Cheaper hotels & rentals

The deal: Last-minute vacation rentals up to 40% below the same properties on Airbnb and Vrbo, with all-in pricing.

Use it well: The sweet spot is within 30 days of check-in. Flexible destinations and dates unlock the most inventory; same-day booking with instant confirmation.

Watch out: Near-term inventory moves fast — good listings disappear. Always review property details and booking terms before paying.

The deal: Same-day and last-minute hotel deals in major cities, often 20–30% below standard rates.

Use it well: Best after 3pm for tonight. Excellent for road trips and flexible city breaks.

Watch out: Mostly non-refundable, and no hotel loyalty points on these rates.

The deal: Opaque bookings at deep discounts — the hotel name is revealed after you pay.

Use it well: Use the star rating, neighborhood, and amenity filters to triangulate which hotel it likely is before booking.

Watch out: Prepaid and non-changeable. No loyalty credit and no special requests guaranteed.

The deal: The same opaque model as Hotwire — the hidden hotel is often identical at a different price.

Use it well: Cross-check the star rating, neighborhood, and amenity list between the two sites before committing.

Watch out: Same trade-offs: prepaid, no changes, no points.

The deal: Clean price comparison across booking sites plus price tracking — the mainstream gem of hotel search.

Use it well: Track prices for your dates; book direct with the hotel when the price matches, for loyalty credit and better service.

Watch out: The cheapest option is sometimes a sketchy OTA — click through to see who's actually selling.