When planning a trip, many travel websites suggest booking flights and hotel accommodations together, claiming it will save you money. However, the reality is that separating your flight and hotel bookings can be a more cost-effective option for several reasons.
By booking your flight and hotel individually, you stand a better chance of saving money. This is because the pricing for flights and hotel rooms does not always align. The perfect time to secure a great deal on a hotel room may not coincide with when you should book your flight. Therefore, investing more time in coordinating your travel arrangements can lead to significant savings. According to HotelTonight CEO Sam Shank, “If you don’t book your flights early, you’re going to spend a fortune. With airline tickets, prices shoot up a lot if you wait too long, but it’s the exact opposite with hotel prices, which decline the longer you wait,” as reported by Forbes.
Due to this discrepancy in pricing strategies, hotels can benefit financially when users are encouraged to bundle their flight and hotel reservations. To maximize savings, it is advisable to book flights at least six weeks in advance. On the other hand, for hotel stays, it is often more economical to book closer to your intended date of stay. Forbes notes that, on average, hotels are only around two-thirds full on any given night, diminishing concerns about accommodation availability in most instances.
