How To Make Your Hotel Stay Way Cheaper Than You Ever Thought Possible

This plan takes some time to establish and is heavily based on having a good network, but if you swing it, it will shave lots off of vacation costs!

Step 1: Friend the right folks...that friend from undergrad that majored in Tourism and Hotel Management might be willing and able to hook you up with a Friends and Family Discount.

One of my connects works for Starwood Hotels and Resorts, allowing me a discounted stay at any Sheraton, 4 Points, The W, Luxury Connection, Le Meridien, Westin, St. Regis, Aloft, or Element hotel. International hotels and resorts included.

This is the key element, so start working on it! If you're really good, you'll have friends at a few different hotel chains--Hilton, Hyatt, Marriot; allowing you an even wider range of choices.

SN: The hotel industry is fascinating to me because it's pretty much dominated by the four big dogs mentioned above--Hilton, Hyatt, Marriot, and Starwood. Can I get in on that action?


Step 2: Start planning trips...you might find that you're inexplicably drawn to cities that house your discounted hotel. I ain't mad atcha :)

Step 3: Prep ahead and get on the list...before each booking, each party has to fill out a bit of paperwork. It's quick and easy and necessary. Make sure you have that taken care.

Step 4: Get a card...your hotel stay might be way cheaper than you dreamed, but you can still make it put in a bit more work. Get a rewards card. I love the Starwood Preferred Guest (SPG) card by American Express.

Step 5: Live it up. Your peeps will think you're banking or well connected or brilliant. Either way, you'll be the cool friend or older sibling. Accept it...embrace it...travel...have fun and be smart about it!