Finding cheap hotel rates on the internet can be tricky. There are several sites out there that say they offer cheap hotel rates, but really when you compare prices with the actual hotel the rates really aren’t any cheaper. What exactly is it that you should pay attention to to validate that you are infact getting a cheap hotel rate? There are various factors, but we will try to clarify how to know you are getting a cheap hotel rate.

The very first thing a website offering real chap hotel rates will have is a guranateed lowest price. The statement will say something to the effect that if you find a lower price they will match it up until the cancellation penalty period. If they are not offering such a guarantee then they are just advertising for the hotel itself and they have no control over the pricing.

Secondly you need to find out if you have to pay when you book. Most people don’t like to pay when they book, but the fact is the only way to save money is to pay when you book. If you are not paying at the time you make the reservation then the hotel is billing you and this is not a truly discounted rate. The prepayment is required because the website has already bought the rooms from the hotel, and therefore they need the payment so they aren’t carrying huge inventories.

Taxes and fees are your next thing you have to look out for. Here is the major difference, when you go through the booking process on a discounted website they will charge a tax and service fee charge. This is not a booking fee paid to the website, this is money they collect to recover the amount they pay in taxes. When you see a rate on a hotel’s direct website it usually won’t include the taxes and fees either. When you want to compare prices, don’t compare nightly rates, click through like you are booking the reservation and see what the total is. The nightly rates mean nothing compared to the total.

Now you should be able to not only identify a website offering cheap hotel rates, but you should be able to compare them. Always try to book early, this is how you save the most money. As hotels fill up they get more expensive.