How to pay less for a place to stay

Travel prices move every day, so there is rarely one code that fixes everything. What works is knowing which settings and programs change the price you see.

Use the loyalty level you already have

Booking.com's Genius program starts at Level 1, which is open to anyone with an account and takes 10% off eligible stays. Sign in before you search, or the discounted prices will not show.

Stay a little longer

On Airbnb, many hosts set a weekly discount for stays of seven nights or more and a monthly discount for 28 nights or more. A six-night stay can cost more than seven. Try both before you book.

Check the full price, not the nightly price

• Add cleaning and service fees before you compare two places
• Look at the cancellation terms: a cheaper non-refundable rate is a bet
• Compare the total for your exact dates, not an average

Be flexible by a day or two

Shifting a trip by one day often changes the price more than any discount. Midweek stays are usually cheaper in cities; weekends can be cheaper in business districts.

Plan the rest of the trip

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