6 booking strategies for finding the best hotel deals

Tell me if this sounds familiar: I was recently booking a last-minute hotel in Washington, D.C., and found prices that varied by nearly $100 for the exact same room. I've been a travel journalist for more than two decades, but even I was surprised by how much the final price can change depending on whether I choose a last-minute offer, a hotel loyalty rate or an AAA discount.

If you've tried to book a hotel room recently while keeping costs down, you've probably encountered a similar maze of rates, discounts and fine print. After sorting through all the options, I turned what I learned into a cheat sheet to help other travelers find the best available rate.

Want a better deal on your next hotel room? Here's where to look.

"One hack I would tell anyone looking for a hotel is to join the hotel's loyalty program, even if you don't plan on going back," says Clint Henderson, principal spokesperson for The Points Guy .

Hotel loyalty programs are typically free to join, and simply being a member can give you access to a lower rate. Major hotel groups — Marriott Bonvoy, Hilton Honors, World of Hyatt and IHG One Rewards, among others — routinely offer members-only prices when you book directly.

World of Hyatt members, for example, can access a discounted advance-purchase rate when booking at least seven days before a stay, while Hilton Honors says members can save up to 17% with advance-purchase reservations.

Plus, there's another reason to sign up: loyalty points. "You'll earn stay credits toward elite status and points that you can use on your next trip," says Henderson.

But here's a tip that can help even more: You don't necessarily have to sleep at a hotel to earn its loyalty points. Many programs offer partnerships that let you earn points through everyday spending, which you can redeem for hotel stays. Marriott Bonvoy members, for example, can earn points through Uber rides and Uber Eats orders. Hilton Honors members can earn points through Lyft and participating restaurants .

You'll need to link your accounts, and qualifying requirements vary by partnership. It won't necessarily earn you a free night immediately, but those everyday points can add up and eventually help pay for a hotel stay.

A third-party site may show you a tempting rate, but the hotel itself is where you can often find a better deal through member rates, AAA rates, senior rates and other promotions.

Ultimately, says Henderson, "There are lots of ways to save money on hotel rooms, but your best bet is usually booking direct with the hotel. Not only because they almost always have better, or at least the same, rates as online travel agencies, but because you'll be better off dealing with the hotel directly if something goes wrong."

Direct booking can have another advantage too. Marriott will match a qualifying lower rate and offer either an additional 25% discount or 5,000 points if you submit an eligible claim within 24 hours of booking. Hyatt, IHG, Wyndham, Choice and Hilton also offer best-rate guarantees under their respective terms.

3. Consider joining AAA or AARP for the discounts

Club membership with AAA or AARP has an upfront cost, but the discounts may be worth it if you travel frequently.

AAA membership prices and benefits vary by region and membership level. Some regional clubs offer lower-cost tiers that include travel and other member discounts but not roadside assistance, so check your local AAA club for current pricing and benefits.

When you're booking directly with a hotel, look under "Special Rates" for the AAA/CAA option and compare it with the other available rates. I've consistently found AAA rates to be among the best deals available, with discounts of up to 10% at Hilton and Hyatt, 5% or more at Marriott and 10% or more at Choice.

An AARP membership generally costs around $15 to $20 per year, depending on the membership term and whether you enroll in automatic renewal. Members can access discounted rates at participating Wyndham, Choice and Best Western properties, plus discounts from participating restaurants and car rental companies. Think this doesn't apply to you? Even though AARP focuses on people aged 50-plus, anyone who's 18 or older can join.

The exact eligibility requirements can vary, but many hotel chains offer a senior rate on their websites — and depending on the chain, you could qualify as early as age 55. You'll generally find this discount under "Special Rates" when you search for a room.

It doesn't always produce the biggest savings, but I've used senior rates to get about 10% off the lowest rate when helping relatives book rooms, and I've been jealous of their access to special pricing (note that you may be required to show ID confirming your age).

Some travel credit cards offer annual hotel credits when you book through the issuer's travel portal, helping offset the card's annual fee. I used one of these credits to lower the cost of a recent trip — although the rate listed in the portal wasn't the cheapest I found, it became the most affordable option after the credit was applied.

Premium travel cards with higher annual fees may offer several hundred dollars in hotel credits each year, along with perks like airport lounge access. Hotel-branded cards can also help reduce lodging costs: Some provide an annual free-night certificate, while others — including cards with no annual fee — earn points that can be redeemed for hotel stays.

And if you've racked up a bunch of points, use them. "If you have transferable points from one of the big banks, don't sleep on transferring them to a hotel program and booking that way," adds Henderson. "It can sometimes be a great deal."

Hotels want to lock you into a reservation, and they're often willing to make it worth your while if you agree to prepay. These advance-purchase rates can be cheaper than flexible rates, but they're usually nonrefundable under standard cancellation terms.

I've found this works well for last-minute reservations, when I know my plans are set. But if there's a decent chance you'll need to change your plans (and this is especially relevant if you have small kids, elderly relatives or health concerns), it's often worth it to pay a little more for flexibility. A $20 savings isn't much of a deal if you end up forfeiting $200 because your plans changed.

There are sometimes exceptions to nonrefundable policies. For example, in cases of bereavement or serious illness, a hotel may agree to move your reservation or issue a refund if you provide documentation, but that decision is generally at the hotel's discretion. If the hotel closes and cancels your reservation due to severe weather or another emergency, you should generally receive a refund or an alternative accommodation. Just keep in mind that bad weather or travel disruptions alone don't necessarily entitle you to a refund if the hotel remains open.