

• Offers the option to pay at check-in for some properties, but the prices are usually higher

Click Here to See Cheap Hotel Deals at Agoda

7. Priceline

With Priceline, you can search and book hotels. Their filtering options make it easier to find your next hotel. What makes Priceline unique when compared to many other OTAs is their Pricebreakers feature. When you see Pricebreakers in your search results, you’ll be shown three properties. You will see some basic details and a price, but you won’t know which of the three properties you’re booking until after you pay. Pricebreakers bookings can provide a way to get an excellent deal. If you like the element of surprise, that is! 

Priceline also offers Express Deals. These are similar to Pricebreakers, except you only see one property (with no name listed) and a few basic details and a price. This is another good way to save if you don’t mind not knowing where you’ll be staying until after you book and pay. 

Pros:

• Pricebreakers and Express Deals bookings can save you money
• Shows pay later options
• Shows whether a booking includes free cancelation 

Cons: 

• When you book Pricebreakers properties or Express Deals properties, you won’t know where you’re staying until after you reserve your stay and pay.

Click Here to See Cheap Hotel Deals at Priceline

8. Hotels.com

Hotels.com is another tool that makes it easier to search for and book hotels. You can use the filters to narrow down the search results. Two prices are listed—the nightly price and the price for your entire stay. Hotels.com will highlight whether a booking includes free cancellation, and you can book and pre-pay for stays or choose bookings that qualify for payment at check-in.

Hotels.com has a rewards program called Hotels.com Rewards. As a member, you’ll earn 1 free hotel night for every 10 nights. Members also get access to Secret Prices at eligible properties. You’ll earn a stamp for every eligible night. Not all properties and bookings qualify for stamps. It’s also worth noting that not all properties qualify for reward nights. See our complete guide on saving money on travel with Hotels.com for more information.

Pros:

• Shows whether bookings include free cancellation
• Allows pre-payment or payment at check-in for select bookings
• Earn 1 free night after 10 eligible night stays through the Hotels.comRewards program 

Cons: 

• Not all properties qualify towards earning a free night stay
• Not all properties qualify for a free rewards night

Click Here to See Cheap Hotel Deals at Hotels.com

9. HotelTonight

HotelTonight is a bit different than other OTAs. HotelTonight helps hotels secure last-minute bookings by offering rooms at a discounted rate. This presents savings for travelers. You can use the HotelTonight website or app. HotelTonight lets you make same-day reservations, or you have the option to book a stay in advance. Filtering tools are minimal. HotelTonight also shows Daily Drop properties with additional discounts. 

Pros:

• You can book hotel stays at the last minute 
• You may be able to save extra money by booking last-minute hotels 

Cons: 

• Filtering tools are limited 
• You can’t always choose your room type as many properties choose the room type for you since you’re securing a lower rate 
• Most bookings are non-cancellable, non-modifiable, and non-refundable

10. Hopper

Hopper is a website and mobile app. You can search for hotels and use the filtering tools to find what you need. With that said, their filtering options aren’t as vast as other OTAs. Hopper gives price predictions, which can help you decide when it’s the best time to reserve your room. You can book stays that include free cancellation or make non-refundable reservations. When opening up the calendar view, you can see which dates are cheaper or more expensive for your destination of choice. If your dates are flexible, this tool can help you save more money. 

Pros:

• Predicts pricing so you can better decide when to book 
• Offers free cancellation bookings and non-refundable bookings
• Categories prices as low to high in calendar view  

Cons: 

• Filters aren’t as vast as other OTAs

Travel Aggregators

Travel aggregators are like search engines. They search multiple websites to find the best hotel deals. You can use these websites to search for a hotel, and using a travel aggregator can help you save time. But remember you won’t be able to use these tools to make your hotel booking. Instead, you’ll make your reservation off the platform. 

These are some travel aggregators that allow you to search for hotels:

11. Trivago

Trivago is the first on our list of travel aggregators. You can use this tool to search for and find hotels, but you’ll be directed elsewhere to make your booking. You can use the many filters available and the price-by-night slider tool to show cheaper hotel options. In addition to hotels, Trviago showcases home and apartment rentals, too. Trivago explains if bookings qualify for free cancellation and if properties allow you to pay at the property. 

Pros:

• Shows top amenities of each hotel
• Includes hotel and apartment rentals in addition to hotels 
• Shows whether bookings include free cancellation
• Highlights properties that allow payment to be made at the property 

Cons: 

• You’ll need to book the reservation offsite

12. Google Hotels

If you’ve ever used Google Flights, you’ll probably find Google Hotels easy to use, too. Google Hotels has easy-to-use search filters.  When searching, some properties will be labeled as a good deal and will make a note of how much savings you’ll get if you book them. Additionally, you can select special offers when filtering to view special deals. Google Hotels will show you hotels and vacation rentals. 

If you’re unsure where you want to travel, you can also view hotel prices by destination on the main Google Hotels page. This may help inspire you as you plan your trip. When you’re ready to book, Google will direct you elsewhere to make your reservation.

Pros:

• Shows top amenities of each hotel
• Has a “show free cancellations only” button  
• Offers additional tools to learn about a destination
• Display vacation rentals and hotels 

Cons: 

• You’ll need to book the reservation offsite

13. HotelsCombined

HotelsCombined is another travel aggregator. You can search for hotels, use the many included filters, and see different hotel options. HotelsCombined shows you the price on various OTAs and the official hotel website, which helps you choose the lowest rate. 

If free cancellation is included with a booking, HotelsCombined makes a note. This website shows dates as cheaper, average, or higher when you open up the calendar view. If you have flexibility, this can help you choose cheaper dates for your stay. 

Pros:

• Shows top amenities of each hotel
• Shows whether a booking includes free cancellation
• Has a calendar view that shows whether pricing is low, average, or high  

Cons: 

• You’ll need to book the reservation offsite

Click Here to See Cheap Hotel Deals at HotelsCombined

14. Tripadvisor Hotels

Tripadvisor is another option. When you search for a hotel, you can use the many included filtering options. You’ll be shown prices available on a variety of booking platforms. Tripadvisor clearly outlines the top amenities and highlights of each hotel. When you open up the calendar view, Tripadvisor will show you the cheapest dates. You’ll also see book now pay later options as well as pre-pay booking options. When it’s time to book, Tripadvisor will direct you elsewhere to make your reservation. 

Pros:

• Shows top amenities of each hotel
• Shows cheaper priced dates in calendar view
• Displays book now, pay later reservation options as well as pre-pay reservations 

Cons: 

• The prices shown don’t include taxes and fees 
• You’ll need to book the reservation offsite

Click Here to See Cheap Hotel Deals at Tripadvisor

Travel Rewards Portals

You can also use a travel rewards portal to search for and book hotels. If you use a credit card to earn rewards points, you may decide to book travel through their rewards portal. You can use these tools to book with points or you can use your credit card to pay. Travel rewards portals function similarly to any other online travel search tool. They have filters, are relatively easy to use, and can help you find your next hotel.

We’ve included three common travel rewards portal options:

15. Chase Ultimate Rewards

As a Chase cardholder, you can book various travel needs through the Chase Ultimate Rewards portal, including hotel stays. You’ll be able to search by destination and use the filtering options to narrow down your selections. Prices are listed in dollars and points. You can pay with your card, points, or a combination of both. If you have extra Chase points to use up, it may be worthwhile to check this portal first. Just make sure that you’re making good use of your points. 

Pros:

• Easy to use tool with search filters 
• Can use points, pay with card, or a combination of both 

Cons: 

• This may not always be the cheapest option or best use of points. Transferring to a partner airline or hotel usually provides better value.

16. American Express Travel

If you have an AmEx card, you may be looking to use your points through the American Express Travel portal. When using this portal, you can use many filters to find the right hotel. The nightly price is listed in dollars and points. Amex also lets you know if a booking is fully flexible. You can pay with your card, points, or a combination of both. If you have Amex points to use, this may be an option to consider. But first, do the math to see if it’s a good use of points. 

Pros:

• Easy to use tool with search filters 
• Can use points, pay with card, or a combination of both 

Cons: 

• This may not always be the cheapest option or best use of points. American Express has numerous hotel partners to transfer Membership Rewards points to. In many cases, points are worth 2 cents per point or more when transferring to hotels.

17. Capital One Travel

Capital One cardholders can use the Capital One Travel portal to find and book hotel stays. You’ll be able to use filters to narrow down the search results. Prices are shown in miles and dollars. Like with other credit card travel portals, you have the option to pay with miles, dollars, or a combination of both.  If you have Capital One miles to use, this may be an option to consider. Before booking, check to see if it’s a good use of miles. 

Pros:

• Easy to use tool with search filters 
• Can use miles to book, pay with card, or a combination of both

Cons: 

• This may not always be the cheapest option or best use of points. Capital One has numerous hotel transfer partners where points are worth more.

The Vacationer’s Final Thoughts

I always recommend searching a variety of different websites before booking your hotel room. While booking direct often has unique benefits, OTAs often have cheaper prices. It really depends on how much you value gaining and maintaining status with a particular hotel brand. See also our guides on the best websites for booking cheap flights, the best websites for booking cheap car rentals, and the best websites for booking cheap cruises. Additionally, see our how to make a travel budget guide to figure out how much you can spend on a hotel.